When University of Mary Washington senior Anders Barretta was a child, he was fascinated by the maps his father kept around the house.

“He told me that his favorite geography professor, Marshall Bowen, taught some of the most influential classes he took in college,” Barretta said. His father, John Barretta ’90, said students would sit on the floor of Monroe Hall just to hear the late professor speak. “Dr. Bowen inspired my dad’s 30-year career as a geospatial intelligence officer.”

That made it even more special when the younger Barretta, who is double majoring in geography and political science and earning a geographic information systems (GIS) certificate, learned he would be the first-ever recipient of the Marshall E. Bowen Scholarship at UMW. Barretta has traveled to professional conferences, engaged in timely research and competed twice in Virginia’s World Geography Bowl, helping UMW’s team beat the buzzer to become the 2022 champions – all of which helped him earn the prestigious geography award.

“Anders truly embodies my husband’s interest in geography, and his curiosity about the places around him is incredibly refreshing,” said Professor of Geography Dawn Bowen, who serves as Barretta’s advisor. She invited him last year to participate in a small group discussion for other students. “He embraced the idea of learning something new and engaging with others.” Read more.

The 2024-2025 UMW Theatre season begins with Twelve Angry Jurors by Reginald Rose, adapted for the stage by Sherman L. Sergel. Performances will be September 19-21 & September 26-28 at 7:30 p.m., and September 22, 28, & September 29 at 2:00 p.m. in Klein Theatre, duPont Hall at the University of Mary Washington. Guests may also attend the Pay-What-You-Can Preview performance on September 18 at 7:30 p.m. The box office opens at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. AfterWords, a post-show talkback with the cast, will take place after the matinee performance on September 22. Tickets are $30 for standard admission and $25 for students, senior citizens, and military. Groups of ten or more can receive a discount as well.

Set in the 1950’s, Twelve Angry Jurors focuses on a jury, tasked with deciding the fate of a young boy in a murder trial in which the boy is being accused of killing his father. The story takes place in the deliberation room, where the group must reach a unanimous vote of “guilty” or “not guilty.” In what seems like a cut-and-dry case to most, one juror is undecided, arguing there is reasonable doubt. With the young boy’s life in their hands, the twelve men and women must come to a fair verdict. Twelve Angry Jurors is a reflection on the American judicial system and society that portrays themes of discrimination, prejudice, stubbornness of beliefs, and justice.

Inspired by his experience as a juror in a New York City courtroom, Reginald Rose originally wrote Twelve Angry Men in 1954 as a one-hour teleplay for CBS Studio One. One year later, the show was adapted into a play and staged in San Francisco. The show was revived and made its Broadway debut on October 28, 2004, at the American Airlines Theatre, where it ran for 328 performances. The show has been adapted to include women, retitled Twelve Angry Women, Twelve Angry Men and Women, or Twelve Angry Jurors.

Twelve Angry Jurors is a multi-award-winning show that has won a Drama Desk Award, a Drama League Award, and three Tony Award nominations. Twelve Angry Jurors is directed by assistant professor Marc Williams. Scenic design is by associate professor Michael Benson and costume design is by associate professor Kevin McCluskey. Lighting and sound design are by Catherine Girardi and student sound designer Matthew Carrol, respectively. For further information, call the Klein Theatre Box Office at (540) 654-1111 or visit www.FredTix.com.

The University of Mary Washington continues to be among the top universities in the college guidebooks. UMW is ranked regionally as a “best bang for the buck” choice and listed among the nation’s top 100 liberal arts colleges in Washington Monthly. Mary Washington is also included in The Best 390 Colleges, the latest higher education rankings edition from The Princeton Review.

The Princeton Review rankings come straight from student surveys focused on their college experiences. For UMW, the survey says that students are happy, love Fredericksburg, Virginia, and find majors and activities that matter to them. Biology, psychology, business administration, and communication and digital studies rise to the top of the list of popular pursuits, and UMW Theatre earns a spot in the best 25 theatre programs for the second year in a row. Mary Washington also received a place in the publication’s Best Regional Colleges category, landing among the top 100 schools in the Mid-Atlantic region. Read more.

Jacob Long, an experienced leader in public university administration, finances and budgets, has been named the vice president for administration and finance and chief financial officer at the University of Mary Washington. With more than two decades of experience in state higher education, Long joins the University as a member of the cabinet leadership team. He will begin Oct. 25.

UMW President Troy Paino noted, “Jacob Long brings extensive experience in Virginia higher education and a proven track record of fiscal expertise, problem-solving skills and the ability to lead and collaborate with people across the institution. I look forward to working with him in the months and years to come.” Read more.

University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino welcomed employees to the new school year, delivering the annual fall faculty/staff address on Monday, Aug. 19, in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. During the hourlong gathering, he reflected on a campus abuzz with activity over the summer, from unique academic offerings to a flurry of construction projects, and spoke of an upcoming academic year packed with projects and plans.

“This campus is busy,” Paino said, pointing to the sports camps, recitals and summer orientation sessions UMW has hosted throughout the past months. “It’s hopping during the summer.”

Since Commencement in May, Mary Washington has welcomed a “remarkable” lineup of programing, Paino said. Examples include the Summer Science Institute, now named for alum Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59; the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Summer Institute; the Summer Enrichment Program; the Student Transition Program, now named STARS; and the housing of more than 100 interns for area employers.

And more than 600 alums returned to their alma mater for Reunion Weekend in June. “That kind of engagement is so important for our continued success here,” Paino said. “A lot of hard work goes into keeping our alums engaged in the work that we’re doing.” Read more.

A peek into Room 225 on the first day of classes at the Academy of Technology and Innovation at UMW (ATI-UMW) reveals just a taste of the learning taking place at the lab school, now kicking off its inaugural year.

Inside, Tyler Limbrick challenged students in his global studies class – which rolls the subjects of English and world history into a single curriculum – to draw the world map in five minutes. “Ready, go!” he said, while starting a timer and the theme song from Mission Impossible.

Down the hall, Spanish teacher Michael Arriaza, who does not use desks in his classroom, had students practice the pronunciation of the word profesor. And science teacher William Schlotter, who worked with the FBI in forensics before shifting to education, led an icebreaker based on the popular Scattergories game.

The new school wraps project-based learning experiences around the idea that mastering technology is increasingly important in the workforce no matter what careers students hope to pursue, from cybersecurity and political science to art, hospitality and fashion. Approved by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) late last year, ATI-UMW welcomed more than 80 ninth-graders – selected via lottery in January – from the City of Fredericksburg, as well as Caroline, King George, Orange and Stafford counties.

“ATI-UMW is really focused on helping students explore the reciprocal relationship between computer and data science applied across content areas,” said Executive Director Rebecca Towery, M.Ed. ’06. “We’re helping kids develop the skills to pursue the careers they’re most interested in.” Read more.

Each year, the University of Mary Washington surveys the newest graduates to learn about their first destination following Commencement. With results from 91% of the Class of 2023, an outstanding knowledge rate well above the National Association of Colleges and Employers benchmark of 65%, UMW knows recent grads are actively planning for the future and well on their way to life after Mary Washington.

“One very important way to assess our students’ outcomes is by looking at where they land after graduation and what their intentions were,” said Associate Provost for Career and Workforce Kimberly Young. The goal is to hear from new alumni within six months of graduation either by the survey or through social media updates, and within this time, nearly 90% of UMW graduates have secured employment, started graduate school or decided to serve in the military, AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps.

UMW students do great things in the region and across the nation and significantly contribute through non-profit and public service. For alumni careers, of the 67% who answer they are employed, about half go into for-profit organizations, about 21% work in the nonprofit sector, and a notable 23% choose public service professions. Read more.

The University of Mary Washington ended the 2023-24 fiscal year on June 30, announcing an impressive $14.5 million in gifts and pledges that will help strengthen and enhance the UMW student experience.

Private support from 5,146 generous donors helped Mary Washington continue its commitment to providing students with an outstanding liberal arts and sciences education filled with impactful learning opportunities. Gifts this year benefited 315 areas across the University, including academics, arts, athletics, service and leadership initiatives, career services and cultural programs.

“We are deeply appreciative of the investments the UMW community has made in our institution this year,” said Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte. “The generosity of our alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff and students is vital to advancing our mission and to helping to attract, retain and graduate exceptional students from Mary Washington.”

Read the full story at Giving.umw.edu.