March 16, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Contribute COVID-19 Stories to Special Collections and University Archives

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Archival materials detailing the University of Mary Washington’s history are used in many research projects. Photo provided by Simpson Library.

Archival materials detailing the University of Mary Washington’s history are used in many research projects. Photo provided by Simpson Library.

Today, we are all finding our way through a crisis that future students and scholars will be studying in the years ahead. We know that it is important to preserve as much of the record as possible for future researchers. Staff in Special Collections and University Archives are archiving the University’s response to COVID-19. However, there are important materials that we cannot collect without your help: individual stories. If you’re a UMW community member and have been keeping a record of these events and how they’ve impacted your life, please consider donating them to University Archives in the future. If you haven’t, please consider this a call to write and help us document this unprecedented global crisis. Read more.

UMW Receives ‘Tree Campus USA’ Recognition

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University of Mary Washington has earned recognition as a 2019 Tree Campus USA® by the Arbor Day Foundation. The honor goes to colleges and universities, and their leaders, for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.

To obtain this distinction, University of Mary Washington met the five core standards for effective campus forest management: a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning project.

“Tree Campuses and their students set examples for not only their student bodies but the surrounding communities showcasing how trees create a healthier environment,” said Arbor Day Foundation President Dan Lambe. “Because of University of Mary Washington’s participation air will be purer, water cleaner and your students and faculty will be surrounded by the shade and beauty the trees provide.”

Feeling Alone? Phone a Mary Washington Friend

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A Mary Washington student using a hall telephone in 1965.

A Mary Washington student using a hall telephone in 1965

The Alumni Relations Team has reached out to alumni who may be feeling isolated due to social distancing with the following letter.

Mary Washington Alumni,

It seems that each day we are waking up to a world of uncertainty as the impact of the novel coronavirus (or COVID-19) spreads across the globe. Millions of people are being encouraged to distance themselves from others, creating a prolonged period of isolation.

Humans are social beings, and isolation can be extremely difficult with potential health implications. As UMW President Troy D. Paino recently said, “Mary Washington stands for so much—education, empowerment, integrity, caring, and compassion. But most of all, people. At Mary Washington, it’s always about people.”

In an effort to support our alumni, students, and community, the Alumni Relations team is excited to launch the “Phone a Mary Washington Friend” program. During program hours, anyone feeling isolated from the world and craving some human interaction may call to speak with a caring and friendly member of the UMW team.

Phone A Mary Washington Friend
10am-8pm (Eastern)
Monday through Saturday
(540) 654-1173

Tell us about your favorite professors or places on campus, the friends you met, and the career path you took. Or, share your ideas of what we can do in the future. While right now it might feel like it, no one in our community is alone. Someone who is happy to connect is just a phone call away.

Together, we will get through this challenging time and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or would like further information. We appreciate your support as we navigate this unprecedented situation.

 

Sincerely,

The Alumni Relations Team

Letter from the President: Remote instruction continues through end of semester

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To all members of the Mary Washington community,

It would be difficult to overstate how unprecedented the last several days have been. Our lives and institutions have been disrupted in ways that we never could have imagined when the semester began. Like many of our colleagues across the Commonwealth and around the country, our decision to temporarily suspend face-to-face classes last week was done with the hope that such an interruption would be brief and that normal operations would return in a short period of time. It is now clear that this will not be the case as a more concerted national social distancing effort is needed.

Guidance from public health officials tells us that we should limit gatherings for several additional weeks as we all do our part to take the necessary steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. As a result, we have reached the very painful conclusion that we will not be returning to normal operations this semester. So, UMW will continue remote instruction through the end of the semester and final exams. In addition, all campus-based or sponsored events at Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Dahlgren are cancelled through May 15.

Remote instruction, academic advising and all other instructional support activity going forward will be done remotely through the end of the semester, with grades still being due on May 5. All current academic support areas, including the Teaching Center, Digital Learning Support, Library, Office of Disability Resources, Academic Services, Financial Aid, Registrar, etc. will continue at their current levels and hours.

Faculty and Staff

Thank you for your ongoing commitment and patience during this complicated time. Although we’re being challenged to alter the way in which we deliver instruction and conduct business, it is our intention and desire to keep our employees working and paid. Supervisors have been urged to make every effort to identify telework opportunities, even for positions that do not typically lend themselves to telework. These opportunities may include alternative duties, training and professional development, or both. We are also continually researching options for various types of leave and other resources that may become available as the state responds to the unique challenges employers are facing as a result of the spread of COVID-19. If teleworking faculty or staff need to return to their offices to pack up and take home additional materials, we encourage them to do that as soon as possible. When on campus, please observe social distancing and minimize interactions.

Students

Students will soon be receiving an email from Vice President for Student Affairs Juliette Landphair about the timeline and process for residential students to move their belongings out of their rooms and, for the students whose only option is to remain on campus, about the petition-to-remain process. Given CDC and Virginia Department of Health advisories and emergency actions and other advisories issued by the state and federal governments, we strongly encourage any student who can get home to do so as soon as possible. Public health officials are strongly recommending that people of all ages stay at home with limited outside contact with others.

Housing and Dining

UMW intends to give a credit or refund for housing and dining due to this announcement. However, we ask for your patience as we determine the appropriate amount of credit or refund for each student. With many of our employees working remotely and the variety of meal plans and housing fees to consider, this will take a little time to analyze.

Commencement

We are aware that Virginia’s prohibition, as of today, of gatherings of 10 or more people and the CDC’s recent recommendation on gatherings over 50 people for the next eight weeks will affect UMW’s commencement. We are exploring potential options and alternatives. As we know more, we will reach out about how we can best and safely celebrate our amazing graduates.

Community Programming

UMW regrets that it must cancel all remaining community special events and programming through the remainder of the academic year.  Through at least May 15, University and privately sponsored arts, cultural, and general special events and functions will be cancelled, including exhibitions, performances, and lectures. This action will include the UMW Philharmonic performances, Great Lives and ElderStudy lectures, and other fee-based or complimentary services and gatherings.

Let me close by telling each of you how much I appreciate the sacrifices you have made to be a part of the UMW community in the first place, and especially during the disruptive, even traumatic, changes of recent days and weeks. Know that I am proud of us and what we have done as a community to come together (even from a safe 6-foot distance). I am confident that we will survive these challenges, and UMW will be stronger than ever once the crisis passes.

Be well and stay safe,
Troy

University of Mary Washington Postpones 2020 Giving Day

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The University of Mary Washington has postponed its fourth annual day of online fundraising, Mary Wash Giving Day, originally set to take place Thursday, March 19.

In light of the unparalleled impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on UMW, the Fredericksburg community – and the nation, the University instead encourages its constituents to focus on each other, their loved ones, and their communities.

The generosity of UMW alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends during past Giving Days has made a vast impact on the University’s mission and ability to serve students. The University will consider rescheduling Giving Day at a future point in time.

Themed “Come Together,” Mary Wash Giving Day 2020 will be poised to do just that. It will bring together those who care about UMW and all it stands for – education, empowerment, integrity, caring and compassion.

In the meantime, the University of Mary Washington encourages its campus and community to work together for the common good and to “come together” in ways that reflect UMW’s commitment to humankind.

Watch the video message from President Troy Paino:

 

UMW Debate Takes Third at National Championship

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University of Mary Washington Debate Team

University of Mary Washington Debate Team

The University of Mary Washington Debate Team has wrapped up its competitive season with a phenomenal third place finish at the American Debate Association’s National Championship. Senior John Huebler, junior Jo Misker, and first-year students Andrew Hudgins and Ainsley Rucker remained on campus for most of spring break in order to prepare to compete at the National Championship held at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, March 6-8. The tournament fielded competitors from across the nation, including Harvard, University of California-Berkeley, and Dartmouth, as well as UMW’s frequent competitors from the region, including George Mason, Liberty and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Rucker and Huebler competed in varsity, with wins against an opponent from Indiana University and an opponent from the University of Michigan that reached the Sweet Sixteen. This was Huebler’s final competition as a member of UMW Debate, as all remaining competitions for the semester have been cancelled due to COVID-19.

Hudgins and Misker competed in the novice division and reached the Final Four at the championship, debating teams from Liberty, Monmouth, Emory, George Mason, Boston College, and Minnesota in the preliminary rounds. They finished the preliminary rounds as the 8th seed, with 4 wins and 2 losses. In the octafinals, they faced California State University-Long Beach, and won on a unanimous 3-0 decision. In the quarterfinals, they had a rematch with an opponent from the preliminary rounds, top-seeded George Mason. They won that debate on a 2-1 decision. In the semifinals, they had another rematch against Liberty, concluding with a 2-1 decision for Liberty.

“Jo and Andrew had their year of hard work produce competitive results. Each of these two highly talented individuals put in countless hours thinking, preparing, meeting and practicing, to achieve a semifinalist finish at the national tournament.  A remarkable achievement, every bit earned and deserved,” said Judd Kimball debate coach at UMW.

In addition to those accomplishments, Hudgins was awarded the 8th Speaker at the tournament, and Misker finished 11th. Adrienne Brovero, UMW’s Director of Debate, was recognized by the American Debate Association as the “Judge of the Year” based on student polling. Rucker was also recognized for having begun the season as a novice and moving up and competing in varsity for the second half of the season, which is a relatively rare feat.

Alumni coach Terrell Taylor (’11), summed up the experience, noting “Twelve years ago, I made it to the semifinals of the ADA novice division. It’s exciting to see a new generation playing the game with that level of heart and enthusiasm. Coaching is a labor of love, especially when the debaters bring both talent and effort to the table.”

The team, like many, is now gearing up for moving its operations online. The team is hoping to be able to host multiple virtual public debates later in the semester, which will be open to the public. Information about those events will be available via the team’s social media in later March.

To follow the team, follow @UMWDebate on Twitter & Instagram, and University of Mary Washington Debate on Facebook.

 

Feeling Alone? Phone a Mary Washington Friend

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A Mary Washington student using a hall telephone in 1965.

A Mary Washington student using a hall telephone in 1965

The Alumni Relations Team has reached out to alumni who may be feeling isolated due to social distancing with the following letter.

Mary Washington Alumni,

It seems that each day we are waking up to a world of uncertainty as the impact of the novel coronavirus (or COVID-19) spreads across the globe. Millions of people are being encouraged to distance themselves from others, creating a prolonged period of isolation.

Humans are social beings, and isolation can be extremely difficult with potential health implications. As UMW President Troy D. Paino recently said, “Mary Washington stands for so much—education, empowerment, integrity, caring, and compassion. But most of all, people. At Mary Washington, it’s always about people.”

In an effort to support our alumni, students, and community, the Alumni Relations team is excited to launch the “Phone a Mary Washington Friend” program. During program hours, anyone feeling isolated from the world and craving some human interaction may call to speak with a caring and friendly member of the UMW team.

Phone A Mary Washington Friend
10am-8pm (Eastern)
Monday through Saturday
(540) 654-1173

Tell us about your favorite professors or places on campus, the friends you met, and the career path you took. Or, share your ideas of what we can do in the future. While right now it might feel like it, no one in our community is alone. Someone who is happy to connect is just a phone call away.

Together, we will get through this challenging time and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or would like further information. We appreciate your support as we navigate this unprecedented situation.

 

Sincerely,

The Alumni Relations Team

Dahlgren Campus National Security Lecture Series

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University of Mary Washington’s Dahlgren Campus will host a series of National Security Lectures this spring:

9 April 2020
“China’s Economic Statecraft for Maritime Technology Acquisition”

Presented by Dr. April A. Herlevi, Research Scientist, China & Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division, CNA

30 April 2020
“Middle East 101: A Guide for Deployers”

Presented by CDR Aboul-Enein, who is currently an Subject Matter Expert and Senior Counterterrorism Advisor at the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Defense Combating Terrorism Center

PCOW: Committee Nominations

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Are you interested in educating and engaging others about wellness programs and events? If so, then the President Council on Wellness needs your help! Our committee is accepting and looking for new members to join us in creating a campus environment where wellness is encouraged and understood.

To self-nominate or nominate a colleague for the school year of 2020 to 2021, please fill out the PCOW Nomination Form.

The nominations are due by Friday, April 3rd and voting will occur among our current council members at our April 7 meeting.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please visit our Facebook page: UMW Wellness or email us at wellness@umw.edu