Office of the President Archives

Farmer Legacy 2020 Launch Featuring Congressman John Lewis, Jan. 13

December 12, 2019 by jlaiacon

Dear UMW Community,

In October, I wrote that 2020 will be a particularly significant year for the University of Mary Washington as we launch Farmer Legacy 2020 in commemoration of Dr. James Farmer Jr., national civil rights pioneer and UMW professor from 1985 to 1998.

I am thrilled to inform you that U.S. Representative John Lewis has agreed to serve as the Honorary Chairperson for Farmer Legacy 2020 and will be on campus Monday January 13 for UMW’s celebratory launch from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Chandler Ballroom of the University Center. In 1961, Lewis was a college student when he joined 12 other people on the Freedom Rides organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and led by Farmer. Lewis was a co-organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Today, U.S. Representative John Lewis is one of our nation’s most influential leaders; he is known across the world as a champion of social justice.

It will be a tremendous honor to welcome Representative Lewis to Mary Washington. I encourage students, faculty, and staff to join us in Chandler Ballroom on January 13 at 2:30 p.m. for his remarks and the birthday celebration to follow. You will receive an official invitation soon.

Good luck in closing out the semester. I wish you a joyful and restorative winter break.

Troy D. Paino, J.D., Ph.D.

A Message from the President

November 19, 2019 by jlaiacon

We have a strong and resilient community. Monday was trying — and, for some, traumatic. While we have learned now, based on the quick work of University police, that the campus never was under a credible threat, we took every precaution to protect our community. I was engaged in the deliberations of our Threat Assessment Team, and I applaud the team’s swift and appropriate response.

I realize questions and concerns abound. Here are the facts: A caller left a voicemail for a UMW employee warning that an individual would be coming to campus with a firearm. That voicemail was immediately forwarded to UMW Police, and the recipient of the call likely warned those around him or her. While dispatching his officers to learn as much as possible about the situation, Chief Mike Hall convened an emergency meeting of the University’s Threat Assessment Team, a multidisciplinary group composed of members of various campus departments (faculty and staff) who respond to concerns and threats that may pose a significant disruption to the campus environment and the institution’s academic mission. This group received a briefing and quickly determined that classes and campus activities should be suspended, and all members of the community should shelter in place, until police could learn more about the threat and the person who made it.

After further investigation, police identified the caller, who indicated the threat was never intended to be taken seriously. The caller was arrested without incident and is now in jail under a $10,000 secured bond. Making a false report or threat of this kind is a felony offense.

From Monday’s situation, we have learned important takeaways. The campus community would like to have more training on what steps to take in these types of circumstances. Also, we all would benefit from a common definition of terms such as shelter in place. UMW Police are currently finalizing a video related to firearms violence, and they are planning safety awareness and training programs for campus members next semester.

Again, I want to compliment the entire campus community. Your calm adherence to safety protocols and support for one another allowed the situation to be resolved expediently. You have my pledge: I, along with members of this community, work every day to ensure the University provides a living and learning environment that is as safe as possible.

President Troy D. Paino

Coffee with the President, Nov. 20 and 21

November 14, 2019 by jlaiacon

Dear UMW Faculty and Staff,

President Paino invites you to join him for coffee and conversation at the final “Coffee with the President” events this semester. Upcoming opportunities include:

Wed., Nov. 20, 4-5 p.m., Stafford Campus, South Building, Room 210
Thurs., Nov. 21, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Trinkle Hall, Room 207

Thank you,

The Office of the President

Coffee with the President, Oct. 21

October 17, 2019 by jlaiacon

Dear UMW Faculty and Staff,

President Paino invites you to join him for coffee and conversation at the next “Coffee with the President,” scheduled for Monday, October 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Hurley Convergence Center, Room 210. Additional upcoming opportunities include:

Wed., Nov. 20 4-5 p.m., Stafford Campus, South Building, Room 210
Thurs., Nov. 21 2:30-3:30 p.m., Trinkle Hall, Room 207

Thank you.

Office of the President

Help Shape UMW’s Future By Sharing Your Voice

October 2, 2019 by Christie Pugh

A Message from the President

Dear Mary Washington Community,

Last spring, the University began sharing plans to engage in rebranding to ensure that UMW is authentic, distinctive, and compelling on the higher education landscape. After a national search for firms that understand education, but can consistently present universities in fresh ways, ten firms were invited to campus for preliminary pitches to a group of faculty and staff. The field was narrowed to four firms, ranging from small boutique shops to international, full service agencies, and then further narrowed to two groups that demonstrated the most alignment with and affinity for UMW’s mission, culture, and community.

During the fall All-University Assembly for employees, I announced that the University had selected from that final two a branding partner: Mindpower (www.mindpowerinc.com) of Atlanta. Mindpower has worked with more than 100 higher education institutions and was heartily recommended by schools ranging from Harvey Mudd to Indiana State to Mount St. Mary’s. Each school commended Mindpower’s ability to listen intently to the community, to interact respectfully and collegially, and to develop authentic and distinctive creative concepts. When asked “Why UMW?” Mindpower’s CEO, Lisa Jordan, responded that UMW was “ready to zag,” signifying our willingness to chart our own path and to stand independently against short-lived trends and short-sighted goals. In other words, they saw that Mary Washington wants to make its mark in a way that stands the test of time.

When a brand stands for something, not everyone will agree with it. In fact, if a brand is universally embraced, it probably doesn’t stand for much. We understand this, and yet, we believe a strong brand is rooted in truth, which should come from the people who live the UMW experience.

This is why I am asking for your help. UMW needs your voice in this work.

There are two ways I ask you to be involved: 1) Participate in a group or open forum in October to share what you think makes UMW exceptional, and 2) Complete a comprehensive survey later this fall that will help validate and refine the initial qualitative research.

Our timeline is ambitious for the process. Mindpower began its conversations on campus this past week, hosting multiple focus groups of students, faculty and staff who represented the broadest cross section of campus possible. The team will return twice in October: once to meet with external groups like alumni, parents, and donors, and a second time to converse in more depth with the campus community.

From October 22 to 24, the team will be on campus and they want to hear from you. Please join one of our two open forums for faculty and staff on Wednesday, October 23, at 4 p.m., or on Thursday, October 24, at 9 a.m. The locations will be announced later this month. Your opinion and willingness to share your input is all that is required. The qualitative research will inform a comprehensive survey that will be sent to the entire campus and every constituent for whom we have current contact information. After the research phase in the fall/winter, Mindpower will work diligently through the spring and summer to develop a creative concept for UMW. Our goal is to launch the new brand in the fall of 2020.

Please join us in shaping the way UMW is presented, framing the stories we tell, and giving our message a fresh and compelling narrative. If you have questions or would like to learn more about the process, please contact Vice President for Advancement and University Relations Lisa Jamison Bowling ’89 (lbowling@umw.edu) or Director of University Marketing Malcolm Holmes (mholmes3@umw.edu). We have a shared goal of creating and establishing a brand that is as exceptional as UMW.

Sincerely,

Troy D. Paino, J.D., Ph.D.
President

An Invitation to Have Coffee with the President

September 18, 2019 by jlaiacon

UMW President Troy Paino. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

From the Office of the President:

Dear UMW Faculty and Staff,

Last year I launched a series of coffee talks with faculty and staff to create a direct line of communication between the President’s Office and people who lead our core educational mission. The conversations were invaluable to me as we worked collectively to shape our strategic vision, establish community values, and share the challenges and opportunities before Mary Washington.

I welcome all faculty and staff to join me for informal, open discussion of the topics of greatest interest to those who attend. Occasionally, the coffees will focus on a particular issue facing us or may include other leaders who represent areas critical to institutional progress. Upcoming opportunities include:

Mon., Oct. 21 10:30-11:30 a.m., Hurley Convergence Center, Room 210
Wed., Nov. 20 4-5 p.m., Stafford Campus, South Building, Room 210
Thurs., Nov. 21 2:30-3:30 p.m., Trinkle Hall, Room 207

My goal is to engage in the most transparent and direct lines of communication possible so that all members of UMW are equally informed and engaged in making the University the best place it can be. Whatever the event, I commit to candid conversation and intensive listening.

I hope to see you there. Your insights and involvement are not only welcome but also necessary for strong institutional leadership.

Sincerely,

Troy D. Paino
President

An Invitation to Have Coffee with the President

September 11, 2019 by jlaiacon

UMW President Troy Paino. Photo by Norm Shafer.

From the Office of the President:

Dear UMW Faculty and Staff,

A new series of coffee talks will kick off on Wednesday, September 18, at 9:30 a.m. in Monroe Hall, Room 111. I welcome all faculty and staff to join me for informal, open discussion of the topics of greatest interest to those who attend. Occasionally, the coffees will focus on a particular issue facing us or may include other leaders who represent areas critical to institutional progress. Additional upcoming opportunities include:

Mon., Oct. 21 10:30-11:30 a.m., Hurley Convergence Center, Room 210
Wed., Nov. 20 4-5 p.m., Stafford Campus, South Building, Room 210
Thurs., Nov. 21 2:30-3:30 p.m., Trinkle Hall, Room 207

I hope to see you there. Your insights and involvement are not only welcome but also necessary for strong institutional leadership.

Sincerely,

Troy D. Paino
President

President Paino: UMW Fosters Connections, Community

August 19, 2019 by jlaiacon

Mary Washington President Troy Paino spoke with faculty and staff during the All-UMW Assembly. The University is gearing up to welcome a new class of students. Photo by Norm Shafer.

What makes Mary Washington shine in Virginia’s intensely competitive higher-education environment? According to President Troy Paino, it’s connections and a sense of community. He delivered that message at his All-UMW Assembly on Friday, where he shared accomplishments, updates and reflections with a roomful of faculty and staff, as the campus prepares to welcome a new and diverse class of students this week.

In a world where news headlines show that human bonds are increasingly frayed, Paino told the crowd in Dodd Auditorium, Mary Washington is “a place where transformative relationships are formed.” He pointed to studies that show college graduates attribute their future success to three factors: mentorship experiences, opportunities to apply learning outside the classroom and a strong sense of community. That’s precisely what UMW offers, Paino said. Read more.

Pres. Paino Introduces Sen. Mark Warner at Cybersecurity Summit

May 8, 2019 by jlaiacon

President Troy Paino introduced Sen. Mark Warner as the keynote speaker at the 3rd Annual Cybersecurity Summit at UMW’s Stafford campus on May 3. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

President Troy Paino attended the 3rd Annual Cybersecurity Summit at UMW’s Stafford campus on Friday, May 3. He introduced Sen. Mark Warner, the keynote speaker for the event, which also featured representatives from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Department of Defense and operational-level experts who discussed current cybersecurity challenges and how to best protect data and other physical assets.

Held by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, the conference included such topics as Cybersecurity 101, how everyone is at the forefront of the cybersecurity battle; how to secure and defend critical infrastructure from a wide array of cyber attacks; and the shared responsibility of industries and government to communicate crucial information.

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