A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Professor of Mathematics Janusz Konieczny
Janusz Konieczny, professor of mathematics, co-authored a research article, Matrix theory for independence algebras, published in the journal Linear Algebra and Its Applications. His Erdős number is now 2.
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Pew Davis Fellow for Peace at Middlebury College, debated Chinese officials on Turkey’s Turkuvaz Ahaber2 News. Dr. Larus indicated the U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan as part of her Asia tour does not constitute a change in the U.S. ‘One China’ Policy. Professor Larus argued that Pelosi travelled to Asia to demonstrate support for democratic allies in the region, not to change the status quo on Taiwan.
Professor of English Antonio Barrenechea
Antonio Barrenechea, Professor of English, presented “‘Una América Total’: New World Encyclopedism in the 1970s” at the American Comparative Literature Association conference, held online June 15-18, 2022.
Executive Director of Human Resources Beth Williams
Executive Director of Human Resources Beth Williams was among past board members whose terms ended in 2020, 2021 and 2022 to be inducted recently into the Rappahannock United Way (RUW) Heritage Circle. The RUW Heritage Circle is an exclusive group of past RUW board of director volunteers who have committed time, talents and treasure over the years.
Reference and Humanities Librarian Emeritus Jack Bales
Reference and Humanities Librarian Emeritus Jack Bales joined a panel discussion at the Mississippi Book Festival. The appearance drew on Bales’ acclaim as a literary scholar of late author Willie Morris. The appearance was mentioned in an article titled “Remembering Morris, Hannah and other friends at the Mississippi Book Festival”, which ran in The Daily Leader. Read more.
National Council of Faculty Senates
Associate Professor of German Marcel Rotter, who serves as parliamentarian of UMW’s University Faculty Council, joined 21 other governance leaders in Houston to discuss national shared governance issues at the meeting of the National Council of Faculty Senates.
Rotter joined leaders from the Faculty Senates of Ferris State University, Illinois State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Sam Houston State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Stockton University, SUNY Faculty Senate, SUNY Oswego, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University at Kingsville, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of the District of Columbia, University of Houston, University of North Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, and Virginia Tech.
The meeting was held at the University of Houston. This was the first face-to-face meeting of the National Council of Faculty Senates in three years.
Larus research presentation
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Pew Davis Fellow at Middlebury College, offered a research presentation 台美姐妹城市的合作 [Taiwan-U.S. Sister City Cooperation] in Chinese at Middlebury College on July 21, 2022. Professor Larus indicated that beyond facilitating cultural exchanges and understanding, sister city cooperation is a useful tool for expanding Taiwan’s diplomatic space.
In addition, Professor Larus also spoke to media for several reports:
On Aug. 1, Professor Larus commented on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan on Germany’s DW broadcast news program and indicated that although Pelosi’s Asia trip is intended to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the peace and security of the region, her stop in Taiwan risks greater Chinese aggression against the island. Read more.
Also on Aug. 1, Larus spoke with Newsy’s August 1 Morning Rush news program and indicated that Pelosi’s visit demonstrates U.S. commitment to a free Taiwan but risks retaliation from China.
Professor Larus offered commentary to Tin Tuc Vietnam news on U.S. President Biden’s July 28 phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and noted that the high-level exchange demonstrated goodwill between the two sides, which has positive implications for bilateral relations. Read more.
Kevin Caffrey
Senior Associate Registrar Kevin Caffrey released his latest CD, Alchemy, on Friday, July 29th. Consisting of all original music, the album combines elements of folk rock, progressive rock, and ambient music to create a unique collection of evocative and personal songs. He’ll be performing at WAR Craft Brewery/The Winery at Rapidan on August 27th and September 17th.
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth spoke to appeared on a segment titled “Pelosi Visits Taiwan Despite Warnings” on CTV News. “There’s no time like the present to stand up for democracy,” Farnsworth said. “I think the fundamental challenge the United States faces in the wake of the Donald Trump years is to demonstrate a commitment to the principles that we have … ” Hear more.
Farnsworth also spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. for a story titled “Kansas Put Abortion Rights on the Ballot. The Surprising Outcome is Reverberating Across the United States.” Farnsworth said: “What you see here, though, is that the Republican Party has put itself in a very difficult spot on the abortion question. It is much better to be a Republican running against abortion when abortion is legal than to be asking voters how to react once abortion is under the kind of threat that it’s under right now.” Read more.
Explore other recent media mentions featuring Dr. Farnsworth:
U.S. Proposes Prisoner Swap to Russia (CTV News)
Trump Gives Washington Speech (CTV News Canada)
FBI Searches Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Home (CTV News)
Fauci Flip Flop: Republican candidate tries to walk back ‘Fauci should be jailed’ comment. (Democrat Underground)
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson spoke to Geopolitica for a story titled “Not Only Russia: The Chinese Challenge in the Future of NATO.” Davidson, who is also a nonresident senior fellow at the New American Engagement Initiative (Atlantic Council), said: “Considering the current war in Ukraine, it was impossible not to define Russia as the most important and direct threat.” Read more.