December 18, 2024

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

UMW’s Great Lives Lecture Series Announces 2025 Lineup, New Director

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Distinguished Professor Emeritus Bill Crawley (left) and UMW Museums Executive Director Scott Harris ’83 have served as co-directors of the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series for the past year. On Tuesday, Crawley announced his retirement. Harris, his former student at Mary Washington, will oversee the Great Lives Lecture Series. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Bill Crawley (left) and UMW Museums Executive Director Scott Harris ’83 have served as co-directors of the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series for the past year. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

A selection of fascinating figures will be profiled during this year’s William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series at the University of Mary Washington. The 22nd season of the popular series was announced Tuesday evening at a presentation that welcomed over 160 supporters, donors and sponsors to UMW’s Jepson Alumni Executive Center.

This year, bestselling biographers will shine a light on senator and civil rights leader John Lewis, broadcast journalist Barbara Walters, controversial baseball great Pete Rose, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, and over a dozen other notable individuals from history and culture.

Yet, of all the larger-than-life personalities highlighted on Nov. 12, the one that drew the most applause was series founder and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History William Crawley, who announced his retirement. His co-director, Scott Harris ’83, executive director of UMW Museums, will oversee the series – the latest installment of which starts on Jan. 21, 2025 – moving forward. Read more.

Harris Touts Gari Melchers Home & Studio on WJLA News

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University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris contributed to a WJLA News 7 Road Trippin’ segment titled “Discover the Arts and Culture of Stafford, Virginia, with Britt Waters.” Harris touted Gari Melchers Home & Studio as a great place to visit in Stafford County, along with other local gems. Watch the segment.

Harris Co-Moderates Panel on Monroe Doctrine

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University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the James Monroe Museum and James Monroe’s Highland collaborated with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to present a panel discussion, Spheres of Influence: Two Hundred Years of the Monroe Doctrine. The event took place at NARA’s McGowan Theatre and was streamed on YouTube. Executive Director of Mary Washington Museums Scott Harris co-moderated the program with Dr. Sara Bon-Harper, Highland’s executive director. Of all the exhibits and public programs pertaining to the bicentennial of Monroe’s presidency offered by the James Monroe Museum since 2016, this discussion of the Monroe Doctrine addressed what is arguably the most significant and enduring legacy of his administration.

Among the four panelists were Dr. Daniel Preston, founding editor (retired) of the Papers of James Monroe and Dr. Melissa Martinez, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations. Dan and Melissa contributed admirably to what all agree was a thoughtful and wide-ranging examination of the Monroe Doctrine’s place not only in history, but also in contemporary international relations.

James Monroe Museum’s public programs coordinator, Lindsey Crawford worked with participants and the NARA staff to facilitate the event. The JMM assistant director and curator, Jarod Kearney, led a group of the museum’s guides who attended in person. Approximately 150 people were present in the McGowan Theater, with another 750 viewing online.  The archived recording has had nearly 500 views in just the last three days—a number sure to grow over time.

Harris Named AAM Accreditation Commissioner

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University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

Executive Director of Museums Scott Harris has been appointed one of six new accreditation commissioners by the American Alliance of Museums. Read more.

Harris also recently published a piece titled  “President William Howard Taft’s Wild Ride from Washington, D.C., to the Manassas Peace Jubilee” in White House History Quarterly. The article retraces Taft’s harrowing adventure from Washington, D.C., to Manassas, Virginia, for the 1911 Manassas Peace Jubilee. Harris details the many challenges President Taft encountered on this journey including his surviving Virginia’s muddy and flooded roads while making his way from the White House to the countryside to address Civil War veterans gathered at the 1911 Peace Jubilee. Read more.

Harris Published in ‘White House History Quarterly’

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University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris’ piece, “The New York City Death and Burial of President James Monroe,” which traces a series of temporary entombments that ultimately took the fifth president’s remains from New York to Virginia, is included in the new issue of White House History Quarterly – The White House and New York. The issue explores the historical connections between New York City and the White House from the first Oath of Office to the present day. Take a look at the publication.