Centennial Events Photo Album
The Centennial!
In April, the Wind and Percussion Ensemble premiered compositions written and conducted by Professor of Music David J. Long and Associate Professor of Music Craig T. Naylor, culminating with a final movement that combined electric guitar and bass, Asian percussion, and African drums to celebrate UMW students, faculty, traditions, and global intertwining and to signal a very bright, truly international future as a universe-ity.
Centennial Concert
The Founders Day celebration concluded the following evening with the UMW-Community Symphony Orchestra, marking the first return of Distinguished Professor Emeritus James Baker, who founded the Orchestra, and including compositions by two senior students, by Professor of Music David Long, and by nationally renowned composer James Grant.
Centennial Ball
The Centennial Ball was held on Founders Day for 1,000 UMW faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends in the Great Hall and in a tent over Palmieri Plaza. Guests strolled between the venues to enjoy the bands and refreshments at each.
Birthday Reception
A birthday reception was held for the descendents of the University’s “Founding Father,” C. O’Conor Goolrick, and the representatives of classes from 1936 to 2007 followed the Founders Day Convocation Ceremony. The Rector of the Board of Visitors offered a toast to UMW, and Goolrick descendents Catherine O'Conor Ashby and Elizabeth Claiborne Ashby cut the cake.
Founders Day Convocation
On March 14, 2008, the Founders Day Convocation Ceremony included the new Univesity mace carried by Faculty Marshal Steven Stageberg, representatives from classes between1936 and 2008, and three guest speakers:
- Governor Timothy Kaine stressed the importance of educating women, noting that UMW helped move Virginia from the position of a lagging to a leading state
- O’Conor Goolrick Ashby gave the University the silver loving cup presented at the corner-laying ceremony for the first building in 1915 to his grandfather, Delegate C. O’Conor Goolrick, considered the father of UMW
- David McCullough spoke on the importance of excellence in teaching and of historical literacy.
Mary and George Washington
Great Lives: Biographical Approaches to History the evening prior to Founders Day featured a lecture by Peter R. Henriques, George Mason University Professor Emeritus of History, on the relationship between mother and son and Mary Washington’s influence over George’s values.
Centennial patch
A specially designed Centennial patch was worn by members of UMW athletic teams on their uniforms for competitions held during “Founders Week.”
One Hundred Years Together
The UMW-Community Art Show kicked off “Founders Week” with an exhibition by regional artists reflecting the shared experiences of the University and the Fredericksburg region. First place was awarded to W.E. Richardson for “Rappahannock White Water.”
Music Department Reunion Concert
The UMW Wind and Percussion Ensemble, Reunion Band, and Jazz Ensemble welcomed former participants in these groups to present an afternoon of music. "A Centennial Celebration for Jazz Ensemble" composed by Lecturer Douglas Gately captured the various styles of jazz that generations may have listened to while attending Mary Washington over the past 100 years.
Centennial Chamber Music Concert
In February, the Music Department celebrated the Centennial with an evening of commissioned works by Christopher Hogan '03, Mark Snyder '97, and Associate Professor Craig Thomas Naylor. Images of poetry by UMW Pulitzer Prize-winning Distinguished Professor Claudia Emerson were set directly in the final composition.
Legislative Day
In January, the University of Mary Washington and James Madison University hosted a joint reception for the General Assembly. Speaker of the House of Delegates William Howell presented a joint resolution in honor of the founding of the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Fredericksburg and at Harrisonburg in 1908, and the presidents of each university toasted their sister school.
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Pops Concert
The UMW-Community Symphony Orchestra dedicated its entire season to the centennial theme of "Heroes Past and Present," including the theme "Ghosts from Christmas Past" with costumed historical figures at the annual POPS concert. Before the concert, children were invited to the annual Fiddlestix Petting Zoo to "toot a flute, have a fling with a string, or get to know an oboe."
Centennial Holiday Concert
On November 30, 2007, the UMW Department of Music Ensembles performed a Centennial Holiday Concert in Dodd Auditorium.
Centennial Leadership Colloquium for Professional Women
The 14th Annual Leadership Colloquium for Professional Women selected the theme "Honor yesterday, Embrace today, Imagine tomorrow" to recognize the University's Centennial Celebration. Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, President of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, gave the keynote address, "I Am Woman, Watch Me Lead."
Richardson's "Moments in Time" Opening
Gari Melchers Home and Studio sponsored a reception and lecture for the opening exhibition of "Moments in Time - Reliving a Year in Photographs at Mary Washington." The exhibition featured photographs from the limited-edition book by Lynda Richardson '81, published to commemorate the University's centennial and sold exclusively through the UMW Bookstore.
Celebrating UMW's Past, Present, & Future
On October 16, employees learned about UMW's past from Distinguished Professor of History William B. Crawley, Jr., and celebrated individual accomplishments and years of service.
Centennial Executive-In-Residence Program
The centennial Executive-In-Residence program featured three young alumni who hit the ground running as entrepeneurs. Visiting UMW classes on October 8 and 9 were Aaron Altsher '03, MBA '06 of Altsher Consulting, Kevin Dillard '83 of Lifecare Medical Transports, Inc., and Kenneth Lopez '92 of Animators at Law. A similar program was held in the spring.
Ridderhof Martin Gallery Holds Reception for "Inquiring Minds" Exhibit
"Inquiring Minds: A Centennial History of the University of Mary Washington, 1908-2008" opened at the Ridderhof Martin Gallery on Thursday, September 13. The exhibit featured artifacts and photos spanning the first 100 years of the institution including the groundbreaking shovel used for the first buildings on campus and student scrapbooks.
Residence Life Celebrates Centennial through Willard Hall Birthday Party
The Office of Residence Life and Housing kicked off their celebration of the centennial on September 12 with a birthday party at Willard Hall, the first residence hall built on campus.
Centennial celebration and academic year begin with ice cream social
The academic year began on Monday, August 27, with an ice cream social for students, faculty, staff, and community members to kick off the UMW Centennial Celebration. Acting President Rick Hurley spoke about the many events planned for the centennial, and members of the UMW Jazz Band kept the event festive.
Centennial Activities Featured During New Student Orientation
Orientation activities for new students began on August 22, including a "sneak peek" at the new exhibition in the Ridderhof Martin Gallery - "Inquiring Minds: A Centennial History of the University of Mary Washington, 1908-2008." Students also became acquainted with the campus as part of a Centennial Scavenger Hunt.
Ribbon cutting for the Carmen Culpeper Chappell ’59 Centennial Campanile
On Friday, May 11, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Carmen Culpeper Chappell '59 Centennial Campanile included the first chiming of the bells to "ring in" the Centennial Era of the University. John Chappell, husband of the late Carmen Culpeper Chappell, joined his children to officially cut the ribbon.
The 88-foot-tall tower was constructed within the traffic circle near George Washington Hall and the beginning of Campus Walk. The campanile matches the traditional Georgian Revival architectural style of other campus buildings. The base is approximately 21 square feet and includes a fountain dedicated to Chappell’s class, the Class of 1959. The campanile’s bronze bells were cast in Annecy-le-Vieux, France, at the world-famous bellfoundry of Paccard-Fonderie de Cloches.
The bells ring on a daily basis at noon and 6 p.m.
