From left to right: Associate Professor of Chemistry Randy Reif, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Sarah Smith, Professor of Biological Sciences Dianne Baker

Professor of Biological Sciences Dianne Baker, Associate Professor of Chemistry Randy Reif and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Sarah Smith appeared on a recent episode of WFVA Radio’s ‘Town Talk’ show to talk about the 10-week Summer Science Institute, a full-summer experience for students studying the sciences at UMW. Listen to the episode.

UMW Men’s and Women’s Swimming Teams Honored as CSCAA Spring Scholar All-America Teams

The University of Mary Washington men’s and women’s swimming teams were among 722 teams from 417 institutions named to the Scholar All-America Team for the Spring 2024 semester by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). These teams, representing a total of 17,162 student-athletes, were chosen based on their outstanding academic performance during the specified semester.

To qualify for this prestigious recognition, teams had to earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 during the Spring 2024 semester. Of the selected teams, an impressive 563 achieved a GPA of 3.30 or above.

Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA, praised the outstanding achievements, stating, “The commitment to academic excellence shown by these teams is truly admirable. It’s inspiring to see student-athletes excelling both in the pool and in their studies. The CSCAA takes great pride in acknowledging and celebrating the dedication and perseverance of these teams.”

The CSCAA extends its congratulations to all the teams and student-athletes on their remarkable achievements in the classroom during the Spring 2024 semester. This commitment to excellence is a testament to the student-athletes’ dedication to both their sport and their academic pursuits.

Visit the UMW Athletics website for all the latest stories on Mary Washington athletes.

The University of Mary Washington Center for Historic Preservation is proud to award its 2024 Book Prize to Citizen Science in Maritime Archaeology: The Power of Public Engagement, edited by Della A Scott-Ireton, Jennifer E Jones, and Jason T. Raupp.  Citizen Science in Maritime Archaeology is a collection of essays exploring the wide variety of ways volunteers have been involved in gathering and processing data in cultural heritage projects in underwater environments around the world.  Whether involving combat veterans in or high school students, these projects are all grass roots efforts to actively engage communities in the scientific process of mapping, documenting, and preserving tangible fragments of our shared history that is found under water. While each of these essays could stand on its own as a deep case study of a specific place, from Massachusetts to New Zealand, as a collection this volume provides a glimpse at the future of the field where deep relationships with communities lead to meaningful collaborations in historic preservation.  Contributing authors Daniel Houlihan and Calvin Mires summarize this spirit when they state “We also begin to articulate a larger framework for understanding how citizen science projects can advance science while, simultaneously, enhancing the lives of participants.” (33) In each chapter, authors are honest in assessing the challenges of working in the field, generously sharing lessons learned in this eminently readable volume. This work is essential reading for everyone who is involved in studying or practicing professionally in historic preservation, a field that depends on the crucial work and passion of volunteers in preserving and interpreting our shared human histories.

Dr. Della A Scott-Ireton is associate director for the Florida Public Archaeology Network, University of West Florida and specializes in maritime and public archaeology.  Dr. Jennifer E. Jones is librarian, graduate of the East Carolina University coastal resources management program, and recipient of a US Fulbright Scholar Award 2020-2021.  Dr. Jason T. Raupp is assistant professor of maritime studies at East Carolina University.

The University of Mary Washington Center for Historic Preservation has awarded this prize annually since 1989 to the book (or books) with the most potential for positively impacting the discipline of historic preservation in the United States. In making its selection, the jury focuses on books that break new ground or contribute to the intellectual vitality of the preservation movement. Winners receive a monetary prize and are invited to give a lecture at UMW. The jury was comprised of preservation academics, professionals, alumni and a current student.

2024 University of Mary Washington Book Prize Committee:

Christine Rae Henry, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Historic Preservation, University of Mary Washington (Chair)

Erica Berger, UMW Class of 2025, Knight Scholar, Historic Preservation, University of Mary Washington
Paige Gibbon Bachus, Historic Site Manager, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre & Lucasville School

Andréa Livi Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Historic Preservation, University of Mary Washington

Jessica Ugarte, Tax Credit Reviewer, Virginia Department of Historic Resources

UMW Landscape & Grounds is adopting new, greener battery-powered equipment.

As UMW adopts more sustainable practices to improve operations and support the university’s carbon neutrality goals, our campus landscape equipment is also making the transition from noisy, gas-powered landscaping equipment to clean technologies. The transition will be a work in progress, which began with a “field day” event on the morning of June 13 in Jefferson Square, with demonstrations of the new equipment. Kenneth Glass, Technical Sales Specialist from Mid-Atlantic STIHL, was on hand to demonstrate the ins and outs of the quieter, cleaner landscape equipment, including string trimmers, hedge pruners, pole saws, leaf blowers and more!

UMW celebrates the students who made the President’s and Dean’s Lists for the spring 2024 semester.

The University of Mary Washington announces its spring 2024 President’s List and Dean’s List.

To be recognized on these lists a student must carry at least 12 graded credits of new coursework. Students who earn a grade-point average of 4.00 on all work taken for graded credit in a semester receive a spot on the President’s List. Students who earn a grade-point average of 3.50 to 3.99 on all work taken for graded credit in a semester are placed on the Dean’s List.

Decisions regarding inclusion on the lists are based on a student’s record as it stands at the official close-of-the-semester grading period. A temporary grade (I or G) postpones consideration; however, once this grade is converted to a permanent letter grade, the student’s GPA is calculated and, if appropriate, a list notation will be made on the student’s permanent record.

We congratulate the students earning these honors this semester and hope you will share in recognizing their academic achievements @MaryWash. Read more.

Don’t miss summer visit and scholarship opportunities at University of Mary Washington! The Fredericksburg campus is a must-see in the summer!

High school students and their families can get an early start on their college search with the University of Mary Washington’s summer visits.

Located just one hour south of Washington, D.C., UMW is a small-sized university that offers big opportunities, with state-of-the-art labs for research, studios and performance spaces for the arts, a dynamic business program and innovative teaching environments. UMW connects students with transformative experiences, including internships, research projects, community service opportunities and study abroad programs, plus more than 150 student organizations and NCAA Division III Athletics.

The campus boasts a warm and welcoming community on 234 acres in the heart of Fredericksburg, Virginia, which bustles with history, the arts and plenty of options for foodies and coffee fanatics.

Scheduling a campus tour – especially during summer – lets families experience firsthand what sets Mary Washington apart, and the process couldn’t be easier. Read more.