Money Magazine Ranks UMW for Best Graduation Rates
March 24, 2015 by
The University of Mary Washington has been ranked among the nation’s top 25 public colleges with the best record of graduating students on time by Money Magazine.
Graduating 66 percent of its student population in four years, UMW ranked 18th on the magazine’s list. UMW was the third of four Virginia institutions included in the list. The University of Virginia, College of William and Mary and James Madison University also were ranked.
According to Money Magazine, the average public college student takes 4.6 years to earn a degree. Just one third of public college students actually earn their bachelor’s degree in four years, cited by the U.S. Department of Education.
The result is an estimated extra $12,000 for the average public college student’s additional semester, based on College Board data.
Earlier this year, UMW was ranked in Money Magazine’s first Best Colleges Rankings. UMW was listed seventh among Virginia public schools and 107th overall among more than 1,500 four-year colleges and universities. Money looks at educational quality, affordability and career outcomes to create its list.
To see the full list of public colleges where students graduate the fastest, visit http://time.com/money/3748117/public-colleges-fastest-graduation-rates/?xid=yahoo_money.
Graduating 66 percent of its student population in four years, UMW ranked 18th on the magazine’s list. UMW was the third of four Virginia institutions included in the list. The University of Virginia, College of William and Mary and James Madison University also were ranked.
According to Money Magazine, the average public college student takes 4.6 years to earn a degree. Just one third of public college students actually earn their bachelor’s degree in four years, cited by the U.S. Department of Education.
The result is an estimated extra $12,000 for the average public college student’s additional semester, based on College Board data.
Earlier this year, UMW was ranked in Money Magazine’s first Best Colleges Rankings. UMW was listed seventh among Virginia public schools and 107th overall among more than 1,500 four-year colleges and universities. Money looks at educational quality, affordability and career outcomes to create its list.
To see the full list of public colleges where students graduate the fastest, visit http://time.com/money/3748117/public-colleges-fastest-graduation-rates/?xid=yahoo_money.UMW to Host 25th Annual Multicultural Fair, April 11
March 23, 2015 by
Every April the University of Mary Washington comes alive with a celebration of culture, diversity and spring at the Annual Multicultural Fair.
At the center of the outdoor fair is UMW’s own Eagle Bhangra, a student dance group that promotes diversity on campus by sharing folk Punjabi dances native to the Punjab region of Pakistan and India. They’ve become an iconic sight as they move barefoot down the bricks of Campus Walk in their brightly colored costumes, spreading energy and smiles as they go.
“We hope to inspire our viewers to dance and to give them joy,” said Eagle Bhangra Captain Maria Joranko, a senior double studio art and art history major.
Eagle Bhangra performs at a previous Multicultural Fair
Eagle Bhangra is one of more than 30 music and dance groups participating in 25th annual fair on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event draws thousands to the Fredericksburg campus annually.
The fair, organized by the James Farmer Multicultural Center, is dedicated to showcasing as many cultures and cultural expressions as possible through a variety ethic performances, international foods and craft vendors. The fair also features kid-friendly crafts, activities and performances.
“We want the spirit of the Multicultural Fair to be very positive,” said Greta Franklin, associate director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center. “It’s a fun, celebratory atmosphere. Anybody can come to the fair and have a great time.”
The fair’s theme of “differences enrich us all” demonstrates UMW’s commitment to multicultural awareness, and offers the chance to learn about new cultures and experiences, including Bhangra.
“We hope that people take away a sense of excitement and a desire to learn a little more about Indian culture,” said Joranko. “We are glad to expose them to this dance form that they may never have heard of.”
In addition, more than 50 vendors will sell an array of jewelry, pottery, instruments and traditional clothing representing various cultures and food trucks from different cuisines.
The fair has grown tremendously since its premier in 1990. With more than 4,000 attendees each year, the fair is one of the largest events on UMW’s campus.
The Multicultural Fair will be held rain or shine and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://umw.edu/multicultural/fair or contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044.
State Superintendent, Ambassador to Speak at UMW Commencement Ceremonies
March 17, 2015 by
Virginia’s chief education officer and a distinguished U.S. diplomat will speak at the 2015 commencement ceremonies for the University of Mary Washington Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9.
Steven R. Staples, superintendent of public instruction for the Virginia Department of Education, will give the graduate address on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. Pamela Bridgewater, a Foreign Service officer who served as U.S. Ambassador in three countries, will speak at the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. on Ball Circle.
Steven R. Staples
As Virginia’s 24th superintendent, Staples serves as the executive officer of the Virginia Department of Education, the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. He also serves as secretary of the Board of Education.
Previously, Staples served for two years as the executive director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. He also was a faculty member at the College of William and Mary from 2008-2012 and worked in various capacities in four Virginia school divisions. In 1997, he was selected as Virginia Superintendent of the Year.
Staples received his doctorate in education administration and supervision from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in education administration and supervision, as well as a bachelor’s degree in history and English from the College of William and Mary.
Pamela E. Bridgewater
Bridgewater retired from active duty in the U.S. Diplomatic Service in 2013 with the rank of Career Ambassador after 34 years of distinguished service.
Bridgewater has served as U.S. ambassador in three countries under three different presidents: President Bill Clinton appointed her U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Benin; President GeorgeW. Bush named her U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, and President Obama appointed her as Ambassador to Jamaica.
Among her extensive overseas tours, she became the first African-American woman to serve as consul general in Durban, South Africa, during the historic transition from Apartheid to a non-racial government. As the political officer assigned to cover Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress, a former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa said, “Bridgewater established a degree of trust and confidence with Mr. Mandela and the ANC leadership that the U.S. had not previously enjoyed.”
Her contributions to international affairs and public policy have resulted in numerous commendations, including two U.S. Presidential Meritorious Service Awards, the Charles Cobb Award for Trade Promotion, Department of State Superior Honor Awards and the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award.
The Fredericksburg native earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia State University and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Cincinnati. She completed coursework and advanced to candidacy for the PhD degree from the American University School of International Service. She holds honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Virginia State University, and an honorary Doctor of Public Service from Morgan State University.
For more information about the commencement ceremonies, visit www.umw.edu/commencement or call the Office of University Events and Conferencing at (540) 654-1065.
Previously, Staples served for two years as the executive director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. He also was a faculty member at the College of William and Mary from 2008-2012 and worked in various capacities in four Virginia school divisions. In 1997, he was selected as Virginia Superintendent of the Year.
Staples received his doctorate in education administration and supervision from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in education administration and supervision, as well as a bachelor’s degree in history and English from the College of William and Mary.
Pamela E. Bridgewater
Bridgewater retired from active duty in the U.S. Diplomatic Service in 2013 with the rank of Career Ambassador after 34 years of distinguished service.
Bridgewater has served as U.S. ambassador in three countries under three different presidents: President Bill Clinton appointed her U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Benin; President GeorgeW. Bush named her U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, and President Obama appointed her as Ambassador to Jamaica.
Among her extensive overseas tours, she became the first African-American woman to serve as consul general in Durban, South Africa, during the historic transition from Apartheid to a non-racial government. As the political officer assigned to cover Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress, a former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa said, “Bridgewater established a degree of trust and confidence with Mr. Mandela and the ANC leadership that the U.S. had not previously enjoyed.”
Her contributions to international affairs and public policy have resulted in numerous commendations, including two U.S. Presidential Meritorious Service Awards, the Charles Cobb Award for Trade Promotion, Department of State Superior Honor Awards and the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award.
The Fredericksburg native earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia State University and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Cincinnati. She completed coursework and advanced to candidacy for the PhD degree from the American University School of International Service. She holds honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Virginia State University, and an honorary Doctor of Public Service from Morgan State University.
For more information about the commencement ceremonies, visit www.umw.edu/commencement or call the Office of University Events and Conferencing at (540) 654-1065.UMW Mathematics Professor Receives Fulbright Grant
March 9, 2015 by
Julius Esunge, assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Mary Washington, has been selected to receive a prestigious 2015-2016 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant. Esunge will teach and conduct research at the University of Buea in the Republic of Cameroon beginning in the spring of 2016.
The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program. The scholarship program gives professors a unique opportunity as ambassadors of American higher education, pursuing research and teaching opportunities around the world.
An expert in stochastic analysis, Esunge blends mathematics and statistics to understand and solve real-world problems. As part of his Fulbright grant, Esunge will return to the place of his undergraduate studies – the University of Buea – to teach two semesters of probability and actuarial mathematics and lead a weekly graduate seminar in stochastic analysis. He also will construct and compare predictive models for healthcare costs.
“The opportunity to return to the University of Buea and actively mentor a new generation of students is priceless,” said Esunge, who joined the UMW mathematics department in 2009. “I have the opportunity to map a path for the current students and motivate them through passionate teaching.”
Esunge received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Buea, a master’s degree from Lehigh University and a master’s degree and doctorate’s degree from Louisiana State University.
“Dr. Esunge is a very popular and effective teacher, and I know he will have a tremendous impact at the University of Buea,” said Jonathan Levin, provost at UMW. “It is a special pleasure to see him bring his talent and expertise to his own alma mater in Cameroon.”
The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program. The scholarship program gives professors a unique opportunity as ambassadors of American higher education, pursuing research and teaching opportunities around the world.
An expert in stochastic analysis, Esunge blends mathematics and statistics to understand and solve real-world problems. As part of his Fulbright grant, Esunge will return to the place of his undergraduate studies – the University of Buea – to teach two semesters of probability and actuarial mathematics and lead a weekly graduate seminar in stochastic analysis. He also will construct and compare predictive models for healthcare costs.
“The opportunity to return to the University of Buea and actively mentor a new generation of students is priceless,” said Esunge, who joined the UMW mathematics department in 2009. “I have the opportunity to map a path for the current students and motivate them through passionate teaching.”
Esunge received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Buea, a master’s degree from Lehigh University and a master’s degree and doctorate’s degree from Louisiana State University.
“Dr. Esunge is a very popular and effective teacher, and I know he will have a tremendous impact at the University of Buea,” said Jonathan Levin, provost at UMW. “It is a special pleasure to see him bring his talent and expertise to his own alma mater in Cameroon.”UMW Launches Robust First-Year Program
February 23, 2015 by
The University of Mary Washington will launch a comprehensive new program for the freshman class beginning in fall 2015.
The program will feature residential clustering for first-year seminars, comprehensive advising and the university’s second-ever common book. Incoming students will be able to choose a required first-year seminar and housing assignments once deposits are paid.
Residential clustering will allow students to live with their peers in their first-year seminars, creating a community that combines living and learning to enhance their academic experience. UMW will offer more than 60 first-year seminars on topics ranging from game theory to Jane Austen.
“First-year seminars are proven to engage students” said Tim O’Donnell, associate provost for academic engagement and student success. “Our studies show that students who participate in a first-year seminar have higher GPA’s at the end of their first year and are more likely to return for a second year at Mary Washington.”
More than the proven results, the new program enhances the overall student experience during the first year.
“It brings together the best of both worlds at Mary Washington,” said Douglas Searcy, vice president for student affairs. “Combining the out-of-class experience and the in-class experience is proven to increase student learning and will simply help first-year students have a better, seamless learning experience.”
The comprehensive advising program will provides a support network that consists of the student’s first year seminar faculty, a professional advisor and a peer mentor. In addition, each student will receive a copy of Rebecca Skloot’s New York Times Bestseller The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks with a reading and writing assignment to prepare for August orientation programming and discussions. The following semester, Skloot will visit the university as a guest speaker for the 2016 Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series.
For the full list of first-year seminars, visit http://academics.umw.edu/fsem/.
The program will feature residential clustering for first-year seminars, comprehensive advising and the university’s second-ever common book. Incoming students will be able to choose a required first-year seminar and housing assignments once deposits are paid.
Residential clustering will allow students to live with their peers in their first-year seminars, creating a community that combines living and learning to enhance their academic experience. UMW will offer more than 60 first-year seminars on topics ranging from game theory to Jane Austen.
“First-year seminars are proven to engage students” said Tim O’Donnell, associate provost for academic engagement and student success. “Our studies show that students who participate in a first-year seminar have higher GPA’s at the end of their first year and are more likely to return for a second year at Mary Washington.”
More than the proven results, the new program enhances the overall student experience during the first year.
“It brings together the best of both worlds at Mary Washington,” said Douglas Searcy, vice president for student affairs. “Combining the out-of-class experience and the in-class experience is proven to increase student learning and will simply help first-year students have a better, seamless learning experience.”
The comprehensive advising program will provides a support network that consists of the student’s first year seminar faculty, a professional advisor and a peer mentor. In addition, each student will receive a copy of Rebecca Skloot’s New York Times Bestseller The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks with a reading and writing assignment to prepare for August orientation programming and discussions. The following semester, Skloot will visit the university as a guest speaker for the 2016 Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series.
For the full list of first-year seminars, visit http://academics.umw.edu/fsem/.Peace Corps Ranks UMW as Top-Producing Small College
February 18, 2015 by
For the 11th year, the Peace Corps has ranked the University of Mary Washington among the nation’s top-producing colleges for alumni now serving as Peace Corps volunteers.
UMW ranks 20th on the Peace Corps’ list of small schools or institutions with less than 5,000 undergraduates, making it the seventh-highest volunteer-producing institution in Virginia this year and the sixth-highest all-time producer in the Commonwealth. According to the Peace Corp, UMW currently has nine alumni serving around the world.
UMW has been included in the top 10 of the Peace Corps’ list of top-producing small schools since 2005. In all, more than 230 UMW alumni have served the 27-month commitment around the world since the Peace Corps’ inception in 1961.
Leah Kieff graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2011 with a degree in political science and currently works as a community economic development volunteer. She credits UMW with helping to prepare her for service in Moldova, where she works with a non-governmental organization that provides medical and social services to the elderly.
“I wanted a job where I knew I was making a difference and where my work was helping to make the world a better place,” said Kieff, 26, a native of Fairfax, Va. “One of the many things I love about Peace Corps is that no two days are the same. There’s always a new adventure or funny moment to be had.”
The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing colleges and universities annually according to the size of the student body. For the full list of top-producing colleges and universities, visit peacecorps.gov.
UMW ranks 20th on the Peace Corps’ list of small schools or institutions with less than 5,000 undergraduates, making it the seventh-highest volunteer-producing institution in Virginia this year and the sixth-highest all-time producer in the Commonwealth. According to the Peace Corp, UMW currently has nine alumni serving around the world.
UMW has been included in the top 10 of the Peace Corps’ list of top-producing small schools since 2005. In all, more than 230 UMW alumni have served the 27-month commitment around the world since the Peace Corps’ inception in 1961.
Leah Kieff graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2011 with a degree in political science and currently works as a community economic development volunteer. She credits UMW with helping to prepare her for service in Moldova, where she works with a non-governmental organization that provides medical and social services to the elderly.
“I wanted a job where I knew I was making a difference and where my work was helping to make the world a better place,” said Kieff, 26, a native of Fairfax, Va. “One of the many things I love about Peace Corps is that no two days are the same. There’s always a new adventure or funny moment to be had.”
The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing colleges and universities annually according to the size of the student body. For the full list of top-producing colleges and universities, visit peacecorps.gov.