Associate Professor of English Colin Rafferty appeared on the latest episode of With Good Reason, which was entitled, “The Highest Office.” Rafferty spoke about his recent book of experimental essays, “Execute the Office,” which was published last year by Baobab Press. The episode also featured faculty from UVA Wise, Northern Virginia Community College and Old Dominion University. Listen here.
Gupta Pens Editorial on Indira Gandhi for Great Lives Lecture
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Surupa Gupta
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Surupa Gupta penned an editorial for The Free Lance-Star entitled, “Indira Gandhi: Creator of the modern Indian State” in advance of her Great Lives lecture on India’s first and only woman prime minister, which was held on Tuesday, Feb. 22. The program can be accessed through the program website at umw.edu/greatlives.
INDIRA GANDHI is known as India’s first and only woman prime minister, and the world’s second democratically elected female head of government. These titles, however, mask a complex and fascinating personality. Gandhi, as prime minister, emerged as one of the most consequential and polarizing figures in Indian politics.
Derided initially as a “dumb doll,” Gandhi surprised her followers and detractors as a canny politician with a strong sense of realpolitik and an authoritarian bent. Her decisions helped both restore and tarnish India’s image in world politics.
She turned India from a food-scarce to a food-surplus country; her bold move to help establish Bangladesh strengthened India’s credentials as a major Asian power; and yet, her declaration of political emergency in 1975 delivered the first frontal attack to India’s democratic institutions since that nation gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. Read more.
Cooperman Weighs in on State Funding on Moneygeek.com
Professor and Chair of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman
Department of Political Science and International Affairs Professor and Chair Rosalyn Cooperman was interviewed by Moneygeek.com for an article entitled, “Return on Statehood: How Much Value Every State Gets from the Federal Government.”
What role does federal funding play in state government finances?
The role of federal funding in state government finances varies widely from state to state. For example, federal funding of K-12 education is quite small — typically less than 10% — compared with funding from the states and their local governments. Of course, that federal funding represents billions of dollars, which is not an inconsequential sum of money for public schools and students. States and their localities receive federal funds to help implement programs like IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which ensures that children with disabilities and special education needs receive a free and appropriate public education. Read more.
Romero Serves on COPLAC Panel on DEI at AAC&U Annual Meeting
Professor of Classics Joe Romero joined COPLAC Panel on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence at the Annual Meeting of AAC&U on January 20, 2022.
Transforming Historical Biases – Creating Safe and Brave Spaces: Joseph Romero (Professor of Classics and Chair, CPRD) joined colleagues from several COPLAC institutions in person to present a set of tools for advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion at this year’s annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The panel was entitled, “Collaborative and Community-led Approach to Sustaining Racial Equity within Public Liberal Arts Institutions” and presented to higher education leaders from across the country. Plans are in the works to present it again in an entirely digital format to for the COPLAC community.
Powers publishes article in Dalhouse French Studies
Professor of French Scott Powers
Professor of French Scott Powers published an article entitled “Human Violence and Eating Animals: Reading Gaétan Soucy through the Lenses of Vegan and Animal Studies” in the most recent volume of Dalhousie French Studies.
Farnsworth Comments in the News
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 commented on the following news stories:
Commentary: Youngkin sheds moderate image in first month (The Daily Progress)
Va. House passes ban on mask mandates in schools (WTOP)
Newbie governors with no governing experience face a steep learning curve (Virginia Mercury)
Virginia legislative session hits crucial midpoint (Courthouse News)
Halftime report (Cardinal News)
The Two Faces of Glenn Youngkin (Legacy Newspaper)
Schapiro: An aggravation lawmakers, especially Democrats, don’t need (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Poll: Youngkin’s job approval mixed; policy proposals unpopular (WTOP)
Prejudice grew in Trump supporters during his presidency, studies find (Courthouse News; Raw Story)
Spanberger leaping into new district, but won’t move family before January (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Mitchell wins 2022 Outstanding Visual Project IAANI Award
RSP Program Counselor and UMW 2012 alumna Shanita Mitchell
Rappahannock Scholars Program Counselor Shanita Mitchell was just recently recognized with an award by the International Association of Autoethnography and Narrative Inquiry for multimedia project “A Seat at the Table: A Dance Performance.” This project is a multimedia video that was danced, filmed, and edited by Shanita. The project received recognition in the category of Outstanding Audio/Visual Project. The award was presented at the 2022 International Symposium on Autoethnography and Narrative (ISAN) Conference, which was held between January 3rd through the 5th. While attending the conference, Shanita also co-presented “Disrupting the MA English Thesis: Using Autoethnography to Explore Culture and Identity in Advanced Literary Studies” where she discussed her research and experience writing her Master’s thesis.
Shanita has also been invited to be the featured performer and speaker at the CUNY New York City College of Technology upcoming Black History Month Program program themed “A Visual Celebration of Black Womanhood.” The program will feature an interview moderated by author and Chair of Department of African American Studies, Renata Ferdinand, and a press release to the campus and wider CUNY community. Shanita’s award winning work can be viewed in the online literary and arts magazine The AutoEthnographer. Currently, Shanita serves as a member of the editorial board and columnist at the magazine.
Konieczny Publishes in Semigroup Forum
Professor of Mathematics Janusz Konieczny
Janusz Konieczny, professor of mathematics, published a research article, Semigroups of transformations whose restrictions belong to a given semigroup, in the journal Semigroup Forum.
Wilken Receives Southern Garden History Society Young Professional Grant
The gardens at Gari Melchers Home & Studio, which are overseen by Garden Manager Jody Wilken.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio Garden Manager Jody Wilken is the recipient of the Southern Garden History Society Young Professional Grant and will be attending the annual meeting at Mount Vernon. The event spans 3 days and is from April 22-24. All her expenses including hotel and meals will be covered by a very generous stipend from SGHS.
Chiang published article in BSMM
Professor of Mathematics Y. Jen Chiang
Yuan-Jen Chiang, Professor of Mathematics, had a research article “Exponentially Harmonic Maps Carrying Potential” published in Boletin de la Sociedad Matematica Mexicana by Springer.