A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
MLK Day of Service
Saturday, Jan. 24
1 to 4 p.m.
Cedric Rucker University Center Chandler Ballroom
Join fellow students to celebrate our national Day of Service on the UMW campus.
Refreshments will be provided.
Learn more about the MLK Day of Service and sign up.
UMW Campus Community,
As we conclude the fall semester, we want to share a brief update on the strategic action plan implementation process, which is now well underway. Our four strategic planning implementation groups have met, shared ideas, and built momentum for this initial phase of the process, and we have collected actionable items to share with the campus community in early spring. We’ll provide engagement channels and opportunities to review when we return from winter break. The steering committee will then refine the proposals for spring governance reviews, as we work with stakeholders, campus leadership and our board on next steps.
This work focuses on four strategic priorities:
Priority 1: Enhancing and adapting UMW’s liberal arts mission
Goal: Continue to deliver a high-quality, relevant liberal arts education that increases demand and selectivity while improving retention and outcomes
Priority 2: Student engagement, campus life, and school pride
Goal: Invest in the physical spaces, traditions, experiences and cultural norms to create a unique, engaging and attractive campus
Priority 3: Modernizing infrastructure and creating a 21st-Century Campus
Goal: To ensure student and institutional success by providing access to cutting-edge technology and dynamic learning environments. Investments in our physical spaces and landscapes ensure that our campus will continue to be among the University’s best assets and a fitting home for the entire Mary Washington community
Priority 4: Meeting future workforce needs of the region and Commonwealth
Goal: As the only 4-year degree-granting institution in one of the fastest growing regions in Virginia, it’s UMW’s responsibility to respond to regional workforce needs. In doing so, we will spur continued economic growth in the region, further benefitting UMW and student recruitment
Thank you to the many staff, faculty and students contributing to this action plan process. If you would like to read more about the plans and contribute to specific areas, please see the Strategic Action Plan Implementation website.
On behalf of the steering committee,
Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy Jeff McClurken & Provost Tim O’Donnell, co-chairs
As we approach the end of the semester, we wanted to update you on the status of major maintenance projects, repairs and renovations across campus.
New Theatre Project
The theatre project has received the necessary funding for the demolition phase, including removing two residence halls – Russell and Marshall – and many trees around the site. This work has already begun, and when you return from winter break, the site will look different as we prepare for the new building.
It will take 90-120 days each to demolish Russell and Marshall Halls as we prep the buildings and then bring in the equipment to take them down in segments. The road at Marshall Hill remains closed and will not reopen as the theatre is added to this corner of campus.
As we remove trees around the theatre site, we will repurpose them as mulch for campus, as feasible. In addition, about a third of the trees will be repurposed and reused around campus and in the regional community, creating artistic, functional and educational installations. For example, oak, maple and black walnut trees may be milled and cured for use in the theatre lobby, interior-use benches or tables. Smaller trees, such as dogwood, magnolia and holly, could be shared with local woodworkers to create artisan pieces. Any unused wood may be sold to the wood-purchasing market with proceeds to support our UMW Campus Tree Fund.
We’ve partnered with the Virginia Department of Forestry for assistance with tree measurements and cataloging in advance of this phase of the project, along with contractors to complete the work, and we look to maintain Tree Campus status.
New Locker Rooms at the Battleground Athletic Complex
With the groundbreaking now complete for the new locker rooms, we’ve been working on the waterlines around the site. The modular units are expected this December and will take time to install on the site foundations. Thank you for working around the temporary detours on the Shell Trail.
In addition, we are working with Athletics to clean out the stone house adjacent to the fields for additional team use.
Foundation Work Around Campus Houses
Foundation work and repairs are in progress at Hamlet, Tyler, and Fairfax Houses, as well as the house at 1004 William St. Thank you for working around the noise and areas blocked off for these repairs.
Ball Hall Accessibility Improvements and Fairfax Lot Closure
Work continues at Ball Hall for accessibility improvements beginning with room updates to the first floor to make several suites accessible. We’ll also add on an elevator to be installed next summer 2027.
Please note that the Fairfax Lot will be closed over winter break so that materials can be moved on site. This lot will remain closed until fall 2026. Paths around this area will have a detour, and supplemental trash and recycling bins will be located at Custis and Madison Halls during the Ball Hall construction project.
Seacobeck Roof Renovation for the Weatherly Wing
Roof repairs have started for the Weatherly Wing in Seacobeck Hall and will continue on weekends through February. This work is limited to one wing of the building and will take place only on weekends and winter break to reduce the disruption to classes and other activities in the building during business hours. Seacobeck Hall is open during this roof renovation project, and the Weatherly Wing is available during the class schedule. Weekend availability will be limited during the roof repairs.
Simpson Library
We’ve paused the façade work at Simpson Library during the final weeks of the semester to facilitate quiet study spaces and will complete the project through the winter break and spring semester. The library remains open during the project. Check the website for hours and more information.
We appreciate you being aware of these projects. If you have concerns in campus buildings, including residence halls, please submit a work order online. For any questions, contact Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Capital Outlay Brian Gorham at bgorham@umw.edu.
The past year, the UMW website has continued to evolve as part of the ongoing redesign initiative led by the Digital Communications team in University Communications. Several major sites have transitioned to the new design, improving consistency, accessibility and overall user experience across the University’s web presence.
Since launching in October, UMW’s official podcast—What Matters Most With President Paino—has been gaining momentum with compelling monthly episodes.
President Paino sits down with students, faculty and campus leaders to explore the ideas, experiences and connections that define our University community.
With winter break on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to catch up on the conversations you may have missed. Follow the new podcast channel, now available on multiple platforms, with more coming soon!
Episode 1: President Paino sits down with student leaders Amira Said ’26 and Adam McAninley ’27 to talk internships, role models, sustainability, honor and what truly matters most to them as UMW students.
Episode 2: Professor and Director of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, Anand Rao joins the podcast to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) education, ethical AI adoption, debate-centered learning and preparing students for an AI-drive future. Rao is passionate about integrating AI into higher education while preserving human creativity and critical thinking.
Episode 3: Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) co-presidents Jay Hooker, Sophie Hubbard and Kalani Moore join President Paino to discuss what it means to lead and advocate for student-athletes while balancing academics, athletics and campus involvement.
Big thanks to all the students, faculty and staff that have been guests or are working behind the scenes to make the podcast come together, including President Paino, Amy Jessee, Sam Cahill, Ryland Willis, Carland Berge and University Communication Intern Matthew Clinton.
This QR code takes you to a public survey about healthcare access; also reach the survey via the link in this article.
The University of Mary Washington’s Continuing and Professional Studies department is conducting a Public Survey as part of a grant award to better understand how healthcare access and services in Region 6—Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula—affect local businesses and organizational operations.
We are interested in learning how the availability and quality of healthcare influence workforce stability, productivity and overall economic growth in the region. There are no right or wrong answers; we are seeking your honest perspective and experiences.
The information collected will help guide the development of new degree and non-degree programs related to healthcare and support local and regional decision-makers in strengthening healthcare infrastructure to better serve employers and their employees. We appreciate the perspective of UMW employees; survey results will not share any information that could identify you or your family.
Learn more about, or take, the survey or scan the QR code in this article to take the survey using your phone. It should take no more than 5-10 minutes. If you have any questions, please contact Sandra Webb at swebb3@umw.edu.
UMW’s men’s basketball team continues to break records, as the Eagles, off the strength of their school-record 8-0 start to the season, have climbed to fifth in the nation in a recent D3Hoops.com national poll. The women’s soccer program earned its highest final ranking since the 2004 season by finishing No. 12 in the final United Soccer Coaches Poll released this month.
Dear UMW Faculty and Staff,
Please save the date for the All UMW Faculty and Staff Assembly with President Paino:
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall
We look forward to seeing you there!
Office of the President
Carleigh Wood (left) and Delaney Humphrey, both biology majors on a pre-med track, present their research during the Jepson Science Center Fall Research Symposium in 2024. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
End-of-semester events showcase student work and research. All are invited to attend various research symposia, posters and presentations Thursday, Dec. 4 and Friday, Dec. 5 to explore the impressive work of UMW students and celebrate the talent, dedication and curiosity that drive inquiry at Mary Washington.
Many departments hold events during the end of the week, please share your opportunities via EagleEye online or our digital EagleVision screens. More details of where to share are available online. For more information, visit the Research and Creativity Collaborative online to see the list of upcoming events and workshops.
Thursday, Dec. 4:
Honors Senior Capstone Fall Symposium. 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Lee Hall 412. Honors students completing their Capstone Projects this semester publicly showcase their work, including four 45-60-minute presentation sessions with 15-minute breaks in between.
Lively Viewing Party for student video projects produced with University Communications. 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. University Communications Suite 300 in Eagle Village. Student interns share their creative work on topics ranging from roommates reunited and behind-the-scenes of UMW baseball to the history of our buildings and the highlights of our downtown neighbors.
Friday, Dec. 5:
Jepson Science Center Fall Research Symposium — RESCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, DEC. 8 FROM 6 – 7:30 P.M.
Jepson Science Center main lobby. 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Showcase for undergraduate research projects, including 42 independent research projects, highlighting scholarship in biological sciences (21 projects), earth and environmental sciences (10 projects), chemistry (4 projects), physics (5 projects), and interdisciplinary collaborations between physics and biology (2 projects). In addition, students in biological sciences will share 28 research-intensive, course-based investigations. Complimentary refreshments available.
History, American Studies, and Sociology Fall Symposium. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monroe 111 and 210.
Columns Humanities and Social Sciences Fall Symposium. 5 p.m. Combs 139.
Students, faculty, and staff: Do you have a great idea and need funds to make it happen? If your project would support students, foster professional/academic growth, or expand an existing campus program, consider applying for a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant! Previous grant-funded initiatives include campus composting, summer programs, trolley rides to the polls on Election Day, and an interactive printmaking project.
The application period is now open for grants ranging from $500 to $5,000, funded by donors’ gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington. Grant-funded projects will align with UMW’s ASPIRE values and must be implemented between May 2026 and May 2027. The deadline to apply is February 6, 2026.
Please see the Impact Grants page for requirements, evaluation criteria, FAQs, and the application. Approval from a direct supervisor/faculty sponsor is required to apply. A Zoom information session will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, for anyone interested in learning more.
Please contact Beth Hunsinger ’01, assistant vice president for development and campaign operations, with questions: ehunsing@umw.edu or 540-654-2068.