Dear UMW Faculty and Staff,

President Paino invites you to join him at a Conversations with the President session, offering an informal opportunity to share insights and engage in candid discussions that are aligned with our community values and in support of making University of Mary Washington the best it can be.  Occasionally, the sessions may focus on a particular issue facing us or may include other leaders who represent areas critical to institutional progress.

• Tuesday, Sept. 26                 3:30-4:30 p.m., in Monroe Hall, Room 116
• Monday, Nov. 6                    3-4 p.m., Virtual option

Thank you.

Office of the President

The James Farmer Multicultural Center Presents Latino Identities Month Events

Manos Latinas: Giving Through Food
Friday September 15 – Friday October 13 | James Farmer Multicultural Center, Cedric Rucker University Center, room 319

LSA is sponsoring a month-long food drive with a local nonprofit organization to support local Latino families and their needs for food security. You are invited to help us make a difference for these families by contributing culturally appropriate non-perishable foods and goods. Together, we can help combat hunger while celebrating their heritage. We strive to embrace diversity, build connections, and foster unity as we create a stronger, more inclusive and supportive community. Change begins with us! You may bring your donations to the James Farmer Multicultural Center located in the University Center, room 319. The JFMC is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Latino Melting Pot Dinner
Tuesday, September 19 | 5 p.m. | Dining at the Top of the CRUC, Cedric Rucker University Center

Cost with Campus Meal Plan: 1 meal swipe. For other prices, please check the Dining website at https://umw.sodexomyway.com/.

Co-sponsored by University Dining
Join the students of the Latino Student Association and the University Dining team for a premium dining experience with the annual Latino Melting Pot Dinner, where you will meet the LSA Executive Board, learn about the diverse cultures, and taste a variety of delicious Latin and South American dishes.

Latino Identities Month Major Speaker: Dr. Rachel Gomez: Thursday, Sept. 21 | 7 p.m. | Chandler A/B, Cedric Rucker University Center

Dr. Gómez studies the influence of race and ethnicity in urban education and youth development. Her work investigates the significance of critical pedagogies on the critical consciousness and sociopolitical development of adolescents, with particular focus on identity, race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender and culture on educational experiences. From a practical and theoretical perspective, her research draws from Critical Race Theory and Indigenous ways of knowing, sociopolitical development theory, community cultural wealth and Participatory Action Research (PAR).

Fiesta de Culturas: Celebrating Latino Heritage through a Museum Exhibit and the Fiesta DC Parade | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 8:30 a.m. | Meet at GW Parking Lot

UMW students are invited to join LSA members on a trip to visit the exhibit of “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States.” This exhibit is at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. After the visit to the museum, we will watch the annual Fiesta DC parade on Constitution Avenue that begins at 1:00 pm. If you are interested in attending, you must register here and pay a $10 fee to cover the metro fare. Spaces are limited, so register early.

For more information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044 or umwjfmc@gmail.com. You may also visit students.umw.edu/multicultural. Please email us at umwjfmc@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding disability-related accommodations.

The Center for Community Engagement and the Office of Disability Resources invite you to commemorate national Constitution Day. Stop by our tables on Campus Walk between noon and 3 p.m. on Friday, September 15, to get your free pocket constitution! Additional braille constitutions will be provided during this time, as part of a celebration of Disability Voting Rights Week.

In addition, the Center for Community Engagement and UMW Votes will be sponsoring National Voter Registration Day in Ball Circle on Tuesday, September 19. National Voter Registration Day will feature games, music, information, voter registration stations, and other activities. Additional copies of the pocket constitutions will be available.

Constitution Day, once known as Citizenship Day, became a federal observance in 2004 and commemorates the Sept. 17, 1787, signing of the Constitution. UMW’s Constitution Day events are a joint effort between the Office of the Provost and the Center for Community Engagement.

For more information, please contact Sarah Dewees, director of the Center for Community Engagement, at 540-654-1122.

UMW Theatre will kick off its 2023-2024 season with Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. Performances will be September 21-23 & 28-30 at 7:30 p.m., and September 24 & October 1 at 2:00 p.m. in Klein Theatre, duPont Hall at the University of Mary Washington. Guests may also attend the Pay-What-You-Can Preview performance on September 20 at 7:30 p.m. The box office opens at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. AfterWords, a post-show talkback with the cast, will take place after the matinee performance on September 24. Tickets are $28 for standard admission and $23 for students, senior citizens, and military. Groups of ten or more can receive a discount as well.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express tells the story of eleven unique strangers who find themselves stranded on a train with a killer on the loose. When they board the illustrious Orient Express, the passengers do not expect to encounter a dangerous snowstorm and a dead body all in the same night. World-renown detective, Hercule Poirot, is aboard the train and will not rest until he finds the killer. Evidence is collected, stories are corroborated, but nothing is as it seems. Stuck in the snow with nowhere to hide, each passenger is investigated as a possible suspect. The stakes are high as Poirot rushes to find the murderer before they can strike again. This play explores matters of betrayal, justice, class, and forgiveness as tensions rise and the mystery unravels.

Murder on the Orient Express is based upon a 1934 mystery novel by English author, Agatha Christie. Christie was an acclaimed writer who based many of her books around the fictional detective, Hercule Poirot. Her writings inspired many people to reimagine her work, including Ken Ludwig, the playwright, who adapted her hit novel for the stage. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express first premiered at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey on March 14, 2017. This production was directed by Emily Mann, stage managed by Cheryl Mintz, and starred Alan Corduner as Poirot. The show was later co-produced by Hartford Stage Company in Connecticut. It was started by the same director and many of the same actors that starred in the premiere, with the new addition of David Pitta as detective Poirot. This production opened on February 15, 2018. The show continues to collect praise for its ingenuity and remains widely produced by local theatres.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is directed by Marc Williams, assistant professor of theatre. Scenic design is by assistant professor Bridgette Dennett and costume design is by associate professor Kevin McCluskey. Lighting and sound design are by guest designers Max Doolittle and G Clausen, respectively. For further information, call the Klein Theatre Box Office at (540) 654-1111 or visit www.FredTix.com.

The following message is from the Office of Human Resources: 

Each year, through the presentation of three awards, the University of Mary Washington recognizes employees who provide exemplary service to the University. These employees are nominated by other members of the University community. This year’s award winners will be announced at the Fall Luncheon – save the date for Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cedric Rucker University Center, Chandler Ballroom. The deadline for submitting nominations is 5 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023 with the form linked for each award below.

Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation: The intent of this award is to honor Mr. and Mrs. Hurley, who consistently demonstrated a desire to recognize and reward outstanding service of University employees, and who had led by example in their work at Mary Washington. The benefactors of the award are Elmer and Marceline Weatherly Morris, Class of 1950. Eligibility for this award is open to UMW employees, with preference for administrative/professional faculty members.

Charles Coleman Memorial Service Award: Charles Coleman was an employee of 29 years who demonstrated pride, dedication and loyalty throughout his many years of service. This award was established in honor of his memory and exemplary service and has been recently endowed by President Paino, Cabinet, and campus leadership. All classified and hourly employees with at least five years of continuous employment are eligible for the award; all employees are invited to nominate any of their colleagues who meet the eligibility requirement.

University Staff Council’s Larry Atkins Staff Awards: The University Staff Council recognizes UMW employees who are the unsung heroes of our offices. Larry Atkins was one of the first employees to receive the U.S.C.  “We Couldn’t Do it Without You Award,” which has since been renamed in his memory. Any administrative faculty, wage and/or classified employee may be nominated. Three UMW employees will be selected (one from each of the above classifications).

See the list of all past award recipients.

For questions on nomination processes, please contact Sarah Appleby about the Atkins award or Pam Lowery regarding the Coleman and Hurley awards.

This email is being sent to you in accordance with the UMW Broadcast Email Policy. Please do not respond directly to this message with comments or questions, but to the office or individuals listed above

Cross-Cultural BBQ, Thursday, Aug. 31, 4 to 7 p.m., Ball Circle

Part of UMW’s Cultural Awareness Series, the Cross-Cultural BBQ provides an opportunity for the entire campus community to learn about and become affiliated with the multicultural and social justice student groups at UMW, all while enjoying free entertainment, various foods, appetizers and drinks related to particular cultures and sub-cultures. This event is sponsored by Students Educating and Empowering for Diversity (SEED) and the James Farmer Multicultural Center.

Meet all the multicultural clubs on campus, watch performances, and get some yummy food!