University of Mary Washington hosted a second UMW Play Lab this semester. At UMW Play Lab, current and pre-service teachers (both undergraduate and graduate) take an elective course where they learn disability characteristics, teaching strategies, and research-based supports for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related disabilities. Halfway through the semester, UMW students run the Play Lab which meets for about 7 weeks. UMW students work 1:1 with the children with disabilities under faculty and community agency supervision. This semester we had 21 children (with and without disabilities-some are typically developing peers serving as role models) and 19 UMW students running Play Lab. Our focus this semester has been on the TEACCH program, Handwriting without Tears, and the Model Me Kids Social Skills. At the end of each session, UMW students train the families in the strategies that have been helpful in working with the children and parents receive resources at the training to help them support their child at home, school, and in the community.Reactions to the Play Lab have been overwhelmingly supportive and positive. Play Lab will start again this coming fall after taking a break for summer. UMW Play Lab is a non-profit organization managed through the UMW Foundation and is coordinated by Dr. Nicole Myers at UMW and Heather DeCou, M.Ed., LPC, of Exceptional Support Services of Fredericksburg. It currently meets at Helping Hands Pediatric Occupational Therapy. For more information about the course or to receive an application for a child to participate in Play lab, send an email to nmyers@umw.edu.
Scholarship Luncheon
The annual luncheon was held at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center on Saturday, April 2, 2011, with more than 200 guests in attendance. Students took the opportunity to thank their donors for their generosity, and donors enjoyed hearing about their recipients’ plans for the future.
Here is a slideshow of the day’s events.
Bookstore Announces Textbook Rental Program
Beginning with the Summer 2011 Sessions, the UMW bookstore will offer textbook rentals. Visit our website or the Campus Store for more information . 
umw.edu/bookstore
Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award
UMW Professor Steve Watkins’ first book for young readers, Down Sand Mountain, is now available in paperback at the University owned and operated UMW Bookstore.
“It’s the fall of 1966, and twelve-year-old Dewey Turner is determined to start the school year right. No more being the butt of every joke. He’ll be cool–a Lone Wolf like his older brother, Wayne. But an accident with shoe polish dashes these hopes–and earns Dewey his worst nickname yet. He finds an unlikely friend in Darla Turkel, the only person at Sand Mountain High who is more of an outcast than he is. Through their friendship, Dewey comes to learn a whole lot about his small town, and about the world outside it, too: things about racism and segregation, secrets, and standing up for what’s right.”
Topher Bill Online Auction Closes March 30
The annual Topher Bill Scholarship Auction is open for bidding until Wednesday, March 30 at 10 p.m. Check out the website at http://auction.umwchandler.net.
Items available for auction range from yummy—a tray of baklava, a chocolate tart or a sherry cake—to relaxing—a two-night stay for two at the Mt. Washington (N.H.) Bed and Breakfast. What’s more, psychology professors have offered to open their homes to serve a home-cooked meal for up to five students.
Check out the array of things available for bidding at http://auction.umwchandler.net/items.
Bidding is open to all. The Department of Psychology hopes that by going online this year, participation in the auction will increase.
Donations can be made directly to the Topher Bill Memorial Scholarship Fund by sending a check payable to the UMW Foundation and noting that it is for the Psychology Topher Bill Scholarship.
J. Christopher “Topher” Bill joined Mary Washington as an assistant professor of psychology in 1972. Specializing in perception, sports, law and statistics, he was beloved by colleagues and students when he passed away suddenly in 2001. Faculty and students established the Topher Bill Scholarship to honor his dedication to academic excellence, to his department and his students.
For more information, contact Jean Bennett (jbennett@umw.edu, 654-1054) or Debra Cowart Steckler (dsteckle@umw.edu, 654-1559).
White House Photo Archivist to Speak
White House Photo Archivist Janet Philips ’77 will give the lecture “Documenting the White House from the Wings” on Monday, March 28 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Chandler Hall, Room 102. Her talk will include a slideshow presentation about personal experiences over the past 23 years at the White House. The talk is free and open to the public. For more information, call (540) 654-1341 or maminraz@umw.edu.
A religion major at Mary Washington, Philips worked as photo librarian at the Washington Post from 1978 to 1987 and later at U.S. News and World Report. She earned a Master of Science in library science from Catholic University in 1988. That year, she joined the White House staff as photo archivist and has worked there since.
Following her lecture, Philips will participate in a Career Afternoon event in the Department of Classics, Philosophy and Religion in Trinkle Hall. Other participants will be P.G. Katsourakis, ’07, analyst with GeoData Corp., and Patrick Shepherd, ’04, who works in the public sector in ethics, compliance and continuing education.
The Philips lecture and the Career Afternoon are sponsored by the Department of Classics, Philosophy and Religion.
“Spelling Bee” to Open March 31
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will open at Klein Theatre on Thursday, March 31 and will run through Sunday, April 17. Shows will be performed at 8 p.m. on March 31 through April 2, April 7 through April 9 and April 14 through April 16 and at 2 p.m. on April 3, 10 and 17. An AfterWords post-performance discussion will be held on April 3. Tickets cost $20 for general admission, $16 for students and senior citizens. For more information, call (540) 654-1111.
Read more at http://www.umw.edu/cas/theatre/current_season/spelling_bee1.php.
Bookstore Announces Winner of T-Shirt Design Contest
Congratulations to Lauren G., a senior from Poquoson, VA. Her entry was the winning design in the University Bookstore T-shirt Design Contest. She won a $50 University Bookstore gift card and a free t-shirt featuring her design! Visit the UMW Bookstore to purchase your very own, limited edition, student designed UMW T-shirt.
Visited the James Monroe Museum shop lately?
We’re excited to introduce merchandise bearing the James Monroe Museum’s new logo (created for us last year by UMW’s wonderful design staff).
These handsome, sturdy canvas tote bags are the perfect size for carrying lunches, books, groceries, school supplies or anything else you might need to carry. At only $14.95, buy several to keep in your car, and one to give to mom for Mother’s Day …
Coming to the shop later this spring: JMM mugs!
The museum shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visit us at 908 Charles Street. UMW faculty and staff receive free admission to the museum.
Book Signing at UMW Bookstore Today
Moliere and Paradox: Skepticism and Theater in the Early Modern Age.
UMW Professor of Modern Foreign Langues, Jim F. Gaines will be available to answer questions and sign copies of his latest publication.
Wednesday, March 23rd
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.