What's New @ UMW Archives

COVID-19, Voting and Climate Change presentation on Zoom, Oct. 11

September 29, 2020 by Guest Author

Are you wondering how the COVID-19 crisis intersects with climate change? Do you want to learn how your vote will count on counteracting the worst effects of both crises? And lastly, do you want to be a part of making systemic changes in our different levels of government, ranging from locally to nationally?

If your answer is “YES!” to any or all of these questions, I invite you to attend the upcoming “COVID-19, Voting and Climate Change: Becoming Agents of Change.” Held virtually via Zoom, this presentation is inspired by the Climate Reality Project’s 24 Hours of Reality: Countdown to the Future on Sunday, October 11th at 2 p.m. ET. Representatives from the University of Mary Washington, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Fossil Free Fredericksburg and the Climate Reality Project will share information regarding each topic, helping you identify ways you can help implement systemic changes in policy for our city, state, and nation. Each person attending the session will have a tree planted in their honor by the Climate Reality Project. Sign up now and get involved!

Study for Iconic Melchers on View

September 29, 2020 by Michelle Crow-Dolby

In the Dunes by Gari Melchers

A painting entitled In the Dunes is on display at Gari Melchers Home and Studio, Belmont, as a companion to Melchers’ monumental In Holland through January 3, 2021, thanks to a generous loan by the Sue C. Lang Family Trust.

In 1887, Gari Melchers began experimenting with the concept of rustic figures meeting on the dunes of Holland. The survival of several sketches in Belmont’s archives indicates that Melchers produced numerous iterations for what would become his iconic painting In Holland. In the Dunes is just such an example, an almost exact replica of In Holland though on a far smaller scale. In the Dunes was unknown to experts until it resurfaced in a private auction in Hamburg, Germany, in 2018 and sold to a local Fredericksburg collector. Because of its cursory application of paint it presumably started life as a small-scale study for In Holland, but the artist probably returned to it later, giving it enough finish to stand on its own as an easel painting.

Fall Safe Zone Book Club

September 29, 2020 by Mindy Erchull

We still have some room in our Fall Book Club. We will meet twice to discuss this semester’s book: Born Both: An Intersex Life by Hida Viloria. We will meet (over Zoom) on Tuesday, October 20^th and Tuesday, October 27^th from 4-5:30 p.m. Registration is required, and we still have books to give to participants. Please join us!

We also still have a few seats left in our Advanced Safe Zone workshop on Thursday, October 22^nd from 1-3:30 p.m. (via Zoom). The advanced training is for faculty and staff who have already completed the basic training and covers more complex topics, including bystander intervention. Registration is required.

If you would like to register for either of these events, please email Mindy Erchull at merchull@umw.edu.

If you would like more information about Safe Zone, to see the list of allies on our campus, or access LGBTQ+ inclusion resources, please visit the website at bit.ly/UMWsafezone.

UMW Celebrates Disability Awareness Month in October!

September 29, 2020 by Guest Author

On behalf of many members of our community, ODR would like to announce a series of programming for Disability Awareness Month, celebrated in October at UMW.

We encourage all to participate in these opportunities to raise awareness and continue to reach towards our ASPIRE Principles and Values.

Please feel free to contact Office of Disability Resources (ODR) with any questions!

Join us (virtually) for #StayHomecoming

September 25, 2020 by Guest Author

Join us (virtually) for Homecoming 2020!

This year for Homecoming, you won’t be #BackInTheBurg…Instead, #StayHomecoming with us online!

Because large, in-person events are impossible this fall, we had to think outside the box for Homecoming. The result is #StayHomecoming: a week-long host of events and offerings with something for everyone.

Monday: College of Education/Alumni Educators affinity group event

Tuesday: College of Business young alumni networking event

Wednesday: “Between Two Ficuses” young alumni video launch

Thursday: Kahoot! Trivia with UMW Alumni and the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group

Friday, 10/23: FXBG alumni virtual beer tasting w/ Adventure Brewing, plus MaryWash memorabilia with Dean Rucker

Saturday, 10/24: (Homecoming Day!): Bartending and tailgate food tips

Throughout the week, we’ll also have social media initiatives, including contests that can win you some big prizes. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so you won’t miss out.

For more information and updates, check the Homecoming web page, and follow the Homecoming event on Facebook.

Then watch your email–we’ll let you know as soon as registration is open!

We hope you will #GetDirtyGoWash with us from a distance this year. Go Eagles!

UMW to Host Debate for First Congressional District

September 16, 2020 by Lisa Chinn Marvashti

Rep. Rob Wittman

The University of Mary Washington will host a public political debate between candidates for Virginia’s First Congressional District Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m.

Incumbent Rep. Rob Wittman (R) will face off against opponent Qasim Rashid (D) live via Zoom, with public viewing accessible through YouTube. Viewers may submit questions for consideration for inclusion in the debate using an online form until 11 a.m. on the day of the event.

“It’s going to be as close to a normal Mary Washington debate as possible,” said moderator Stephen Farnsworth, a UMW professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies.

Qasim Rashid

The event is hosted by the University’s College Republicans, Young Democrats, and Legislative Action Committee of the Student Government Association. It’s co-sponsored by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Free Lance-Star and the Fredericksburg chapter of the League of Women Voters.

News Director Ted Schubel of WFVA Radio and Editorial Page Editor Barbara Hollingsworth of The Free Lance-Star will ask questions of the candidates during the hourlong event. Read more.

Podcasts on UMW Activism Spell ‘Good Trouble’ for Students

September 9, 2020 by Jill Laiacona

As part of this year’s Common Experience, first-year students are listening to “Good Trouble: UMW,” an 18-episode podcast that chronicles the long history of student activism at Mary Washington. Logo by Peter Morelewicz at Print Jazz.

Eliza Vegas marched in her first protest this summer for Black Lives Matter. The University of Mary Washington is inspiring her to do more.

“An overwhelming sense of home and community brought me here,” said Vegas, a Mary Washington first-year student who learned of the University’s long history of student activism when she listened to a new podcast on the topic. “Now I have a deeper appreciation for my new school.”

Since 2015, incoming students have read and discussed written works with the UMW community as part of the Common Experience. This year, instead of a book, they’re exploring four timely and topical podcasts about COVID-19 and civil rights, connecting events of the past to the present. They’re also listening to “Good Trouble: UMW,” a new podcast named for the late Congressman John Lewis’ lifelong philosophy, which he shared in his 2011 Commencement address at Mary Washington.

The 18-episode podcast series chronicles Mary Washington student activism throughout the decades, relating back to Lewis’ directive to get in “good trouble, necessary trouble.” Read more.

Fall Safe Zone Events

September 9, 2020 by Mindy Erchull

Safe Zone is excited to announce several upcoming programs, including our Fall Book Club. The UMW Safe Zone program offers programs that are designed to educate members of the University community about lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) issues to increase the safety and inclusion of all campus citizens. All of our programs are free and open to all faculty and staff.

We will be offering a Basic Safe Zone workshop on Wednesday, October 7^th from 9-11:30 a.m. (via Zoom). This training focuses on terminology, issues related to privilege, increasing awareness and sensitivity, and how to support the LGBTQ+ population on campus. This is an opportunity for any faculty or staff member to become a Safe Zone ally. Space is limited and registration is required. All participants get cool Safe Zone swag!

We will be offering an Advanced Safe Zone workshop on Thursday, October 22^nd from 1-3:30 p.m. (via Zoom). The advanced training is for faculty and staff who have already completed the basic training and covers more complex topics, including bystander intervention. Space is limited and registration is required. All participants get cool Safe Zone swag!

We will be offering our Fall Book Club as a two-part program on Tuesday, October 20^th from 4-5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 27^th from 4-5:30 p.m. Meetings will happen through Zoom. We will be reading Born Both: An Intersex Life by Hida Viloria. The first 14 people to register get a free book! Plus, all participants get cool Safe Zone swag. Space is limited and registration is required.

If you would like to register for any of these events, please email Mindy Erchull at merchull@umw.edu.

If you would like more information about Safe Zone, to see the list of allies on our campus, or access LGBTQ+ inclusion resources, please visit the website at bit.ly/UMWsafezone.

Alumni Relations Cider Tasting with Wild Hare

September 9, 2020 by Guest Author

Calling all Northwest Virginia and North Central Virginia alumni, plus those in nearby regions! Join us for a virtual cider tasting with Wild Hare Cider.

How does a virtual cider tasting work?

When you register, you will receive a confirmation email with a coupon code and a Zoom link. Anytime before the event, stop by one of Wild Hare’s 3 locations (Leesburg, Middleburg, or Warrenton) and pick up your discounted 4-pack of cider. On the night of the tasting, join our Zoom session. We’ll taste each cider as a Wild Hare representative gives us the background on each flavor and discusses the process of making the cider.

Wednesday, September 23
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Online (via Zoom)

After the tasting, there will be time to reconnect virtually with other Mary Washington alumni. We are sending this invitation not only to Northwest and North Central Virginia alumni, but also to alumni in Fredericksburg, DC, and other nearby networks. Join us!

We look forward to seeing you online!

Intro to Mindfulness Meditation

September 8, 2020 by Guest Author

Has COVID-19 caused significant stress for you? Are you experiencing COVID fatigue? Mindfulness and meditation are very useful tools for addressing these challenges.

Learn about the practice of mindfulness, and experience the benefits in your own life in our 7-week Intro to Mindfulness and Meditation online course.

This course is offered live on Zoom on Monday evenings from September 28 to November 9. Registration closes September 24!

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Zoom Meeting ID is provided once registration is complete.

$15

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