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UMW Student Veterans Lead Service to Honor 9/11 Victims

September 11, 2013 by Julia Davis

The University of Mary Washington marked the 12th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11 and honored those who died with a commemorative flag raising ceremony and moment of silence. The event was organized and led by the members of UMW’s Association of Student Veterans.

Members of UMW's ROTC participated in a flag-raising ceremony on September 11, 2013.

The event began at 8:30 a.m. with the gathering of UMW students, faculty and staff and for a flag-raising ceremony on Jefferson Square. UMW’s ROTC students raised and lowered the flag, while UMW adjunct faculty instructor Jim Ford played taps . The ceremony was followed by a moment of silence on Ball Circle. “9/11 showed we are vulnerable, not just overseas but here at home,” said Golda Eldridge, director of leadership at UMW’s Center for Honor, Leadership and Service and faculty adviser to the Association of Student Veterans. “We hope everyone will take the opportunity to pause, remember the lost and rededicate ourselves to protecting our ways of life.”

Faculty, staff and students gathered for a moment of silence on Ball Circle.

Student representatives from the UMW College Republicans and the UMW chapter of Young Americans for Freedom were also in attendance, setting up American flags around Ball Circle. “We’re trying to keep the memory of what happened on that day alive for everybody,” said Max Reinhardt, chairman of the College Republicans. David Helgran, president of the Association of Student Veterans, hopes the association will hold more events on campus in the future. “While memorials and ceremonies don’t reverse the damage done on September 11, they do join us together and allow us as Americans to re-affirm our allegiance to our country and each other,” said Helgran. “This will always remain important because our faith in each other and our camaraderie as a nation is one of the traits that make us so incredibly strong.” UMW’s Association of Student Veterans is dedicated to promoting recognition, appreciation and support for students who are military service members or veterans as well as their families and supporters.

UMW Celebrates Honor System Through Week of Events

August 28, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

The University will hold a week-long Honor Celebration next week on the Fredericksburg campus.

The celebration will kick off on Tuesday, September 3 with a keynote presentation by Jeff Rouse, three-time Olympic champion swimmer and president of the Rappahannock Economic Development Corporation (REDCO). Rouse will answer questions from the audience about fair play in sports and life at 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium. The Q&A session is free and open to the public. Ed Jurith, U.S. Representative to the World Anti-Doping Agency, originally scheduled to present the lecture, was unable to attend because of illness.

Rouse, a native of Fredericksburg, is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Rouse won a gold medal as part of the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay team and a silver medal in the men’s 100-meter backstroke. In 1996, he picked up two more gold medals for the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay and the men’s 100-meter backstroke. He is a 1992 graduate of Stanford University.

The week will continue on Wednesday, September 4 with a free barbeque and concert on Ball Circle at 4 p.m. The concert will feature music by Neil Tibert, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences, and Keith Mellinger, associate professor and chair of mathematics.
The Honor Celebration also will include activities for students throughout the week, including conversations on honor and community in each residence hall and in-class discussions about academic integrity.

The honor system at UMW was founded upon the personal integrity of each individual member of the university community. It requires that all members of the community conduct themselves honorably at all times and in all dealings with others. This shared commitment to high ethical standards creates an atmosphere of trust and respect vital to the unique sense of community which characterizes the institution.

For more information, contact David Rettinger, executive director of the Center for Honor, Leadership and Service, at (540) 654-1364.

UMW Names Executive Director for Center for Economic Development

June 25, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

The University of Mary Washington today announced that Brian Baker has been named executive director of the Center for Economic Development. Baker has spent the last decade as an administrator at UMW, most recently as executive director for entrepreneurship.

In his role as executive director, Baker will oversee the UMW Small Business Development Center, the EagleWorks Accelerator and Business Innovation Center, the Engagement Program, the operations for the Virginia Business Incubation Association, as well as several contract affiliations. During his more than 10 years at UMW, Baker has served in various roles, including head of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In his time as executive director of the SBDC, the center served more than 3,000 small company clients and yielded economic impacts of more than $70 million in new investments, more than $81 million in new sales growth and the creation and retention of 4,670 jobs. Baker also was instrumental in bringing the Virginia Business Incubation Association to the university where it will have an opportunity to engage students and faculty in both regional and statewide small company development initiatives. Baker also has collaborated with numerous UMW students on business-related projects pertaining to market research, small company analysis and revenue analytics. Baker serves on the Board of Directors for the La Ceiba Microfinance program, the Leadership Fredericksburg program and the University Based Economic Development Council, and is president of the Virginia Business Incubation Association. He also is a general member of the Rappahannock Economic Development Corporation and a member of the Stafford County Economic Analysis Forum and the Germanna Community College Workforce and Community Education Advisory Board. He has been a speaker at both the International Economic Development Council and Virginia Business Incubation Association conferences on small business. In 2010, he was recognized as the Virginia SBDC State Star for contributions in business development. Baker earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in business administration in management from Mary Washington. He holds a business analyst certification from the Virginia SBDC program hosted by George Mason University. The Center for Economic Development, established in 2011, assists the regional jurisdictions in their efforts to promote economic development of the region. The center functions as a central point of contact to connect faculty and students with regional initiatives and businesses seeking their assistance. The center’s programs and initiatives include the Small Business Development Center, the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, the Virginia Business Incubation Association, and student and faculty engagement projects.

Hyatt Place Fredericksburg Names General Manager

May 23, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

The University of Mary Washington Foundation and Interstate Hotels & Resorts have appointed James A. Fournier as general manager for the 93-room Hyatt Place Fredericksburg hotel currently under construction. Located in the Eagle Village mixed-use development complex between Mary Washington Hospital and the University of Mary Washington, the Hyatt Place broke ground last August and plans to open in the fall of 2013. The hotel is owned by the University of Mary Washington Foundation and will be operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.

As general manager for the hotel, Fournier will cultivate and lead the hotel’s executive team and manage the hotel through the pre-opening phase into opening and full operations, with responsibility for day-to-day operations upon opening. Fournier brings 23 years of experience to his role, including 12 years in operations leadership as a general manager with Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott properties. Most recently, he was general manager at the Residence Inn in Alexandria, where he successfully managed the hotel through the construction phase to opening. During his tenure with Marriott, Fournier received numerous accolades, including the Top Operations Excellence Award in 2010 based on high quality assurance and guest service satisfaction scores. “Jim is a top performer in the hotel business and brings the level of service and experience to our hotel that both we as owners, and Hyatt as a global brand, will expect from a general manager,” said Jeff Rountree, CEO of the UMW Foundation. “Our goal is to run a hotel with the customer service and friendliness of a Ritz Carlton, but within the body of a select-service hotel product. We believe this can be done and we believe Jim is the right man for the job.” Fournier has a degree from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. The premium select-service Hyatt Place Fredericksburg hotel is located at 1241 Jefferson David Highway. Upon completion, the hotel will have 93 spacious guestrooms featuring the Hyatt Grand Bed™ and Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper; 2,000 square feet of meeting space; an indoor pool and fitness center; Gallery Menu, Fresh 24/7 and Gallery Market for a la carte items; a coffee and spirits bar; a complimentary hot breakfast; and complimentary Wi-Fi in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.

Two UMW-Affiliated Museums Welcome Military This Summer

May 21, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

This summer, Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont and the James Monroe Memorial Museum and Library will offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families as part of a nationwide initiative. Blue Star Museums, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, is a collaborative effort between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense. Since its start in 2010, the initiative has grown to include more than 2,000 museums and historic sites across the country.

“Like others of his generation, James Monroe not only served his country, he helped create it,” said Scott Harris, director of the James Monroe Museum. “He fought with courage and distinction in the Revolutionary War and suffered a near-fatal wound at the Battle of Trenton. For the rest of his life he had nothing but praise and respect for veterans. It is therefore especially appropriate for the museum that bears his name to be one of the Blue Star Museums.” The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps – and up to five family members. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. “Gari Melchers Home and Studio is delighted to participate in the Blue Star Museum program to honor and thank those who serve us so well both here and abroad,” said David Berreth, director of Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. “We hope that our quiet corner of the world will offer respite and inspiration to service members and their families throughout the summer.” For a complete list of participating museums, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military families. The organization hosts numerous morale and empowerment programs, including Books on Bases, Blue Star Museums, Operation Honor Corp, Blue Star Careers and Operation Appreciation. Blue Star Families also works directly with the Department of Defense and senior members of local, state and federal government to bring the most important military family issues to light. For more information, visit http://www.bluestarfam.org. The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies and the philanthropic sector. For more information, visit www.arts.gov. Gari Melchers Home and Studio is a 28-acre estate and former residence of the artist Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne. The property, which is operated by the University of Mary Washington, is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Located at 224 Washington St. in Falmouth, Va., a quarter mile west of the intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 17, it is open daily with an admission charge. The museum also serves as the official Stafford County Visitor Center. For directions and other information, call (540) 654-1015 or visit the museum website at www.GariMelchers.org. The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library is a National Historic Landmark owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and administered by the University of Mary Washington. Founded in 1927, it is the nation’s largest repository of artifacts and documents related to the fifth President of the United States. For hours of operation, directions, and other information, call (540) 654-1043, or visit www.jamesmonroemuseum.org.

UMW Receives Gift for Historic Preservation Scholarship

April 22, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

The University of Mary Washington will offer a new merit-based scholarship for historic preservation students starting in the fall of 2014. The Northern Virginia Branch of Preservation Virginia and Prince William County recently presented the university with a $35,000 gift to establish the Milton Grigg Northern Virginia APVA Scholarship, in honor of a valued architect and preservationist.

(from left to right): Becky Starling, Trustee, Preservation Virginia, Mary Washington Branch; Michael Spencer, Assistant Professor, Historic Preservation, University of Mary Washington; Rob Orrison, Site Manager, Prince William County Department of Public Works Historic Preservation Division; Torre Meringolo, Vice President for Advancement and University Relations, University of Mary Washington

“Preservation Virginia has played a vital role in the interpretation and presentation of numerous historic sites within the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Torre Meringolo, UMW’s vice president for advancement and university relations. “As one of the nation’s premier institutions for the study of historic preservation, the University of Mary Washington is proud to be able to honor the memory of an esteemed architect and valiant preservationist, while offering financial support for UMW students.”

Grigg, an Alexandria-based architect with a passion for the preservation of antiquities in Virginia, worked on the preservation of many well-known Virginia structures, including Monticello and historic Williamsburg. The scholarship will be awarded on a merit basis to junior and senior historic preservation majors who are residents of Northern Virginia, specifically the counties of Fairfax, Prince William, Loudon and Arlington; and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park.

Preservation Virginia was founded in 1889 as a private, non-profit organization and statewide historic preservation leader dedicated to perpetuating and revitalizing Virginia’s cultural, architectural and historic heritage.

UMW Announces 2013 Historic Preservation Book Prize

April 17, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

The University of Mary Washington Center for Historic Preservation has awarded the 2013 Historic Preservation Book Prize to “SynergiCity: Reinventing the Postindustrial City,” edited by Paul Hardin Kapp and Paul J. Armstrong.

“In response to the gripping question of how to renew the postindustrial city, the authors of the essays in the book propose a fascinating viewpoint,” said Cristina Turdean, jury chair and assistant professor of historic preservation. “The book does a superb job in making the reader think in a holistic and practical way of the forces and factors that could and should play a role in the transformation of dormant industrial infrastructure and communities into vibrant urban centers.” The center awards the Historic Preservation Book Prize annually to a book that a jury deems has made the most significant contribution to the intellectual vitality of historic preservation in America. Kapp is an associate professor of historic preservation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a licensed architect in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. He served as the historical architect and campus historic preservation manager at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for more than five years. Armstrong is an associate professor of design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he has taught for more than two decades. He has presented lectures across the country and is co-author of “The Skyscraper and the City: Design, Technology, and Innovation.” This year, the jury for the $500 prize also included Julia King, associate professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland; Kaitlin O’Shea, historic preservation specialist at the Vermont Agency of Transportation; Sarah Sanders ’13; Gary Stanton, associate professor of historic preservation at UMW; and Jason Vaughan, director of historic preservation and interpretation at the Baltimore National Heritage Area. Entries may come from any of the disciplines that relate to the theory or practice of historic preservation. To be eligible for the 2014 prize, a book must be published first in the United States between Jan. 1, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2013. Established in 1980, the Center for Historic Preservation is a research and public outreach organization affiliated with the UMW Department of Historic Preservation. The center sponsors lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences for students and faculty in the historic preservation department, and it offers programs for the public. For more information, contact Andrea Livi-Smith, assistant professor of historic preservation, at alsmith@umw.edu or (540) 654-1316.

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