A microfinance institution run by University of Mary Washington students will expand in December by offering grants and training to entrepreneurs in the El Progreso community of Honduras.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who was among the "Big Six" leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, will give the commencement address at the University of Mary Washington’s 2011 undergraduate graduation ceremony Saturday, May 7 on the Fredericksburg campus.

The University of Mary Washington Foundation was one of three finalists for the Virginia Torchbearer Award in the 1st Congressional District. The recognition for transforming the former Park & Shop retail center into the Eagle Village mixed-use development was announced Thursday, Dec. 2 by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce at the annual Virginia Economic Summit in Williamsburg. The Newport News Economic Development Authority received the top award for the district.

University of Mary Washington President Richard V. Hurley has named Leah K. Cox as special assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion.

Students enrolled in a philanthropy course at the University of Mary Washington have awarded a total of $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity-Middlesex, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries and the Bragg Hill Family Life Center.

Mickey Mouse making brooms come to life won’t be the only magic on display at the University of Mary Washington’s annual Holiday POPS concert, to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 2-3 in George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation awarded a Generation Equality Scholarship to University of Mary Washington junior Charles Girard ’12.

What began several years ago as a class project for an introductory macroeconomics course at the University of Mary Washington will gain national recognition during the first U.S. Summit for Global Citizen Diplomacy in Washington, D.C.

Customized elementary school education? There’s an app for that. Kindergarteners and first-graders can credit University of Mary Washington junior Jacob Bowman for designing an interactive learning game for iPod Touch devices.

Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont will host the exhibition "The New Reality: The Frontier of Realism in the 21st Century" from Saturday. December 4 through Sunday, February 27, 2011.