The College of Business was thrilled to welcome alumnus Jin Wong ’97, Assistant General Manager of Baseball Administration for the Kansas City Royals, back to campus on Thursday, May 19. Jin spoke with a College of Business class from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. in Woodard Hall, Room 202. The event was free and open to all.
Wilson Selected for the Virginia Network: Senior Leadership
It is with great honor that we recognize one of our own, Aries Wilson, for her acceptance to the forthcoming Virginia Network Senior Leadership Seminar. The Virginia Network is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that provides programs designed to advance the professional development of women in higher education. As a member of the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) team, Wilson wears multiple hats and her involvement is central to the division’s success.
Aries, on behalf of D&I and the UMW Community, we salute you.
UMW Dean of Student Life Named ‘Living Legacy’
University of Mary Washington Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life Cedric Rucker was awarded the Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Living Legacy distinction Friday, April 29. He was recognized as an inspirational leader who exemplifies an extraordinary life.
Cedric Rucker
Rucker was honored along with a handful of other alumni of Richmond Public Schools (RPS), including former NFL linebacker Willie Lanier and retired Virginia Senator Henry L. Marsh. All the recipients were described as “giants” in their fields.
“RPS prepared us to work hard, and to imagine a world anew,” said Rucker, reflecting on his journey within the Richmond Public School system, and specifically his alma mater, John Marshall High School.
He cited his parents and his grandparents as inspirational foundations, and he pointed to UMW alumni in the audience as “innovative leaders” whom he leaves as his legacy.
“We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us,” he added, “and we have a responsibility to uplift the next generation.”
Known for his infectious laugh and brightly-colored bow tie collection, Rucker ’81 has spent more than three decades at Mary Washington. He started out as the school’s first residential African-American male student. After earning his masters at U.Va., and filling a brief stint there as assistant dean of admissions, he returned to UMW. He is a highly visible and beloved administrator, as well as teacher of sociology classes.
The annual Living Legacy program, now in its fifth year, is presented by the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that partners with the school district to improve student learning and achievement in preparation for success in college, career and community.
For more information about the award, visit http://rpseducationfoundation.org/.
Six Awarded Emeritus Status
Five longtime professors will be awarded emeritus status during the University of Mary Washington’s graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7.
Friday’s graduate ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. Saturday’s undergraduate ceremony begins at 9 a.m. on Ball Circle on the university’s Fredericksburg campus. Gail Brooks will be named Professor Emerita of Management Information Systems; Joe DiBella will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art; James Goehring will be named Professor Emeritus of Religion; Chris Kilmartin will be named Professor Emeritus of Psychology; and Werner Wieland will be named Professor Emeritus of Biology.
The title of emeritus is bestowed on faculty members who have served the university for at least 15 years and who have attained the rank of professor or associate professor.
Gail Brooks
Gail Brooks, professor of management information systems, came to Mary Washington in 1990 as an adjunct professor and joined the faculty in 1999. Brooks, who has taught a wide variety of computer science and business classes, was awarded the University’s Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award in 2007.
She received a Ph.D. in education from George Mason University, where she specialized in assistive and instructional technology.
Joe DiBella
Joe DiBella has taught art at UMW since 1977. In recognition of his dedication to his students, he was awarded the Grellet C. Simpson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 1983. DiBella served as the first director of the University Galleries and was instrumental in the establishment of the Ridderhof Martin Gallery. In addition, he has been chair of the Department of Art and Art History, and co-director of the University’s summer program in Urbino, Italy.
DiBella, who has served on the UMW Galleries advisory committee since 2001, is an expert in color theory, painting, drawing and issues in contemporary art. A signature member of the National Watercolor Society, he has shown in work in local, regional, national and international exhibitions. He received a master of fine arts in painting from Northern Illinois University.
James Goehring
James Goehring, professor of religion, joined the faculty at Mary Washington in 1985. In 1989, Goehring was honored with the Alumni Association Outstanding Young Faculty Award and later was recognized as a Jepson Fellow. An expert in late antique and early Christian studies, he has taught such courses as Religion in America, Hebrew Bible and Coptic Reading.
Author of numerous articles and books, Goehring was named an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at the Göttingen, Germany Academy of Sciences, in 1989. In addition, he worked with an American team to edit and translate the Nag Hammadi Codices and participated in the archaeological excavations of an early monastic site in Upper Egypt. He received a Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate College in early Christian studies.
Chris Kilmartin
Chris Kilmartin joined the Mary Washington faculty in 1989. A licensed clinical psychologist, he received the 2015 Waple Faculty Professional Achievement Award for accomplishments earned while at the University. An international expert on gender issues and violence prevention, Kilmartin has shared his expertise with the military. He has taught courses at the Air Force Academy, consulted with the U.S. Naval Academy to institute a new sexual assault prevention curriculum and worked the U.S. Army to develop a sexual assault prevention training film.
Author of numerous books on gender and masculinity, Kilmartin has performed his one-man play, Crimes Against Nature at more than 200 campuses and other venues. He received a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Werner Wieland
Werner Wieland has been a professor of biology at UMW since 1983. He was honored with the Mary Pinschmidt Award in 2000 by the graduating class, whose members selected him as the faculty member they felt would have the greatest impact on their lives.
An expert in aquatic biology, he has been a principal investigator for research of ecosystems in the Rappahannock and York river basins. Wieland worked with students to identify and catalog turtles to determine their viability. He received a Ph.D. from Auburn University in zoology and fisheries.
Moerman Given Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation
Congratulations to Allyson Moerman, Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller, for being selected as the 2016 Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation winner. Some of the many comments that were written about her were:
– Allyson’s service to UMW is the definition of dedication.
– She is fiercely loyal to her staff and to the University.
– She has demonstrated strong leadership and characteristics.
– She is truly a natural-born leader who has many amazing qualities, and one which benefits UMW most is her innate ability to hire—and keep—quality employees. She knows how to motivate people and encourages people to grow professionally.
We will recognize Allyson formally at the Employee Fall event on October 18.
Allyson Moerman
Updated Rain Location for President Hurley’s Farewell, April 29
Please note that the rain location for President Hurley’s farewell reception has been moved to the Chandler Ballroom in the University Center.
Farewell for President Hurley
Friday, April 29
4-7 p.m.
Brompton Lawn
Rain Location Chandler Ballroom
Virginia Public Service Week Activities, May 2-6
The following activities are for you to take some time to celebrate each other and ALL that YOU DO!
VIRGINIA PUBLIC SERVICE WEEK 2016
Activities for Employees
Monday, May 2 – Friday, May 6
Please share this information with employees in your department who may not have access to email. If you have any questions or need additional information or assistance in order to attend any of the events above please contact Jennifer Cooper in the Office of Human Resources at 654-1046.
Throughout the Week
ONLINE APPRECIATION BLOG
Back by popular demand…take advantage of the appreciation blog to let your fellow co-workers know how much you appreciate them during VPSW: May 2 – 6. The blog will go live on the 2nd and can be accessed at the following address: http://vpsw.umwblogs.org. You can also drop off your “thank you” at the Fairfax House and a Human Resources staff member will post them. This is also a great week to send your # 1 F.A.N ‘s to colleagues for free UMW gifts!
DAILY PRIZE DRAWINGS
Each day of the week, a lucky employee will be the winner of a $100 Macy’s gift card during VPSW. A random drawing will take place and then the winner will be notified by email.
Monday, May 2: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
POPCORN SOCIAL (The Popcorn Bag)
Outside of Trinkle Hall
(Rain location: University Center – Chandler Ballroom)
Stafford Campus, Dahlgren Campus – locations and times TBD
Tuesday, May 3: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Outside of Trinkle Hall
(Rain location: University Center-Chandler Ballroom)
Stafford Campus, Dahlgren Campus – locations and times TBD
CYCLE CLASS 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (cycle studio)
YOGA CLASS 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (dance studio)
Classes in the Fitness Center, dedicated staff only classes.
Wednesday, May 4: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
CORNHOLE GAMES with S.A.C.
Green next to Lee Hall, Fredericksburg Campus
(Rain location: hallway of GW basement)
Thursday, May 5: 11:45 a.m.
GARI MELCHERS HOME & GARDENS TOUR 12:00 p.m.
Meet in the GW parking lot at 11:45 a.m. for an 11:55 a.m. departure. Look for the UMW van for a ride over to Gari Melchers Home & Studio.
Excellent Eagle Employee
Accounting’s Tracey Funtanilla is SAC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of May. Here’s what Tracey’s champion had to say about her.
Tracey is a great team member of the Accounting Department who is always willing to step in and assist when & where she is needed. She often provides support to the Cashier’s Office in addition to maintaining her own tasks. She communicates and coordinates with other departments which exemplifies good internal customer service. Tracey always seeks to expand her knowledge and skills while also sharing her knowledge and expertise with others. UMW Finance is fortunate to have Tracey on staff!
Congratulations, Tracey!!
To nominate your co-workers, supervisor, or employees for the Excellent Eagle Employee award, simply send an email to eenominations@umw.edu with Excellent Eagle Employee in the subject line. Be sure to provide the person’s name, department and work location with the most convenient parking lot, and the reason they should be recognized.
Professional Development & Lunch for UMW Administrative Support
Again this year, we hope that our administrative support professionals are able to take advantage of this professional development and networking opportunity – the one-day Administrative Professional’s Seminar, sponsored by Germanna Community College, Center for Workforce & Community Education on Thursday, April 28, 2016. Many of our administrative support professionals have attended for the last four years and continue to rave about the experience! Please see the flier for information on the conference.
While each department would be responsible for the registration fee for their employee(s), because of our ever-increasing attendance, UMW will receive a $14 discount per person ($75 rather than $89). In order to receive the discount, UMW must send 12 employees to the conference. Please return the attached registration form to Susan Brown at sbrown@germanna.edu with your phone number in the email so that she may call you for payment. The fee includes the day’s events as well as a continental breakfast and boxed lunch. The registration deadline is April 14. Questions? Contact Susan via email.
And don’t forget our annual appreciation lunch…
We would also like to recognize the exceptional work and dedication that our administrative support professionals give your departments daily. The University will provide a complimentary lunch for our administrative support professionals on Wednesday, April 27, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Faculty Dining Room of the University Center. We look forward to celebrating these valued members of the UMW team. RSVP is required by April 26 by emailing jcooper4@umw.edu.
Please contact Jennifer Cooper at jcooper4@umw.edu with any questions.
Philharmonic Spring Concert “South of the Border” April 22
The UMW Philharmonic hosts renowned Argentine conductor Lucia Zicos as they perform music from South America and Latin America.