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...]

Paul Messplay, currently director of budget, will become vice president for administration and finance and will serve as UMW’s chief financial officer beginning Jan. 1, 2019. Messplay has worked in budgeting at Mary Washington for 11 years. He previously held positions at Virginia Commonwealth University, Tennessee’s Higher Education Commission, and Virginia’s Department of Planning and Budget. “I am delighted to have someone with his finance background who understands university budgets, in particular, at this time when we are looking closely at reorienting our budget to make it possible for UMW to invest in our strategic priorities,” President Troy D. Paino wrote to the university community in announcing the changes. Lynne Richardson, currently vice president for administration and finance and chief financial officer, will return to her role as dean of the College of Business (CoB), Jan. 1, 2019. Paino noted that since Richardson joined the CoB seven years ago, she has prepared … [Read more...]

Students in Professor Carole Garmon’s environmental art class conceived and installed several projects to delight visitors to Fredericksburg’s nonprofit Downtown Greens community garden. The students added a wild rose trellis, a tiny free library, a garden moon gate, and a sound wall where children may make plenty of joyful noise.   … [Read more...]

The UMW Police Department has become only the fifth campus police agency in the commonwealth to achieve accreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC), the accrediting agency in Virginia. The milestone is also a first in the history of UMW Police. Of 340 police agencies in the commonwealth – campus departments or otherwise – only 100 have attained VLEPSC accreditation. Chief Michael Hall set accreditation as a priority for the agency when he took the helm four years ago. The voluntary process enhances the quality of service and credibility of law enforcement agencies.   … [Read more...]

The University of Mary Washington has landed on a list of top “green colleges” in the nation for the fourth year in a row. The ranking appears in the 2018 edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 399 Green Colleges. The Princeton Review profiles colleges with the most exceptional commitments to sustainability based on their academic offerings and career preparation for students, campus policies, initiatives, and activities. UMW was selected based on a 2017-2018 survey of more than 2,000 schools. UMW also was recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation in February as a Tree Campus USA for its commitment to effective urban forest management for the third consecutive year. University efforts include: The President’s Council on Sustainability Four LEED-certified buildings, and the promise that all new construction and major renovations will meet or exceed LEED silver standards Campus Dining, which was named a green restaurant as part of the Virginia Green initiative … [Read more...]

UMW has partnered with the American Canoe Association to provide online continuing education for Team USA canoe and kayak athletes. The canoe association has its national headquarters in Fredericksburg, and it is also the national governing body for Olympic and Paralympic canoe and kayak disciplines. Because the paddling sports are not represented by NCAA programs, elite canoe and kayak athletes need a different way to pursue higher education while training for international competition. Team members are eligible to take online courses at UMW at no cost. “We are thrilled that the University of Mary Washington will help our Team USA athletes accomplish both their athletic and academic goals on and off the water,” said canoe association Executive Director Wade Blackwood. … [Read more...]

UMW’s new executive director of human resources is Beth Edwards Williams ’94, a psychology graduate who returns to her alma mater after building an impressive career in HR and becoming a community leader. Williams has handled human resources roles for the Hilldrup Companies, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, CVS/Pharmacy’s Fredericksburg Distribution Center, and several Northern Virginia defense contractors. She’s a board member for the Rappahannock United Way, a past chair of Workforce NOW, and a graduate of and mentor for Leadership Fredericksburg. Williams was named a Top 10 of the Next Gen by the Next Generation of Business Leaders in 2012. She holds a coaching certification from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. … [Read more...]