Category: What’s New @ UMW

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed University of Mary Washington alumna Annie K. Morris ’11 to his administration’s policy office. In her role as special assistant for legislative affairs and policy development, Morris administers the legislative tracking system, coordinates all meetings and leads and develops special projects for the Governor’s policy office.

Annie Morris

Morris first joined the McDonnell administration in 2011 as an intern and was later appointed as the executive assistant for commerce and trade.

In 2011, Morris was named one of the winners of the national essay competition sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, for her essay “Persuasion and the Bully Pulpit: Expanded Evidence on Strategies of Presidential Leadership.” She was chosen for the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership’s inaugural Emerging Leaders Program in 2012.

Annie Morris works in Gov. Bob McDonnell’s policy office. McDonnell is shown giving his State of the Commonwealth Address on Jan. 8, 2013. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office and Michaele White.

While a student at Mary Washington, she was involved in the Student Government Association, the Student Senate and the Pre-Law Society and was named to the Dean’s List. In addition, Morris interned for Rep. Todd Platts of Pennsylvania. She was vice president of the UMW chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha and was a member of several other scholastic honor societies, including Pi Gamma Mu for social sciences, Alpha Kappa Delta for sociology and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Morris, a native of York, Penn., received a bachelor’s in political science and sociology from Mary Washington.

The third annual EdTech Conference, supported by the College of Education at the University of Mary Washington, will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at UMW’s Stafford Campus.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Creativity and Innovation within a Community of Learners.”

The 2013 EdTech Conference will offer educators, education leaders, and those interested in education the opportunity to learn more about how technology is impacting teaching and learning.

Attendees, presenters, exhibitors and sponsors are all welcome! You will have the opportunity to network with colleagues and share and discuss ways to effectively integrate technology into the standards-based curriculum.

Attendees will:

• Learn about teaching strategies to foster innovation and imagination
• Ideas for incorporating 21st Century skills in the classroom
• Promote reflection, insight, and problem-solving skills
• Improve thinking skills in reading, math, and science
• Teach reasoning, critical, and creative thinking skills
• Link learning with divergent thinking

Who should attend:

All K-12 teachers, preservice teachers, administrators, university educators and technology specialists, parents, and those interested in educational technology.

Attendees will encounter:

• Keynote speaker
• Introduction to our new 3D Printer Lab for K12 educators and students at UMW
• Introduction to Teacher Spot, a learning community for new teachers
• Presentations by local teachers exemplifying technology integration
• Presentations by university educators and technology specialists
• Vendor exhibits and presentations
• Student and Teacher Showcase
• Door prizes

Cost to Attend:

• The registration fee is $40.00 and includes your choice of concurrent sessions, workshops, the keynote session, guest speakers, exhibitor presentations, and a catered lunch. All participants must preregister including presenters.

Location of the Conference:

• University of Mary Washington, College of Education, North Building, Stafford Campus

Date and Time:

• Friday, March 15, 2013 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Register to participate and/or present today by visiting our Web site: http://umwedtechconference2013.umwblogs.org/

We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, please contact: 

Teresa Coffman, Associate Professor of Education at (540)286.8094, or via email at tcoffman@umw.edu

Tamie Pratt-Fartro, Assistant Professor of Education at (540) 286-8081, or via email at tprattfa@umw.edu

The following is a message from University of Mary Washington President Richard V. Hurley:

As all of you know, on Dec. 14, after most students had departed campus for winter break, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, experienced an unimaginable tragedy. This event has had a profound impact, not only on those families directly affected, but upon our entire nation.

On the first day of classes for the Spring semester, exactly one month after the Newtown tragedy, the UMW community would like to acknowledge and honor those children and educators who lost their lives. We also extend condolences to our students and faculty and staff who have ties to Connecticut. Accordingly, a Connecticut state flag will be flown from Lee Hall throughout the first week of the semester.

At any point during the first week of classes,  I encourage members of our campus to turn their thoughts to the Sandy Hook victims and to pause at Lee Hall for a moment of personal reflection.

The S.A.C.’s “Holiday Help for the Homeless” drive went extremely well.  The donations were extraordinary – we completely filled the UMW van from floor to ceiling, including every nook and cranny.  The donations were turned over to social service staff on Wednesday, Dec.19, and were received with a lot of relief and emotion.  I was told repeatedly that these items, which included almost a dozen crockpots and many food and hygiene items, will absolutely benefit our area’s needy.  The UMW employees really came through, once again, with the items that the organizations suggested.

I’m again amazed at the unending generosity of our UMW staff.

—  Priscilla Sullivan, activities chair of the S.A.C.

Congratulations to Greg Render of the UMW Post Office who has been selected as the Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of January.

Here is what one of his co-workers said about him:

“Greg is amazing.  He is kind, efficient, generous.  He has an outstanding attitude, goes the extra mile, and spreads joy.  I would love to see him recognized in some substantial way!”

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).