Category: What’s New @ UMW

Join the Eagle Business Book Club on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 a.m. in duPont Hall, Room 211 for its second meeting.

The club was formed to give UMW faculty and staff an opportunity to read books that pertain to our work environment—our goal is to learn and share best practices in the workplace!  To that end, each month we will read a different ‘business book’ and then discuss it.

The book for the December meeting is “StrengthsFinder 2.0” by Tom Rath.  Pick up a copy of the book, complete the online test and be ready to discuss your top five strengths at the meeting.

The Eagle Book Club Steering Committee members are Rosemary Arneson, Erma Baker, Donna Mejia, Fred Pierce, Lynne Richardson, Doug Searcy and Justin Webb.  If you have specific questions, please contact a member of the Steering Committee.  Oh, and it’s BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee)!

– Lynne Richardson, Dean, College of Business

This year there are more than 1,700 children whose parents requested Christmas assistance from the Fredericksburg Salvation Army, an all-time high. UMW Circle K International is helping the Salvation Army with the Third Annual Toy and Book Drive. CKI is collecting toys and books for children of all ages to help bring a brighter holiday to disadvantaged children, and would love the support of UMW faculty and staff.

There will be boxes around campus following Thanksgiving Break, including one in the UMW Bookstore, Library, and one in front of Student Activities in Seacobeck Hall. All toys and books must be donated by Thursday, December 8.

UMW students, faculty, and staff took time to sign the Spirit Rock Tuesday, November 15, in recognition of National Philanthropy Day. Sponsored by the UMW Student Philanthropy Council and the Office of Advancement, the event showcased the many ways in which private gifts enhance the Mary Washington experience.

Students placed gift tags in front of buildings, benches, and other physical features to highlight the impact of private donations. Signs with specific giving statistics told the story behind scholarships and other private gifts from alumni, parents, and friends.

National Philanthropy Day is hosted around the world as a way for charities and nonprofit organizations to show appreciation for the gifts they receive throughout the year. For more information about the UMW Student Philanthropy Council, contact the Office of Advancement at umwgift@umw.edu or 540/654-1024.

The University of Mary Washington Small Business Development Center announced a partnership with Rappahannock Community College to provide an educational program to Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula micro-entrepreneurs. The partnership is one of 10 recognized nationwide.

The program, Hewlett Packard Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP-LIFE), will include the computer and software technologies necessary to provide ongoing training. Training sessions will be offered beginning in February 2012 at Rappahannock Community College’s Kilmarnock campus and at the UMW Small Business Development Center’s Warsaw office.

For information about the partnership, read the news release from Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Network with UMW alumni, parents and friends during a reception Thursday, November 17 at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center.  Meet the three new deans at Mary Washington and hear how the university’s academic foundation continues to flourish through innovative programs and enhanced learning opportunities for students.

The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a presentation at 7:15 p.m. Registration is $15 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. For more information, visit http://www.umw.edu/alumni/2011/10/28/fredericksburg-networking-reception/ or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (540) 654-1011.