Jason Davidson, associate professor of Political Science and International Affairs, presented a paper entitled “The Irrelevance of Radical Parties in Coalition Foreign Policy: Italy and the Extremity Hypothesis” during The Italian Left and Foreign Policy conference at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The paper was coauthored with Fabrizio Coticchia of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Scanlon’s With Good Reason Interview to be Rebroadcast, June 21
English Professor Mara N. Scanlon’s interview about Walt Whitman and the famed poet’s experiences as a Civil War nurse will be rebroadcast on the public radio program “With Good Reason” beginning Saturday, June 21.
In 1862, poet Walt Whitman went to Fredericksburg to search in field hospitals for his brother who had been wounded in a Civil War battle. Shocked by the bloodshed, Whitman worked as a nurse for years through the end of the war.
The interview, “Whitman at War,” originally aired in 2009. The segment can be heard online at http://withgoodreasonradio.org/2014/06/america-the-beautiful/.
O’Donnell Named Associate Provost
Dear Colleagues,
I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Timothy O’Donnell has agreed to serve as Associate Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Success. Dr. O’Donnell joined the University of Mary Washington in 1999 as Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of Debate. As Director of Debate, he administered all aspects of the debate program, leading Mary Washington to several national championships and dozens of top ten finishes. He served as Chair of the National Debate Tournament from 2006-2012. Having been named Professor of Communication in 2011, Dr. O’Donnell has published and presented on topics related to communication, debate, and a wide array of social issues. From 2010 to 2013, he led UMW’s decennial self-study for reaffirmation of accreditation by SACS-COC, which was successfully completed in December, 2013. Dr. O’Donnell has a long history of outstanding service to his department, college, and university. As Associate Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Success, he will oversee the Office of Academic and Career Services, the Office of Disability Resources, and the offices administering the Writing Center, the Speaking Center, and the QEP. I look forward to working with Tim in his new role.
I want to express my sincere thanks to the search committee, which brought an outstanding group of finalists to campus. The search took us through the end of the semester, when everybody is especially busy, and I truly appreciate the time and energy put into this search by everyone involved, including those who attended meetings and presentations with the candidates.
Tim has agreed to begin his service as Associate Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Success effective immediately. Please join me in congratulating him as he transitions into this new role.
Jonathan
Jonathan Levin
Provost
Bonds Publishes New Social Problems Text
Eric Bonds, assistant professor of sociology, recently published a new book with Routledge Press, entitled Social Problems: A Human Rights Perspective. The book is based on Bonds’ teaching approach in his Social Issues class at UMW, in which he encourages students to both evaluate U.S. society from an international human rights framework while also considering – from a sociological vantage – what human rights are and what they can mean in the first place.
Hall Named Police Chief
The Student Affairs Division is pleased to announce the selection of Lt. Mike Hall as Chief of Police. Mike has been acting chief since the departure of former chief Eddie Perry earlier this year.
Mike has been in law enforcement for over 30 years and has served in multiple capacities with various municipalities. He has been at UMW for almost five years and rose through the ranks from officer to sergeant to lieutenant. During this time he has served as a strong, consistent leader in the Police Department and across campus.
Mike is looking forward to the opportunity to have a positive impact on the University as Chief of Police. I am sure you will join Student Affairs in offering him our congratulations and best wishes in his new position.
Gardner Presents at Conferences
Roberta Gardner, assistant professor in the College of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction, presented a paper, “Moving from Essence to Tentative Manifestations in Post-Intentional Phenomenology,” at the International Congress of Qualitative Research held at the University of Illinois May 21-24.
Gardner also presented research at the International Reading Association Conference May 11 in New Orleans, La. Her research presentation at IRA highlighted the socio-cultural dimensions of race, place, class, and gender as lived experience variables that inform and animate the literate lives of children. Gardner’s literacy research employing lived experience methodology is highlighted in the recently released book Crafting Phenomenological Research (Vagle, 2014).
Baker Selected to be Business Mentor
Brian Baker, executive director for Economic Development at the University of Mary Washington, was invited by the William James Foundation to be a business mentor for companies in the Sustainable Business Plan Competition. This is Baker’s third year as a judge. As a mentor, he will work closely with company management to advance their value proposition.
The William James Foundation, founded by Chuck Dell in 2002, is dedicated to the principle that “people can be of service to their communities through their work.” Dell attributed his inspiration to the teachings of William James, a noted American philosopher. Since 2002, the foundation has provided more than $3 million in direct funding and countless value in in-kind benefits to for-profit social enterprises.
Farnsworth and Hanna Co-author Review Essay
Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, and Stephen P. Hanna, professor and chair of geography, are co-authors of a review essay, “How the Democrats Won Virginia in 2013,” which was published in the Spring 2014 issue of Virginia Capitol Connections Quarterly Magazine.
Gately Performs with National Symphony Orchestra
Doug Gately recently performed with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The program was presented as NEW MOVES: symphony + dance: Thomas Wilkins, conductor; New Ballet Ensemble / From Gershwin to Ellington. The program featured Gershwin selections from Porgy and Bess, Samuel Barber’s Souvenirs, Op. 28, Oliverio’s Timpani Concerto No. 1, and Ellington’s Giggling Rapids, The King of the Magi, Martin Luther King, and Harlem.
Liss and Colleagues Present at Convention
Professor of Psychology Miriam Liss recently presented a poster entitled “The dark side of romance: Romantic beliefs predict intimate partner violence” at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science in San Francisco, Calif. with her collaborators Mindy Erchull, Hester Godfrey ’14, Leanna Papp ’14, and Lauren Waaland-Kreutzer ’14.