July 24, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Bales and Harris Key to Horatio Alger Convention

by

Jack Bales, UMW reference and humanities librarian emeritus, hosted the Horatio Alger Society Convention in Fredericksburg for the second consecutive year, and Scott H. Harris, executive director of UMW Museums, spoke at the event. The conference included the presentation of an award to a local high school student. The event was featured in “Horatio Alger Society Gathers in Fredericksburg, Honors Local Student” in The Free Lance-Star. Read more.

Farnsworth Probes 7th District Race in ‘Washington Post’

by

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth spoke to The Washington Post for an article entitled “Virginia voters to pick GOP nominees in races that will shape midterms.” In the competitive six-way 7th District race, three candidates have broken out as top contenders who each represent an opportunity for Republicans, Farnsworth told the Post. Read more.

Farnsworth also shared his political expertise with a variety of other media outlets.

Rucker Wins Spotlight During UC Naming Celebration

by

Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Cedric Rucker

Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Cedric Rucker

Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Cedric Rucker caught some media attention centered around the naming celebration to recognize the University Center’s new name – the Cedric Rucker University Center – upon Rucker’s retirement next week. During his decades-long career, Rucker’s big personality, strong standards and compassionate demeanor have led him to leave a bit of a legacy on campus. Read more:

Trailblazing Dean to Be Honored at the University of Mary Washington (NBC 4)
Walking around the campus of the University of Mary Washington with Cedric Rucker is like walking around with a celebrity.

University of Mary Washington renames campus hub to honor trailblazing dean (The Free Lance-Star)
University of Mary Washington renames campus hub to honor trailblazing dean (Culpeper Star-Exponent)
Watch Now: UMW University Center renamed in honor of ’81 grad (Roanoke Times)
A 1981 University of Mary Washington graduate who never ventured far from his alma mater was honored Sunday morning during a ceremony in which the school’s bustling University Center was renamed in his honor.

From humble beginnings in Richmond to a stellar career–and a university building named in his honor (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
The grand, four-story hub of student activity at the University of Mary Washington has a new name: the Cedric Rucker University Center.

 

 

Davidson Weighs in on Ukraine for Voice of America

by

Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson talked with Voice of America News for the feature, “Ukraine Faces Challenges as Russian Forces Advance.” “At this moment what we are really seeing is primarily an artillery war, particularly from the perspective of Ukraine,” Davidson said. “What Ukraine can do…is mostly artillery as a means to counter the Russians.” Hear more.

 

Farnsworth Shares Opinions on Capitol Hill Riot Hearing

by

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth was featured by several sources for his opinions and expertise on the Capitol Hill riot. “The hearing that started last night and will be continuing in the coming weeks is really trying to put all the pieces together,” Farnsworth told CTV News. Watch the clip: Capitol Hill Riot.

Farnsworth spoke on the same subject to:

 

Farnsworth also was featured on other topics by regional and national news outlets.

 

Hanna’s Research Shared By History News Network

by

Professor of Geography Stephen Hanna

Professor of Geography Stephen Hanna

Professor of Geography Stephen Hanna was featured in “Why the Voices of the Enslaved’s Descendants Matter at Montpelier and Other Historic Sites” on History News Network. On May 17, after weeks of negative stories on Montpelier in the national press, the foundation that operates the Virginia plantation home of James Madison finally made good on its promise to share authority with descendants of people enslaved by the man known as “the father” of the U.S. Constitution. Read more.

Larus Presents Paper on the End of China’s Rise

by

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, presented the research paper “American Hegemony and Risen China,” [sic] at the virtual conference “The New Bipolarity: Where Does Canada Fit into the US-China Rivalry?” Carleton University, Ottowa, Canada, May 12, 2022. The conference is available for viewing on YouTube.

Davidson Comments on Ukraine on Voice of America

by

Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson spoke with Voice of America for a segment called FLASHPOINT UKRAINE: Kyiv reports military gains as Blinken wraps up trip. “The first thing to note is that the process of bringing Sweden and Finland into NATO is moving forward,” Davidson said in the piece. “There was a bit of a glitch with Turkey but it looks like that’s going to be something they’ll be able to iron over.” Read more.