February 24, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Stommel Talks About Student Performance

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Jesse Stommel, executive director of Teaching and Learning Technology, was quoted in Elon News about student performance: “My anecdotal experience over 17 years of teaching is that my students are getting better and better and smarter and smarter,” Stommel said. “They are working harder and harder and I honestly believe that my students are performing better.” To read the article, visit http://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2018/01/6tq9eytfgtzuuk1

Beverly Epps Talks about Bullying

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Beverly Epps, associate professor of education, was quoted in The Free Lance-Star. Epps, who teaches professional development programs on “The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander,” said bullying is defined as aggressive or unwanted behavior that is intentional, harmful and occurs over a period of time. To read the article, visit http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/what-can-local-schools-do-to-prevent-bullying/article_9b7fbaa1-5343-5dae-b8c4-a780669cc370.html.

McMillan Exhibits at Bridgewater, Guest Art Reviewer at JMU

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detail image of the sculpture "Dissipate" by Jon McMillan

Detail image of the sculpture “Dissipate” by Jon McMillan

“Synthesis,” a solo exhibition of ceramic sculpture by Associate Professor Jon McMillan, will be on view at the Cleo Miller Driver Gallery at Bridgewater College from January 8- January 31.  This exhibition features 12 new sculptures by the artist, and will begin with a reception and gallery lecture on Monday January 8 at 5 p.m.

For more info, visit: https://www.bridgewater.edu/events-news/news-releases/2043-fredericksburg-artist-jon-mcmillan-exhibits-work-jan-8-31​.

 A news article about his exhibit also appears in the Augusta Free Press. To view the link,  visit http://augustafreepress.com/fredericksburg-artist-jon-mcmillan-exhibits-work-bridgewater-college.

In addition, McMillan was invited by the art faculty at James Madison University to serve as the outside reviewer and guest critic for the MFA student reviews.  Professor McMillan spent two days in Harrisonburg in December meeting with faculty and students, touring the school’s newly renovated art building, and participating in a day-long critique of the Masters of Fine Arts candidates’ artwork.  McMillan is an alumnus of JMU, having earned his BFA in Studio Art and a minor in Art History there in 1998.

 

Holly Schiffrin Comments in Huffington Post, Alphr

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Holly Schiffrin, professor of psychological sciences, was recently quoted in The Huffington Post and Alphr. To read the articles, visit the following links:

How To Tell Your Kids They’re Going To Have A Sibling (Huffington Post) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-to-tell-your-kids-theyre-going-to-have-a-sibling_us_5a4fa362e4b003133ec77673.

Black Mirror Arkangel: Are we already living in a dystopia of parental surveillance? (Alphr) http://www.alphr.com/life-culture/1008058/black-mirror-arkangel-parental-surveillance-helicopter-parenting.

 

Alexandra Dunn Column Appears in The Free Lance-Star

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A column written by Alexandra Dunn, assistant professor in the College of Business, recently appeared in The Free Lance-Star. To read the article, visit http://www.fredericksburg.com/business/columns/dunn-fit-and-fairness-are-two-words-that-managers-should/article_2705fb56-fe05-52d6-829e-6f1451c1816d.html?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Fredericksburg%20Business%20Insider&utm_campaign=Fredericksburg%20Business%20Insider

Vasey To Give Religious Freedom Address

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Craig Vasey

Craig Vasey

Craig Vasey, Chair of the Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion and Professor of Philosophy, will give the keynote address, “Civil Rights and Religious Opinions” at the Knights of Columbus annual Religious Freedom Day celebration on Sunday, Jan. 14 at the Religious Freedom Monument on Washington Avenue.

Stephen Farnsworth Comments in Various Media Outlets

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Political Science Professor Stephen Farnsworth has been quoted in numerous media outlets, including The Washington Times, WHRO TV, CTV News, WAMU, WMAL, The Daily Press and The Washington Post. To read more, visit the following links:

McAuliffe celebrates gains in final State of the Commonwealth address (The Washington Times) https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/10/terry-mcauliffe-celebrates-gains-in-final-state-of/

The Changing Nature of Virginia Politics (WHRO TV) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyef-VU22QM&feature=youtu.be

Moon Jae-In Credits Trump For Inter-Korea Talks (CTV News Channel)https://www.facebook.com/CTVNewsChannel/videos/1657652104296114/

Democrats Look To Leverage Recent Gains As Virginia General Assembly Opens (WAMU) https://wamu.org/story/18/01/09/neither-party-upper-hand-virginia-lawmakers-meet/

Mornings on the Mall (WMAL) http://www.wmal.com/2018/01/10/mornings-on-the-mall-01-10-18/

Voters in Virginia Appeal Ruling Against New Election (Courthouse News.com) https://www.courthousenews.com/voters-in-virginia-appeal-ruling-against-new-election/

Oprah for President (CTV News Channel) https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1299184

An uncertain run-up to an uncertain General Assembly session (Daily Press) http://www.dailypress.com/news/politics/dp-nws-general-assembly-preview-2018-story.html

Debate over Confederate monuments unlikely to affect Lee-Jackson Day (Daily Press) http://www.dailypress.com/news/politics/dp-nws-lee-jackson-20180103-story.html

Election Emboldens Democratic Caucus (Richmond Magazine) http://richmondmagazine.com/news/field-notes/2017-election-emboldens-democratic-caucus/

Judge won’t block Republican in tight Virginia House race tainted by ballot mix-up (The Washington Post) https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/judge-hears-arguments-in-tight-virginia-house-race-where-voters-got-wrong-ballots/2018/01/05/bea83732-f0be-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html?utm_term=.927e73525d1e