April 19, 2024

Celebrate the Retirement of John Symonds (a.k.a. Santa Claus), Dec. 13

December 9, 2019 by
John Symonds

John Symonds has been playing Santa Claus across the Fredericksburg region and beyond since 1981.

After 19 years at the University of Mary Washington, John Symonds is retiring. Plan to attend a reception for John tomorrow (December 13) at 1 p.m. in the Lee Hall Underground.

In his role as applications database administrator in the Department of Information Technologies, John was a key member of the project team that implemented Banner; over  the years, he has helped countless people achieve their Banner goals and solve their Banner problems. And of course, John will be fondly remembered for playing Santa Claus at many UMW holiday events.

Please join us in thanking John for his years of service and in wishing him well in retirement.

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Larry Atkins Award Nominations are Open

August 11, 2016 by

Larry Atkins Award nominations will begin on Monday, Aug. 15, and will be available through close of business on Monday, Sept. 12. Three UMW employees, one from each staff classification (wage, classified, and administrative faculty) will be selected to receive the Annual S.A.C. Larry Atkins Award.  This annual award is given each year by the S.A.C. at the Fall Employee gathering.

Nominees are members of our community who you feel: lend a helping hand to their teammates, go above and beyond in each and every task while wearing a positive smile and set a positive example for the rest of UMW employees. An online form is available on the HR website http://www.umw.edu/in/staff-recognition/.

Your S.A.C. members appreciate all you do and especially that you are willing to help us recognize those of us who, we just couldn’t do it without them.

If you have questions please contact John Symonds at jsymonds@umw.edu or Pam Lowery at plowery@umw.edu

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Faculty/Staff Mixer, Sept. 23

September 17, 2015 by

For All Faculty and Staff, please stop by The Home Team Grill in Eagle Village between 4:30 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23rd and take advantage of happy hour prices.  This is just another chance for all of us to gather and  network with each other and get to know new and old friends.  Radar has shown that President Hurley will be in the area so stop by and wish him well in his last year.

– Sponsored by Your Staff Advisory Council

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Excellent Eagle Nominations Needed

September 17, 2015 by

We need nominations for the Excellent Eagle Employees.  The awardee will get a month-long guaranteed parking spot and their name up in lights on Orca TV and the EagleEye Newsletter.  Please send an email to  EEnominations@umw.edu with your nomination providing the nominee’s name, organization, and preferred parking lot.  Please help recognize those in your organization that really need that little morale boost and pay it forward!

– Your Staff Advisory Council

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One Can Hope Food Drive

September 10, 2015 by

Please take some time and help us with our “One Can Hope” food drive this fall and through the holidays.  We will collect items up until the Christmas break.  The following is from the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank:

Most Needed Items

Fresh, Refrigerated, and Frozen items are gladly accepted at the Food Bank warehouse during our regular operating hours. Non-perishable items can be placed in a Donation Drop Box during our off hours.  PLEASE DO NOT PLACE FRESH, REFRIGERATED OR FROZEN FOOD ITEMS IN A DONATION DROP BOX. Thank you.

Top 10 Most Needed Items

  •  Canned Meat – Tuna, Salmon & Chicken

  • Peanut Butter

  • Dry/Canned Beans – Pinto, Red, Black, Navy, Great Northern, Kidney

  • Canned Fruit in Natural Juice

  • Pasta & Sauce

  • Mac & Cheese

  • Canned Vegetables

  • Instant Potatoes

  • Shelf Stable Milk

  • Rice

Food-4-Families Most Needed Items

  •  Canned Meat – Tuna & Chicken

  • Canned Beans – Kidney, Black & Pinto

  • Peanut Butter – Low Sugar & Natural

  • Jelly – Low Sugar

  • Pasta Sauce with Meat or Vegetables (No Glass Please)

  • Salsa – Mild

  • Whole Grain Cereal & Oatmeal

  • Canned Vegetables – Low Sodium

  • Canned Fruit – Natural Juices

  • Shelf Stable Milk

  • Rice

  • Pasta or Gluten Free Pasta

  • Macaroni & Cheese

  • Corn Bread Mix

  • Instant Mashed Potatoes

Most Needed Items

  •  Breakfast Foods

  • Dry Cereal & Oatmeal

  • Pancake Mix

  • Crackers & Jelly

  • 100% Fruit or Vegetable Juice

Multi-Cultural Foods

  • Dry Beans – Pinto, Black & Red

  • Cooking Oil

  • Maseca – Corn Flour

  • Rice

  •  Personal Needs Items

  • Bar Soap

  • Shampoo

  • Deodorant for Men & Women

  • Toothbrushes & Toothpaste

  • Shaving Cream for Men & Women

  • Diapers

  •  Paper Products

  • Paper Towels

  • Toilet Paper

  • Facial Tissue

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Upcoming Food Drive

September 1, 2015 by

The Staff Advisory Council is asking for donations to help the homeless and needy in the area with a non-perishable food drive. The drive will begin in September and continue through the holidays.  In particular, the drive is looking for seasonal donations for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember to pick up a couple of extra non-perishable items to put in one of the S.A.C’s collection boxes.  If you cannot find a box to place your donations, please contact an S.A.C member.

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Note of Thanks to Back-To-School Donors

September 1, 2015 by

The Staff Advisory Council would like to thank everyone that donated to the back-to-school drive.  The final pick-up was today, and Stafford County School students say “Thank you!” We truly could not have done it without you all being so generous.

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Accepting Larry Atkins Award Nominations

August 27, 2015 by

Friday, Sept. 11 is the last day for nominations for the Larry Atkins award.  We have a few, but we want to make sure we have all of the deserving employees nominated and recognized.

True to the award’s former name, “We Couldn’t Do it Without” them!

Please ask an S.A.C. member if you have questions, or contact John Symonds at jsymonds@umw.edu.

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Last Call for Back-to-School Donations

August 27, 2015 by

Please gather your donations for the Staff Advisory Council’s Back-to-School drive and bring them to a S.A.C. member or to the collection boxes in your departments by TUESDAY, Sept. 1.  Our donations are being used in the Stafford county school system this year.

We appreciate all you have done to help the less fortunate students in our schools.

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Back to School Donations Needed

August 20, 2015 by

One more week to go!  Please take some time and pick up a couple of items that would be useful to an elementary aged child.  Examples like, tissues, folders, binders, paper packs, composition books, pens and #2 pencils.

We thank you for your donations so far and hope we can make a big dent in helping the students that otherwise wouldn’t be able to have these things for the school year.

In Appreciation for your support,

Your Staff Advisory Council

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