June 28, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Larus Shares Expertise on Chinese Affairs

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus spoke to WION News and Asharq News for a segment titled “U.S. Imposes 100% tariff on Chinese EVs.” “This is a continuing trade war,” Larus said. Watch the segment.

Other recent media mentions for Larus include:
520 Lai Ching-te takes office: It is rare to see a buffer period in cross-strait relations. Can continuing Tsai Ing-wen’s line resist Beijing’s pressure? (BBC News)
Accordingly, Professor Elizabeth Freund Larus, a senior researcher at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank, told the BBC that China will continue to put pressure on Taipei in the future, just as Beijing has done in the past against Tsai Ing-wen’s foreign policy.
Current Challenges Facing Taiwan (TVP World)
Elizabeth Larus commented on Poland’s TVP World on China’s naval exercises and the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president:
“I expect a lot of continuity. In fact, that is one of his campaign platforms,” said Elizabeth Larus.
The Philippines’ domestic politics are the wildcard in its trilateral partnership with the US and Japan (The New Atlanticist)
“When we stand as one, we’re able to forge a better future for all,” declared US President Joe Biden, flanked by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-philippines-domestic-politics-are-the-wildcard-in-its-trilateral-partnership-with-the-us-and-japan/

Rao Pens Article on AI in ‘Higher Education Digest’

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Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao

Professor of Communication and Department Chair Anand Rao co-wrote an article titled “Our Students’ Future in an AI-World is Debatable” in Higher Education Digest. “As fears of undetectable AI-powered cheating sweep through college campuses, many in higher education are sounding the alarm about its disruptive potential,” the article begins. “But while the threat of ChatGPT-assisted term papers may keep academics up at night, the actual problem facing higher education is much more significant: how can we prepare our students for the AI-driven workplace of the future?” Read more.

Johnson-Young Talks Birth Trauma on ‘With Good Reason’

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Associate Professor of Communication Elizabeth Johnson-Young

Associate Professor of Communication Elizabeth Johnson-Young

Associate Professor of Communication Elizabeth Johnson-Young spoke with the With Good Reason public radio show about her research on birth trauma. As part of an episode regarding care for mothers, Dr. Johnson-Young talked about her qualitative interviews with mothers who experienced what they defined as traumatic or difficult, the results of which were published earlier this year. Listen to the episode.

Moon Shares Expertise on Racially Restrictive Covenants

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Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon

Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon spoke with ARL Now for an article titled “New study documents location of discriminatory deed covenants in Arlington and N. Va.” In the article, Moon, a lead researcher on the study, said, “The demographic makeup of our region is very different today in comparison to the period that we are analyzing, in part because of major inroads made by civil rights and immigration policies after World War II. “That being said, the residue of the practice of using racially restrictive covenants remains with us today, and inequities persist.” Read more.

Farnsworth Lectures on Entertainment Media and Politics

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Stephen Farnsworth

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Entertainment Media and Politics: Late-Night Political Humor and the American Presidency,” at the American Studies Center of the University of Warsaw in Poland. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored book, Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.

In addition, recent media mentions for Dr. Farnsworth include:

After Spanberger: 7th District Dems run local race in national spotlight (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“It’s very clear the Republicans don’t want to run against Vindman,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
In 7th District primary, Republicans debate party’s future (Richmond Times Dispatch; The Daily Progress)
“Six months ago, I might have expected Anderson to be nominated in a walk,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “Increasingly, the Republican primary is showing up as a referendum on what the future of the Republican Party should be. Should it be Speaker Mike Johnson or Bob Good or Rand Paul?”
Campaign contributions reveal Fauquier’s north-south divide (Fauquier Times)
“Increasingly, it may make sense to think of Fauquier as a county with a much redder south and a more purple north,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington.

New poll shows tight presidential race in Virginia (Potomac Local)

“The main thing to gather from this survey is that Virginia remains a far more purple state than many national political observers seem to think. The fact that this poll is well within the margin of error demonstrates that both political parties would be wise to focus on Virginia in 2024, as they did in several previous election cycles – but not in 2020,” said Professor of Political Science and International Affairs & Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth.
Late Night Goes Soft on Biden (Politico)
According to Stephen Farnsworth, the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of Late Night with Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency, there was another reason for the shift in attitude: ratings.
Trump Back In New York Court (CTV News)
“Judging from the judge’s comments this morning, it does seem as if there is going to be another rounds of sanctions,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
State Sen. Hashmi of Chesterfield enters 2025 lieutenant governor’s race (Virginia Dogwood)
“Sen. Hashmi enters the race as a serious candidate for LG,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “She has an effective track record as a legislator in Richmond. Her focus on health concerns provides a specific appeal to the many Democratic primary voters concerned about the affordability and availability of health care.”

Tuttle to Perform Poetry in NYC

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Ray Tuttle, Director of UMW's Office of Student Conduct and Responsibility

Ray Tuttle

Director of UMW’s Office of Student Conduct and ResponsibilityHealth Promotions and Student Success Specialist Ray Tuttle will perform poetry at the Composers Concordance 40th anniversary event at the Nublu Club at 151 Ave. C in New York City’s East Village on Sunday, June 2, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $22.66. Learn more.

Larus Comments on Conflict in the South China Sea

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Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs 

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, commented in The Cipher Brief with war correspondent Holly McKay on recent attacks by China’s Coast Guard against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. Larus indicated that Article IV of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty compels the U.S. to respond to an “armed attack” against the Philippines or its ships. Recent use of water cannon against Philippines vessels, injuring crew members, raises the question of defining the term “armed attack.” Larus cautioned the U.S. against drawing red lines, which Beijing will certainly cross to test U.S. resolve. Read more.

Spencer to Deliver Overland Campaign Anniversary Program at Brompton

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Professor of Historic Preservation Michael Spencer

Professor of Historic Preservation Michael Spencer was mentioned in a recent article titled “Park programs mark 160th anniversary of the Overland Campaign” that appeared in the Fredericksburg Free Press. Highlights of this year’s anniversary programming include Community Day at the Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield on Saturday, May 4, 2024. In the evening, Spencer will present on the Brompton grounds. Read more.

Grothe Talks About Climate Change and Coral Reefs on ‘With Good Reason’

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Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Pamela Grothe

Professor of Earth and Environmental Science Pamela Grothe was featured in a recent segment of With Good Reason radio titled “Christmas Island Coral Reefs.” Coral reefs are one of the most beautiful ecosystems of the natural world. But they’re more than just a feast for the eyes. Pamela Grothe says coral reefs offer a map to the past, helping researchers track climate history over many hundreds of years. Hear the segment.