A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson was featured by WHRO Public Media in a With Good Reason Radio show segment titled “Entangling Alliances.” George Washington famously warned against the dangers of alliances in his Farewell Address, but Davidson said that despite Washington’s misgivings, America has relied on foreign alliances throughout its history. Hear the broadcast.
Associate Professor of Historic Preservation Cristina Turdean
Associate Professor of Historic Preservation Cristina Turdean has been appointed to the Board of Regents of the James Monroe Law Office Museum and Memorial Library by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Read more.
Chief of Staff and Professor of History and American Studies Jeffrey W. McClurken
UMW Chief of Staff and Professor of History and American Studies Jeffrey McClurken has been appointed to the Board of Regents of the James Monroe Law Office Museum and Memorial Library by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Read more.
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 presented an online lecture, “Comparing Mark Warner’s 2001 and 2020 Elections: the Declining Influence of Rural Voters in Virginia’s Statewide Elections,” for the Sorensen Institute of the University of Virginia. The lecture was drawn from a book chapter, co-authored with Stephen P. Hanna, UMW professor of Geography, and Kate Seltzer, a 2021 graduate of UMW, that was recently published in the edited volume, Vibrant Virginia: Engaging the Commonwealth to Expand Economic Vitality (Virginia Tech Publishing, 2022).
Other recent news mentions for Farnsworth include:
In Prince William County, Data Centers Tangle Democratic Party Politics Ahead Of Fall Elections (DCist News)
But there’s a chance that frustration over the data center issue could chip away at Democrats’ advantage, according to Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “Every now and then, something like this comes along that really has the opportunity to scramble the more conventional politics,” he said, noting that land-use controversies often play that role in Northern Virginia.
https://dcist.com/story/23/07/27/as-an-example-of-the-prosperity-data-center-revenue-can-create/
This year’s legislative elections might be historically expensive (WVTF)
Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says that money will start flowing after Labor Day. “At that point, the parties will also know which candidates have raised a lot of money on their own, which candidates are showing real promise, which candidates may not be as good an investment,” Farnsworth says. “And so, when you start thinking about where to put your money, it really is a matter of triage. Where can that money do the most good?”
https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-07-26/this-years-legislative-elections-might-be-historically-expensive
With General Assembly up for grabs, disclosures show record amounts of campaign cash (WVTF)
The latest round of campaign finance disclosures saw a record amount of campaign cash for an off-year election, and Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says we’re just getting started. “Republicans have traditionally had the advantage in fundraising, but that has fallen away in recent years with Democratic gains in the legislature and in statewide offices,” Farnsworth says. “Youngkin gives Republicans a chance to fight in a very competitive way with respect to the amount of money that can be put into these campaigns.”
https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-07-20/with-general-assembly-up-for-grabs-disclosures-show-record-amounts-of-campaign-cash
Cedric Rucker, associate vice president and dean of student life emeritus
UMW Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Emeritus Cedric Rucker has been asked to serve as Interim Dean of Students at the University of Virginia, where he returned to work in 2022 after a 33-year career at Mary Washington. Read more.
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus, who also is an adjunct fellow at Pacific Forum, commented July 27 to German broadcaster Deutsche Welle on Taiwan’s 2023 Han Kuang military exercise and Wan An drills. Professor Larus indicated that this year’s exercise included air raid drills in which residents were directed to shelters. Despite these attempts at readiness, Taiwan is still unprepared for a military attack from China. Professor Larus also indicated that Chinese fighter jets now regularly cross the unofficial median line in the Taiwan Strait in an attempt to influence the Taiwan 2024 presidential election campaign, which is currently in full swing on the island. Professor Larus’ comments begin at 3 minutes into the program.
Other recent news mentions for Larus include:
Larus Comments on Arabic News on Secretary Yellen’s Visit to Beijing (Asharq Arabic News)
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at the Pacific Forum, commented to Asharq Arabic news that US business is putting tremendous pressure on the Biden administration to improve relations with China. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is seen as the Cabinet member most favorably disposed to China. Despite her efforts, however, a trade war, tit-for-tat sanctions, investigation of foreign due diligence firms in China, civil-military fusion, and Biden’s reference to Xi Jinping as a dictator, mean that most US businesses will continue to face headwinds in China. Watch the segment.
Larus Discusses Taiwan with German Scholars
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, discussed scenarios for the 2024 Taiwan presidential election at an invitation only roundtable in Munich, Germany on June 15, 2023. Professor Larus and the scholars agreed that the results of the elections, regardless of outcome, will significantly affect US-China relations.
Assistant Professor of Communication Adria Goldman
Associate Professor of Communication Adria Y. Goldman shared her expertise with NBC and MSN, following fashion comments making headlines. Recently, Goldman said, the pendulum has swung further to define some Black mothers negatively for their sexuality. Read more.
Spearheaded by UMW Assistant Athletic Trainer Katie Carnaghi, the Let’s Talk Eagles initiative lays out a full game plan, with monthly meetings, timely topics like nutrition and stress management, and most of all, a safe space for sharing concerns and conversation. Read more.
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently analyzed political fundraising for Governor Youngkin and commented on Virginia school funding, amid upcoming races and early voting.
Grace Anne Braxton. Photo by Scott K Brown Photography Inc.
Grace Anne Braxton has a pile of gold, silver and bronze medals from international competitions, but it’s been the informal titles she’s earned along the way that say even more about her skills and personality. Read more.