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.

Faculty are invited to join the education community Saturday, June 18, for the Summer 2011 “Teaching and Learning with Technology Conference” at the University of Mary Washington’s Stafford campus.  Throughout the day, you will experience sessions scheduled to provide the skills and techniques needed to combine digital content and tools to maximize student engagement and learning.

 For more information or to register, please visit:

http://www.umw.edu/education/about/announcements_news_informa/2011_edtech_conference.php

Contractors for the City of Fredericksburg completed removal of the boardwalk, except for the piers, on Sunday, May, 1. The fencing for passage through the Anderson Center site is fully installed and the bridge is now again open for crossing Route 1. The City plans to resume work for the removal of the piers on Wednesday, 5/4/11 with completion anticipated on Thursday,  5/5/11. (Photo from UMW FaceBook by Eric Grube Sr)