The 2026 Eagle Awards will be held Thursday, April 16 in Cedric Rucker University Center Chandler Ballroom.
Nominate a student, club or event today!

April 14, 2026
A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
The 2026 Eagle Awards will be held Thursday, April 16 in Cedric Rucker University Center Chandler Ballroom.
Nominate a student, club or event today!

UMW Studio Art celebrates all things printmaking on Friday, April 17 from 1 – 4 p.m. in the Ridderhof Martin Gallery Parking Lot, with demonstrations of steamroller printing and screen printing.
Professor Devin’s Woodcut class has prepared large-scale woodcuts on plywood to print with a steamroller… yes, you read that right, a steamroller!
Students will also be demonstrating screen printing, so bring a t-shirt, tote bag, or similar item that needs some pizazz and get cool designs added to it!

Celebrate printmaking at UMW! See the steamroller turned printing press and bring a t-shirt to get printed.
Save the date and get ready to celebrate the historic season for UMW Men’s Basketball!
Plans are underway for a city-wide Fan Fest Event on the afternoon of Saturday, April 18, bringing together the campus community, fans and families to honor an unforgettable season that culminated in a National Championship victory for the Eagles!
In response to strong interest, national championship merchandise will be available soon through the UMW Bookstore. Those who missed picking up a shirt at the watch party or game can purchase items through the NCAA online shop or look for additional limited-edition merchandise and giveaways at the upcoming Fan Fest event on April 18.
Additional details will be shared soon — stay tuned as the celebration plans come together!
UMW Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium puts student work in the spotlight! Mark your calendar for April 20 – 24 for departmental events across campus, including posters, panels, presentation and performances.

The UMW community is invited to celebrate Earth Day 2026 on Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Ball Circle. This free, public event will feature a day of activities focused on sustainability both on and off campus.
Attendees can explore interactive exhibits, connect with campus and community organizations through sustainability tabling, and learn from student-led initiatives highlighting environmental awareness and action. Stop by throughout the day to take part in the celebration!


UMW Payroll Manager Lynda Worthy
Please join us as we celebrate Lynda Worthy, who is retiring after 25 years of service at UMW. Lynda began her career at UMW in 2001 as Student Accounts Assistant Manager and became Payroll Manager in 2003.
It’s been quite a journey! She has skillfully navigated numerous changes and guided her department through them with great success. She was part of the Banner implementation in 2004 and played a key role in the MyTime project, replacing manual processes with a digital solution. As Payroll Manager, she has worked with every department on campus. We are tremendously grateful for Lynda’s years of dedication to UMW.
Please stop by to wish Lynda a fond farewell, as she begins her next journey!
Retirement Celebration:
Date: Wednesday, April 22
Time: Any time between 2 and 4 p.m.
Where: Eagle Village 480, Conference Room
by Guest Author

Get ready to cheer on the Eagles as they head to the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball National Championship!
We’re booking a bus, confirming hotels, securing tickets and ordering t-shirts as plans come together for a historic trip to Indianapolis for the championship game on Sunday, April 5. Details will be shared this Friday, March 27, for those interested in traveling, along with opportunities to join the excitement here on campus.
Watch for updates beginning Friday and throughout the week as the Mary Washington community rallies behind the team!
by Guest Author

UMW students Josiah Schlechty and Tressa Ballard pose with Economics Professor Dhar next to Ballard’s presentation at the IPE conference in New York.
University of Mary Washington economics students Josiah Schlechty and Tressa Ballard traveled to New York City in February to attend the 33rd annual Issues in Political Economy (IPE) Conference.
The conference is part of the broader Issues in Political Economy journal, an undergraduate research publication jointly edited by students from Mary Washington and Elon University. In addition to presenting at the conference, UMW students also contribute to the journal as associate editors and reviewers, playing an active role in the academic publication process.
The IPE Conference brings together undergraduate researchers from across the United States to present original economic research on a wide range of topics. The event provides students with the opportunity to engage with peers and faculty, receive constructive feedback, and refine their analytical and presentation skills in a professional academic setting.
Schlechty and Ballard presented research developed in ECON 361: Intro to Econometrics, taught by Economics Professor Amrita Dhar, who also served as the students’ faculty mentor throughout the conference, supporting them as they prepared and delivered their presentations.
Schlechty presented The Impact of School Rankings on Housing Distribution, while Ballard presented The Effectiveness of Prevention Methods on DUI Offenses. Their participation in the conference highlights the strength of the econometrics program and the opportunities available to students to conduct meaningful, data-driven research.
In addition to participating in the conference, Schlechty and Ballard spent time meeting with fellow undergraduate researchers, including an evening connecting with presenters from across the United States. This opportunity allowed them to network and build valuable academic and professional connections. They also explored New York City, visiting notable landmarks such as Wall Street and Times Square, and taking a ferry to Brooklyn. These experiences complemented their academic work, allowing them to engage with both the professional and cultural aspects of the city.
by Guest Author

Gari Melchers, Portrait of Dr. Lewis A. Stimson, 1909, oil on canvas , gift by museum transfer from Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, bequest of Henry L. Stimson for the Yale Medical School, Bel 2025.1.1
Gari Melchers was a highly regarded portrait painter, and in February another one returned to his estate. Last year, UMW alumna Mary Christ ‘02, Campus Art Collection Registrar at Yale, contacted GMHS about accepting this portrait into our collection. She knew that the two universities share the goal of making art accessible to the public and available for scholarly research.
Dr. Lewis A. Stimson (1844-1917) attended Yale University, and became a leader and educator in the medical field. This painting was given to Yale by his son, Henry L. Stimson, whose portrait was also painted by Melchers. The younger Stimson had an extensive public service career, including Secretary of State and Secretary of War.
by Guest Author
All are invited to a musical performance by a group that performs ancient Greek music: The Call of Kinnaru on Friday, March 27 at 4 p.m. in Seacobeck Hall (Weatherly Wing).
The band consists of Prof. John Franklin (University of Vermont, lyre and voice), Abigail Bradford (University of Mary Washington, aulos and percussion), and Rachel Fickes (voice, lyre), as well as artwork by Glynnis Fawkes.
The event is co-sponsored by the UMW Departments of Music and Cultural and Philosophical Inquiry, as well as the UMW Classics Club and the UMW Beta Nu chapter of Eta Sigma Phi, an honors society for Classical Studies. If you have any questions, contact Angela Pitts at apitts2@umw.edu.
