In ceremonies May 6 and 7, 2016, the University of Mary Washington awarded 1,200 degrees – 164 graduate and 1,036 undergraduate.
Three Virginia students, Katherine L. Coleman of Montpelier, Haley A. Kane of Fredericksburg, and Christopher J. Lloyd of Burke, shared the Colgate W. Darden Jr. award for the highest grade-point average over four years of undergraduate study. Each had a perfect 4.0.
UMW’s ninth president, Richard V. Hurley, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree as he presided over his last commencement before retiring. He also was awarded the title of president emeritus.
Martin A. Wilder, UMW’s chief of staff, was presented the Washington Medallion, which recognizes an individual who has served Mary Washington with exceptional dedication.
Other noteworthy honors were:
Grellet C. Simpson Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching – Marie McAllister, professor of English, linguistics, and communication
UMW Alumni Association Outstanding Young Faculty Member – Jon M. Pineda, assistant professor of English, linguistics, and communication
Mary W. Pinschmidt Award, selected by the graduating class – Dawn Bowen ’86, professor of geography
Graduate Faculty Award – John P. Broome, assistant professor in the College of Education.
Emeritus status was awarded to six faculty members: Gail Brooks, professor emerita of management information systems; Joe DiBella, distinguished professor emeritus of art; Kurt Glaeser, professor emeritus of athletics, health, and physical education; James Goehring, professor emeritus of religion; Chris Kilmartin, professor emeritus of psychology; and Werner Wieland, professor emeritus of biology.