Founders Day - March 14, 2008

Centennial Convocation

George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium, 3 p.m.

The University of Mary Washington was founded by the General Assembly of Virginia on March 14, 1908, as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Fredericksburg.  The Centennial Celebration of this momentous day included the following special events for UMW faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends.

CONVOCATION CEREMONY IN DODD AUDITORIUM

A formal academic ceremony included greetings from Governor Timothy Kaine, O'Conor Goolrick Ashby, and Alumni Association President Barbara Micou, and a keynote speech by historian David McCullough. A video of the ceremony may be viewed on the screen above.

BIRTHDAY RECEPTION IN Trinkle Hall Rotunda

Immediately following the Convocation program, members of the Board of Visitors, speakers, representatives of UMW classes from 1936 to 2007, and descendants of Delegate O’Conor Goolrick were invited for a birthday toast and cake. 

Centennial Campaign Dinner in Palmieri Plaza

The University kicked off its Centennial Campaign at a tented dinner in Palmieri Plaza.

CENTENNIAL BALL IN WOODARD CAMPUS CENTER GREAT HALL AND PALMIERI PLAZA

UMW faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends were invited to a Centennial Ball with A Touch of Jazz playing in the Great Hall and Doc Scantlin's Imperial Band playing under the tent in Palmieri Plaza.

UMW museums and other Centennial events and exhibitions OPEN during the Founders Day Celebration:

Combs Hall: A Walk Through Time: The First 100 Years of the University of Mary Washington
An exhibit on the lower level created by students studying Historic Preservation [M-F 8-10]

duPont Gallery: Senior Studio Art Major Exhibition [M-F 10-4, Sat-Sun 1-4; (540) 654-1013]
Opening Reception on March 14, 5-7 p.m.

Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont: Memorable Madonna - The Art Institute of Chicago’s Mother and Child A special exhibition of one of Gari Melchers’ most beloved paintings, accompanied by other examples of the Mother and Child theme from the museum collection.  [224 Washington Street, Falmouth; M-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4; (540) 654-1015; www.GariMelchers.org]

James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library: James Monroe - An American Life and the Making of a Revolutionary In Monroe’s 250th birth-anniversary year, two fine new exhibits:  an introduction to Monroe and the Museum, and an exhibit on Monroe in the Revolutionary War
[908 Charles St., Fredericksburg; M-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5; (540) 654-1043; www.umw.edu/jamesmonroemuseum]        

Jepson Alumni Executive Center: UMW-Community Art Show, One Hundred Years Together
A joint exhibition between UMW and artists in the greater Fredericksburg region whose works reflect the time, place, changes, traditions, departures, and discoveries of our shared experiences.
Opening Reception on First Friday, March 7, 2008, 6-9 p.m. [M-F 8-5; (540) 654-1024]

Ridderhof  Martin Gallery: Centennial Alumni Exhibition
Opening Reception for this exhibition of works by UMW alumni on March 13, 5-7 p.m. [MWF 10-4, Sat-Sun 1-4; (540) 654-1013]

Simpson Library: Simpson’s Secret Treasures: A Century of Special Collections
[M-Th 8 a.m.- midnight, F 8-6, Sat noon-6, Sun noon-midnight; (540) 654-1125]

UMW Bookstore: Moments in Time by Lynda Richardson ’81 A coffee-table book by a UMW alumna and award-winning photojournalist. [M-Th 8-7, F 8-5, Sat 10-4; (540) 654-1017]

Woodard Campus Center: 100 Years of UMW History in Pictures and Words An exhibition in the foyer of photographs from the archival collection