His Two Dollar Challenge, started at the University of Mary Washington to raise awareness of global poverty, has garnered national headlines and has been repeated on at least a dozen college campuses. In March, Associate Professor of Economics Shawn Humphrey continued his mission of effecting world change as one of 30 “commitment mentors” chosen to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. “Again and again,” Humphrey said, “my students and I have demonstrated our ability to deliver on projects and make a national impact.” Former President Bill Clinton started CGIU to showcase young people’s power to effect change. It unites about 1,000 students from across the globe to discuss solutions to pressing issues – from global warming to human trafficking – with youth organizations, topic experts, and celebrities. As a commitment mentor, Humphrey facilitated discussions with a group of 50 students about resource … [Read more...]

  The University of Mary Washington’s the leader of the pack when it comes to community service, value, and academic quality – and some big voices are saying so. For the second year in a row, the Peace Corps ranked Mary Washington No. 1 in the nation among small universities for alumni now serving as Peace Corps volunteers. Currently, the University has 30 alumni serving around the world. The Princeton Review listed UMW in its “Best Value Colleges: 2012 Edition.” The University is among 75 public and 75 private colleges and universities with excellent academics selected for the honor. UMW ranks fifth among Virginia’s best values and 44th out of 100 four-year public institutions nationwide when comparing tuition costs, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s “100 Best Values in Public Colleges” for 2012. Mary Washington has appeared consistently on Kiplinger’s best value list and has been ranked among its top 50 values since 2006. Kiplinger’s also … [Read more...]

A Revolutionary War military furlough, signed by then-Maj. James Monroe at Valley Forge, is now owned by the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library. The small, yellowed paper signed Feb. 23, 1778, by the Founding Father who would be the fifth U.S. president is believed to be the earliest official document bearing Monroe’s signature. The museum was able to purchase the historically significant paper thanks to private donations. Learn more at jamesmonroemuseum.org. … [Read more...]

 In Adrienne Brovero’s fast-talking world of forensics, most things are up for discussion. But there’s one thing about the head UMW debate coach that is inarguable – her talent. “Adrienne Brovero is one of the best debate coaches in the country,” said UMW Director of Debate Timothy O’Donnell. In November, the National Debate Tournament signaled its agreement with O’Donnell by honoring Brovero with the Ross K. Smith National Coach of the Year Award, reserved for exceptional teachers who have proven their ability to advance the forensic art. The annual award is presented during the Intercollegiate Debate Tournament at Wake Forest University, where Brovero spent much time honing her skills. She twice made it to the National Debate Tournament semifinals while earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Wake. She also coached debate there and at the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, and the University of Richmond. During most of her time at Mary Washington, … [Read more...]

An international law professor and women’s rights activist seeking refuge in Fredericksburg is sharing her knowledge and experience with Mary Washington students. Leila Asadi, who fled Iran to escape the possibility of being jailed for speaking against the government, is serving this semester as UMW Iranian scholar-in-residence. Asadi feared legal retaliation after she worked to quash a proposed law that would negate the rights of married Iranian women. She also reported about gender-related issues to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Asadi came to Fredericksburg through the Scholar Rescue Fund program, part of the nonprofit Institute of International Education. UMW is committed to safeguarding human rights and helping scholars who face persecution; it provides Asadi room and board. In addition to teaching a seminar on human rights and Islam, Asadi is assisting with student research and continuing her own studies of women’s rights in Iran, including human … [Read more...]

When the University of Mary Washington dedicated its Dahlgren Campus Center for Education and Research, the University’s third campus, on Friday, Feb. 17, the theme was cooperation. UMW built the state-of-the-art facility so it and other state colleges and universities can easily collaborate with the Navy, state government, and business leaders to bring advanced science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) training to the Naval Support Facility Dahlgren and to professionals in the area. At the opening ceremony, William J. Howell, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said the center will bolster Virginia’s STEM education initiatives, and it will build the area’s workforce and economy. “The campus will contribute much to the future vitality of the region,” Howell said. Four Virginia universities – George Mason, Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth, and Virginia Tech – and the Naval Postgraduate School offer graduate engineering courses at the 27-acre Dahlgren campus. … [Read more...]