Professional Notes Archives

Grothe and Students Work to Protect Coral Reefs

July 10, 2019 by jlaiacon

Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Pamela Grothe

Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Science Pamela Grothe and her students were featured in an article in The Free Lance-Star titled “UMW students plunge into restoring coral reefs.” The article discussed a new course taught by Grothe called “UMW in Bonaire: Coral, Climate and Conversation,” which was offered this past spring semester. The students learned about climate change and its impact on coral reefs and the marine life that lives within them. They also learned coral conservation methods. Thanks to a partnership with The Scuba Shack dive shop in Fredericksburg, Grothe’s students became scuba-certified so they could apply their research during a trip to the Caribbean island of Bonaire this May. Read more.

Richardson Column in The Free Lance-Star

July 9, 2019 by jlaiacon

College of Business Dean Lynne Richardson

Read the latest column in The Free Lance-Star written by Lynne Richardson, Dean of the College of Business, titled What do you want from your signage?

Today’s challenge is to look inside and outside your organization at your signage. I’m guessing many of you would give yourself a low score, if you’re looking at your place of business as your customers do.

About a decade ago, I arrived at a new university as dean of the business school. While I wasn’t a customer per se, I sure did have a hard time finding different rooms in the business school building. Why? There had been a renovation and addition to the building immediately prior to my arrival. While each of the conference and team rooms, faculty and staff offices, and classrooms had been numbered, they had not put up a directory anywhere in the building. And there were no directional signs.

Farnsworth Comments in the National News

July 7, 2019 by jlaiacon

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth has been quoted in several current national news stories, including the following:

With Corey Stewart leaving politics, Prince William County’s political future is up for grabs (The Washington Post)

What to Expect From This Week’s Special Legislative Session (WVTF.org)

How will GOP’s get-out-of-Dodge move play in November? (Virginia Mercury)

Barrenechea Presents at International Melville Society Conference

June 27, 2019 by jlaiacon

Professor of English Antonio Barrenechea

Professor of English Antonio Barrenechea presented “Moby-Dick as Summa Americana” at the 12th International Melville Society Conference, held in New York City on June 17-20, 2019.

Farnsworth Comments in the National News

June 27, 2019 by jlaiacon

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth has been quoted in several current national news stories, including the following:

Two oldest Dem contenders, Sanders and Biden, are close in age; their supporters are not (The Orange County Register)

Virginia Dems Hope to Change State Law, Remove Confederate Statues (Courthouse News Service)

Wolfe Named UMW Men’s Golf Coach

June 27, 2019 by jlaiacon

Dan Wolfe, a 1984 Mary Washington alumnus and a visiting instructor in the College of Business, was recently named UMW men’s golf coach.

Dan Wolfe, a 1984 Mary Washington alumnus and visiting instructor in the College of Business, was recently named UMW’s new men’s golf coach. He most recently served as the executive vice president of Worldwide Creative at NBC Universal. Wolfe has been the recipient of the University’s 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award, and he was the 2007 Distinguished Graduate-in-Residence and serves on the College of Business Advisory Board. Read more.

Schiffrin Quoted in Article on Intensive Parenting

June 27, 2019 by jlaiacon

Professor of Psychology Holly Schiffrin

Professor of Psychology Holly Schiffrin was quoted in an article on TheLadders.com titled “Science suggests parents are taking parenting too far.” A leading expert on the topic, Schiffrin said, “Intensive parenting really stresses the parent out. The research is looking like it’s not beneficial for kids to do everything for them because they don’t become self-sufficient and that is correlated with higher rates of depression and anxiety at the college level.” Read more.

Bales’ Chicago Cubs Book Reviewed in The Free Lance-Star

June 27, 2019 by jlaiacon

UMW Reference and Humanities Librarian Jack Bales has written a new book, "Before They Were the Cubs: The Early Years of Chicago’s First Professional Baseball Team." It's due out this spring. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Reference and Humanities Librarian Jack Bales has written a new book, “Before They Were the Cubs: The Early Years of Chicago’s First Professional Baseball Team.” Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Reference and Humanities Librarian Jack Bales’ new book “Before They Were the Cubs: The Early Years of Chicago’s First Professional Baseball Team” was recently reviewed in The Free Lance-Star. The review states, “It is truly a perfect book to start a baseball season with. Not reading it before the season started certainly does not make it a less perfect book, but what a book to whet the appetite of any baseball fan and a must-read for fans of the Chicago Cubs.” Read more.

Liss Interviewed for Outside Magazine on Women Anglers’ Portrayal on Instagram

June 27, 2019 by jlaiacon

Professor of Psychology Miriam Liss

Professor of Psychology Miriam Liss was interviewed for an article in Outside magazine titled “How Instagram Became Divisive for Female Fly-Fishers.” The article explains how some female fly-fishers are frustrated with companies hiring inexperienced women anglers as influencers, while, at the same time, the influencers are trying to defend themselves and their abilities to their peers. Liss says, “It’s hard for women to negotiate hypermasculine environments. You become a token. All your activities are highly scrutinized, and if you mess up, it’s seen as if all women are incapable of fly-fishing.” Read more.

Richardson Column in The Free Lance-Star

June 27, 2019 by jlaiacon

College of Business Dean Lynne Richardson

Read the latest column in The Free Lance-Star written by Lynne Richardson, Dean of the College of Business, titled Customer Service in 2019.

I’ve been thinking a lot about customer service, or perhaps a lack of customer service. I’ve determined there are several ways to ensure your organization will not have any customers.