October 2, 2023

Lewis Receives Third Annual Board of Visitors Faculty Leadership Award

Professor and Chair of Biological Sciences Lynn Lewis

The University of Mary Washington recognized professors in late August at the Fall 2023 Faculty Meeting.

Professors of biology, education, environmental science, math and sociology were praised for their commitment to their fields, support of students and contributions to UMW and the surrounding community.

Professor of Biology Lynn Lewis received the third annual Board of Visitors (BOV) Faculty Leadership Award, which is designated for a faculty member who advances UMW’s mission by spearheading a major institutional initiative or program. Read more.

Farnsworth Moderates Prince William County Debate

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently served as the moderator of a Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Debate. The debate was sponsored by the Prince William Committee of 100.

In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

Lots of Money, Lots of Sound and Fury to Come in General Assembly Election (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Democrats, on the other hand, have an advantage in that the 2021 redistricting created more of the suburban districts where they’ve been having success in recent years, in large part because of the abortion issue, said University of Mary Washington political scientist Steve Farnsworth.
https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/lots-of-money-lots-of-sound-and-fury-to-come-in-general-assembly-election/article_dfbd3206-4752-11ee-9f90-334e5ea0e8fe.html

Trump Pleads Not Guilty (CTV News)
“This is going to be a really tough decision for the judge and it’s likely to really be a very complicated situation for the defendants,” said University of Mary Washington Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2757555

Community Dialogue Addresses Democracy and Civic Engagement (The Crozet Gazette)
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, will address current Virginia politics, and how state actions are affecting policy in Charlottesville.
https://www.crozetgazette.com/event/we-are-the-league/

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Political Future Hinges on Banning Abortion (The Daily Beast)
“It’s a down to the wire environment in Virginia,” says Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist who heads the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at Mary Washington University. Virginia elections are decided in the suburbs, where Youngkin’s push for a 15-week ban will be tested. “Any Democratic candidate who’s not talking about abortion is committing political malpractice,” says Farnsworth. “Anywhere it’s put before the public, it’s bad news for Republicans.”
https://www.thedailybeast.com/virginia-gov-glenn-youngkins-political-future-hinges-on-banning-abortion

Get ready for flood of Virginia candidate ads after Labor Day (Richmond Times-Dispatch; Roanoke Times)
Democrats, on the other hand, have an advantage in that the 2021 redistricting created more of the suburban districts where they have been having success in recent years, in large part because of the abortion issue, said University of Mary Washington political scientist Steve Farnsworth.
https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/lots-of-money-lots-of-sound-and-fury-to-come-in-general-assembly-election/article_dfbd3206-4752-11ee-9f90-334e5ea0e8fe.html
https://roanoke.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_77a71ba2-817b-5fdf-b43f-3edf5920f167.html

Schapiro: Spinning a lot of tunes, perhaps winning a few votes (Richmond Times-Dispatch; The Free Lance-Star)
“Orrock has that longer tenure and a biography that is less all-politics than a lot of people,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a politics professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, where a closely watched House contest and another for Senate could decide control of both chambers. “It’s who he is. And it’s an asset.”
https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/schapiro-spinning-a-lot-of-tunes-perhaps-winning-a-few-votes/article_0c014172-48cf-11ee-9989-53be1de3007b.html
https://fredericksburg.com/opinion/column/schapiro-spinning-a-lot-of-tunes-perhaps-winning-a-few-votes/article_31d11cab-4204-5d00-8863-5129040f114c.html

Ashworth on the defensive as violent crime rate soars in Prince William County (Potomac Local)
Put more police on the streets, and put cameras where crime is going to happen,” said Ashworth when questioned by debate moderator Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, Professor and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at Mary Washington University.
https://www.potomaclocal.com/2023/09/07/ashworth-defensive-as-violent-crime-rate-soars-in-prince-william-county/

Right-wing group warns of ‘surge in human trafficking, despite lack of local cases (The Daily Progress)
“Discussion of sex trafficking and transgender issues have really ramped up in Virginia in the past several months as the elections have drawn closer,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs and the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “It would be useful for people talking about these issues to draw more attention to specific cases to give people a sense of whether this is a greater threat to students than gun violence in schools, for example.”
https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/crime-courts/right-wing-group-warns-of-surge-in-human-trafficking-despite-lack-of-local-cases/article_ade350fc-36fa-11ee-99be-b314e187c892.html

Court will allow cameras in Trump GA trial (Fox 10 Phoenix)
“We are talking about a very, very accelerated timetable. You have a whole series of legal cases that are going on right now that involve the former president and at the same time, he is also running for president in 2024. So, when you add the campaign appearances and the legal preparation, it is going to be an immensely busy time for the former president,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/colorado-group-files-lawsuit-seeking-to-prevent-trumps-return-to-presidential-race

Virginia candidate who livestreamed sex videos draws support from women, Democratic leader (apnews.com; The Seattle Times; News 2 Jax; ABC News; Fox 5 San Diego; chron.com; The Bharat Express News; NBC 29; The Free Lance-Star)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said that even in a more open-minded era for personal indiscretions, it’s highly unlikely Gibson will win. “Donald Trump has defined downward what is acceptable in public life, but this doesn’t seem like the kind of conduct that Democrats will be able to sell in a suburban Richmond district,” Farnsworth said.
https://apnews.com/article/susanna-gibson-virginia-house-sex-acts-c2a130b84452b524279b0a496fca2c99
https://www.seattletimes.com/news/virginia-candidate-who-livestreamed-sex-videos-draws-support-from-women-democratic-leader/
https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2023/09/12/virginia-candidate-who-livestreamed-sex-videos-draws-support-from-women-democratic-leader/
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/virginia-candidate-livestreamed-sex-videos-draws-support-women-103136515
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-virginia-candidate-who-livestreamed-sex-videos-draws-support-from-women-democratic-leader/
https://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/campa-a-de-candidata-a-asamblea-general-de-18363299.php
https://thebharatexpressnews.com/virginia-candidate-who-livestreams-sex-videos-gets-support-from-women-democratic-leader/
https://www.nbc29.com/2023/09/13/virginia-candidate-who-livestreamed-sex-videos-draws-support-women-leading-democrat/
https://fredericksburg.com/news/state-and-regional/virginia-candidate-who-livestreamed-sex-videos-draws-support-from-women-democratic-leader/article_10c78ee7-7d4e-5fcb-bdc1-9fa889cd6c1b.html

Youngkin defends decision to pardon Loudoun Co. father (NBC News Washington)
University of Mary Washington political professor Stephen Farnsworth says a pardon before trial sets a dangerous precedent. “It serves political purposes, to be sure, for the governor to engage in Loudoun at every opportunity. I don’t know that it particularly wins him votes in Loudoun, but it certainly does energize the Republican base in other parts of the commonwealth or the country,” Farnsworth said.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/youngkin-defends-decision-to-pardon-loudoun-co-father/3421928/
https://nbcwashington.app.link/AyDTW6GZ3Cb

VA Election news wraps (WMAL radio)
“Campaigns really ramp up after Labor Day, but this year especially a lot of campaigns have been having campaign rallies,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

VA Election news wraps (WMAL radio)
“Virginia elections always function as a leading political indicator,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

Rucker is Recruited as Interim Dean of Students at UVA

C. Rucker

Cedric Rucker

In the heat of the Central Virginia summer, University of Virginia President Jim Ryan delivered a proposal. The University’s dean of students and vice president for student affairs had departed and Ryan was considering a pair of candidates to step in temporarily.

The first was Dr. Christopher Holstege, a father of six and longtime medical faculty member who was once a guest on Ryan’s podcast because he holds four job titles at the University. One of them is executive director of Student Health and Wellness, and he is a longtime member of the Student Affairs leadership team.

The second was Cedric Bernard Rucker, who earned an advanced degree from UVA before moving to the University of Mary Washington. He had already delayed retirement – and a deployment with the Peace Corps – to return to Charlottesville to fill a gap in the Office of African-American Affairs. Read more.

President Paino Makes Virginia Power 500 List

UMW President Troy Paino

UMW President Troy Paino

University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino has made the “Virginia 500: The 2023-24 Power List,” the fourth annual edition of the most powerful and influential leaders in business, government, politics and education by Virginia Business magazine. The publication ranks top executives across 19 major sectors ranging from law and real estate to finance and federal contracting.

“It’s been a big year for Paino and the public liberal arts university he oversees,” the publication states. “In March, UMW received the largest financial gift in its 115-year history — a $30 million bequest from a 1959 alumna to support undergraduate research and scholarships. The month before, Paino received the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ 2023 President’s Award for his compassionate approach to strategic planning and decision making, his personal attention to student ideas and feedback, and his commitment to understanding diverse perspectives.” Read the full story.

Angie Kelly Claims SBDC 40 Under 40

Angela Kelley

Angela Kelley

Angela Kelly, a business counselor in UMW’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), has claimed a 40 Under 40 SBDC award. These awards aim to spotlight the extraordinary contributions of individuals under 40 in the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network who have significantly impacted their local networks and the broader business landscape.

Among a pool of accomplished young entrepreneurs, the distinguished panel of judges in America’s SBDC Millennial Interest Group selected 40 remarkable winners who stood out for their exceptional business acumen, innovative thinking, and commitment to driving growth and success. The winners will be celebrated at a reception during the 44th annual America’s SBDC Conference on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. Read more.

Farnsworth, Hanna, Burkley Publish Chapter on Virginia Politics

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies; Stephen P. Hanna, professor of geography, and Sally Burkley, a 2022 UMW graduate who is now a student at William and Mary Law School, are coauthors of a book chapter, “Chuck Robb’s 1981 Gubernatorial Campaign and the Democratic Realignment.” The chapter was published by the University of Virginia Press in an edited volume, The New Dominion: The Twentieth-Century Elections that Shaped Modern Virginia.

Other recent media mentions for Stephen Farnsworth include:

Schapiro: Had Youngkin been on that stage… (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“If he were on that stage, he would be almost as visible as Governor Hutchinson,” said Stephen Farnsworth, the University of Mary Washington politics analyst, referring to Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, a back-of-the-pack candidate who — with Chris Christie, a former Trump loyalist — was front and center in refusing to back Trump as the 2024 nominee.
We Are the League! (Crozet Gazette)
Dr. Steven Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, will address current Virginia politics, and how state actions are affecting policy in Charlottesville.

Commonwealth’s attorney candidates spar over rising crime, partnering with police, criminal justice reform (Prince William Times)

The candidates, both 52, answered a series of questions from moderator Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies.
Trump to Surrender in Georgia Tonight (CTV News)
“This is absolutely the biggest legal threat that the former President faces,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Donald Trump expected to surrender in Georgia (CP24)
“Well, of course, this is the greatest threat of all of the legal cases that the former President faces,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=2752477
Republican Presidential Candidates, Minus Trump, Spar Sharply (Voice of America; Globe World News Echo)
“This is his moment,” Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said of DeSantis.
Trump to Skip First Republican Debate (CTV News)
“It’s without Trump on the stage but it won’t be without Trump in the conversation. The focus will be largely on the former president,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Trump Likely to Upstage Opponents Even as He Skips Debate (Big News Network)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, said the debate “creates a very, very difficult environment for the other Republicans, because they have their own ideas for what they want to do with respect to key issues like the economy or Ukraine or immigration. But that doesn’t mean they’ll have much of a chance to talk about it. They’ll be asked about Donald Trump.’
Trump Likely to Upstage Opponents Even if Absent from Debate (Voice of America; West Observer)
“It creates a very, very difficult environment for the other Republicans, because they have their own ideas for what they want to do with respect to key issues like the economy or Ukraine or immigration. But that doesn’t mean they’ll have much of a chance to talk about it. They’ll be asked about Donald Trump,” predicts Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
Why Democrats are struggling in rural Virginia (Cardinal News)
But Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said that it remains essential to a party’s fortune statewide that both parties are on the ballot everywhere, including in those districts where they are unlikely to win. “There are parts of Virginia where Democrats will always win, and places where they will always lose. The question is how big are the margins,” Farnsworth said.
https://cardinalnews.org/2023/08/23/why-democrats-are-struggling-in-rural-virginia/
Youngkin retools message for new elections with ‘Parents Matter’ talks (The Washington Post; Washington Dailies)
Youngkin “is wise to continue to talk about the parental agenda,” University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said. “It allows him to present himself as a conservative …[while demonstrating that] the current version of the ‘parents matter’ agenda is more inclusive than the previous version.”

What is the reason for the absence of President Biden in the primary debates? (Voice of America)

“A sitting president is usually way ahead of his main rivals, and he doesn’t want to give them a chance to catch up with a sitting president,” Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington.
https://www.vozdeamerica.com/a/por-que-presidente-eeuu-participa-debates-elecciones-primarias/7221286.html

Moon Quoted in ‘Alexandria Now’ on Housing Inequity

Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon

Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon

Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon spoke to Alexandria Now for an article titled “Despite flurry of new apartments, experts say Alexandria has a housing shortage.” Moon said racial covenants in neighborhoods started later in Alexandria than in other places and that housing started shifting dramatically in the 60s with the passage of the Fair Housing Act and the Housing and Urban Development Act. “This opens up mortgages to low and moderate-income families,” Moon said. “In Alexandria, it particularly opens them to African American residents. Not only is there an increase in home ownership for African Americans as a result, but an opening up of neighborhoods closed off to them in the past, particularly north of Rosemont.” Read more.

Lorentzen Presents, Delivers Roundtable Discussion at Dickens Society Symposium

Professor of English Eric Lorentzen

Professor of English Eric Lorentzen

Professor of English Eric G. Lorentzen presented a paper entitled “The Sights/Sites of Dickens in 2023: Literary Tourism, Cultural Studies, and the University Literature Classroom” at the recent Dickens Society Symposium in Rochester (RIT). The talk included research he conducted in museums and other literary sites across England, as well as the pedagogical methodologies involved with his recent new course on Dickens at UMW, “Dickens, Disney, and Popular Culture,” two sections of which ran for the first time during the fall 2022 semester. He was also one of six scholars to be invited to join the roundtable “Teaching Dickens,” at which he presented the talk “Wisdom of the Heart: Dickens and Cultural Studies.” Professor Lorentzen hopes to offer the course again during the fall 2024 semester.

Harris Named AAM Accreditation Commissioner

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

Executive Director of Museums Scott Harris has been appointed one of six new accreditation commissioners by the American Alliance of Museums. Read more.

Harris also recently published a piece titled  “President William Howard Taft’s Wild Ride from Washington, D.C., to the Manassas Peace Jubilee” in White House History Quarterly. The article retraces Taft’s harrowing adventure from Washington, D.C., to Manassas, Virginia, for the 1911 Manassas Peace Jubilee. Harris details the many challenges President Taft encountered on this journey including his surviving Virginia’s muddy and flooded roads while making his way from the White House to the countryside to address Civil War veterans gathered at the 1911 Peace Jubilee. Read more.

Bales Covers Bases in Presentation About Baseball History

Reference and Humanities Librarian Emeritus Jack Bales

Reference and Humanities Librarian Emeritus Jack Bales

Reference and Humanities Librarian Emeritus Jack Bales will present a virtual talk about baseball history and true crime on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. central, at the LaSalle Public Library in Illinois. The presentation is titled “No Shrinking Violet: Violet Popovich and the Chicago Cub Shot for Love.” Bales’ lengthy career in librarianship included more than 40 years at UMW. Read more.