sappleby Archives

MWC AIDS Quilt Featured in UMW Archives Digital Collections

June 27, 2024 by Guest Author

Close-up of a section of panels from the MWC AIDS Quilt

UMW Special Collections and University Archives is excited to announce our newest digital collection, the MWC AIDS Quilt.

Modeled after the national NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, the MWC AIDS Quilt was constructed by members of the Mary Washington community in the mid- to late-nineties to commemorate their many loved ones impacted by HIV and AIDS during the height of the epidemic. Hundreds of colorful and intricate panels offer heartfelt messages to specific individuals lost to the disease alongside notes of encouragement, education, and unity. Illustrations of the iconic red AIDS ribbon appear prominently among recurring depictions of rainbows, flowers, hearts, and tears. The quilt presents devastation and hope in near equal measure.

We invite the Mary Washington community and members of the public to view the quilt and examine each square closely as is now possible through our digitization efforts. Special Collections and University Archives is honored to preserve this historic object and to provide access to these images, helping everyone to remember how deeply the AIDS epidemic affected our world, all the way to our campus.

For those who would like to see the quilt in person, we encourage you to attend the Fredericksburg Area Museum’s Out & About exhibit where the quilt is on loan until July 2025.

Please contact UMW Special Collections and University Archives staff at archives@umw.edu with any questions.

Staff Benefits Sessions in November

October 26, 2023 by Guest Author

Do you have questions about your benefits as a UMW staff member? Has it been a while since orientation and you don’t quite remember what’s available to you? University Staff Council is hosting Denise Frye, Benefits Administrator, for three Zoom sessions to provide a refresher on available staff benefits and to answer your questions.

These sessions will occur:

Thursday, November 9 at 2pm – A/P faculty
Tuesday, November 14 at 2 pm – Classified staff
Tuesday, November 14 at 3pm – Wage staff

Each individual session is intended to address the benefits and invite targeted questions pertaining to one of the three staff employment classifications. All staff members are welcome to attend any session, but you may wish to attend only the session most relevant to your employment.

Please contact Sarah Appleby at sappleby@umw.edu to receive a link to the session. In your message, please indicate which session(s) you’d like to attend. Hope to see you in November!

Mary White Named May’s Excellent Eagle

May 11, 2023 by Guest Author

Congratulations to Enrollment Services Assistant Mary White! Mary is the University Staff Council’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of May. Below is what an anonymous champion had to say about Mary:

Mary is the first person that you see when you come to the Registrar’s window and she always greets you with a smile. Mary has been an important part of UMW for over 18 years. She always goes the extra mile to assist students with problems within her department and others. She provides guidance and assistance with new employees and student aides, and is quick to assist others within her department whenever needed. Grateful to have her as part of our team!”

Nominate your co-workers for the Excellent Eagle Employee award! It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website. Winners receive a reserved parking space in the lot of their choice for a month!

Questions? Contact Sarah Appleby, USC Recognition Committee Chair.

Announcing April’s Excellent Eagle: Lauren Bass

March 29, 2023 by Guest Author

Congratulations to Lauren Bass, Manager of Athletic Business Operations! Lauren is the University Staff Council’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of April. Below is what an anonymous champion had to say about Lauren:

“Lauren is a dedicated professional who is extremely personable and genuinely concerned about the welfare of others. Most importantly, she possesses the critical ability to work with diverse groups of people, often across organizational lines, in order to achieve positive outcomes – not an easy feat when you oversee business operations for a department of our size! Lauren is a true asset and we are grateful to have her as part of our team!”

Questions? Contact Sarah Appleby, USC Recognition Committee Chair.

Angela Lynch Named March’s Excellent Eagle

March 1, 2023 by jlaiacon

Congratulations to Associate Registrar Angela Lynch! Angie is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of March. Below is what Registrar Rita Dunston had to say about Angie:

“Angie is dedicated to fulfilling her job responsibilities and continuously going the extra mile. She has become an expert on building the course schedule, and working with the department on schedule adjustments. She thinks creatively on how to improve processes within the Registrar’s Office. Angie has built exceptional customer relationships and always gives service with a smile. Grateful to have her as part of the Registrar’s Office.”

Questions? Contact Sarah Appleby, USC Recognition Committee Chair.

Michelle Pickham Named February’s Excellent Eagle Employee!

February 2, 2023 by Guest Author

Congratulations to Michelle Pickham! Michelle is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of February. Below is what Maxxx Dennis had to say in their nomination of Michelle:

“Michelle is one of our greatest assets on campus. She is always ready to help and in this instance managed to navigate all compliance issues with our very expensive and specific Pep Band order and get things moving within a very short period of time. Thanks to you and your team!”

Please join us in congratulating Michelle on this well-deserved recognition.

Nominate your co-workers for the Excellent Eagle Employee award! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website. Winners receive a reserved parking space in the lot of their choosing for a month!

Questions? Contact Sarah Appleby, USC Recognition Committee Chair.

Kevin Caffrey Named October’s Excellent Eagle Employee

October 6, 2022 by Guest Author

Kevin Caffrey

Congratulations to Senior Associate Registrar Kevin Caffrey! Kevin is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of October. Below is what Professor of Geography Dawn Bowen had to say about Kevin:

“Kevin is quick to respond to an email, explain an issue, and devise a solution. He has been very helpful as I learn my new role of Chair of the CAS Curriculum Committee and has guided me through the Course Inventory Management System (CIM). He met with me in August to answer questions, does his best to understand when I can’t fully articulate the nature of the problem, and seems to have solutions as the tip of his fingertips. I sincerely enjoy working with Kevin and am confident that he will have much more to teach me as the semester progresses.”

Questions? Contact Sarah Appleby, USC Recognition Committee Chair.

University Staff Council Presents Larry Atkins Awards

April 28, 2022 by Guest Author

On April 21, the USC celebrated this year’s three exceptional winners of the Larry Atkins Award. Nominees for the award are typically the unsung heroes of their departments who always go above and beyond to help and to set a positive example for the community.

The pool of nominees was competitive. Each nomination featured so many glowing anecdotes and proud stories of deserving colleagues that it was difficult to choose the winners. Ultimately, three UMW staff members were selected for recognition, one from each employment category, and were presented with their award at the USC’s April meeting in the HCC Auditorium. President Paino was on hand to congratulate the winners in person.

We’re pleased to announce the following three Atkins Award winners:

Sarah Dewees, Associate Director of the Center for Community Engagement

Sarah’s colleagues in the CCE nominated her for her kindness, energy, enthusiasm, and can-do attitude, crediting her for helping establish the center as one of the most vibrant on campus. Her commitment to the service mission of the center and of UMW at large is evident in all her hard work, from her collaboration with community partners to creating curricula and programs on campus. Sarah’s dedication and thoughtfulness are commendable.

Brian Ogle, Associate Registrar for Student Systems

Brian was recognized by his colleagues in the Registrar’s Office for being a diligent, knowledgeable employee with outstanding communication skills and a positive, helpful nature. His nomination letter pointed to his impeccable work managing all his responsibilities and his willingness to always lend a hand no matter who might need it. His care and concern for his work and for his colleagues is evident and greatly appreciated.

Gilbert (Danny) Carter, Grounds Worker

Danny was an integral part of the restoration of the Run-In Shed and Cow Barn at the Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, making significant contributions to the design and implementation of the project. Danny and his colleagues worked carefully on this important project while still maintaining the buildings and grounds at Belmont to the highest standard. His colleagues admire his consistent attention to detail, strong work ethic, and ability to collaborate with the team. The staff at Belmont and across the UMW community are grateful for Danny’s excellent work.

A superb tribute video to all the winners, created by Shanita Mitchell, can be viewed on YouTube.

Please join the USC in congratulating these outstanding award recipients!

Kayla Hill Named Excellent Eagle for April 2022

April 14, 2022 by Guest Author

Congratulations to Kayla Hill for being recognized as USC’s Excellent Eagle for the month of April!

Maxxx Dennis nominated Kayla for this recognition in acknowledgement of her hard work helping so much of our campus community through the recent Kronos outage. We sincerely appreciate Kayla’s knowledge and assistance. Please join us in congratulating Kayla on this well-deserved recognition!

Do you have a co-worker you’d like to nominate for this award? It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Fo rm on our website. Recipients receive a month-long reserved parking space in the lot of their choosing.

Leslie Petrey Named Excellent Eagle for March 2022

February 24, 2022 by Guest Author

Congratulations to Leslie Petrey! Leslie is USC’s Excellent Eagle for the month of March.

Maxxx Dennis nominated Leslie for this recognition, noting her amazing hard work during the Kronos outage. So many folks across campus are hugely appreciative of Leslie’s knowledge, dedication, and assistance. Please join us in congratulating Leslie on this well-deserved recognition.