On Wednesday, April 11, Dr. Laura Mentore (Anthropology) will share a presentation entitled “The Social Life of Plants in Amazonia”. The presentation will begin at 4 p.m. in Combs Hall, Room 237. Fair Trade coffee/tea and cookies will be served. This is the fifth and last talk of the year for the colloquium. Please come and join in the discussion!
Students Tour Nation’s Capital and Talk Leadership
UMW students with Rep. John Lewis in Washington D.C.
On Wednesday, March 21, UMW students got an inside look at Washington D.C. and learned about leadership in the process. “Leaders of the Free World: Global Citizenship,” part of the AT&T Student Leadership Colloquium, gave 10 students the opportunity to spend the day at the U.S. Capitol Building, while thinking critically about leadership and citizenship.
The group visited Rep. Rob Wittman’s office, took a tour of the Capitol building with aides from Rep. Bruce Braley’s office and talked with Rep. Jared Polis about the importance of education. The students also spoke with Rep. John Lewis for more than two hours about leading through change.
Courtney Chapman-Thomas, director of leadership and coordinator of strategic initiatives, and Anand Rao, associate professor of English and director of speaking intensive programs, accompanied the students, who ranged from freshmen to graduating seniors. The day trip was open to all students on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The next event for the AT&T Student Leadership Colloquium will be a leadership discussion and project on Monday, April 2. The discussion will take place in Lee Hall, Room 411 at 6 p.m. and will be based on the topic “I serve, but do I lead?”
UMW Libraries Acquires Photograph of 1920 Summer School Session
UMW Libraries recently purchased a 1920s photograph of “Faculty and Students, Summer School, July 22, 1920, State Normal School” which was showcased in the Flashback section of the Free Lance-Star. The photograph was originally purchased by Ingrid and Michael Kelly at the Big Flea Market in Chantilly. The Kellys, whose daughter and son-in-law graduated from Mary Washington in the 1980s, hoped that by publishing the image in the paper someone might be able to recognize a family member who attended Mary Washington in those early years. Founded in 1908, the University of Mary Washington transitioned from the State Normal School to the State Teachers College at Fredericksburg in 1924.
University historian, William B. “Bill” Crawley, and archivist, Carolyn S. Parsons were contacted by the Free Lance-Star staff regarding the history of the image. President Algernon. B. Chandler, Jr. and Bunyan Yates Tyner, dean and professor of education, were identified seated in the front row surrounded by other students and faculty. Early yearbooks and bulletins usually show only photographs of classes attending the full academic session, so to locate an image of an early summer school session is unique. Already researchers have stopped by the University Archives to see if they can locate their grandmothers or aunts in the photograph.
The original Free Lance-Star article on the photograph is located at http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2012/022012/02212012/678094.
The University Archives collects materials on the history of the University of Mary Washington and serves as the official repository for archival and historical materials for all offices, departments, and divisions of the University. For additional information visit UMW Libraries, Special Collections, at http://libguides.umw.edu/SpecColl.
Tim Owens Named Excellent Eagle Employee
Congratulations to Tim Owens, instructional technology specialist in the Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies, who has been selected as an Excellent Eagle Employee by the Staff Advisory Council. To thank him for such a wonderful job, Tim will have a reserved parking spot of his choosing from Monday, April 2 through Monday, April 30.
Here is what one of Tim’s co-workers said about him:
“Tim sets a high standard for customer service at the university. He provides prompt, professional service and takes the extra step to find the solution to technical problems. Not only will he find solutions but he will explain your options, make recommendations and work to put the solution into place. He is incredibly accommodating and always happy to work with people.”
To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, send an email to Priscilla Sullivan (psulliva@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the Subject Line. In your email, be sure to list the person’s name, department, work location (with the most convenient parking lot), and of course, the reason why you believe they should be recognized. Please spread the word to other employees about this wonderful opportunity to recognize a co-worker(s).
UMW Hosts Sixth Annual Calculus Tournament
The Paul VI Catholic High School team won the 2011 tournament
On Saturday, March 31, seven regional high schools will compete Jeopardy-style at the Sixth Annual University of Mary Washington High School Calculus Tournament. This year, the tournament will feature 10 high school teams, with a total of 38 students competing. About 10 UMW students will help run the competition.
Last year, the “Ubiquitous C’s” from Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va., ranked first, and Paul VI student Matt Whitlock earned the top individual score. High schools expected to attend this year include Orange County, Paul VI, Mountain View in Stafford County, Riverbend in Spotsylvania County, Fredericksburg Academy, Fredericksburg Christian and the regional Commonwealth Governor’s School. More than $1,000 worth of prizes will be awarded to the student winners as well as the schools represented by the top two teams.
The event will be held in Trinkle Hall on the Fredericksburg campus beginning at 8:30 a.m. The final round will take place at approximately 2:15 p.m. This year, the event is sponsored by GEICO, SimVentions Corporation, HDT Global and Texas Instruments.
Etiquette Dinner with President Hurley Next Week
President Richard V. Hurley and his wife, Rose Hurley, will join students at an etiquette dinner on Wednesday, April 4. The dinner, sponsored by the Office of Career Services and the Office of Alumni Relations, will give students the opportunity to enjoy a six-course meal and discuss dining and professional etiquette.
Several alumni, including Mary E. White ’99, Lloyd Backstrom ’61, Chris Fines ’99 and Barbara Williams ’95, plan to attend the dinner.
Students who would like to attend need to register through the Office of Career Services. More information is available at http://academics.umw.edu/careerservices/2012/03/27/etiquette-dinner-with-president-hurley/.
Blood Drive @ Stafford Campus
The American Red Cross is sponsoring a Blood Drive at the Stafford campus on Tuesday, April 3 from 1 – 7 p.m. in University Hall. If you are interested in donating blood, please email Kevin Caffrey (kcaffrey@umw.edu) to make an appointment.
Fourth Annual World Language Day This Weekend
UMW Hand Percussion Club performs for World Language Day participants
On Saturday, March 24, University of Mary Washington’s Department of Modern Foreign Languages will give area high school students a chance to see what they offer through the Fourth Annual World Language Day, an annual outreach program dedicated to the appreciation and study of foreign languages.
On World Language Day, more than 100 high school students from across Virginia will spend a day at the university participating in competitions in foreign languages.
Marcel Rotter, founder of the event and associate professor of German, was inspired to start the event when he witnessed a day celebrating German language and culture at the University of Wisconsin.
“I thought that it seemed like something we should have here at Mary Washington, but I decided to include everyone by having all the major languages,” said Rotter.
With a whole day dedicated to languages, the event reinforces how important languages are at UMW and shows potential future students what the UMW foreign language department can offer them.
For more information about World Language Day, read the full press release from Wednesday, March 21.
For Third Year in a Row, UMW Named to President’s Community Service Honor Roll
The University of Mary Washington has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the third consecutive year. UMW is one of 642 U.S. colleges and universities recognized for engaging students, faculty and staff in substantial, relevant and meaningful service to communities.
The honor, presented to UMW’s Community Outreach and Resources (COAR), was awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education.
For information about COAR’s impact to the local community, read the full press release from Monday, March 19.
Executive-in-Residence Career Forum Tomorrow
UMW students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the Executive-in-Residence Career Forum Friday, March 23 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center. Meet the 2012 Executive-in-Residence Thomas P. Nerney and hear his views about the importance of planning career development and selecting the corporate culture that is right for you.
He will talk about his company, USLI, and its community goals — one of which is “making our people feel number one.” He also believes in “Leadership with Heart.” One of the principles of that philosophy promotes “coaching, celebrating, and correcting every day.” Please register today to reserve your place at the EIR Career Forum, and feel free to invite classes, clubs, or groups to attend with you.
Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends – please click here to register.
Students – click here to register through Employ-an-Eagle.