Category: What’s New @ UMW

 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.

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.

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

http://umw.bookrenterstore.com/

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.”

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).