At the end of each spring semester, UMW faculty gather to approve the graduates and recognize colleagues who are retiring from their dedicated service. Departmental tributes chronicle their time in classrooms and labs, with committees and in communities, and as leaders in undergraduate research and in their areas of study. In spring 2026, the University of Mary Washington recognized seven faculty emeriti.

• Ana G. Chichester, Professor Emerita of Spanish
• Stephen J. Farnsworth, Professor Emeritus of Political Science
• Alan B. Griffith, Professor Emeritus of Biology
• Janusz Konieczny, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics
• J. Larry Lehman, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics
• Joseph W. Nicholas, Associate Professor Emeritus of Geography
• Grant R. Woodwell, Professor Emeritus of Geology

Together, the 2026 faculty emeriti represent the very best of UMW’s academic mission – collective decades of curiosity, rigor, mentorship and unwavering dedication to students. Their formal recognition will take place at Commencement on May, 9, 2026.

Faculty members who have served the University of Mary Washington for at least 15 years and who have attained the rank of professor or associate professor are eligible to be considered for emeritus status, which is bestowed by the Board of Visitors. Read more about the 2026 Faculty Emeriti.

A group of University of Mary Washington theatre students began applying powder, color and gloss to a fellow student’s face. They contoured cheekbones, defined eyes, shaped brows and lips, and incorporated aging lines, scars and dirt. After fine-tuning features, enhancing texture and layering on some final touches, the student was transformed into a character, looking completely unlike themselves.

Professor of Geology Grant Woodwell was fascinated.

“It’s the most fun when you encounter something you don’t know about and you become the student in the process,” said Woodwell, recalling a year-end theatre demonstration. “There’s a lot of technical components to stagecraft makeup that I would have been completely unaware of, so that was a memorable thing to see.”

That sense of discovery is at the heart of Mary Washington’s Research and Creativity Day, a campuswide celebration of scholarly research and creative endeavors students have been cultivating, alongside faculty mentors, throughout the academic year. UMW celebrates the event’s 20th anniversary this year with a week of departmental presentations, exhibitions and performances that shine a spotlight on how far the day has come.

The story of how it began involves a conference, a carpool and a realization. In 2007, Woodwell and his colleague John Morello, then associate provost for academic affairs and professor of communication, hit the road together to attend a national gathering in Washington, D.C., focused on undergraduate research at large universities. Read more about Research and Creativity Day’s 20th Anniversary. 

The University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team captured the 2026 NCAA Division III National Championship Sunday evening, defeating Emory University 75-73 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to secure the first national title in program history.

A basket at the buzzer lifted UMW to the championship, setting off a frenzy on the court, in the stands and at watch parties across the country, including on the Fredericksburg campus, where fans erupted in an explosion of cheers.

The victory marks a milestone for the University, representing the first national championship for a Mary Washington men’s team in any sport and the first since women’s tennis captured a title in 1991. The Eagles set program records with 30 wins and a 90.9% winning percentage.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger recognized the team’s achievement on social media, posting, “Congratulations, @UMW_Basketball! You’ve made Fredericksburg and our entire Commonwealth proud!”

The dramatic finish also drew a flurry of national attention, with ESPN and others featuring the game-winning moment. In fact, the play earned the No. 1 spot on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 and was highlighted as a “Must SC” moment.

Mary Washington finished the season with a 30-3 record, capping a historic run that drew widespread support from campus, the Fredericksburg community and beyond.

Read a full recap of the game, including scoring, key plays and statistics, on the Mary Washington Athletics website: UMW Men’s Basketball Claims 2026 NCAA Division III National Championship, 75-73, Over Emory.

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.