Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Jangwoon “Leo” Lee, traveled to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, last weekend to deliver an invited talk at the Spring Central Sectional Meeting of the American Mathematical Society. His talk was titled Discretization of Stochastic Optimal Control Problems by the h x p Version of the Stochastic Galerkin FEM.
Mark Snyder at FSU, Peabody Conservatory & SEAMUS
Mark Snyder, Assistant Professor of Music, had his multimedia work, Butterfly for processed clarinet, electronics and video performed at the 2013 Society of ElectroAcoustic Musicians in the United States (SEAMUS) conference in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 19th.
On April 10th, Mark gave a master class about his music and video art to the computer music department at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore Maryland.
On April 5th, Mark was a guest artist at Fairmont State University in Fairmont West Virginia. In addition to concertizing his own work and giving a masterclass, Mark took Junior Music and Computer Science major Becky Brown along so she could perform one of her original compositions, Rex for processed harp and voice, and she also gave a master class on harp performance and processing. Out of all his accomplishments this semester, he was most pleased with this since host composer Dan Eichenbaum requested it after hearing Becky perform her piece in composition class when he came to visit UMW.
Becky Brown discussing the harp and live processing.
Mark Snyder at Peabody Conservatory
Andrea Livi Smith Publishes Op-Ed in Washington Post
Andréa Livi Smith, assistant professor of historic preservation and director of the Center for Historic Preservation, wrote an op-ed, “We Don’t Need a Modern-Looking Metro,” for The Washington Post. The piece, which argues that the D.C. metro system’s distinctive design should be appreciated and maintained, appeared in the print edition of the newspaper on Sunday, April 21.
Ben LaBreche Receives Fellowship at Folger Shakespeare Library
Ben LaBreche, assistant professor of English, has been awarded a month-long fellowship at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. His research will focus on Milton’s conception of liberty, 17th-century natural law, and debates in modern political theory.
LaBreche also is the recipient of a fellowship at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas-Austin, a Clark Short-Term Fellowship for research at the University of California, Los Angeles William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, and of a year-long Solmsen Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Institute for Research in the Humanities.
Speaking Center Staff Present at Conference
(From left to right): Mariah Young, Danielle DeVille, Professor Esther Yook, Russell Michaelson, and Tom Pacheco.
Four UMW Speaking Center consultants and Speaking Center Director Esther Yook presented papers at the National Association of Communication Centers conference held at the University of North Carolina Greensboro from April 19 – 21.
Mariah Young and Danielle DeVille received the Undergraduate Research Award for their research “Achieving the Unachievable: The Effectiveness of a Communication Center in the Absence of a Communication Department.” They, along with Tom Pacheco and Russell Michelson, will be presenting at the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Day on Friday, April 26.
Keith Mellinger Presents on Math & Music
Associate Professor and Chair of Mathematics Keith Mellinger recently attended the Mathematical Association of America‘s regional meeting held at Salisbury University. At the meeting, Mellinger presented Eigentriads – a musical offering in which he discussed eigenvectors, a topic found in any undergraduate course in linear algebra, and an amusing relationship they have with diminished and augmented triads.
Faculty Recognized for Digital Pedagogy
A ceremony and reception on Friday, April 12 celebrated the work of faculty members in the realm of digital pedagogy.
Professor of Spanish Elizabeth Lewis and Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation Andrea Livi Smith were awarded the Innovative Digital Pedagogy Fellowship. Assistant Professor in the College of Education Janine Davis, Associate Professor of History Susan Fernsebner and Assistant Professor of Music Mark Snyder received honorariums for their work in digital pedagogy and scholarship. Faculty who participated in UMW’s first Domain of One’s Own Faculty-centered Initiative also were recognized at the ceremony.
President Richard V. Hurley was on-hand to congratulate the award recipients and to express his support for the initiatives. The Innovative Digital Pedagogy Fellowship Award Ceremony was a collaboration between the Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies and the Center for Teaching Excellence.
Jason Davidson Delivers Briefing in D.C.
Jason Davidson
Associate Professor of Political Science Jason W. Davidson delivered a briefing titled “Italy’s Security Policy after the 2013 Elections: Still in the Game?” at an invitation-only event on April 16 organized by the National Intelligence Council and the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research.
Davidson, who argued that the 2013 elections will have a minor impact on Italy’s security policy, was one of 11 presenters from around the world. About 40 members of the U.S. intelligence community attended the event.
Janine Davis Publishes Paper in The Clearing House
Janine Davis, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education, has published a new article entitled “Storying the Student Teaching Experience: Trying on Teaching Personae.” The article appears in the current issue of The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues, and Ideas.
Ben LaBreche Awarded Fellowship at University of Texas-Austin
Ben LaBreche, assistant professor of English, has been awarded a month-long fellowship at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas-Austin. His research will focus on Milton’s conception of liberty, 17th-century natural law, and debates in modern political theory.
LaBreche also is the recipient of a Clark Short-Term Fellowship for research at the University of California, Los Angeles William Andrews Clark Memorial Library and of a year-long Solmsen Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Institute for Research in the Humanities.