December 5, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Orientation Volunteers Needed, June 13-28

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New Student Programs would like to announce a few opportunities for faculty and staff to welcome new students and their guests to campus during the upcoming First Year Orientation (June 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27 and 28). Orientation continues to be a great success because of the support from all the UMW faculty and staff who volunteer each year!

We are requesting support this year from UMW faculty and staff in welcoming our new Eagles and their guests in the morning and assisting them with navigating campus to their check-in locations. Opportunities are available on the first day of each Orientation session (Tuesdays or Thursdays) and the second day of each Orientation session (Wednesdays or Fridays), between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

If you are interested, please sign up to be a volunteer as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about signing up, please contact JoAnna Raucci (jraucci@umw.edu or ext. 2179). Thank you in advance for supporting New Student Orientation.

Volunteers Needed for 33rd Annual Multicultural Fair, April 1

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Volunteer for the 33rd Annual Multicultural FairVolunteers Needed for the Multicultural Fair – Saturday, April 1

The Multicultural Fair generally attracts 5,000 to 6,000 people each year, and exemplifies the University of Mary Washington’s commitment to enhancing multicultural awareness. This year on April 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Multicultural Fair provides an entire day devoted to multicultural entertainment, children’s activities, international and American food, and ethnic craft vendors.  Volunteers can help with setup, event photography, handing out programs, answering guest questions, litter pickup, children’s activities, cleanup,and more! Please share this opportunity with students and colleagues! Volunteers get free T-shirts!

Sign up individually or as a team.

Call for Women’s History Month Celebration Proposals, Due Dec. 5

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Dark grey background with deep pink text that says “Women’s History Month”

We invite members of the University of Mary Washington community to submit proposals for the annual Women’s History Month Celebration calendar of events. The theme for the March 2023 Women’s History Month is “Celebrating Women: Telling Our Stories.”

Proposals are due by Monday, December 5, 2022.  The sponsor(s) will be notified promptly. Approved programs will be included on the Women’s History Month calendar, as well as in print and electronic publications. All programs must secure their source of funding, if applicable.

Complete the 2023 Women’s History Month Program Proposal now.

JFMC Accepting Programs for 2022 Women’s History Month

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Comic book lines on a red background with white text reading "2022 Women's History Month"The James Farmer Multicultural Center invites members of the University of Mary Washington community to submit proposals for the annual Women’s History Month Program. The theme for this celebration is, “The Power Behind Healing.” Proposals are due by Friday, December 3, 2021. The sponsor(s) will be notified promptly. Approved programs will be included on the Women’s History Month calendar, as well as in print and electronic publications. The 2022 Women’s History Month Program Proposal can be found here:  https://students.umw.edu/multicultural/files/2021/10/WHM-2022-Program-Proposal-Form.docx

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ms. JoAnna Raucci (jraucci@umw.edu).

Women’s History Month Program Proposals Needed

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[Text] Women's History Month Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced [Image] Title in a speech bubble with a graphic of a group of diverse women

Submit your Program Proposals by Monday, December 7. Contact JoAnna Raucci (jraucci@umw.edu) for more information.

The Women’s History Month Planning Committee invites members of the University of Mary Washington community to submit program proposals for the annual Women’s History Month Celebration in March!

This year’s theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced.”

Visit students.umw.edu/multicultural/programs/womens-history-month/ or contact JoAnna Raucci (jraucci@umw.edu) for more information. Please submit your program proposals by Monday, December 7 at 5 p.m.

James Farmer Multicultural Center Thanks #UMWRun4Justice Participants

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The James Farmer Multicultural Center thanks everyone who participated in the Virtual #UMWRun4Justice 5K this past weekend, especially UMW Women’s Lacrosse and Coach Maddie Taghon, Women of Color, and the Black Student Association, as well Alumni Relations for help with spreading the word. The event raised $2900 that will be used in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and other social justice initiatives at UMW. The desire is to create opportunities to help open conversations and develop a more inclusive campus. Please enjoy the video below of JFMC Director Marion Sanford thanking participants.

 

 

25th Anniversary for Day of Silence, Friday, April 24

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The following message is from the Office of Equity and Access.

Friday, April 24th, will mark the 25th Anniversary for Day of Silence*. We are asking the UMW Community to virtually participate in this vital event. We may not be able to create a rainbow of shirts on the grass of Ball Circle, but the UMW community continues to affirm an inclusive and supportive community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) citizens and allies. We can demonstrate this by letting our voice be heard via #UMWisHOME and we must #breakthesilence.

Here is a toolkit to help make your voice heard on Friday, April 24th, during the Annual Day of Silence:

  • At 12pm, create a virtual “Moment of Silence” by posting our unified image to your individual or UMW affiliated accounts on social media. Please see attached images for Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can add any of the following information from GLSEN to your post:

o   Our silence is LOUD!

o   I’m staying silent on GLSEN’s Day of Silence, a national youth movement highlighting the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ people at school.

o   Nearly 4 in 5 LGBTQ students don’t see positive representation in their curriculum, nearly 9 in 10 experience verbal harassment, and almost a third miss school because they feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

  • At 4pm, “Break the Silence!”

o   By answering the prompt, I AM BREAKING THE SILENCE BY…?

  • Submit to PRISM for a re-post:
  • DM PRISM (@umwprism) with your story
  • Email PRISM (umwprism@gmail.com) with your story
  • Your name will not be shared through the repost nor will you be tagged. However, pictures and/or videos are not private if we repost them.
  • Post your response to your social media account, if it is a safe space for you to do so.

o   Follow PRISM (@umwprism) on Instagram to view submitted prompt responses.

In keeping with our values outlined in ASPIRE, join us in celebrating the 25th Annual Day of Silence.

People for the Rights of Individuals of Sexual and Gender Minorities (PRISM)
Center for Prevention and Education
James Farmer Multicultural Center
Office of Title IX
Safe Zone
Talley Center for Counseling Services
Vice President for Equity and Access & Chief Diversity Officer

Information on resources and support can be found on SAFE ZONE’s webpage.

* Day of Silence was first organized by a student at the University of Virginia in 1996 as part of a class project. The following year almost 100 colleges and universities participated, making it a national event. College and university students have driven and participated in many movements throughout history, and the UMW Community is no exception. This includes Day of Silence powered by PRISM, a student-led organization that promotes the values of diversity and acceptance of students of sexual and gender minorities.

In 2000, Day of Silence became an official initiative with GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network).

Nominate a Student for 2020 Eagle Awards!

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Looking for a way to recognize exceptional student leadership on campus?  Every year, the Office of Student Activities and Engagement (SAE) hosts the Eagle Awards gathering in partnership with the Center for Community Engagement.

The UMW Eagle Awards program highlights students, student organizations, staff, and faculty who have provided leadership on campus through involvement in activities and organizations. The Eagle Awards are an opportunity for the University community to recognize those who have made extraordinary contributions to the campus and greater community. There are over 15 awards for students, organizations, and programs.

Any member of the student body, faculty, or staff can nominate deserving students or organizations. Nominations are due by March 11, and the Eagle Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2020, at 6:00 PM in Chandler Ballroom. Winners will be announced at the ceremony. The event will offer light hors d’oeurves and is free and open to all students, faculty, staff, friends, and family.

Colors of Africa – Celebrate African, Caribbean, and African American Culture, Feb. 15

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Colors of Africa Saturday, Feb. 15 | 6 p.m. | Chandler Ballroom, University Center

Colors of Africa
Saturday, Feb. 15 | 6 p.m. | Chandler Ballroom, University Center
Sponsored by the African Student Union and the James Farmer Multicultural Center

Colors of Africa seeks to celebrate the culture that Black people create. Whether it is Black people of the African continent, African Americans, or the Caribbean, Blackness is a transnational and multicultural experience and it ought to be celebrated as such.

Sponsored by the African Student Union and the James Farmer Multicultural Center. If you have any questions, contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at 540-654-1044 or visit students.umw.edu/multicultural

James Farmer Multicultural Center Turns 30

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In 2020, UMW will celebrate the centennial birthday of the late civil rights pioneer and Mary Washington history professor Dr. James L. Farmer Jr. – who died in 1999 – as well as the 30th anniversary of the James Farmer Multicultural Center. Photo by Lou Cordero.

In 2020, UMW will celebrate the centennial birthday of the late civil rights pioneer and Mary Washington history professor Dr. James L. Farmer Jr. – who died in 1999 – as well as the 30th anniversary of the James Farmer Multicultural Center. Photo by Lou Cordero.

Junior Courtney Flowers was writing a high school paper when she stumbled upon a name she didn’t recognize.

“It was James Farmer,” said the Los Angeles native, who spent that day on a UMW website, researching the late civil rights pioneer and Mary Washington history professor. “What ultimately drew me here was the James Farmer Multicultural Center.”

In 2020, the University will celebrate the centennial birthday of Dr. James L. Farmer Jr. – who died in 1999 – as well as the 30th anniversary of the James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC). Created in response to an uptick in enrollment of students of color and a rash of racially biased incidents that ensued, the Center aimed to promote harmony between all groups. It fulfills Farmer’s legacy, educating the UMW community through engaging – and often life-changing – programs, from the spring Multicultural Fair to the fall Social Justice Trip. JFMC also supports 22 campus organizations and offers a welcoming haven for underrepresented students. Read more.