January 22, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

UMW Tree Festival, Thursday, October 3

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UMW Sustainability & UMW Adopta are hosting a UMW Tree Festival on October 3rd from 3-5pm on Ball Circle!

All UMW and Fredericksburg community welcome! Join us in learning about the importance of trees, what our community is doing to protect them and our Tree Campus USA. Tables will be around Ball Circle filled with amazing local environmental organizations and UMW Clubs excited to inform the community about their mission and how you can get involved. There will also be tree climbing demos for participants to learn how to climb trees without hurting them, lead by Bartlett Tree Experts. It’s going to be fun, so mark your calendars for October 3rd!

To stay up to date on the event and learn more details check out our Facebook event page HERE .

Thank you,

UMW Sustainability & UMW Adopta

UMW Invites Community on Freedom Rides Bus Tour, Oct. 12-15

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UMW is inviting community members to caravan along with students on its “Social Justice Trip: Freedom Rides Tour,” which will take place Oct. 12 through 15.

UMW is inviting community members to caravan along with students on its “Social Justice Trip: Freedom Rides Tour,” which will take place Oct. 12 through 15.

Will you get on the bus?

The University of Mary Washington is inviting members of the Fredericksburg community to join students on a trip of a lifetime. The Freedom Rides Tour – set to take place Saturday, Oct. 12, through Tuesday, Oct. 15 – traces the route of the history-changing 1960s bus rides across the American South. The social justice experience celebrates Dr. James L. Farmer Jr., the late civil rights icon and Mary Washington history professor, and his signature movement to enforce the desegregation of interstate travel.

Coordinated by UMW’s James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC) and the office of the Vice-President for Equity and Access, the tour is being coordinated in conjunction with UMW’s yearlong 2020 celebration of the 100th anniversary of Dr. Farmer’s birth. Read more. 

UMW ‘Keeps the Light On’ Banned Books Week

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UMW sophomore Katia Savelyeva reads a chapter from emily m. danforth’s ‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’ at UMW’s Banned Books Week Read Out on Wednesday. Photo by Matthew Binamira Sanders.

UMW sophomore Katia Savelyeva reads a chapter from emily m. danforth’s ‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’ at UMW’s Banned Books Week Read Out on Wednesday. Photo by Matthew Binamira Sanders.

Born in Russia, UMW sophomore Katia Savelyeva has called America home for most of her life. But the English major sometimes wonders what it would be like had she stayed in St. Petersburg.

“I hope I’d still do things that don’t require as much bravery here in the United States,” said Savelyeva, who read aloud on Campus Walk Wednesday from a young adult book that was banned in an American school district, as part of Mary Washington’s annual Read Out event.

Held every September, this national awareness campaign by the American Library Association (ALA) and other organizations puts a spotlight on attempts to censor, challenge and ban books in libraries and schools. A collection of events and displays across campus this week highlights the need to “keep the light on” and celebrate the freedom to express all ideas. Read more. 

UMW Earns ‘Great Colleges To Work For’ Recognition

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UMW has earned the 2019 ‘Great Colleges to Work For’ distinction. The recognition was announced today in a special insert in ‘The Chronicle of Higher Education.’

UMW has earned the 2019 ‘Great Colleges to Work For’ distinction. The recognition was announced today in a special insert in ‘The Chronicle of Higher Education.’

University of Mary Washington has been recognized as a 2019 Great College to Work For.

Now in its 12th year, the Great Colleges to Work For survey is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country. The results, released today in a special insert in The Chronicle of Higher Education, reveal that of 152 four-year institutions nationwide that participated in this year’s survey, UMW is among 60 selected for the distinction.

The survey is conducted by ModernThink, a Delaware-based strategic human capital consulting firm. It highlights colleges that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies.

Since taking the helm at Mary Washington in 2016, President Troy Paino has worked diligently with leadership to improve workplace environment, zeroing in on key components identified in a survey completed shortly before his arrival, including communication, collaboration and compensation.

“There were opportunities to do a better job of communicating with the campus, to make them more aware of both challenges and opportunities,” Paino said. “When people start feeling that they can actively participate in making a place better, morale is going to improve.” Read more. 

A Call to Civic Action: Making a Difference, Sept. 19 at 6PM

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The James Farmer Multicultural Center and the UMW Center for Community Engagement invite all UMW students to a special program, A Call to Civic Action: Making a Difference, on Thursday September 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the Chandler Ballroom. At this event, following a welcome by President Troy Paino, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine will engage the audience in a discussion about the importance of the political and civic engagement of college students and the power of being an informed citizen.

Senator Kaine will be followed by a panel discussion with audience members on civic and political engagement featuring Brian Cannon, Executive Director for OneVirginia 2021; Joshua Cole, Political Candidate for Delegate 28th District, former Staff Assistant to the Clerk of the Virginia State Senate; Jacqueline Beaulieu, Organizer for NextGen Virginia; and Julia Romero, Deputy Pod Director for Take the Majority.

Dinner will be provided by Benny’s Pizza.

 

Virginia Ashley Retirement Celebration

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After 30+ years at the University of Mary Washington, Virginia Ashley is retiring. Virginia has been a key member of the Information Technology Department for many years and an amazing colleague, adviser, and friend to all who have had the pleasure of working with her.

Please join us at a reception for Virginia, to thank her for her years of service, and wish her well in retirement.

The reception will be held Tuesday, September 24th at 2 p.m. in the Hurley Center Digital Auditorium.

District Debates Continue on Friday, Sept. 20

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The University of Mary Washington will continue to host debates in the coming weeks between candidates running this November for Fredericksburg-area seats in the Senate of Virginia and the Commonwealth’s House of Delegates.

The 88th District House Debate on Friday, Sept. 20  at 7 p.m., will take place on UMW’s Fredericksburg campus in Lee Hall, Room 411. Incumbent Del. Mark Cole, a Republican, will debate Democrat Jess Foster, as the two vie for the seat in the Virginia House of Delegates’ District 88, which includes sections of Spotsylvania, Stafford and Fauquier counties and part of the city of Fredericksburg.

A Spotsylvania deputy county administrator, Del. Mark Cole is seeking his 10th two-year term representing the district. He is a member of the House committees on Finance and Education, Small Business Commission and Rappahannock River Basin Commission, and he is chairman of the Privileges and Elections Committee. Foster is an attorney who co-owns the Foster McCollam law firm in Manassas, specializing in representing juveniles and domestic abuse survivors. She serves on the board of the Prince William County Bar Association.

On Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., the 17th District Senate Debate will be held in Monroe Hall, Room 346, also on the Fredericksburg Campus. Republican incumbent Sen. Bryce Reeves will share the podium with Democrat Amy Laufer in the race for the District 17 seat in the Virginia Senate.

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies, will serve as moderator and a panelist at each debate. The other panelists will be Ted Schubel, news director of News Talk 1230/WFVA and WBQB radio, and Editorial Page Editor Barbara Hollingsworth of The Free Lance-Star. Written questions from the audience can be submitted in person shortly before the start of each debate.

The debates are co-sponsored by UMW’s College Republicans, Young Democrats and the Legislative Action Committee of the Student Government Association, as well as The Free Lance–Star, the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Fredericksburg Area League of Women Voters.

Read more. 

Common Read: Continue the Discussion!

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Keynote will be at 7:00 pm on Sept. 26 in the Digital Auditorium

To the campus community:

This year’s Common Read, Educated – A Memoir by Tara Westover, provided a great start to the academic year. Sonja Ardoin, a scholar-practioner and author whose educational journey has been from first-generation college student to Ph.D., will keep the discussion going when she appears on campus next week.

The public is invited to a keynote address by Dr. Ardoin on Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m. in the Hurley Convergence Center Digital Auditorium. In her talk talk – titled The Relationship Between Rurality, Social Class Identity, and College Access and Affordability — she will share insights from rural students and their high school counselors about the links between rurality, social class, and first-generation college student status. Strategies on how to reduce barriers will also be offered.

In addition, Dr. Ardoin will present two workshops and hold a drop-in luncheon discussion for students. The lunch will be Friday, September 27, from 11:30 to 1:30 a.m. (come and go) in the UC Magnolia Room.

The workshops, which are open to UMW faculty and staff, will take place in Lee Hall 412.

Thursday, September 26, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

Setting a First-Gen Foundation: Preparing Our Classrooms and Curriculum to Welcome Learners New to Higher Education Systems

This session will explore how to prepare learning environments and curricular content with first-generation college students in mind. Educators are encouraged to bring syllabi and/or computers with them.

Friday, September 27, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

How Can Your Campus Become More First-Generation College Student Ready?

This session will offer a five-step process for welcoming first-generation college students and supporting them to graduation. Attendees will explore the complexity of defining first generation college students, the systemic barriers that exist for this population, and ideas for implementing support structures.

Thank you,

April Wynn
Faculty Director of the First Year Experience

An Invitation to Have Coffee with the President

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UMW President Troy Paino. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

UMW President Troy Paino. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

From the Office of the President:

Dear UMW Faculty and Staff,

Last year I launched a series of coffee talks with faculty and staff to create a direct line of communication between the President’s Office and people who lead our core educational mission. The conversations were invaluable to me as we worked collectively to shape our strategic vision, establish community values, and share the challenges and opportunities before Mary Washington.

I welcome all faculty and staff to join me for informal, open discussion of the topics of greatest interest to those who attend. Occasionally, the coffees will focus on a particular issue facing us or may include other leaders who represent areas critical to institutional progress. Upcoming opportunities include:

  • Mon., Oct. 21                     10:30-11:30 a.m., Hurley Convergence Center, Room 210
  • Wed., Nov. 20                    4-5 p.m., Stafford Campus, South Building, Room 210
  • Thurs., Nov. 21                  2:30-3:30 p.m., Trinkle Hall, Room 207

My goal is to engage in the most transparent and direct lines of communication possible so that all members of UMW are equally informed and engaged in making the University the best place it can be. Whatever the event, I commit to candid conversation and intensive listening.

I hope to see you there. Your insights and involvement are not only welcome but also necessary for strong institutional leadership.

 

Sincerely,

Troy D. Paino
President

UMW Swimmer, Assistant Coach Win Big at Parapan American Games

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Zach Shattuck, UMW assistant swim coach, at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. Photo by Mark Reis.

Zach Shattuck, UMW assistant swim coach, at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. Photo by Mark Reis.

Joey Peppersack ’21 and Zach Shattuck brought some shiny new souvenirs back to Mary Washington after competing in the Parapan American Games in August.

Peppersack won a silver medal for the men’s 100-meter backstroke, while teammate Zach Shattuck, assistant coach of UMW’s men’s swimming, earned a silver and three bronze medals for the men’s 100-meter breaststroke, 50-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley and the men’s relay. UMW swim coach Justin Anderson ’10 served as head coach, leading Team USA to 62 swimming medals at the 2019 games in Lima, Peru. With 33 countries competing, the Parapan American Games is one of the largest events in U.S. Paralympic swimming, held every four years, one year prior to the Paralympic Games.

Joey Peppersack '21 at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. Photo by Mark Reis.

Joey Peppersack ’21 at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. Photo by Mark Reis.

Read more.