As the University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team prepares for its first NCAA Division III national championship game, support has surged across campus and throughout the surrounding community. City streets lined with UMW flags and school colors point to a community fully behind the Eagles’ historic run.

In recent weeks, downtown has been adorned in Mary Washington blue as the City of Fredericksburg rallied residents and fans to follow the Eagles’ journey through the NCAA Tournament – a show of support for a season that has brought national attention to UMW.

Local media outlets have closely followed each step of the postseason run, documenting both on-court achievements and the stories behind them. Coverage in The Free Lance-Star and Fredericksburg Free Press has highlighted key performances and defining moments, while the FXBG Advance has offered game coverage and a broader perspective on the value of Division III athletics, emphasizing competition driven by passion rather than pay, and the role sports play in shaping character and community.

The outpouring reflects a strong connection between the University and the Fredericksburg community – something recognized nationally, with UMW ranked among the top institutions in The Princeton Review’s 2026 edition of The Best 391 Colleges for town-gown relations.

“I want everybody that comes to [UMW’s] Anderson Center to watch us play to feel like they are part of it, too… it’s about relationships right here at the Division III level, especially here on campus within our department and within the Fredericksburg community,” Head Coach Marcus Kahn said in a video interview with the FXBG Advance. “It has been very rewarding to take the floor at game time and see the home stands filled and loud and feeling the energy.” Read more about the widespread support for the Eagles ahead of the title game.

This Saturday, March 14, is a big day for our campus. It’s Founders Day and also centers us solidly in March Madness, as the UMW Eagles are hosting the third round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Your ticket to the 6 p.m. game on March 14 is waiting for you just inside Ron Rosner Arena, courtesy of the President’s Office, which is offering tickets to students, staff and faculty, free of charge.

General admission tickets will be available in person only at the Ron Rosner Arena ticket booth beginning 90 minutes before tipoff. Please visit UMWEagles.com for more information and ticket prices for any guests attending. Read more about UMW Men’s Basketball third round game on March 14.

And mark your calendar for guests throughout the day, as we are also hosting Destination UMW on Saturday, March 14. We appreciate you welcoming admitted students and their families to campus and staying flexible around any parking or schedule changes that day. Please note that the Alvey Parking Deck will be used by our campus visitors throughout the day and evening, and our standard parking lot reservations are in place.

Thank you for cheering on the Eagles throughout the day and through the third round of the tournament on our home court! Go Eagles! 🦅

Nurses in Northern Virginia ready to take their expertise to the next level now have access to a new master’s program tailored to their professional career paths.

The University of Mary Washington invites applications for the Master of Science in Nursing Program, with the first cohort starting classes in Fall 2026. Applications are encouraged throughout the spring semester and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through June 1, 2026.

MSN Program Virtual Open Houses are scheduled each month from February through April, offering program details and admissions tips. Learn more about the flexible study options, real-world practicum experiences, and career paths in primary care and education on Feb. 24, March 12 or April 7.

Designed for working registered nurses throughout Virginia – and particularly in the Fredericksburg region – UMW’s MSN graduate program prepares healthcare specialists for advanced roles in clinical practice, education and leadership.

Coursework will be delivered fully online to provide flexibility for busy schedules, complemented by in-person simulation and clinical practicum experiences developed in partnership with regional healthcare organizations. Learn more about UMW’s Master of Science in Nursing.

A uniquely University of Mary Washington celebration, Devil-Goat Day pits students graduating in odd years (Devils) against those graduating in even years (Goats). Over the decades, the friendly rivalry has transformed into a lively contest of fun and games to celebrate the end of the academic year and give students a respite before final exams.

With the beloved event’s 100th anniversary approaching on April 23, the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement has launched the inaugural Devil-Goat Alumni Challenge, giving Mary Washington graduates across generations a chance to get in on the action.

“For many alumni, Devil-Goat Day was an important part of their Mary Washington experience, while others are discovering and embracing it for the first time,” said Mark Thaden ’02, associate vice president for alumni and donor engagement. “It’s a powerful reminder that even century-old traditions can create opportunities to engage, reconnect and celebrate our alma mater.”

Devil-Goat Day dates to 1926, when Mary Washington juniors picked a green goat as their class symbol, pinning it to their shirts. Not to be outdone, seniors selected a red devil as their emblem.

Today’s students engage in a spirited competition that fills campus with giant inflatables, carnival-like contests, tasty treats and more. With bragging rights at stake, seniors and sophomores compete against juniors and first-year students in obstacle courses and lawn games, culminating in an epic tug-of-war battle. Read more about Devil-Goat Day and the Alumni Challenge.

As the spring semester takes off, the University of Mary Washington is moving its mission forward while looking back on a landmark year defined by record-breaking philanthropy and numerous national rankings.

UMW’s 2024-25 Year in Review publication showcases these achievements and highlights student research, athletics, the arts and so much more.

U.S. News & World Report put Mary Washington in the No. 8 spot for Top Public Schools – National Liberal Arts Colleges, while Fiske Guide to Colleges and The Princeton Review highlighted the University’s academic reputation and commitment to affordability. They also showcased its student support and counseling services, town-gown relations, theatre program, health services and how UMW is making an impact and providing internships that prepare students for Life After Mary Washington.

The University achieved a historic fundraising year – with more than $37.8 million in gifts and pledges made by generous donors – and met major milestones for Mary Wash Day and the Beyond the Classroom endowment, which both topped $1 million. UMW’s endowment surpassed the $100 million threshold, creating lasting philanthropic support for scholarships, academic programs, experiential learning, faculty resources and more. For the second year, Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants bolstered innovative projects designed by students, faculty and staff.

Read more about UMW’s remarkable year.

 

The University of Mary Washington’s spring 2026 all faculty and staff assembly started off the semester with an end goal in mind, and the goal of UMW’s 115^th Commencement in May. Yet, there are plenty of projects and plans in place before then and beyond, as UMW President Troy Paino shared updates with campus on the strategic action planning process, enterprise resource planning, and the evolution and revolution of artificial intelligence.

“When you’re thinking about the next five or six years of Mary Washington … ask yourself whether or not we are doing enough to … offer an education that appeals to students as relevant to their lives, that can help them now, into the future and throughout their lives.”

He announced “MaryWashAI,” an enterprise AI platform, now in the pilot phase with several early adopters through faculty and staff, in partnership with Information Technologies and the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts. He also noted the importance of accessibility improvements, ongoing from the fall, in progress to meet state and federal requirements in April.

Turning to campus construction, Paino commended the work of Facilities Services, pointing to the completion of Seacobeck Hall roof work, along with the stairwell and façade in Simpson Library, which will also undergo a feasibility study to inform further renovations. In addition, Ball Hall is being revamped with an eye toward improving accessibility and welcoming students this fall, and roof work is planned in George Washington Hall.

Also, he said, spaces are being cleared – including tree removal and the beginning of demolition of Marshall and Russell halls – to make way for the new academic home to UMW’s Department of Theatre and Dance, with construction of the new theatre slated to start later this year. And new locker rooms being installed at the Battlefield Athletic Complex should be ready by fall.

It’s one of many campus projects that will benefit students. Paino also noted many ways that UMW continues to be a leader in undergraduate liberal arts education. “We know we operate in an incredibly competitive environment,” he said, “but we continue to hold our own in this marketplace.”

In that vein, Paino highlighted the importance to families of financial aid, which is already rolling out to admitted students and the upcoming Feb. 1 deadline for priority admission. “It is each and every one of our responsibility to recruit students …,” he said. “What seals the deal is their experience when they come onto campus.”

Campus safety continues to be a top priority, with additional investments made in building systems and blue lights across campus. With state funding, UMW is beginning the process to transition to a new university-wide resource management planning system, with additional funding a legislative priority this session.

In addition, UMW’s new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) has been approved. With nurse practitioner and nurse educator tracks, it aims to address workforce shortages in the area and continue Mary Washington’s long-term regional work in education.  Reminding the crowd that Mary Washington was established as a teachers’ school in 1908 to meet a critical need, Paino pointed to the University’s responsibility to meet today’s critical needs in healthcare. The nursing programs are just part of that pipeline, as additional partnerships and programs are being explored, including a community-based medical school.

With key dates on the horizon, including the 100th anniversary of Devil-Goat Day, ASPIRE Week and Mary Wash Day, Paino urged UMW faculty and staff to be pro-active and bold.

“This is not a time to be shy, timid or reserved,” he said. “We really need to think boldly about how we can be leaders in our space as a public liberal arts and sciences university in the age of artificial intelligence and other things we have to deal with in the marketplace.”

Mary Washington employees, he said, should focus on the University’s mission, the work ahead and a collective responsibility to students.

“We have roughly 4,000 students here under our charge. Every day the work that we do makes a difference in their lives. That in and of itself should give us hope for the future, despite the times we’re living in,” he said. “Think about the possibilities for the future, what Mary Washington can become and the public good that we can serve.”

Campus safety is always on the mind of University of Mary Washington Chief of Police Michael Hall, and now, thanks to a partnership with faculty and a student researcher, there’s a map to support it.

The project began with a chance encounter between Hall and Professor of Biological Sciences Alan Griffith, who had previously mapped trees across campus. Together, they wondered if the same technology could be used to plot a key aspect of UMW’s emergency phone system: the glowing blue lights that offer a one-touch connection to university police.

Griffith knew just the student to bring it to life—Jillian Rosenquist, a junior environmental science major pursuing a geographic information systems (GIS) certificate. Together, the trio visualized a blueprint for campus safety. “Campus safety is a shared responsibility between students, police and the community,” Hall said. “This project was community policing at its finest.”

Mary Washington’s emergency phone system includes nearly 90 blue light phones mounted to poles or bases at exterior locations across campus, such as along sidewalks and walkways, in parking lots and near buildings. Mapping their locations helps improve efficiency and reduce redundancy, or, as Hall explains, “identifies where there may be too many blue lights or where they may be too close together or too far apart.”

Griffith said the project ensures accessibility for everyone on campus and helps the UMW Department of Police and Public Safety monitor operations and maintenance. “When GIS-based emergency phone maps are used to their potential, the UMW campus is a safer place,” Griffith said.

Read more about UMW trio working together to map out a safer campus. This story was written by University Communications Intern, Sarah Moon.

On Giving Tuesday this week, 540* UMW alumni, family members, faculty, staff, and friends chose to support the University’s mission, students, and programs on Giving Tuesday. These donors made 609* gifts, totaling over $174,749,* that will go to work immediately for current and future Eagles. (*preliminary Giving Tuesday totals)

It’s not too late to join donors, like Paddy Link ’72, in powering possibility for UMW students. Link arrived at Mary Washington and discovered a passion for public service. She joined Student Government, served as her residence hall president junior year and found that a liberal arts and sciences education — rooted in her art history major — would prepare her for a future she hadn’t yet imagined.

“In college, I learned to work with people whose beliefs, values and political leanings didn’t necessarily mirror my own,” said Link, who began a career on Capitol Hill after graduation. She worked for members of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and helped staff congressional committees focused on science, commerce, transportation and appropriations. “But we worked together for the good of our institution.”

That spirit guides her giving today. A dedicated supporter of her alma mater, Link is encouraging alumni, friends, families, faculty, staff and students to contribute to the University of Mary Washington’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and ensure its mission endures. She pledged to match all gifts made on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, to UMW’s College of Arts and Sciences General Fund, up to $5,000 — continuing her commitment to the liberal arts foundation that shaped her career. Read the full article about Giving Tuesday.

From every corner of Mary Washington this fall, the University is rallying around a shared mission – fighting food insecurity on campus and in the Fredericksburg community. Students, faculty and staff are joining forces through coordinated efforts designed to reduce hunger and expand access to essential resources.

The Talley Center for Counseling Services has launched a winter food drive in partnership with the Gwen Hale Resource Center (GHRC) to help restock supplies for those in need. Meanwhile, UMW Athletics, working with Dining Services, collected thousands of pounds of canned goods during its annual Stop Hunger initiative. And a new Swipe Out Hunger grant will help advance UMW’s ongoing basic needs programs.

Established in 2018 by the late Gwen Hale, longtime Director of UMW’s Writing Center, the GHRC provides food, clothing, school supplies and personal care items at no cost to students, staff or community members. The Center partners with UMW Dining Services, the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, Giant Foods and other donors to help alleviate food insecurity and promote wellbeing across the Mary Washington community.

Earlier this month, staff from the Talley Center rolled up their sleeves to replenish GHRC’s shelves, which were running low. The effort saw tremendous participation, including efforts by Talley Center Staff Counselor Demi Thompson and her husband, who raised thousands of dollars in donations. Together, the Talley Center and GHRC will keep the energy going through a Winter Food Drive running until start of the holiday break.

That spirit of service extends to UMW Athletics, where student-athletes once again led a strong push in the fight against hunger. During this year’s Stop Hunger Food Drive, athletes collected more than 10,000 pounds of food, and counting, for donation to the GHRC and Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, which feeds more than 50,000 local residents each year. University Dining also contributed and helps coordinate the event each year.

Adding to this momentum, UMW recently received a Swipe Out Hunger campus grant to further support its basic needs initiatives and reduce student food insecurity. The $4,000 award recognizes Mary Washington’s ongoing efforts to end college hunger, ensure equitable access to resources and strengthen programs like the GHRC.

Whether restocking shelves, spreading awareness or donating food, time or funds, Eagles continue to demonstrate a commitment to caring for one another, and for the broader community they call home.

On a sunny autumn afternoon, University of Mary Washington students flock to a table on Campus Walk. While snacking on sandwiches and cookies donated by local businesses, they’re learning about UMW’s Talley Center for Counseling Services and contributing to an increasingly prevalent discussion about mental health on college campuses.

“We’re young adults who are on our own for the first time, and that can be a challenging transition,” said senior James Turgeon, an applied physics major who stopped by Talley Treats. Held on Thursdays throughout October – a month dedicated to mental health awareness and education with events across the globe – the initiative promotes student well-being and connection at a point in the semester that can feel overwhelming to students. “I’m glad to know these resources are here at UMW.”

The enthusiasm surrounding the event helps explain why the University earned national recognition, as #15 for Best Student Support and Counseling Services in Princeton Review’s The Best 391 Colleges guide for 2026.

Under new leadership, the Talley Center is building on its strong foundation of providing high-quality clinical care, such as individual consultations, group therapy, crisis intervention and more, at its locations in Lee Hall and Tyler House. Betty Talley ’68, who made a generous naming gift over a decade ago and has continued to support the Talley Center through her philanthropic giving, visited the center earlier this month to meet with its new director, Chad Sims. Together, they discussed his vision for the future of counseling at UMW, bringing a fresh focus on mental health promotion through campus partnerships.

“What drew me to the Talley Center is UMW’s strong commitment to student success and holistic development,” said Sims, who holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Ball State University. He also earned a master’s degree in counseling and counselor education from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Read more.