The Peace Corps has ranked the University of Mary Washington No. 1 in the nation among small universities for alumni now serving as Peace Corps volunteers.

The University of Mary Washington Foundation has been recognized by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce for the economic impact of its transformation of the former Park & Shop retail center into the Eagle Village mixed-use development.

Kelly Cherry, a 1961 alumna of the University of Mary Washington, has been appointed by Gov. Bob McDonnell as Virginia's new poet laureate, succeeding UMW Professor Claudia Emerson. Cherry becomes the third consecutive Virginia poet laureate with Mary Washington ties.

The University of Mary Washington will launch a semester-long celebration of civil rights pioneer James Farmer and the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides, Monday, Feb. 7, with a special kickoff event followed by a Freedom Rides scholar's remarks.

University of Mary Washington men's soccer coach Roy Gordon will retire from the University at the close of the spring 2011 semester. Gordon, who has coached at Mary Washington for 34 years, leaves an indelible mark as the only coach in the soccer program's history. He started the program from scratch in 1977 and went on to capture 386 victories on the Eagle sideline. Combined with the 46 victories he gained as head coach at the University of Maine-Farmington, he ranks among the elite in all of college soccer with career 432 wins.

The University of Mary Washington Galleries will host two exhibitions, "Part of a Bigger Picture: Michael Wsol" from Friday, January 14 through Friday, January 28 at the duPont Gallery, and "Shades of Gray: Drawings in Graphite" from Friday, January 21 through Friday, February 25 at the Ridderhof Martin Gallery.

The University of Mary Washington is listed among Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine's "100 Best Values in Public Colleges" for 2011.

A statewide public radio show will feature University of Mary Washington Psychology Professor Holly H. Schiffrin discussing how lifestyle changes brought on by the recession might be better for one's well-being.

Just days before Isiah Willis executed slashing runs and skip passes during the recent state tournament, the University of Mary Washington Mother's rugby player received some motivational news. The freshman outside center became the first ever UMW club sports player to be awarded a national athletic scholarship. Willis is among only eight players nationwide to receive the 2010 Kevin Higgins College Scholarship that honors former U.S. team rugby player Higgins.

Margaret A. Mi, professor in the College of Business' Department of Management and Marketing, has received the O'Hara Leadership Award from the Direct Marketing Association of Washington's (DMAW) Educational Foundation.