Greetings, Mary Washington is still the thriving academic and social community that we enjoyed as students. What can we do as alumni to ensure that this success continues? President Troy Paino met with university faculty and staff at the beginning of the semester, reminding them of the power of a liberal arts education to address our society’s issues and challenging them to examine their role in that effort. We alums have a role to play as well: Promoting our university and encouraging top students to apply; connecting with other alums at reunions and regional network events; hiring students as interns or employees; providing scholarships and endowments for students and faculty; nominating outstanding alumni for our annual awards; and supporting the Fund for Mary Washington to advance the Alumni Association’s efforts to provide benefits and events for all 40,000 of us. Please get involved in some way. We want to ensure that all alumni have a voice in the future of our alma … [Read more...]
Alumni Awards
Winners of the 2018 Alumni Awards were announced during Reunion Weekend, June 1-3. Ann Simpson Brackett ’69 earned the Distinguished Alumnus Award. After a career as an adjunct professor of statistics and research methodology at Northeastern University, and as an evaluator of national, state, and local educational programs and services for WestEd, Brackett retired in 2009. She then co-founded Women and Girls Thriving in Brookline, a collective impact program in Massachusetts that assists nearly 90 women and girls living in poverty. Gayle Weinberger Petro ’79 received the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award for her enthusiastic work on behalf of alumni and current students. She has served on the Alumni Board for 10 years, is a member of the Heritage Society, and is the representative for the Jeannine Mary Pfeifle ’79 Memorial Scholarship. Petro has served on two reunion committees and has designated part of her estate to UMW for scholarship funds. Erik Johnston ’03 was … [Read more...]
Alumni Events
Alumni in Leesburg *** On the Road in Britain *** 1908 Society at Commencement … [Read more...]
Scenes From Reunion Weekend
Alumni gathered on campus for Reunion Weekend, June 1 to 3, 2018. … [Read more...]
Great Lives Lecture Series Returns
The William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series returns in January for its 16th season. All lectures are free, open to the public, and begin at 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall. For information, call 540-654-1065 or visit umw.edu/greatlives. Jan. 15 Rodgers and Hammerstein, Todd S. Purdum, author of Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution Jan. 22 Bruce Lee, Matthew Polly, author of Bruce Lee: A Life Jan. 29 Mikhail Gorbachev, William Taubman, author of Gorbachev: His Life and Times Feb. 5 Benedict Arnold, Joyce Lee Malcolm, author of The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold: An American Life Feb. 7 Jane Goodall, Dale Peterson, author of Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man Feb. 14 Billie Holiday, Tracy Fessenden, author of Religion Around Billie Holiday Feb. 19 Gari Melchers, Joanna Catron ’79, curator of Gari Melchers Home and Studio Feb. 21 Dale Carnegie, Steven Watts, author of Self-Help Messiah: Dale Carnegie and Success … [Read more...]
Board of Visitors Welcomes Three New Appointees
In June, Gov. Ralph Northam appointed three new members to the UMW Board of Visitors and reappointed R. Edward “Edd” Houck to the board. All will serve four-year terms expiring in 2022. Martha G. Abbott ’72 of Alexandria, Virginia, is executive director of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. An educator for more than 30 years, she previously taught and coordinated language programs at all levels in Fairfax County schools. In 2016, Abbott was appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Security Education Board, an initiative designed to build a broader and more qualified pool of U.S. citizens with foreign language and international skills. Allida M. Black of Arlington, Virginia, is a scholar and human rights advocate who is managing director of the Allenswood Group LLC, an organization empowering individuals and strengthening democracy through civic engagement, grassroots activism, and education. She is a research professor of history and … [Read more...]
UMW’s Values Reflect Commitment
UMW has announced ASPIRE, its new statement of community values, endorsed by the university following widespread community feedback. ASPIRE’s letters stand for the common values of the UMW community: - Accountability - Scholarship - Personal and institutional integrity - Inclusive excellence - Respect and civility - Engagement The statement reflects the university’s commitment to “transform our academic community into a place where all will learn, thrive, and grow,” according to Vice President for Equity and Access Sabrina Johnson, who also is UMW’s chief diversity officer. … [Read more...]
Mary Wash a “Best and Most Interesting” Place to Learn
The Fiske Guide to Colleges has once again recognized the University of Mary Washington among the nation’s “best and most interesting” colleges – and offers student praise to bolster the claim. The 2019 listing was based on questionnaires sent to administrators and a cross-section of students. “It is a strong community of socially conscious and academically focused students.” – UMW student quoted by Fiske … [Read more...]
UMW Graduates 1,161 in 107th Commencement
The University of Mary Washington graduated 1,161 students in commencement ceremonies Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12. Marci Catlett, deputy superintendent for Fredericksburg schools, gave the graduate address Friday evening. Alumni businessmen Robert Davis ’12 and Abbas Haider ’12 addressed undergraduates on Saturday. Kendall M. Parker ’18 of Fredericksburg received the Colgate W. Darden Jr. Award, presented to the student with the highest grade-point average in the four-year undergraduate program. Parker finished with a 3.99 GPA. An exceptional player on the UMW basketball team, she set a school record for the number of three-pointers made in a single game. A veteran administrator and three longtime faculty members were awarded emeritus status: Martin A. Wilder Jr., chief of staff emeritus, served the university since 1979 and was chief of staff for presidents Richard V. Hurley and Troy D. Paino. In 2016, he was presented the Washington Medallion, which recognizes … [Read more...]
Fulbright Sends Professor to Azerbaijan
Thanks to a 2018-2019 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant, Associate Professor of History and American Studies Nabil Al-Tikriti is spending 10 months in Azerbaijan, researching centuries-old manuscripts and archives. Al-Tikriti’s work focuses on 15th- and 16th-century intellectual history and Sufi movements in Azerbaijan. Al-Tikriti also teaches in two Azerbaijani universities. This is Al-Tikriti’s first time as a Fulbright Scholar, the designation for American faculty whom the Fulbright program sends abroad for up to a year to study, lecture, and conduct research. As a student, Al-Tikriti twice received a different type of Fulbright award for study in Istanbul, Turkey. At UMW, Al-Tikriti has helped to advise those applying for student Fulbright awards, and many of his mentees have received grants. Mary Washington ranks as one of the top producers of student Fulbright awards. Two UMW professors were awarded Fulbright Scholar grants in 2015-2016: Melanie Szulczewski, associate … [Read more...]