April 10, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Yoga in the Garden at the James Monroe Museum

by

Join us on Saturday, May 11, from 8 to 9 a.m. to get energized for your weekend with outdoor yoga! Ren Fields and other teachers from Healing Arts Yoga will offer drop-in classes for all ages and skill levels. This program allows the James Monroe Museum to participate in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, and we’re excited to be joining the list of museums and galleries that encourage healthy living through programs and exhibits.

Classes are $12/person. We recommend bringing a yoga mat.

Read the Free Lance-Star article about this program here.

We hope you will join us!

Board of Visitors Announces Faculty Promotions, Tenures

by

At its April 19 meeting, the Board of Visitors granted final approval for promotion and/or tenure for the following faculty members.

“I am certain that you will join with me in congratulating them on reaching these important milestones in their academic careers,” said Ian D.C. Newbould, interim provost.

UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Promotion and Tenure

Laurie B. Abeel, Associate Professor in the Department of Foundations, Leadership, and Special Populations granted tenure.

Surupa Gupta, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Affairs granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor.

Jane L. Huffman, Associate Professor in the Department of Foundations, Leadership, and Special Populations granted tenure.

Rosemary K. Jesionowski, Assistant Professor in the Department of Art and Art History granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor.

Emile J. Lester, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Affairs granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor.

Miriam N. Liss, promoted from Associate Professor of Psychology to the rank of Professor.

Jeffrey W. McClurken, promoted from Associate Professor of History to the rank of Professor.

Clarence W. Tweedy, Assistant Professor in the Department of English, Linguistics, and Communication granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor.

Ronald A. Zacharski, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor.

Xiaofeng Zhao, Assistant Professor in the College of Business granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor.

 

 

 

Strategic Resource Allocation Process Underway

by

A message from President Hurley:

As you may know, the Strategic Resource Allocation project that I announced earlier is now underway.  Both the Academic and Support task forces have organized and are moving forward in conducting their important work.  Although much of the work of these groups must be confidential in nature, everyone involved is committed to providing as much communication about the process as is appropriate and to creating opportunities for input from throughout the UMW community.  Therefore, a new website has been created to foster this type of information sharing.  In order to access the website, there is a link to the site posted on the President’s Office page.

Best wishes for a great summer.

Richard V. Hurley
President

 

Status of Amendments to the Honor Constitution

by

Artful-School-Pix-006The University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors considered four procedural changes to the Honor Constitution recommended by students and approved three at the April 19 meeting. The recommended changes are listed below. Number three, the definition of stealing, was not endorsed by the BOV.

“On behalf of the Fredericksburg Campus Honor Council, I would like to thank all those students who participated by voting and express our appreciation to Dr. David Rettinger for his assistance in the process,” said Alice O’Brien, president of the Fredericksburg Campus Honor Council.  “Honor is a way of life at the University of Mary Washington, and we take pride in the fact that the Board of Visitors of the University delegates to the students the authority to operate and maintain the honor system. Your acceptance of and participation in the honor system is vital to its continued success and relevance to the community.”

1.  Change to Honor Suspension:  This sanction was amended so that suspension would no longer be retroactive. The new sanction of suspension can be applied to the current or future semester(s).

2.  Procedure for handling multiple Honor Code violations:  This new procedure clarifies that cases are heard through completion, in the order they are received by the Honor Council.

3.  Stealing.  Changes throughout to indicate that, for purposes of making an honor accusation, “stealing” is limited to an academic context.

4.  Clarifying official beginning of an honor case:  Addition to Article II, Section 1.F – the official start of an honor proceeding begins with first contact either by the accuser or by the Honor Council.

 

 

 

 

CED Students Present Research

by

 

University of Mary Washington Sophomore Jack Anderson, Junior Josh Bollinger, and Senior Shayda Rezazad presented their semester’s work on researching the small business economy of Stafford, Va. at the Center for Economic Development on April 25 to Economic Development Executives from Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties.

University of Mary Washington Sophomore Jack Anderson, Junior Josh Bollinger, and Senior Shayda Rezazad presented their semester’s work on researching the small business economy of Stafford, Va. at the Center for Economic Development on April 25 to Economic Development Executives from Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties. Pictured from left are Brian J. Baker, executive director for entrepreneurship and business development at the University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development, Rezazad, Bollinger and Anderson.

 

2013 Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts Open Enrollment

by

Open Enrollment is May 1 – 24, 2013. This is the time each year to make decisions about your health benefits and flexible spending accounts. You may enroll in a plan, change plans, add oefamilyor remove family members, or waive state health coverage.  You must enroll every plan year to have a Flexible Spending Account.  Additional information is located at  http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/hbenefits/OE2013/OpenEnrollment2013.html

Virginia Public Service Week

by

Next Week (May 6- May 10) is Virginia Public Service Week!  Join in these special events sponsored by the Staff Advisory Council and take time to show appreciation for a colleague through the VPSW apprecVPSWiation blog!

EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE S.A.C. ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

Monday, May 6 

CORN HOLE GAMES: Who is the real UMW Corn hole Champaign?

12:00 noon  Ball Circle (Fredericksburg Campus)

12:00 noon  Between North and South Buildings (Stafford Campus)

Tuesday, May 7      

TOUR OF RANDOLOH/MASON (Fredericksburg Campus):  Come see the beautiful renovation of Randolph and Mason Halls.  Tour led by Chris Porter.

12:30 p.m.  Steps of Randolph, near the Chappell Bell Tower

POT LUCK LUNCHEON (Stafford Campus): Bring your favorite pot luck dish and join in the fun at 12:30 p.m.  South Conference Room  

Wednesday, May 8 

FAVORITE BOARD GAME LUNCH: Bring your lunch and your favorite board game –  challenge your co-workers to an hour of fun!

12:00 noon  Marye House (Fredericksburg Campus)

12:00 noon  North Building University Hall (Stafford Campus)

YOGA:  Come revitalize your body, relax your mind, and increase your energy.

12:30 p.m. Great Hall, Room 1 (Fredericksburg Campus)  

Thursday, May 9

BELMONT TOUR: What a beautiful time of year to come visit the breathtaking grounds of Gari Melchers Home and Studio!

12:30 p.m.  Meet at Chappell Bell Tower (Fredericksburg Campus)

12:30 p.m.  Meet in South Lobby (Stafford Campus)

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 6-10.  The blog will go live on the 6th 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.

Daily Prize Drawings:  Two lucky employees will be the daily winners of $25 prizes during VPSW.  A random drawing will take place and then the two winners will be notified by email.

We appreciate your sharing this announcement and flyer 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 Priscilla Sullivan at 654-1376. For any additional questions or information about the blog and prizes please contact Jennifer Cooper in the Office of Human Resources at 654-1046.

For more information or updates, go to http://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/employee-relations/worklife/whats-new/

 

Administrative Professionals Day

by

admin dayCongratulations to our 25 administrative professionals who were able to attend the 11th annual Administrative Professionals’ Seminar with this year’s theme, “Honoring the Office Professionals Who Make Offices Work.”  Some of the topics covered were “Professionalism in the Workplace,” “Fierce Leadership for the Administrative Professional,” “What Leaders Do: Being a leader in all Aspects of your life,” and “Social Media Savvy.”  We are happy our colleagues were able to take advantage of this great learning opportunity.

– Submitted by the Office of Human Resources

UMW App Entrepreneurs Win Start-up Challenge

by

from left to right: Patrick Byrne, Christophe Perdu, Benjamin Brown, Anthony Seippel, Andy Leonard and Seamus Hooban

from left to right: Patrick Byrne, Christophe Perdu, Benjamin Brown, Anthony Seippel, Andy Leonard and Seamus Hooban

Imagine an app where users could access an interactive map of the University of Mary Washington to determine whether any treadmills are available in the Fitness Center, check the menu at Seacobeck Dining Hall, or find events on campus. This enterprising idea already brewing in the heads of senior Seamus Hooban and recent graduate Andy Leonard may soon become a reality.

In a nod to the popular TV show Shark Tank, UMW students recently pitched their business plans to a panel of judges as part of the Eagle Start-up Challenge. The brainchild of the student-run UMW Entrepreneurs Club, the Center for Economic Development’s EagleWorks, and the Small Business Development Center, the challenge encourages start-up businesses among students.

Hooban, an economics major, and Leonard, an English major, received a cash prize of $350, provided by the Rappahannock Economic Development Corp. They plan to create a mobile app, called Campus Connect, where campus information can be aggregated in one centralized place to maximize students’ time.

The first place winners also earned access to a virtual office through the Small Business Development Center’s latest project EagleWorks, paid admission to a BluePrint business class and free consultations with the Small Business Development Center.

Eventually, Leonard and Hooban hope to expand beyond UMW to other colleges and universities. They believe that this app would save colleges and universities money because it would help them determine how to allocate resources.

The second place prize of $150 went to junior Anthony Seippel for his company Ruiner Wear. An artist, Seippel plans to build an artist brand where he creates commissioned designs and other artwork. He has already sold designs, logos, and T-shirts. Other presentations included a micro-brewing company and a legal services portal.

By Melina Downs

Volunteers Needed for Midnight Breakfast

by

Eagle Dining will be hosting its traditional free Midnight Breakfast for students on Monday night (April 29th) between 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. at Seacobeck Hall.  We are in need of additional volunteers to help serve at this fun and very fast paced event!  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Rose Benedict at rbenedic@umw.edu by Monday morning.