Recent research shows that oil in marine systems ages in ways inconsistent with current models. Specifically, the hydrocarbon fraction has long been assumed to get oxidized, become more water soluble, and then biologically or abiotically degrade, eventually to CO2. Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have discovered that oxidized hydrocarbons actually constitute a sizable portion of the recalcitrant tar that remains at the late stages of a spill. This process is presumably important in the weathering of natural oil seeps as well, which constitute the majority of oceanic oil. Charlie and colleagues at Woods Hole and the University of California, Santa Barbara have received funding from the National Science Foundation, Division of Chemical Oceanography to study the extent to which photochemical and microbial processes drive this oxidation process. The project, entitled “Oxygenation of Hydrocarbons in the Ocean” is a three-year study that will provide opportunities for UMW students to travel to and study at WHOI and UCSB as well as participate in a cruise in the Gulf of Mexico to sample oil at various stages of weathering.
Chris Foss Publishes Book Chapter
Chris Foss, professor of English, has published a chapter entitled “Oscar Wilde and the Importance of Being Romantic” in Wilde Discoveries: Traditions, Histories, Archives. The book is a collection of essays from the University of Toronto Press (Canada’s foremost university press) edited by Joseph Bristow (one of the most renowned Wilde scholars in the world today). Foss’s chapter delineates how Wilde’s American lecture “The English Renaissance” establishes that, for Wilde, a properly Romantic aesthetics is antisystematic and disseminative in nature, emphasizing parody and process over self-realization and synthesis. Casting Wilde as a Romantic Ironist rather than a Romantic Egoist productively illuminates how the insincerity that for many so defines the mature Wilde actually is an extension, rather than a rejection, of the Romanticism he emphatically embraced at the beginning of his career.
Eddie Perry Named President of VACLEA
Eddie Perry, chief of police, was recently voted president of the Virginia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (VACLEA). Chief Perry has previously served in other positions with the organization, most recently as vice president. VACLEA was started in 1973. It is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote professionalism in the field of law enforcement among the universities and colleges of Virginia, thereby establishing a climate conducive to the achievement of academic excellence.
For more information about VACLEA, visit http://www.vachiefs.org/index.php/affiliate_organizations/vaclea/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-Association-of-Campus-Law-Enforcement-Administrators/362741047112674.
Dr. Nicole Surething Chairs Symposium at APA Annual Convention
Dr. Nicole Surething, director of counseling and psychological services, was a symposium chair at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, July 31-August 4. Dr. Surething’s presentation, “Perspectives of Psychologists Serving on Threat Assessment Teams,” focused on the expanded consulting role that counseling center directors and counseling psychology faculty face today in light of high profile campus shootings that increased calls for specific services, better communication, and heightened awareness and response on campuses.
Leo Lee Presents at US-Korea Conference
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Jangwoon “Leo” Lee, recently presented “Domain Decomposition Methods for Solving Stochastic PDEs” at the annual US-Korea Conference (UKC 2013) in New Jersey. In addition to attending many research talks at the conference, Dr. Lee chaired an applied mathematics session.
Erchull & Liss Present Research at the American Psychological Association Convention
Mindy Erchull
Miriam Liss
Dr. Mindy Erchull and Dr. Miriam Liss recently presented a poster, Exploring Female Sexual Empowerment: Developing the Sex is Power Scale, at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mindy Erchull Named a Fellow of the American Psychological Association
At the recent convention of the American Psychological Association (APA), Dr. Mindy Erchull was formally recognized as a fellow of APA. Members of APA can be named fellows if they have developed a body of work that has been determined to have had a national impact on the field of psychology.
Patricia Orozco Presents at Conference
On June 20, 2013, Patricia Orozco, lecturer in Modern Languages and Literatures, offered a presentation entitled “Artistic Motivation in Gloria” at the X Congreso Internacional Galdosiano (X Galdosian International Conference), Galdós, Principles of an Era: celebrating 150 years of the arrival of Benito Pérez Galdós to Madrid in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. This conference, celebrated every four years, brings together galdosian scholars to share their research on the works of Benito Pérez Galdós and XIX c. peninsular studies. Dr. Orozco presented part of her research on the theme of the ‘foreigner’ in the works of Galdós and chaired the session titled “Principles of Galdosian Writing”. Approved peer reviewed proceedings of the conference are expected to be published in the coming months. This conference was hosted by the Casa de Colón and Casa-Museo Pérez Galdós.
Srivastava Researches Marine Corps Historic Half Economic Impact
Mukesh Srivastava recently produced an economic impact report detailing how the Marine Corps Historic Half affected the local economy. Srivastava surveyed runners, vendors, organizers and sponsors on their spending habits during the event, including items like shopping, restaurants, gas and lodging. According to his survey, roughly 19,000 people visited Fredericksburg for the sixth historic half and they spent approximately $8.7 million. The University of Mary Washington was one of the sponsors of the marathon.
For more details, read about the survey in the Free Lance-Star:
http://news.fredericksburg.com/newsdesk/2013/08/06/race-pumps-up-hearts-economy/
O’Donnell Interview on Virginia Public Radio
Timothy O’Donnell’s “With Good Reason” interview about historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is re-airing on Virginia public radio stations later this month. It will air as part of a larger show from Saturday, Aug. 17 through Friday, Aug. 23 at the dates and times listed here: http://withgoodreasonradio.org/when-to-listen/.