When John Anstey ’93 told people he planned to renovate a boarded up 1950s gas station into the headquarters for his Roanoke advertising firm, he received one of two reactions. “They would either say ‘You’re crazy’ or ‘You’re a visionary,’ ” Anstey said with a chuckle. “And there were various points along the process where I had both feelings.” Anstey has always loved old buildings. But the idea for the dramatic transformation from dilapidated gas station to art deco office space likely had its beginnings in an elective class the English major took at Mary Washington. That historic preservation class, taught by Associate Professor Gary Stanton, piqued Anstey’s interest in preserving the past. The textbook featured a former gas station that had been converted into a visitors center. “That was probably in the back of my mind during this whole process,” Anstey said. The building transformation took about six months once construction began. Before the first brick was moved, … [Read more...]
Poet Earns NEA Fellowship
The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Allison Seay ’02 a 2013 Literature Fellowship in poetry. The $25,000 NEA grant will allow her to work on a second collection. Her first book of poetry, To See the Queen, is scheduled for publication this spring. Seay, who received the UMW 2012 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, was acting UMW Arrington Poet-in- Residence last spring and taught advanced poetry and creative writing. She was awarded the 2012 Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize in Poetry, the 2011 Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowship, and two fellowships from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. The Virginia native is contributing editor for The Hollins Critic. She has been a visiting professor at Lynchburg College, assistant director of the MFA Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and associate editor of The Greensboro Review. She received a master of fine arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a bachelor’s degree in … [Read more...]
Reginald W. Whidden
Professor Emeritus of English Reginald W. Whidden, former dean of the college, passed away May 8, 2012. He was 107. According to History of Mary Washington College, 1908-1972, by Edward Alvey Jr., Whidden was a beloved professor whose classes were quite popular. He rose through the ranks during his 27-year tenure at Mary Washington, helping shape the institution as it transitioned from a school for teachers to a liberal arts college. He worked to revise academics, refine the advising process, and revamp publications, all while maintaining a sense of humor and endearing himself to students. Whidden arrived late for his first interview with President Morgan L. Combs, then inadvertently insulted him, but joked later about the incident, according to Alvey’s book. “They must have really wanted me here,” Whidden said, “for, even after the remark, I got the job anyway!” Among other things, his efforts paved the way for a publication that detailed degree requirements, a revised … [Read more...]
Dale L. Wright
Dale L. Wright, an associate professor in the College of Education, died unexpectedly Dec. 26, 2012, while visiting her daughter in Virginia Beach. She was 61. Wright had taught aspiring elementary teachers at Mary Washington since 2001, focusing on language and literacy. She was director of the master of science in elementary education degree program, and she supervised teaching interns. One of her favorite courses to teach was children’s literature, which let her incorporate her background in drama and music, said Professor Marie Sheckels, chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. During her Mary Washington career, Wright traveled with students to Ghana, where they shared information and teaching techniques with elementary teachers, learning from one another, Sheckels said. Wright also had participated in the Oxford Round Table in Oxford, England. Not only was Wright a passionate teacher, “she was the very best kind of friend,” said Associate Vice President … [Read more...]
Books by Faculty
An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia, Vol. IV: From the School of Illumination to Philosophical Mysticism Co-edited by Mehdi Aminrazavi, UMW professor of philosophy and religion, and Seyyed Hossein Nasr, George Washington University professor of Islamic studies The period between the 13th and 16th centuries was one of the richest philosophical eras in Persian history, yet comparatively little is known about this time, between the fall of the school of Khurasan and the rise of the Safavids, who established control over all of Greater Iran. This fourth-volume text examines this period of Persian philosophy, dealing mainly with the Peripatetic school, Suhrawardi and the School of Illumination, and assorted incarnations of philosophical Sufism. I.B. Tauris in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies, January 2013 Using Inquiry in the Classroom: Developing Creative Thinkers and Information Literate Students By Teresa Coffman, UMW associate … [Read more...]
Couple Stays Up In the Air
After years as a circus acrobat, Mark Pieklo ’94 still feels the pressures of putting on a show – the glare of the spotlight, the eyes of the crowd, the need to nail every performance. “Imagine all that, only you have to do backflips at the same time,” said Pieklo, a longtime aerialist with the French contemporary circus Cirque Plume. In Boy Throws Girl, the act he performs with his wife, Laura Smith, Pieklo must climb to a perch high above the circus floor, toss a somersaulting Smith into the air, and catch her again. And they do it all without safety lines. Taking chances comes naturally for Pieklo. He earned a bachelor’s degree in math from Mary Washington but bypassed a conventional career, opting instead to audition for the National Circus School in Montreal. Two decades later, he’s still flipping, twisting, and bouncing his way into audience members’ hearts. But to realize his dream, Pieklo – now 41 and the father of twin toddlers – would turn once again to his alma … [Read more...]
Van Sant and Mary Washington: His Impact Is Everywhere
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy George Van Sant passed away Jan. 20, 2013, at age 83. He retired from UMW in 1990, and in 2004 he moved to Irvington, Va., with his wife, Melina Van Sant. She survives him, as do a daughter, four stepchildren, and nine step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Edward Van Sant, and by three wives, Shirley Van Sant; Peggy Van Sant, the mother of his children; and UMW Professor of English Susan J. Hanna. David Cain, distinguished professor of religion, offered this remembrance of his colleague and friend, George Van Sant, distinguished professor emeritus of philosophy, who passed away in January. The richer we are because of someone, the poorer we are when that someone is gone. Such a someone was George Van Sant. Some close to him called him “George”; some called him “Van” − almost as if his multifariousness needed more than one name. George or Van, as I knew him, was a commanding presence, not only because of his size, his … [Read more...]
Give It Your Best Shot!
We know very little about this photo from the Mary Washington archives. It was produced from a negative on which someone had written in pencil, “Cavalry Club.” The image holds no other information − not even the year it was taken. If you know who the rider is or have any other information about the photo, please comment below. In the last issue! Last issue's image of Gloria Steinem on a 1972 McGovern-for-president campaign stop in Fredericksburg prompted memories from several readers. Tom Elliott of Charlottesville, Va., recognized Barbara Hanger ’76 (center) from their days as students together at Waynesboro High School. As the father of UMW art major Cheryl Elliott ’13, Tom Elliott receives UMW Magazine. Hanger, an associate professor of art education at the University of Louisville, emailed Elliott that she remembered the rally. “I also remember that I was wearing a new poncho that my mother knitted and had just mailed to me.” Ann Chryssikos McBroom ’76 identified … [Read more...]
Entrepreneur Honored for Startup
Christine Goodwin ’96 wanted every child’s school to be up-to-date, so she started WishStars, an online social fundraising and sourcing platform that connects classrooms with donors. For her efforts, the Virginia-based Center for Innovative Technology named her among its top 50 entrepreneurs. The startup company’s mission, as stated on its website, is simple: To connect educators, families, and donors, simplify the process for fulfilling needs, and transform every K-12 classroom into an incubator for big ideas. Goodwin, a mother of two and a full-time system and software engineer, was inundated with school fundraisers and classroom requests for donations. She knew other parents must also be overwhelmed with selling overpriced cookie dough or remembering to pick up glue sticks for the classroom. She wanted a better way for schools, parents, and communities to connect and support one another. Inspired by existing social networking platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and … [Read more...]
Professor a “Super CPA”
For the second time in three years, R. Leigh Frackelton, UMW College of Business professor, was recognized as a “Super CPA” educator by his peers in Virginia. Each year, Virginia Business Magazine and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants recognize the state’s top CPAs for important contributions to the profession and the Commonwealth. All Virginia CPAs receive electronic ballots on which they identify the peers they deem to be the best in select areas of their profession. Frackelton, an attorney and certified public accountant, was one of nine educators selected. Frackelton’s areas of expertise include federal income tax, accounting, and business law. He holds a J.D. from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. He is a member of the Virginia Society of CPAs and the Virginia State Bar. … [Read more...]