Reimagining the Liberal Arts in the Age of AI Conference
University of Mary Washington
Seacobeck Hall
July 22 – 23

Join us for sessions that explore AI across the curriculum through pragmatic perspectives that address values-focused AI integration with human-centered pedagogy.

Register by Monday, July 6 — UMW faculty and staff must use a code to register; please contact Victoria Russell if you need assistance.

The program for Wednesday, July 22, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., includes an opening keynote by Lance Eaton, a lunch keynote by Theresa L. Burriss, and a full day of sessions focused on how liberal arts faculty are engaging AI in teaching, writing, rhetoric, ethics and curriculum design. On Thursday, July 23, from 7:30 a.m to 12:45 p.m., the conversations extend with a breakfast keynote by David Rettinger, case studies on course designs and learning resources. See the full program.

This conference stems from work with COPLAC through the National Endowment for the Humanities grant awarded in 2024 to support collaborative curricular design by humanities faculty.

Visit the Reimagining the Liberal Arts in the Age of AI conference website for more information.

Bringing the experience and perspective needed to build on our already strong foundation, Timothy P. O’Keefe has been appointed Interim Dean of the College of Business. He recently concluded his service as dean of the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota, where he led significant growth in both graduate and undergraduate enrollment and strengthened academic offerings and processes.

Dean O’Keefe brings extensive experience in academic leadership, having previously served as dean and professor at Longwood University and in senior leadership roles at the University of North Dakota, including executive director and chair positions. Across these roles, he has led strategic planning efforts, guided multiple AACSB accreditation processes, strengthened advisory boards, and implemented initiatives to improve student access, retention, and program quality.

A faculty member and scholar in information systems, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship, Dean O’Keefe combines deep academic experience with practical leadership. His work reflects a consistent focus on innovation in business education, data-informed decision-making, and building strong connections between academic programs and industry partners.

Recently retired from the University of South Dakota, Dean O’Keefe brings both the experience and the capacity to provide steady, forward-looking leadership during this interim period. His background in leading organizational change and advancing enrollment and program growth positions him well to continue the college’s momentum.

Deep appreciation goes to Dean Filiz Tabak for her leadership and service as Dean of the College of Business. Over the last three years, the college has advanced significantly in both stature and direction. She successfully led it through its AACSB Continuous Improvement Review, securing a six-year extension of accreditation, and guided the development of a new mission, vision, and strategic plan through a highly collaborative process.

During her tenure, the college strengthened its national profile through rankings, recognition and philanthropic support, expanded and modernized its academic portfolio — including new graduate programs in AI in Business and an enhanced MBA — and advanced the integration of emerging technologies into the curriculum. She also led important structural and organizational work, including the academic reorganization aligning business with computer science, economics, and mathematics, while strengthening governance, partnerships, and student career pathways. UMW is grateful for Dean Tabak’s vision, energy and many contributions.

America 250 inspires an exhibition of Gari Melchers’ history paintings. During his career, patrons commissioned the artist to paint historic subjects for public buildings. Over life-size scenes fill their designated spaces in prominent libraries and two state capitols. The subjects range from allegory to posthumous portraits, for which the artist aimed to depict historically accurate appearances. General Nathanael Greene, Commodore Oliver Perry, and Mark Twain are among them. These paintings represent perspectives of their time and prompt reflection on the lessons of history.

The GMHS collection has dozens of studies for these murals, providing a rare opportunity to see the artist’s process as he developed some of the final compositions. Neither intended nor conserved for public view, these sketches and paintings were saved by the artist nonetheless. The types of drawing surfaces, his design variations, and signs of use and aging provide a visual record of artistic activity, and range in size from mere inches to up to nine feet tall.

The exhibition will be on view until January 15, 2027 at Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont

Richmond-area alumni, families, and friends… you’re invited to an evening with the Richmond Ivy Soccer Club!

Join us at City Stadium on Tuesday, June 23 from 7 – 9 p.m. We will cheer on the Ivy, a pre-professional women’s soccer team affiliated with the Richmond Kickers. This year, the Ivy roster includes Naomi Knight and Maci Landel, two members of the UMW Women’s Soccer team, so we can support the home team and UMW players at the same time. And your first drink is on us!

We will have a ledge box reserved in addition to General Admission seating. Come by the ledge box to check in and get your drink ticket. From there, you are welcome to hang out in the box, but you also may move to the seating area.

Note: Each registrant may also register up to three guests, for four tickets total. If you need more than that, please email Phillip Duggins to inquire about availability.

We hope you will join us to cheer on the Ivy. Wear your Mary Washington gear!

During the month of June, UMW will welcome incoming students and their families to campus for Orientation. For more information and schedules, visit the New Student Programs website.

Orientation is a vital experience designed to help students and their families feel welcomed, involved and connected to the University. Your support in this mission is greatly appreciated, and you are invited to volunteer to welcome our newest students to campus. It’s a great month to sport your UMW gear and nametag, and “ask me anything” buttons are available for volunteers.

As a reminder, parking lots will be reserved for Orientation as follows:

• June 10, 15, 17, 23, & 25: George Washington, Double Drive, Jefferson Square, and the Randolph/Mason lots.
• June 11, 16, 18, 24, & 26: George Washington, Double Drive, Jefferson Square, Randolph/Mason, Thornton and Pizza Hut lots. While guest vehicles will remain in George Washington until the conclusion of Orientation, spaces that remain open on these dates after 10 a.m. may be used by UMW faculty and staff.
• June 12 & 29: George Washington lot. While guest vehicles will remain in George Washington until the conclusion of Orientation, spaces that remain open after 10 a.m. may be used by UMW faculty and staff.

Parking for faculty and staff will remain available in all other designated and unreserved faculty and staff lots.

 As a reminder:

• Accessible parking spaces are available in all open lots to any vehicles with DMV-issued accessible placards or license plates.
• The UMW Police Department provides escorts when needed and may be reached at ext. 1025. Please visit the Safety Escort webpage for more information.

 For a calendar view of lot reservations visit the Parking Lot Reservations Calendar webpage.

Facilities Operations continues work on several projects across campus this summer, including major construction, renovation, signage, and campus improvement initiatives.

New Theatre Project
With demolition of Marshall and Russell Halls nearly complete, the site at the corner of William St. and Sunken Road is ready for construction of the new theatre.

George Washington Hall Roof and Chiller Replacements
The roof on GW Hall will be replaced later this summer following orientation sessions, July 1 through August 19. Offices in the building may be open during this time, but events will be limited in Dodd Auditorium.  If upper floor closures are needed during specific dates, those will be shared with the building as needed.

Accessibility Improvement Project
New ramps are in progress for Ball Hall and Madison Hall and the interior renovations for Ball Hall will be completed this summer to bring the building back online for residents in the fall. Accessibility improvements include the addition of an elevator (to be completed in 2027) and room updates to the first floor to make several suites accessible. The Fairfax Lot is open temporarily for move-out and Commencement and will continue to be fenced and offline through the end of the project, as it’s used for equipment and materials for the renovations in Ball Hall. Bushnell Hall will be offline in 2026-27 for accessibility improvements.

UMW Apartments
Building meters will be installed this summer for the gas lines servicing the UMW Apartments. This project includes boring underground from the parking lot to each building. The parking lot at the UMW Apartments may be periodically closed during the summer project.

Campus Walk Upgrades
Small improvements and repairs to brickwork along Campus Walk have been made throughout the year, and recently added new benches were added as part of ongoing campus improvements. The new benches maintain a classic look while offering significantly greater durability and far less ongoing maintenance than the teak benches they are replacing.

Parking Lot Repaving and Painting Striping
Repaving and repainting striping will take place later this summer in several parking lots, including the William St. parking lot, UMW Apartments, Combs Loop, Fairfax Lot, Monroe Lot, Woodard Lot and Sunken Road Lot near the Alvey Deck. Look for parking announcements as each area is temporarily closed.

Double Drive and College Avenue Projects
Roadway improvements will begin later this summer, including repainting pedestrians walkways and improving signage and reminders for both pedestrians and drivers about the intersection with College Avenue. Additional parking signage for College Avenue will be installed in partnership with the City of Fredericksburg. Look for updates from Parking Management as the new school year begins.

Wayfinding Signage Updates
New signs and additional updates will continue throughout the summer, with August 3-7 reserved for any corrections to previous work or new signs. If you have any questions about signage, please email Associate Director of Design Services Liz Kuvinka at ekuvinka@umw.edu and include info about the building or current signage content.

Please pardon the dirt and dust this summer as the Facilities Operations team prepares campus for the new school year. For any questions, contact AVP for Facilities Operations and Capital Outlay Brian Gorham at bgorham@umw.edu. To learn more or for additional information, visit the Facilities Operations website.

Welcome new students to UMW at Orientation this summer! Beginning, June 10 through June 26, future Eagles will be on campus for First-Year and Transfer  Orientation sessions and volunteers are still needed. Whether you’ve volunteered in the past or not, we welcome your help! The volunteer role involves greeting and offering directions to students and their as they arrive and check in and your involvement will help support the New Student Programs (NSP) team.

First-Year Dates (2-day, overnight experience):

• June 10-11
• June 15-16
• June 17-18
• June 23-24
• June 25-26 

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer sign-up form link: Orientation 2026 Volunteers Sign up Sheet

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our new students. These efforts help ensure a welcoming and successful orientation experience for incoming students and their families. For questions or more information, please contact Lillian at llester@umw.edu.

The University of Mary Washington men’s tennis team finished the season ranked 14th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, announced Wednesday evening.
Junior Asher Willenborg finished the year ranked 26th nationally in singles, while WIllenborg and junior Trevor Rein finished the year ranked seventh in the nation.

Willenborg ranked fifth in the Atlantic South in singles, with Willenborg and Rein placing second in doubles, with the team ranking fifth.

With their final placement in the ranking as well as their advancement to the NCAA Tournament semifinal, WIllenborg and Rein gain All-America doubles honors. In addition, freshmen Ryan Battaglia and Ryan Gipner also gained All-America accolades for advancing to the second round of the Fall ITA Cup tournament. 2025-26 marks the first time in program history that the Eagles have seen two doubles teams gain All-America honors in the same season. Learn more from Eagles Athletics.

Start your morning with meaningful conversation, fresh perspectives, and connections that energize your professional journey. The Women’s Leadership Colloquium Coffee Talk this June will be on Affirming Your Emotional Intelligence.

Anyone is welcome to join Tuesday, June 9 from 8 to 9 a.m. at 718 Venue on 718 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg. This session will explore what emotional fatigue looks and feels like, why it’s common now, and most importantly, what we can do about it. The speaker is UMW Executive Director for Human Resources Beth Williams.

Tip your hat to Museums Executive Director Scott Harris at an Open House celebration of his many years in museum leadership. Join UMW Museums staff on June 12, 2026 from 4 – 6 p.m. in Dodd Foyer in George Washington Hall.