The University of Mary Washington Dining team is hosting a breakfast on March 14 to celebrate women who have made a difference in our campus community, or in the broader Fredericksburg community. Women like yourself, who are role models, who break barriers and who lead by example, whether behind the scenes or in the limelight, are being invited to join for an “InHer Circle” Breakfast, the first of what we hope will become annual celebrations.

The breakfast program will feature Susan J. Coleman, one of our area’s most accomplished, respected, and sought-after motivational speakers. She’s truly a remarkable woman, and we know that she’ll challenge, encourage, and uplift each individual in attendance, no matter where they are in their life’s journey. Everyone, whether they’re women working in academia, serving in our community, holding down a 9 to 5 job, caring for families, operating a small business, or running a major corporation, need to have moments when they can connect with each other, laugh together, learn about, and even inspire one another. We invite you to enjoy these moments, plus some pretty terrific food prepared by our outstanding Chefs, at our inaugural “In Her Circle” Breakfast.  We hope you’ll join us!

Where, When, How & Who:

Where: Chandler Ballroom in the Cedric Rucker University Center located on College Avenue between Payne and Parcel Streets.  A map with parking areas noted is attached with this e-mail.

When: Thursday, March 14th from 9am to 10:30am.

How: Please RSVP by March 7 to let us know whether you’ll be able to attend. We’ve created an online Google Reservation form that you can access using this LINK.

Who: If for some reason you are unable to use the link, or you need additional information, please call or e-mail Rose Benedict, University Dining Marketing Manager at 540.654.2169 / rbenedic@umw.edu. 

The University Staff Council is currently accepting nominations for three University committees: University Staff Council, University Budget Advisory Committee, and James Farmer Multicultural Center Advisory Committee. We want our representation to reflect all parts of the UMW community, and we invite you to nominate a deserving colleague(s) or yourself.

• University Staff Council – We will have multiple openings for both AP and Classified – three-year terms (number of open openings are still being finalized). The USC continues to advocate for staff concerns and partner with faculty and administration to tackle issues and build community. We want our representation to reflect all parts of our UMW community and nominations are open to all staff members across campus and at all UMW-affiliated organizations.
• University Budget Advisory Committee – a Faculty Council committee – three (3) openings for one-year terms. Budget/Finance experience is preferred but not required for two positions. One opening is reserved for a non-Finance staff member. UBAC works with campus leadership on short and long-term University budget priorities. These priorities are reviewed, summarized, and presented annually to the UMW President.
• James Farmer Multicultural Center Advisory Committee – a Faculty Council committee – one (1) opening for a one-year term. The committee works with the director and staff of the JFMC on planning and setting priorities, enhancing opportunities for multicultural learning through student programming and leadership development opportunities for all students.

Please visit the USC’s website for more information. Questions about the process? Please email usc@umw.edu.

Nominations will be accepted through March 15, 2024. To nominate yourself or someone else for the USC, UBAC, and JFMCAC visit the USC Nominations Page or paste the URL listed below into your internet browser: https://umw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cHzTnWNJskVCcUS

All nominees will be contacted to accept their nomination prior to the election.

Thank you for your thoughtful participation.

USC Elections Committee

Maureen Aylward, Stephanie Turcios, Pam Lowery, Angela Lynch

Supplies Swap:  Does your department have unneeded office supplies sitting around? Perhaps there is another department that could use them!  The USC is holding a Supplies Swap on Friday, March 29, 2024 in Lee Hall 412, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.  You can drop your items off at 11:00 am, and shop around for supplies your department could use. Folks should feel free to come by to have a look any time between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.  Untaken items need to be picked back up at 2:00 pm. (We’ll text you if you need to come back for pickup.)  If you have items that are too large to bring, you can leave a picture, description, and contact info.  Questions can be directed to Lauren Bass at lbass@umw.edu or Sarah Appleby at sappleby@umw.edu.

Through its participation in the SOS (Start on Success) program headlined by the UMW Center for Community Engagement, UMW Dining was recognized in Food Management Magazine as one of the 12 Top College Food Service Stories of 2023.

Jane Harriman Hall, age 93, of White Stone, VA, formerly of Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024. Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, David Alan Hall and her parents, Roswell Hitchcock and Ruth Damman Harriman. Jane is survived by her daughter, Dianne Harriman Thomas (Stephen B.Thomas), two grandchildren Amanda Thomas Kaeser (Kyle C. Kaeser) and Stephen B. Thomas, Jr., and one great grandchild Riley Brooke Kaeser. She is also survived by a sister, Susan H. Belden; and three nephews, Steven Belden (Tami), Timothy Belden (Kathy), and Douglas Belden (Beth).

Jane earned her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College in 1952, and her M.A. from the University of Maryland in 1969.

Jane’s extraordinary teaching career spanned 59 years. She taught every grade, with the majority of her teaching years at Fort Hunt High School in Fairfax County, VA, where she taught Latin, Ancient Greek and Russian. She finished her stellar career as an adjunct professor at the University of Mary Washington.

Throughout her lifetime, Jane received numerous well-deserved awards and honors for her many accomplishments. Some of her awards include: Jane was chosen for the 1966 edition of Outstanding Young Women of America; being selected as Virginia’s Foreign Language Teacher of the Year in 1984; also in 1984, Jane was honored by the Classical Association of the Middle West and South. In 1996, she was awarded the John F. Latimer Award from the Washington Classical Society, and in 2001, she received a Merita Award from the American Classical League.

Jane was the first Director of the Virginia Governor’s Academy. She also developed the Forum Romanum video series in order to provide a visual tool for teachers throughout the country. This series documented historic moments in Roman history with live characters speaking only Latin. These videos helped students’ ability to use Latin orally. Finding innovative ways to encourage students’ learning was one of Jane’s greatest strengths. She took students on numerous educational trips to foreign countries including Italy and Greece. She held toga parties and Latin banquets. She gave out awards in the classroom for academic achievements. She headed clubs, including the Latin Club and the Latin Honor Society.

In 1978, Jane founded The National Latin Exam on a card table in her family room. The annual exam rewards students for excelling in their study of Latin. She devoted 34 years of leadership and expertise to the National Latin Exam, before retiring in 2011. By the time she retired, nearly 3 million students had participated in taking the National Latin Exam. In addition, more than one million dollars in scholarships had been awarded. The National Latin Exam still thrives today, and the numbers have increased significantly. This year’s Exam boasts over 114,000 participants, including 26 countries, and $131,000 to be awarded in Scholarships. The NLE lives on as her legacy to the American Classical League and to the recognition of thousands of students, teachers, and schools around the world.

In 1970, Jane and Dave built a home on the Corrotoman River and began life part-time in the Northern Neck. Their love for this area grew over the years, until 2003, when they moved full-time to White Stone. Jane was an active resident of the Northern Neck and Tabbs Creek community. She volunteered at the Steamboat Museum, Meals on Wheels, the Animal Welfare League, the Lancaster Community Library, as well as various other community events and benefits. She enjoyed life on the creek, as she and David were seen most evenings taking a cruise on her beloved Duffy, the Festina Lente. She enjoyed the New York Times crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, opera, bridge, tennis, swimming, boating, entertaining, and especially traveling. Jane lived life to the fullest in every way, and she was known by her friends to be the life of any gathering. Jane and Dave were members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kilmarnock, VA.

Memorial donations may be made in Jane’s honor to the National Latin Exam, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.