Category: What’s New @ UMW

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.

Groundbreaking for the Information and Technology Convergence Center is expected to begin after Commencement activities. On Monday, May 14, Facilities Services will close Campus Walk and route all handicapped and pedestrian traffic onto College Avenue until mid-June.  At that time, handicapped traffic will remain on College Avenue, but a pedestrian bypass around the construction site will be routed through the Simpson Parking Lot.  This detour configuration will remain in effect for the duration of the project.

Currently, Facilities Services is installing utilities to support the center.  This work is centered primarily in the Simpson access road between the Jepson Science Center and the Simpson Library. Along with closure of Campus Walk, the bridge in front of Arrington Hall will be closed to prepare for the relocation of city water, sewer and fire mains. This area and the entire construction site will remain fenced for the duration of the project.

Construction on the Convergence Center will commence in late June or early July with an anticipated completion date of spring 2014.  Access to Simpson Library will be via the Campus Walk entrance from Woodard Campus Center.

For more information, contact Len Shelton, associate director of capital planning and construction, at lshelton@umw.edu.  Or visit the Convergence Center project website at provost.umw.edu/convergence-center/.

Congratulations to Cathy Byram, office manager in the Department of English, Linguistics, and Communications, who has been selected as an Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of May.   A parking spot of her choosing has been reserved for her until the end of the month.

Here is what one of her co-workers said about her:

“I would like to nominate Cathy for a variety of reasons. First, she is absolutely kind and generous. I am fairly new here, having begun in August. Cathy, whose job does not involve me at all, is kind enough to do all of the purchasing for me in the Writing Centers and the WI Program. She does so without any complaint and never asks anything in return although I ask her time and again if there is anything I can do for her. She helps me navigate appropriate channels in order to get things accomplished for students and the university. Cathy goes above and beyond her job description just to help out a fellow employee. I want to nominate Cathy just so she is recognized and knows what an invaluable employee and person she is.” 

To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, just send me an email (psulliva@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the Subject Line.  In your email, be sure to tell me 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).

A UMW friend recently made a gift that doubled the size of the scholarship she named in memory of her husband. On April 25, 2012, Mary Jane O’Neill notified the University of a new gift that now brings the Robert C. O’Neill Scholarship Endowment up to $100,000. Beginning in the fall of 2013, the scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students with declared majors in the College of Business.

Longtime residents of Fredericksburg, the O’Neills were active in economic and real estate development. Mr. O’Neill passed away in 2007. Mrs. O’Neill is now a member of the UMW Washington Society, which recognizes cumulative lifetime giving of $100,000 and more.

This gift announcement is from the Division of Advancement and University Relations.