Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in recent coverage by WHRO and WVTF about record-breaking early voting among Virginia Democrats. Farnsworth noted that the increase signals enthusiasm across the state, countering national perceptions.“The Washington narrative that Democrats are dispirited and the activists are hopeless,” he said. “That’s just not supported by these early voting numbers in Virginia.” Read the article.
Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/youngkin-to-set-special-election-for-connolly-s-seat-amid-primary-season-juggle/article_95cbe941-e3b6-4857-b388-756362acd46f.html
How presidential elections impact governor’s races in Virginia (Virginia Dogwood News)
“Historically in Virginia, the governor’s race a year after the presidential race is an opportunity for the team that lost control of the white house to try to win back the governor’s mansion,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBRXyT_OYaO/?locale=zh-hans&hl=ar
Henry Highlights Inclusive Approach to Preservation in National Building Museum Feature
Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation Christine Henry
Associate Professor of Historic Preservation Christine Henry was featured in a recent Q&A article by the National Building Museum titled “What is Historic Preservation?” In the piece Henry discusses how preservation can be inclusive, creative and forward-looking. From reusing buildings to amplifying overlooked histories, Henry offers a thoughtful take on why preservation still matters and how we can all take part. Read the article.
Middleton Appears on ‘PS: I Love U(MW)’ Series
Director of Campus Recreation & Fitness Center Michael Middleton
Director of Campus Recreation & Fitness Center Michael Middleton ’16 knows firsthand the impact of UMW, which is why he made his way back – to give students the same sense of growth and community he experienced.
Appearing on the University’s PS: I Love U(MW) social media series, he said “The thing that always gets me out of bed and gets me coming in is you all. It’s watching you show up in the world. It’s watching you all grow.” Now, as Director of Campus Recreation, he’s helping students thrive in and out of the gym.”
See PS: I Love U(MW) on @marywash Instagram. See the episode.
Ball Authors Article on Small Businesses For Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Development Center Director Susan Ball
Director of Small Business Development Center Susan Ball Susan Ball authored an article titled “Resources to Help You Start and Grow Your Small Business” for the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. May is Small Business Month, and Virginia was recently named the number one state in which to operate a small business by CNBC. Read the article.
Gilchrist-March Appears on ‘PS: I Love U(MW)’ Series
UMW Area Coordinator Laura Gilchrist-March
Area Coordinator Laura Gilchrist-March ’17 found her way back to UMW, a place that shaped her own journey, to help guide the next generation of students.
She recently appeared on the University’s PS: I Love U(MW) social media series. See the episode!
“I love my job because of the interactions I get with my students and residents—just knowing their names and saying ‘Hi’ on Campus Walk fuels my day,” she said. For her, making even a small impact on a student’s experience means everything.
Watch episodes from PS: I love U(MW) on the @marywash Instagram.
Mathews Publishes Book on Black Colleges and the Long Civil Rights Movement
Professor of Religious Studies Mary Beth Mathews
Professor of Religious Studies Mary Beth Mathews has published a new book entitled Contentious Unions: Black Baptist Schools and White Money in the Jim Crow South with the University of Tennessee Press (2025).
The book tells the interconnected stories of three institutions (Macon’s Central City College in Georgia, Virginia Union University in Richmond, and American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville) and demonstrates that these three historically black colleges and universities used the white financial support they received to subvert the racist politics of white Baptists and white Southerners in general. In these “oppositional spaces,” Black Baptists constructed and developed ways to combat the systems that marginalized them.
Vaughn Appears on Leader2Leader Podcast Series
Advancement Development Officer Jeremy Vaughn
Advancement Development Officer Jeremy Vaughn appeared on the Leader2Leader podcast series with Chamber President and CEO, Susan Spears who interviews some of the top community leaders in this series. Spears and guests, like Vaughn, share their insight and wisdom on making teams more effective, leveling up communications skills, and building the courage to lead during difficult times. Listen to the podcast.
Leu Authors Article on Tariff Implications for Taiwan
Assistant Professor of Political Science Guan-Yi Leu
Assistant Professor of Political Science Guan-Yi Leu authored an article titled “Trump’s Tariffs 2.0: New Effects and Implications to Taiwan” for Taiwan Insight, the online magazine of the Taiwan Research Hub of University of Nottingham.
On April 2, 2025, United States President Donald Trump announced a policy order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) ‘s authority and introduced a sweeping 10% universal baseline tariff on its imports from all trading partners. The Trump administration also sought “reciprocal tariffs”, with an additional rate from 1 % to 40 % on nearly 60 trading partners. This move toward a blanket reciprocal tariff has significantly raised concerns about a potential global trade war, leading to a downturn in stock markets worldwide. Read the article.
Al-Tikriti Discusses Iraq Experiences with AUIB Student Group
Professor of Middle Eastern History Nabil Al-Tikriti
Professor of Middle East History Nabil Al-Tikriti spoke about his prior experiences in Iraq with a student group at the American University in Iraq – Baghdad (AUI-B). This talk was remote on May 12 and took place as part of the AUI-B regular speakers’ series. Al-Tikriti wishes to thank AUI-B for the invitation, and the opportunity to meet with today’s Iraqi students.
In the course of his presentation, Al-Tikriti spoke about all of his direct interactions with Iraq, between 1976 and 2017, especially concentrating on his May 2004 visit to Iraq, which proved instrumental in publicizing the effects of the Anglo-American invasion on Iraqi manuscript collections and archives. That visit was later featured in his 2007 article in Library Trends, entitled “‘Stuff Happens’: A Brief Overview of the 2003 Destruction of Iraqi Manuscript Collections, Archives, and Libraries.”
Gupta Quoted in Article on Conflict Over Kashmir for MSN
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Surupa Gupta
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Surupta Gupta was quoted in a article titled “What’s behind India and Pakistan’s conflict over Kashmir, and why it’s so serious” for MSN. An excerpt from the article reads, “The origin of the recent hostilities between Pakistan and India largely dates back to 1947, when they gained their independence from British rule, according to Surupa Gupta, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.” Read the article.