Ranny Corbin, Clerk of the Board of Visitors and Assistant Vice President for Special Initiatives, will  retire after more than 15 years of dedicated service to the University.

Please join us on Thursday, June 2, 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Dodd Foyer, as we say thank you, give our congratulations, and bid a fond farewell.  All faculty and staff are invited to attend this special occasion and to send Ranny off with our best wishes.

Guided Woodland Walks
Sunday, May 29, 2 p.m.

Conducted by Virginia Master Naturalists, these informative walks cover a mile of trails in both woodlands and fields and also touch on the historic ruins of Belmont’s past. Please wear sturdy footwear. Meet outside the Visitor Center.

View or print the Trail Map (PDF).

Unique Tees:  Silkscreen
Fenella Belle, Instructor of Art, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Audience: 3rd grade to adult

From idea to finished object, participants print their own professional-looking and unique t-shirt. Starting by discussing what makes a good design, participants create their own designs, cut stencils and print onto shirts using the silkscreen printing technique. Along the way, the concept of positive and negative shapes is introduced as they relate to stencil design. This workshop is a fun and fast paced day that involves both individual creativity and team work! Participants provide own t-shirts.

Watch this video of our last silkscreen class – loads of fun!

This program has been organized by the VMFA Office of Statewide Partnerships, and is funded, in part, by the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.

Workshop Cost: $20 members; $25 non-members.To register, please contact Education Coordinator Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540/654-1851.

The Belmont Stakes at Belmont
June 11

Join the excitement at Gari Melchers Home and Studio for the running of the 143rd Belmont Stakes.  The race will be televised live in the Studio Pavilion with a casual BBQ buffet and entertainment.

Don’t let this event come down to the wire.  Grab your tickets by June 4. Gates open: 4:30 p.m.  Wine and beer cash bar.                           

Entry fee: Friends of Belmont /$40; non-members $50. For reservations and information contact Betsy Labar at 540/654-1848.

Congratulations to those who crossed the finish line of the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon on Sunday.  Many UMW faculty, staff and administrators completed the 13.1 mile race, including Mary Gendernalik-Cooper, dean of the College of Education; Donna Mejia, director of Leadership, Giving and Corporate and Foundation Relations; Tamie Pratt-Fartro, assistant professor of education; and Dan Steen, rector for the Board of Visitors. The Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon is an annual event held entirely within Fredericksburg city limits.

On May 17, Beate Jensen, Buildings and Grounds Preservation Supervisor at Gari Melchers Home and Studio, was presented with a Stafford County Historic Preservation Award by the Stafford County Historical Commission.  Recognized at a Board of Supervisors meeting, Beate was cited “For her diligence in promoting and organizing volunteer efforts for the restoration of the Fannie Roots House in historic Falmouth.”

Did you know…

• If you take no action during Open Enrollment, you will remain in the same health plan, membership, or waived status and will not have a Flexible Reimbursement Account.
• You can save out-of-pocket health care and/or child and elder care costs by enrolling in a Flexible Reimbursement Account.
• You must enroll in a Flexible Reimbursement Account each plan year; Flex Accounts do not automatically roll over.
• You may now cover eligible dependent children through the end of the year in which they turn age 26.
• If your eligible child is on extended coverage, he/she will not automatically be enrolled in your health plan. You must add your child during Open Enrollment.
• Many of the rules related to dependent eligibility no longer apply?

For additional information and to make your benefits elections, please visit the Open Enrollment website (http://www.umw.edu/hr/benefits/open_enrollment1111111.php).  If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Tammy Prailey in the Office of Human Resources at 654-1215 or tprailey@umw.edu.

The spring issue of University of Mary Washington Magazine focuses on the University’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides. If you would like a copy, the Publications Office is happy to send one out to you. Just contact Anna Billingsley at abilling@umw.edu or at ext. 1686, or stop by University Relations on the third floor of Eagle Village.

On Sunday, May 15, Kyra Swanson, assistant curator of UMW Galleries will present a lecture on American decorative arts styles from 1680 through 1850. Style in the decorative arts often describes “a specific set of visual characteristics”. The ability to recognize a style requires the careful study and the development of a visual vocabulary upon which to draw for reference.   This talk will cover the key elements to look for when examining an object in order to determine its stylistic category: line, proportion, volume, ornamentation, texture, material, color, scale.  In addition, it will include discussion on the relationship of objects to the culture and society and how it affects the development stylistic elements.

Ridderhof Martin Gallery, College Avenue at Seacobeck Street; 2 p.m.; free, registration required; (540) 654-1013

The pedestrian bridge from Eagle Landing over Route 1 and the temporary walk around the Anderson Center will be closed next week from Monday, May 9 to Friday, May 13, 2011 to allow construction activity, including the grading and paving of parking and service entrances at the Anderson Center.  The walkway will be reopened by Saturday May 14, 2011.  Please contact Gary Hobson at (540) 654-1292, should you have any questions.