Dr. Stephen Solomon, 
the award-winning author of “Ellery’s Protest” and a professor at NYU, will deliver the lecture titled “God in Classroom: The Misunderstood Conflict Dividing America” on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.
in the Woodard Campus Center, Red Room. The free lecture is sponsored by the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, Campus Academic Resources Committee and the Department of Classics, Philosophy and Religion. For more information, contact Emile Lester at elester@umw.edu or 540/654-1146.
GLBTTQQIAAP Celebration| Stand Out! Speak Up!| (October 19-28)
STAND OUT! SPEAK UP!
If all people are to get the same opportunities and rights, then everyone must Stand Out! Speak Up! Societal norms seem to be shifting, queer rights and other GLBTTQQIAAP issues are becoming more prevalent in American politics. There have been legal victories, but there’s still a long way to travel on the road to egalitarianism. Join PRISM – People for the Rights of Sexual Minorities – and the James Farmer Multicultural Center to celebrate the courage to stand out and speak up for one’s beliefs and values.
GLBTTQQIAAP Kickoff Celebration
October 19
4-6 p.m., Ball Circle
(Rain location: Great Hall,Woodard Campus Center)
PRISM welcomes the entire campus community to share in a kickoff celebration that fuses food, live music, and fun. Read “PostSecret” style coming-out stories and be inspired by the experiences, struggles, and victories of your peers.
In this corner….. Fight for Your Rights Panel Discussion
October 20
6 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411
Join faculty, staff, and students as they discuss the many issues facing queer students at UMW. Learn about resources and tools that encourage positive change so you’ll be equipped to Speak Up!
PRISM Prom – Rio Carnival
October 22
8 p.m., Great Hall,Woodard Campus Center
Cost: $3
(Formal attire strongly encouraged)
Standing out at the high school prom might have made for a bad memory, but the memorable PRISM Prom can help undo all that. Look great and proudly stand out while you enjoy all the prom’s trappings – music, dancing, photos, and refreshments.
Changing Time, Changing Policies?
Debate on Protected Classes
October 24
6 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411
UMW students debate whether sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in Virginia and whether they should be included in the non-discrimination policies of Virginia’s colleges and universities. Stand out and speak up on the issues that affect your community.
GLBTTQQIAAP Cultural Celebration Keynote Performer: Andrea Gibson
October 26
7 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411
A powerful live performer, Andrea Gibson is the winner of the 2008 Women’s World Poetry Slam and has placed third in the world on two international poetry slam stages. With Gibson, the personal is political. Her themes deconstruct gender norms, sexuality, class, patriarchy, and white-supremacist capitalist culture.
Queer Film Festival
Featuring Milk and The Birdcage
October 27
6 p.m., Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center
(For mature audiences)
Milk tells the story of American gay rights activist Harvey Milk and his struggles as the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California.
The Birdcage illustrates how standing out and speaking up can be difficult. A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to their son’s request to put up a straight front when his fiancée’s anti-gay, moralistic parents come to call.
Storyteller to Perform at Belmont this Sunday
Free Program at Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont:
Great Art; Great Stories: Which Came First, the Stories or the Art?
Sunday, October 16, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
African griot storyteller Bill Grimmette will present a twenty-minute performance in the Studio Pavilion. This all-ages performance will be repeated twice: once at 1:30 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m.
This program is free and includes complimentary admission to the “William H. Johnson” exhibition.
The Smithsonian Community Grant Program, funded by MetLife Foundation, is a proud sponsor of this public program. Call 540/654-1015 or visit GariMelchers.org.
Run with the Law to Benefit Special Olympics Virginia
On Saturday, October 22, local law enforcement officers will join members of the public at Run with the Law, a 5K race to benefit Special Olympics Virginia. The race is the debut event of the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run, a statewide effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia.
The 5K will start at 8 a.m. at the Anderson Center and will be followed by a one-mile “fun run.” The course will go through the Mary Washington campus and the surrounding neighborhoods, ending on Campus Walk. Registration is $25 through October 16 and $30 the day of the race. For more information or to register, visit http://torchrunva.com/View/Page/Calendar_70 or contact Carrie Dyer at cdyer@specialolympicsva.org or (804) 726-3023.
Christina Eggenberger Named Excellent Eagle Employee
Congratulations to Christina Eggenberger, director of service in student affairs, who has been selected as an Excellent Eagle Employee by the Staff Advisory Council. To thank her for such a wonderful job, Christina will have a reserved parking spot of her choosing through Monday, October 31.
“It’s nice to be recognized for your hard work, no matter what form it comes in,” Christina said.
Here is what one of Christina’s co-workers said about her:
“Christina is an extraordinary example of how great employees care for not only our UMW community but the world. As the Director of Service, Her tireless dedication to the students is only surpassed by her passion for community service, leadership, and sustainability. Christina has continually provided assistance, planning, and leadership to programs and campaigns such as D.O.T. and Day of Caring. These essential programs benefit our institution, community, and world. Her presence is felt throughout University initiatives as she quietly works hard to provide a quality well rounded student experience within the department of Student Affairs. Lending a hand when illness struck a fellow employee, volunteering her time to teach Student Success Seminars, and always having an eagle spirit are just a few reasons why Christina an Excellent Eagle Employee!”
This year, community outreach and resources (COAR) and community service are in their own office. “We are excited for what it will do for our ability to grow,” Christina said.
To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, just send an email to Dre Anthes (aanthes@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the Subject Line. In your email, be sure to include 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).
Sustainability Day at UMW
Curious about sustainability? Join local experts and learn about recycling, composting, plastics in the environment, use of native grasses, stormwater effects and proper planting at Sustainability Day at UMW on Saturday, October 8. The activities will run from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Jefferson Square and are free and open to the public.
Bring your questions and unidentified pests to the Plant and Insect Clinic offered by Master Gardeners and the Stafford County Extension agent.
At 10:30 a.m., UMW staff will demonstrate dividing perennials, spring flowering bulbs and proper tree planting, followed by a presentation by volunteers from Tree Fredericksburg at noon.
Sponsors include the University of Mary Washington, Friends of the Rappahannock, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Rappahannock Group Sierra Club, Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area, the Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board and the UMW Ecology Club.
For more information, contact Joni Wilson at (540) 654-2088 or jwilson@umw.edu.
Annual James Monroe Lecture on Monday, October 3
The annual James Monroe Lecture is coming up on Monday, October 3 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall! This year’s speaker is Susan Kern, professor at the College of William and Mary, and author of the important new book The Jeffersons at Shadwell. Merging archaeology, material culture, and social history, Kern’s talk will reconstruct the fascinating story of Shadwell, the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson. Located in present-day Albemarle County, Shadwell was at the time considered “the frontier.” The Jeffersons’ role in settling Virginia provides a new perspective on Thomas Jefferson and on others – including James Monroe – who extended social and political power across Virginia as they moved west.
The free talk will be followed by a book signing and dessert reception. The annual JM Lecture is sponsored by the Board, Friends and staffs of the following UMW departments: James Monroe Museum; Center for Historic Preservation; Department of Historic Preservation; Department of History and American Studies. Call (540) 654-1043 or e-mail auphaus@umw.edu with questions.
UMW Jazz Ensemble to Perform for Red Cross Charity Event Tonight
The UMW Jazz Ensemble is providing live entertainment for the Starlight Social on Thursday, September 29. The social, which benefits the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, will be held from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Spotsylvania Town Centre on the Village Green near Bravo. Tickets are $10 per person or $20 per couple and are available at www.virginiacapitalredcross.org or (540) 735-0500.
The event will feature complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Bravo! Cucina Italiana, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Splitsville and The Greene Turtle. Denim-n-Lace, a country rock band, also will provide live entertainment. Wine from Potomac Point Winery will be available for purchase.
UMW Dahlgren Campus Sponsors Days of Caring Team
The UMW Dahlgren campus, in support of the Rappahannock United Way’s second annual King George Days of Caring, invites you to join Team UMW Dahlgren as a volunteer on Thursday, October 20. You’ll join other UMW volunteers who will invest their time and energy to assist a Rappahannock United Way member agency complete a project that is valuable to the agency and meaningful to the agency’s clients. Classified staff, with supervisor approval, may take one day (8 hours) of paid School Assistance and Volunteer Leave. Administrative/Professional Faculty, with supervisor approval, may take one day (8 hours) of Leave to Provide Community Service.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Mark Safferstone, executive director of UMW’s Dahlgren campus at msaffers@umw.edu or (540) 286-8013. Volunteers will be accepted on a first-come basis until 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 13th and Team UMW Dahlgren will be limited to a maximum of 10 team members.
Go to http://umweagleeye.wpengine.com/2011/09/15/umw-staff-volunteer-at-day-of-caring/ for the recent EagleEye article and photos of UMW’s participation in this year’s Days of Caring on September 15th.
For more information, go to the United Way’s website – http://www.rappahannockunitedway.org/daysofcaring.html.
Woodland Walk at Belmont this Sunday
A woodland hike will take place on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. at Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont.
Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers lead this informative hike that covers a mile of trails in both woodlands and fields and touches on the historic ruins of Belmont’s past. Please wear sturdy footwear as the terrain in uneven. Meet outside the Visitor Center. Free.
For more information, contact Gari Melchers Home and Studio at (540) 654-1015.
