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Local Celebrities Compete at UMW Fundraiser, Oct. 11

October 6, 2014 by Jonathan Polson

Tickets are still available for the second annual “Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars” fundraiser, which will be held at the University of Mary Washington on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The competition is modeled after the popular ABC television series “Dancing with the Stars,” now in its 17th season. In the Fredericksburg version, 10 regional “stars” are paired with professional dancers from Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio in Fredericksburg to compete for the top award, the Mirror Ball Trophy. The audience will vote for the People’s Choice Award.

A portion of the proceeds from the performance will be used to endow the UMW Performing Arts in the Community Scholarship for regional students who excel in music, theatre or dance. Last year’s inaugural event grossed approximately $65,000.

The 2013 Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars (pictured here) will return to support the 2014 stars and escort them onto the stage.

Performers will include Theresa Crawley, a local dentist and member of the UMW Board of Visitors; Lisa Crittenden, executive director of Loisann’s Hope House; Janel Donohue, president of Rappahannock United Way; Debby Girvan, president of Flair Communication; John Fick president and CEO of J.F. Fick Inc.; Regis Keddie II, senior vice president of investments at Davenport and Co.; John Moss Jr., attorney with Rinehart, Butler, Hodge, Moss & Bryant, PLC; Florence Ridderhof, a community volunteer and patron of the arts; John Wack, president of Eastern Sports Management and owner of the Fredericksburg Field House; and Joe Wilson, owner of Perma Treat Pest Control and a member of the UMW Board of Visitors.

Hall of Famer and former Washington Redskin Darrell Green will emcee the event, and a panel of judges will offer commentary following each dance. This year’s judges include:Rosendo Fumero, a professional ballroom dancer and a former U.S. champion in the American Style Smooth open division; Susan Spears, president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Melanie Kay-Wyant, principal at Walker Grant Middle School. Both Spears and Kay-Wyant competed in last year’s event.

Tickets are available at http://fredericksburgstars.umw.edu for $85, plus a $5 processing fee, of which $75 is tax deductible. Seats are selected and reserved at the time of purchase. For more information, contact (540) 654-1065.

UMW Theatre Opens 2014-15 Season with “Doubt”

September 30, 2014 by Erika Spivey

The University of Mary Washington Theatre opened its 2014-15 season with “Doubt,” a Tony Award-winning drama by John Patrick Shanley.

Photo Credit: Geoff Greene, Father Flynn, played by Stephen Nickens ‘15

Sister James, played by Catherine O’Meara ‘17, and Sister Aloysius, played by Catalina Ruiz de Gamboa ‘15

Father Flynn, played by Stephen Nickens ‘15

Sister James, played by Catherine O’Meara ‘17

Sister Aloysius, played by Catalina Ruiz de Gamboa ‘15

Performances are taking place Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 28 and Oct. 4-5 at 2 p.m. in Klein Theatre, located in duPont Hall on the university’s Fredericksburg campus. Tickets are $18 for standard admission and $16 for students, senior citizens and military. Set in 1964, “Doubt” is a drama that takes place in a Catholic church and school in Bronx, New York. The play focuses on the confrontations between Sister Aloysius, the rigid school principal and Father Flynn, the charismatic parish priest. Tensions rise as Sister Aloysius becomes increasingly suspicious of Father Flynn’s interest in one of her students, and the seed of doubt is sown when the Father vehemently opposes the allegations. “Doubt” originally opened in 2004 off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club. In 2005, the production transferred to the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway where it ran for 525 performances. In the same year, the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, and the Tony Award for Best Play. The drama toured nationally in 2007 and was subsequently turned into an Academy Award-nominated film that starred Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn. The university’s performance of “Doubt” is directed by Helen Housley, associate professor of theatre. Scenic and lighting designs are by visiting assistant professor Niffer Pflager and associate professor Julie Hodge, respectively. Costume design is by associate professor Kevin McCluskey. For further information and to purchase tickets, contact the Klein Theatre Box Office at (540) 654-1111 or visit umw.tix.com.

UMW, Germanna, Mary Washington Healthcare Partner to Improve Nursing Education

August 11, 2014 by Marty Morrison

A unique partnership in nursing education among the University of Mary Washington, Germanna Community College and Mary Washington Healthcare will bolster healthcare services in the region. As an integral step, UMW’s President Richard V. Hurley and Germanna’s President David A. Sam signed three transfer and co-enrollment agreements for nursing education. The articulation agreements were signed on August 11 at the University’s Stafford campus.

UMW Provost Jonathan Levin, left, President Richard V. Hurley, middle, and Germanna's President David Sam sign nursing education agreements.

“The University of Mary Washington and Germanna Community College recognize the need for registered nurses to achieve advanced learning through an improved education system that promotes a seamless academic progression,” said Hurley. “We want to make sure that our students are ready to be nurses and that we provide the caliber of nursing education that the healthcare industry needs.” Sam added, “Germanna is pleased at this opportunity for nursing students. It is yet another stride forward in the ongoing partnership between GCC and UMW, a partnership that benefits students, our community, and the Commonwealth.” This fall, UMW launches its Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Completion Program, started with a $25,000 grant from Mary Washington Hospital’s Community Benefit Fund. The program is designed for registered nurses who have graduated with an accredited associate’s degree in nursing or from a diploma nursing program. The new articulation agreements:

Guarantee admission to UMW’s BSN-completion program for Germanna graduates who have an associate’s degree in nursing, have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average and meet criteria established by UMW. Under the BSN-completion program direct transfer plan, also known as the “3 + 1” BSN plan, students attend Germanna for three years and spend one year at UMW. The guaranteed admission program is effective beginning with the fall 2014 semester.
Allow nursing students who want a four-year residential experience to live on the Fredericksburg campus while taking courses at both Germanna and Mary Washington. Through the BSN Academic Partnership plan, also known as the “1 + 2 + 1” BSN plan, students complete required liberal arts and nursing prerequisite courses at both UMW and Germanna during the first year; attend the community college during the second and third years to complete an associate’s degree in nursing; then return to UMW for course work during the fourth year to complete the BSN-completion program. This program will begin in 2015 pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Permit Germanna nursing students to enroll in the BSN-completion program while working toward an associate’s degree in nursing. In addition, the students may take liberal arts courses at UMW. The BSN Concurrent Enrollment plan begins in 2015, pending SACSCOC approval.

“These agreements will open more doors for nursing students to experience a higher level of learning,” said Pamela McCullough, director of the University’s BSN-completion program. “We’ve created multiple pathways to which members of our community can earn their degrees in nursing.” In addition to the Germanna and UMW agreements, the University has partnered with Mary Washington Healthcare to offer the BSN-completion program to practicing registered nurses who desire a BSN degree. Registered nurses must have earned an associate’s degree or an associate of applied science degree in nursing from a community college or university; or a diploma from a school of nursing. They also must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Register Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and hold an active license to practice in Virginia. This program begins August 25. The agreements evolved from a cooperative effort involving Mary Washington, Germanna and Mary Washington Healthcare to meet the nursing education needs of the region. Nursing leaders in each institution examined and discussed “Nurse of the Future” guidelines developed by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. “We came together to develop comprehensive nursing programs to deliver the qualified nurses that healthcare agencies demand,” said McCullough. “In nursing, we teach the collaboration of care. This is an excellent example of three nurse leaders coming together to ultimately improve the health of the community.” Marianna Bedway, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Mary Washington Healthcare, agrees. “All chief nursing officers across the country are challenged to increase the academic preparation of our professional nursing workforce,” said Bedway. “As the CNO of MWHC, I am blessed to have such wonderful community academic partners in GCC and UMW to develop our RNs, their skills and competencies to the highest degree possible. Our partnership will translate into the very best care for our community.” UMW already participates in co-enrollment and direct transfer agreements with Germanna that permit concurrent enrollment and automatic transfer for eligible students. The University also has a guaranteed-admission agreement with Virginia’s two-year colleges, including 23 branches of the Virginia Community College System and Richard Bland College. Students who graduate with an associate’s degree in arts, sciences, or arts and sciences and meet a minimum GPA requirement may obtain guaranteed admission to the University.

Governor Announces Appointments to UMW Board of Visitors

June 2, 2014 by Brynn Boyer

The Virginia Governor’s Office today announced the appointment of former Virginia Senator Edd Houck and Fred Rankin, president and chief executive officer of Mary Washington Healthcare, to the Board of Visitors at the University of Mary Washington. Houck and Rankin will serve four-year terms, which expire June 30, 2018. They succeed Joseph Wilson and Xavier Richardson, whose terms will end on June 30, 2014. Holly Cuellar ’89, current rector of the board, has been reappointed for an additional four-year term, which will extend through June 30, 2018.

Holly T. Cuellar

Holly Cuellar

Cuellar, a 1989 graduate of Mary Washington, has served on the UMW Board of Visitors since 2010, and as rector since 2013. Currently a resident of the San Diego area, she is membership director for The IABM, a trade association that represents the broadcast supply industry. Cuellar previously served in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General as deputy scheduler and as the Hampton Roads community outreach coordinator, maintaining and supporting the Class Action program for Virginia school children. She also served on the City of Virginia Beach’s Gang Task Force, was a regional manager for the Keeping Virginia Safe and Strong programs, and helped develop programs to promote internet safety and senior advocacy.

Edd Houck
Photo courtesy of Edd Houck

Edd Houck

A longtime legislator and educator, Houck represented the 17th District in the Virginia Senate from 1984 to 2012. In addition to his legislative duties, Houck worked in the public schools for 34 years, including as a middle school science teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, and the director of student services for Fredericksburg City Public Schools. He retired in 2007. He then served until last year as director of community and corporate programs for Mary Washington Healthcare.

Houck received a bachelor’s in education from Concord College (Athens, W.Va.), and a master’s in education from the University of Virginia.

Fred Rankin

Fred Rankin

Rankin has served as president and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare since 1995. Mary Washington Healthcare is a private not-for-profit regional system of healthcare facilities and wellness centers, including Mary Washington Hospital and Stafford Hospital, which serves the greater Rappahannock region.

Rankin is a past president of the Rappahannock Area United Way and continues to serve on the United Way’s Board of Directors. He also has served on the Board of Directors of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors of the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, a public-private partnership. He co-chairs, along with UMW President Richard V. Hurley, an ongoing regional economic development initiative. Rankin also is a member of the UMW Foundation Board of Directors.

Rankin received a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health.

UMW Announces Community ‘Stars’ for UMW Arts Fundraiser, Oct. 11

May 16, 2014 by Marty Morrison

Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars, 2014 Cast [see the SlideDeck]

A new slate of Fredericksburg-area community leaders has been named to perform in the second annual Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars on Saturday, October 11, to raise money for a performing arts scholarship at the University of Mary Washington. Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars will begin at 7 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium, followed by a reception under the stars.

Performers will include Theresa Crawley, a local dentist and member of the UMW Board of Visitors; Lisa Crittenden, executive director of the Hope House; Janel Donohue, president of Rappahannock United Way; John Fick president and CEO of J.F. Fick Inc.; Regis Keddie II, senior vice president of investments at Davenport and Co.; Rose Hurley, wife of University President Richard V. Hurley; John Moss Jr., attorney with Rinehart, Butler, Hodge, Moss & Bryant, PLC; Florence Ridderhof, a community volunteer and patron of the arts; John Wack, president of Eastern Sports Management and owner of the Fredericksburg Field House; and Joe Wilson, owner of Perma Treat Pest Control and a member of the UMW Board of Visitors.

“A community lacking in art is a community lacking in soul,” said Moss, a Fredericksburg native. “Fredericksburg has plenty of soul, and I am eager to put my dance moves to the test in this friendly competition.”

Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars is modeled after the popular ABC television series Dancing with the Stars, now in its 17th season. In the Fredericksburg version, the 10 regional “stars” are paired with professional dancers from Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio in Fredericksburg to compete for the top award, the Mirror Ball Trophy. The audience will vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Hall of Famer and former Washington Redskin Darrell Green will host the event, and a panel of judges will offer commentary following each dance. This year’s judges include: Gaye Adegbalola,Fredericksburg resident and international jazz musician; Corey Von Ginkel, member of the National Dance Council of America; and Susan Spears, president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce and a contestant in last year’s event.

Tickets go on sale July 7 at http://fredericksburgstars.umw.edu for $85, plus a $5 processing fee, of which $75 is tax deductible. Seats are selected and reserved at the time of purchase. For more information, contact (540) 654-1065.

Founder, President and CEO Rebecca Rubin Addresses UMW Graduates, May 10

May 10, 2014 by Brynn Boyer

Founder, president and CEO of environmental consulting firm Marstel-Day Rebecca Rubin challenged graduates to be good stewards of the environment during the University of Mary Washington’s 2014 commencement address.

Environmentalist Rebecca Rubin address graduates.

Environmentalist Rebecca Rubin speaks to graduates.

“We have a fierce dependence on nature and an equally intense reliance on certain economic forces that crush it and imperil us,” she said. “And whether we humans are here to tell our story later will depend on the decisions we make – or more precisely, you make – now to resolve our place in nature in a way that halts and reverses destruction.”

She called graduates to recognize the severity of the issues currently facing the environment, starting with climate change.

“But, climate change is not the main problem,” she said. “It’s a symptom of a deeper dilemma: a profound and fundamental lack of respect for nature.”

Rubin founded Marstel-Day in 2002 as an expression of her commitment to the conservation of natural resources, especially habitat and open space, energy and water. Her company serves various public and private clients, including the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. Marstel-Day is one of several Fredericksburg-area organizations collaborating with UMW to develop a Climate, Environment Action Readiness (CLEAR) Plan.

In 2013, the White House named Rubin a Champion of Change for Community Resilience, and Virginia Business Magazine listed her in 2011 among the “Top 25 People to Watch.” Marstel-Day has been named to Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 and Zweigwhite’s HOTFirm list for the past five consecutive years and was recently recognized as one of the commonwealth’s fastest growing companies by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Rain failed to dampen spirits at Commencement.

In her address, Rubin conveyed her passion for environmental issues with the thousands of graduates, family members and friends gathered on Ball Circle.

“I think you deserve to be a little outraged by your environmental inheritance,” she said. “It’s up to you to challenge the premise that environmental destruction is an inevitable consequence of economic growth.”

She encouraged graduates from all disciplines to do their part to ensure the environment remains intact for future generations.

“For all of you graduating today, whether your plan is to be scientists or singers, playwrights or poets, mathematicians or musicians, English professors or engineers, all of you are equally critical from the standpoint of saving nature. At one point or another, every one of you will play a part.”

UMW Launches $50 Million Fundraising Campaign

April 30, 2014 by Marty Morrison

The University of Mary Washington has publicly launched its $50 million Mary Washington First fundraising campaign. The announcement was made at a news conference on Friday, April 25, in the Jepson Alumni Executive Center.

The Mary Washington First campaign aims to secure private funds for various initiatives, including for student scholarships.

The goal of the comprehensive campaign is to raise funds to advance President Richard V. Hurley’s vision: for University of Mary Washington to become one of the nation’s premier public liberal arts and sciences universities. “The pace of change in higher education accelerates daily, and the fiscal challenges faced by colleges and universities are daunting,” Hurley said. “In order to remain at the forefront of our competitors, affordable for our students and families, and able to attract the best and brightest minds, it is imperative for UMW to have the resources necessary for success.” Among the fundraising initiatives, the university strives to secure private funds for endowment of scholarships, restoration of the campus amphitheater, support for the university’s three colleges, enhancement of the Fund for Mary Washington, and development of key program initiatives. These initiatives are: the arts, athletics, leadership, study abroad, the Chappell Great Lives lecture series, libraries and instructional technology.

A rendering by Train & Partners Architects shows what the amphitheater might look like after renovation.

The amphitheater, located in a grove of trees near Sunken Road on the Fredericksburg campus, has been home to many significant UMW traditions since it was constructed in 1913. The planned $3 million restoration would return the site to its 1952-1953 appearance by repairing and reconstructing damaged and missing pieces. It would provide seating for approximately 600 people on weather-resilient benches and chairs while incorporating accommodations for ADA accessibility. Over the past three years, in the non-public phase of the campaign, the university has raised a total of $29.2 million. Represented in that amount are seven gifts and pledges of $1 million or more. Out of a total of about 13,000 donors, more than 120 have made campaign commitments of $25,000 or more. Significant gifts include:

More than $7.5 million in estate gifts for student scholarships, including one full-tuition Washington scholarship and one Alvey Scholarship, which covers tuition costs for an out-of-state student
More than $3 million in estate gifts to support students studying abroad
Nearly $1.4 million in gifts to support restoration of the amphitheater
A $1 million estate gift to create special professorships in the three colleges
More than $600,000 in pledges and gifts to support the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington
More than $500,000 to support the Great Lives Lecture Series.

The campaign will secure funds for the development of key program initiatives, including for study abroad opportunities.

Anne Marie Thompson Steen ’83 and Daniel K. Steen ’84 of Arlington, Va., serve as national campaign chairs. Both said they are eager to move the campaign forward. “We are fortunate to be able to partner with other Mary Washington alumni, parents, and friends,” said Dan Steen, a former rector of the UMW Board of Visitors. The Steens join members of a Campaign Cabinet, membership of which represents a cross-section of UMW constituents from varying career paths, affiliations and locations across the country. “Together,” Steen added, “we all are committed to the $50-million campaign goal.” For more information about the campaign or to donate, visit http://marywashingtonfirst.umw.edu. The University of Mary Washington is a premier, selective public liberal arts and sciences university in Virginia, highly respected for its commitment to academic excellence, strong undergraduate liberal arts and sciences program, and dedication to life-long learning. The university, with a total enrollment of more than 5,000, features colleges of business, education and arts and sciences, and three campuses, including a residential campus in Fredericksburg, Va., a second one in nearby Stafford and a third in Dahlgren, Va., which serves as a center of development of educational and research partnerships between the Navy, higher education institutions and the region’s employers. In recent years, the university has seen its academic reputation garner national recognition in numerous selective guidebooks, including Forbes, the Fiske Guide to Colleges and the Princeton Review’s 2012 edition of 150 “Best Value Colleges” and the 2014 edition of “The Best 378 Colleges.”

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