UMW Theatre will end its 24-25 season with Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice and music by Wayne Barker. Performances kick off April 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. & April 6 at 2:00 p.m. in Klein Theatre. Tickets are $5 with a UMW ID at the Box Office! Peter and the Starcatcher tells the origin story of Peter Pan. Pay-What-You-Can Performance is April 2nd, The box office opens at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Belmont Hosts 11th Annual Beeping Egg Hunt, April 13
Gari Melchers Home & Studio will host its 11th annual Beeping Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 13, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The free egg hunt provides an opportunity for visually impaired and blind children, along with their families, to participate in an accessible audible egg hunt. Sighted siblings can also participate by wearing a blindfold.
“Every spring I look forward to organizing and planning the Beeping Egg Hunt and related activities,” says Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby. “I enjoy seeing familiar faces and welcoming new families. I am especially thankful for our event volunteers.”
In addition to the beeping egg hunt, the event includes a petting zoo, sensory crafts, and a Touch a Tractor station.
During the 1920s and 30s, Corinne Melchers, with her husband’s encouragement, hosted Easter parties for area children at their Belmont home featuring egg rolls, puppet shows, and plenty of favors.
Thanks to the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club for this year’s sponsorship.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Education Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby, 540-654-1851.
Alumni Events, April 13-30
April Alumni Events:
Sunday, April 13, 6-9 p.m., 1908 Society Reception and Philharmonic Concert, Jepson Alumni Executive Center
Tuesday, April 15, Noon-9 p.m., ASPIRE Week Activities, On Campus starting with the Majors Fair
Wednesday, April 16, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Mary Talk featuring Dr. Tracy Stonestreet “Curating Art and Art Programming at Mary Wash”
Wednesday, April 30, 11 AM-2 p.m., Virginia Beach, Historic Garden Week Luncheon at the home of Tara Corrigall ‘82
Also, Reunion Weekend is Friday, May 30 to Sunday, June 1!
Open Meetings with Vice President of Student Affairs Candidates, Through April 14
From April 7 – 14 several candidates will interview for the Vice President for Student Affairs position. As announced earlier this semester, Dr. Juliette Landphair will conclude her decade-long tenure in the position, as she takes on a new role at UMW as Associate Vice President for Health & Wellness beginning this summer. We’ve initiated a national search for our next Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) and are excited to welcome the finalists to campus for in-person interviews.
Interview dates and times:
- Monday, April 7 at 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 8 at 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 9 at 3 p.m.
- Monday, April 14, at 3 p.m.
The open meetings will be held in Dodd Auditorium in George Washington Hall.
The candidates will also have time to meet with many members and offices in our campus community during their on-campus interview, and we’ll provide an opportunity for feedback via an online form. Feedback needs to be received by Tuesday morning April 15.
Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Student Affairs is a key member of the President’s leadership team and the chief student affairs officer at the University. Offices and units currently in the Division of Student Affairs include Campus Recreation, the Dean of Students, Emergency Management, the Center for Prevention and Education, the James Farmer Multicultural Center, New Student Programs, Public Safety, Residence Life and Housing, the Student Health Center, Student Activities and Engagement, and the Talley Counseling Center.
We appreciate you joining in the search process for this leadership position.
Passover Seder, April 15
Mary Talks: Stonestreet Discusses Art & Art Programming, April 16
Join us online for the last Mary Talk of the season!
On Wednesday, April 16 from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., we will hear from Tracy Stonestreet, Ph.D., director of UMW Galleries. Dr. Stonestreet will discuss “Curating Art and Art Programming at Mary Wash.”
The two galleries on UMW’s campus (duPont Gallery and Ridderhof Martin Gallery) offer exceptional opportunities to showcase student artwork, engage with the community, and–most importantly–educate students on current developments in visual art through national and international exhibitions. In this Mary Talk, Dr. Stonestreet will share her vision for gallery programming that strengthens our engagement with students across campus while increasing our presence in the broader Mid-Atlantic region.
Register here for this Mary Talk; the link to the live streaming session will be in the confirmation email you receive. Can’t watch live? Register anyway, and you can use the link to watch the recording at a later time.
We look forward to seeing you online!
ASPIRE Week Lunch, April 17
University Dining is hosting an “Inclusive Excellence Lunch” on Thursday, April 17 as part of the ASPIRE Week Celebrations. Guests will enjoy a variety of cultural cuisines representing countries from around the world, including the extremely popular Mexican Birria Tacos! The menu will also offer German, Ukrainian, French, Indian, Moroccan, and Filippino dishes, along with the Top of the CRUC’s regular Thursday fare – American Chicken Wings and Buffalo Cauliflower.
Lunch service is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The charge for members of UMW’s faculty and staff is $7.40. EagleOne and credit cards are accepted. The price for other guests is $15.51. For additional information, contact Rose Benedict, University Dining Marketing Manager, at rbenedic@umw.edu or call 540-654-2169.
Virginia Volunteer Week, April 20-26
April 20-26 is Virginia Volunteer Week: recognizing the vital role employee volunteers play in our Commonwealth.
Celebrate by making a tangible difference in Virginia’s beautiful state parks. Check out the Governor Youngkin’s message in this short video and see how your contribution can help preserve and enhance our state’s natural treasures.
This year, we’re thrilled to offer state employees exclusive volunteer opportunities at state parks across Virginia. Whether you’re passionate about Earth Day, seeking a family-friendly activity or looking for a team-building experience, our parks have something for everyone. As a special thank you, volunteer parking will be provided FREE of charge. Your time and dedication will directly support the preservation of our beloved state parks.
Check out the list below which features 18 State Parks around the Commonwealth, offering volunteer opportunities to state employees and their families during Virginia Volunteer Week.
 |
To locate a state park in your area offering state employee volunteer opportunities, please check out the list of state parks and complete an application to volunteer. If there is not a state park near you, you can find additional volunteer opportunities at your local volunteer center! Click here to locate a volunteer center near you through Serve Virginia.
Share your volunteering photos with us! We would like to feature employee volunteer photos in the Employee Experience magazine that is published quarterly. Submit photos here.
Please note: Employees wishing to volunteer at any of these events do not need to complete a volunteer application. Employee volunteers should provide notice to each volunteer site that their hours will be worked during Virginia Volunteer Week. In return, the volunteer site will email a certified letter to the employee attesting to the volunteer hours and site worked. Employees who share their volunteer letters with us, will receive agency participation credit regarding the upcoming 2025 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC).
If you have questions, please contact EmployeeEvents@dhrm.virginia.gov mailbox.
Dora Whiting Retirement Celebration, April 23
Dora Whiting Announces, “It’s Friday!”
After 28 years working for University Dining as a cashier and supervisor at the Eagle’s Nest, Dora Whiting is retiring! In her honor, the Dining team has designated Wednesday, April 23 as “Dora Day”!
The Dora Day Celebration Lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be at the Top of the CRUC. Members of UMW’s faculty and staff will offer remembrances of their times with Dora, with cake and remarks beginning at noon.
Dora will be meeting and greeting well-wishers at the display table at the Top of the Cedric Rucker University Center between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
At 12 p.m. the celebration will move inside the dining room for the cutting of the cake, at which time there will also be opportunities for folks to make remarks about the many ways in which Dora has positively impacted our campus community.
Other meet-and-greet opportunities around campus:
- Gourley Living Room on the second floor of the CRUC @ 1:15 p.m.
- Campus Walk at Lee Hall @ 1:30 p.m.
- Woodard brick patio by the clock @ 1:45 p.m.
Everyone who has known or been helped by Dora is encouraged to join in the celebration at the Top of the CRUC, visit with Dora at one of her “tour” stops, or share stories and photos of Dora with Dining at “Stories for Dora Day”. Your submissions might be put on display at the celebration.
For additional information, contact Rose Benedict at rbenedic@umw.edu.
Tuition Reimbursement Enrollment, Due April 24
Enrollment is currently open for Tuition Reimbursement (courses outside of UMW) for courses starting July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025. All applications must be submitted by Thursday, April 24, 2025. Please note: the Cabinet agreed to expand the Tuition Reimbursement Program to include certificate programs. However, any and all courses associated with the certificate program must be credit-bearing.
The complete policy and procedures are posted online; some important and key provisions are listed below. You may contact Denise Frye at dfrye2@umw.edu with any questions.
Program Purpose:
Eligible employees enrolled in a degree-seeking program or enrolled in a credit-bearing certificate program at other accredited institutions of higher education will be provided with tuition reimbursement up to a specified amount for courses after completion of the course and submission of proof of grade.
Eligibility:
This policy applies to classified, wage, administrative professional faculty, and other non-faculty part-time employees. Graduate Assistants who are required to be enrolled in UMW graduate programs are not eligible for this program. Eligible employees must be continuously employed by the University for a minimum of one year prior to their application for reimbursement and job performance must be satisfactory or at the “contributor” level. Tuition up to the approved amount will be reimbursed upon receipt of proof of completion of approved courses. Employees who receive tuition reimbursement must remain employed at the University of Mary Washington during the term of the courses taken and for one year after receipt of tuition reimbursement for those courses(s) or be subject to terms for repayment as described in the written agreement.
Important Information to Know:
A Tuition Reimbursement Request form is required to be submitted to Human Resources during open enrollment for courses starting July 2025 through December 2025. The link to the form is below and forms may be scanned to jhudgins@umw.edu .
The Finance office will notify the employee the Tuition Reimbursement Request Form has been approved within 2 weeks of the enrollment timeframe closing and request the following:
a) Proof of enrollment in a degree-granting program
b) Schedule of the institution’s fees
c) Proof of payment
The assistance awarded will then be reimbursed to the employee upon submission of evidence of course completion with a minimum grade of “C” or “PASS” if a Pass/Fail course. Submission of grade must be within 30 days of semester end. Reimbursement will be issued within 10 business days of grade submission to the Finance Office.