Category: What’s New @ UMW

For more than 1,000 University of Mary Washington students, this weekend marks the culmination of countless classes and years of hard work, and the transition to life as alumni.

The 101st undergraduate commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 12 beginning at 9 a.m. on Ball Circle. The ceremony will feature historian and economist Neil Howe’s address and the presentation of the university’s top honors and awards. The senior convocation ceremony on Friday, May 11 will celebrate the accomplishments of the senior class with a keynote speaker and senior awards.

Shawn Boyer, founder and CEO of SnagAJob.com, will deliver the address during the commencement ceremony for graduate students on Friday, May 11. The ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the William M. Anderson Center, followed by a reception in the Jepson Alumni Executive Center.

For more information, visit http://www.umw.edu/commencement.

The UMW College of Business celebrated graduates and inducted several students into the National Omicron-Psi Honor Society Wednesday, May 9 at the Stafford Campus.

Dean of the College of Business, Lynne D. Richardson, presented outstanding graduate awards to four faculty-nominated students. To qualify, students had to have a minimum 3.8 GPA and have demonstrated leadership, enthusiasm, commitment, and professional potential.

Brian A. Roinestad was named the outstanding graduate in the MBA program.

“He always demonstrated considerable eagerness to learn, exceptional dedication to his learning objectives, and his always-positive attitude and behavior were worthy of emulation by his fellow students,” said his anonymous faculty nominator. Roinsetad completed his MBA in general management in the fall and also holds a B.A. in English from UMW.

The outstanding graduate in the MSMIS program went to William Nelson Robinson, Jr.

“He has both the intellectual ability and the tenacity to complete rigorous programs in academic or professional settings,” his nominator stated. Robinson completed his degree in general management in the fall.

Kevin Richard Powell received the dual MBA/MSMIS outstanding student award. His nominee described him as “a consummate critical thinker, and one of the most inherently fair and honest students that I’ve met in my teaching career.” Powell will graduate May 11.

Debrah Ann Farnell will receive her BPS in leadership and management May 12 and was presented the outstanding student award.

“The goal of the BPS program is to create caring, creative, and competent professionals. This student is the embodiment of those goals,” said her nominator.

Six UMW students were also inducted into the Omicron-Psi Honor Society. Omicron-Psi is an organization for high achieving and service oriented non-traditional students.

“If our lives are lived with honor, we know we have always done the best we honestly could,” said Brazilian-born Celina Cavalcante Falck-Cook, the first nominee presented for induction, who will graduate May 11 with a Master of Education degree.

Carol A. Hostetter plans to complete her M.Ed. in art education next spring. She was described as, “hard working, talented, creative, and kind,” through a recommendation letter for Omicron-Psi induction.

Lisa Ann Peacock “demonstrates high ethical standards in all aspects of her life,” according to her recommendation letter. Peacock will graduate May 11 with an MBA in public administration.

Emmanuel Opoku Sarfo will complete his Bachelor of Professional Studies this summer in accounting and plans to pursue an MBA. Originally from Ghana, Sarfo was said to “exude an enthusiasm and resilience which tend to be uncommon attributes in the stressful nature of the human services profession,” through a recommendation.

William Nelson Robinson, Jr. and Sarah Duffy, Teacher of the Year at Locust Grove Elementary School, also were inducted into Omicron-Psi.

Monday, May 14 is Employee Appreciation Day. The University Awards Ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. in Dodd Auditorium and will include the announcement of the following award winners:

• Charles Coleman Memorial Service Award
• Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation
• Staff Advisory Council’s Larry Atkins Awards
• Assessment Forum Recognition

During the ceremony, Michael Spencer, assistant professor of historic preservation, will present a unique perspective of the UMW campus.

Outdoor festivities will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Ball Circle and will include:

• Karaoke and Music by Starlight Entertainment
• UMW emcees, Rick Pearce and John Morello
• Volleyball, Cornhole, and Board Games
• Prizes (gift cards)—winners must be present to win
• Lunch Buffet: pulled chicken bbq, hamburgers, hotdogs, and tons of delicious sides.  Don’t forget to save room for ice cream bars!

Casual Friday Dress Code is welcomed for this event.

The University will close at 3 p.m.  Everyone’s help with clean-up is greatly appreciated. 

Picnic rain location – Seacobeck Hall

To let us know of any dietary concerns for the lunch buffet or for any other questions, please call Human Resources at x1215.

In honor of Employee Appreciation Day, the University Bookstore will offer 20% off one regularly priced clothing or insignia item for UMW faculty and staff Monday, 5/14, and Tuesday, 5/15, only.

Special store hours:  Monday:  9:00 a.m.—10:15 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.—3:00 p.m.   Tuesday:  9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

UMW Dining Services will hold a Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Seacobeck Hall. The brunch will feature a menu of carved London broil, pineapple glazed ham, seared salmon, cheese tortellini, cooked-to-order omelets and Belgian waffles along with a children’s buffet of chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and sliders. The meal includes a variety of side dishes, salads and desserts.

The brunch is $23.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 10-years-old and younger and free for children under three.

For a complete menu or to make reservations, contact 540-654-1930 or visit www.umwdining.com.

Three UMW students, led by Professor of Economics Margaret Ray, presented papers at the Economic Scholars Program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas on Friday, March 30.

During the conference, Matt Cronin presented “The Effect of Professional Sports Salaries on Performance Enhancing Drug Use in College Sports,” Maura Monahan presented “Reexamining the Effects of State Religion on Religious Service Attendance” and Marissa Yoder presented “To What Extent Did Mad Cow Disease Affect Demand for Chicken in the U.S.?”

The Economics Scholars Program is a collaborative effort between Austin College and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas to foster the involvement of undergraduate economics students in all facets of research. The UMW students’ participation was made possible through an undergraduate research grant.