The University of Mary Washington today announced the creation of the University Center for Economic Development and its intent to award a contract to the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance to support the university’s regional economic development efforts. “These actions will position the university to assist the entire region with economic development efforts,” said UMW President Rick Hurley. “This region of Virginia is ripe with opportunity to further develop economically, and I would like to see UMW become a key player in that effort,” Hurley said. “UMW has a rich, intellectual capital resource pool that can be tapped by regional businesses that need assistance to improve, and I believe the existence of our Center also will be an attraction to businesses considering the possibility of locating in this region. We can provide services to the business community and by doing so help promote the region and its attractiveness. We believe that a … [Read more...]

The University of Mary Washington’s Board of Visitors has approved new rates for the 2011-2012 academic year. Full-time Virginia residents living on campus will pay $17,274, including tuition, fees, room and board. This amount represents an increase of $ 1,400, or 8.8 percent, over 2011 rates. Similarly, full-time out-of-state students living on campus will pay $29,002, compared to $27,602 last year. “We continue to advance our vision as outlined in the UMW strategic plan,” said Board Rector Daniel K. Steen. “This will allow us to protect the academic core, provide support for unavoidable increases and vital services, and increase student financial aid,” he said. Steen said the rates were tightly managed in order to meet increased costs and decreased state and federal support while maintaining the university’s high academic standards, and at the same time, preserving UMW’s standing as one of the top values for higher education as rated by … [Read more...]

Calculus can be fun. At least that is the opinion of Keith Mellinger, chair of the University of Mary Washington’s Department of Mathematics. Mellinger and his colleague Randall Helmstutler recently hosted the university’s fifth annual high school calculus tournament at UMW. Teams from Fairfax to Orange counties competed against local high school mathematicians in a Jeopardy-style competition for top-team honors. On an individual level, students were given calculus challenges that would help them prepare for college advanced placement (AP) exams. “This has really taken off,” said Helmstutler. “We are seeing a lot of interest from high school teachers who want to showcase their most talented students. And it doesn’t hurt that we award some really cool prizes to the winners courtesy of support from GEICO and Texas Instruments.” This year’s winning team was the “Ubiquitous C’s” from Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, … [Read more...]

A 1972 alumna of the University of Mary Washington has made a $1 million bequest to encourage and support UMW students seeking to study abroad. The donor, who asked to remain anonymous, wishes to enhance opportunities and resources for international education, while increasing the percentage of undergraduate students who study abroad or participate in international learning experiences. “This is a great example of alumni giving back to the institution and creating opportunities for the next generation of students,” said UMW President Rick Hurley. The university has an active study abroad program. UMW’s Center for International Education, formerly the Office of International Academic Services, administers 16 partner programs and more than a dozen faculty-led excursions. Students may also select from the offerings of other universities and receive academic credit toward graduation requirements. Study abroad programs are available for a semester, academic year, summer or … [Read more...]

Nearly 50 years after civil rights pioneer James L. Farmer Jr. organized the Freedom Rides that led to desegregated bus terminals throughout the South, the University of Mary Washington has teamed with Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) to call for a commemorative U.S. postage stamp to honor the late Farmer. “Dr. Farmer holds a place of special honor here at the University of Mary Washington, a Virginia public university where he taught classes for more than a decade as Commonwealth Professor of History,” said UMW President Richard V. Hurley. “Countless Mary Washington students were enlightened and enriched by his vivid, firsthand accounts of personal sacrifice and courage within the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. I’m asking all our students, alumni and friends to join us in support of this joint proposal,” Hurley said. In a letter sent Sept. 24 to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Lewis encouraged his colleagues to join him in asking the … [Read more...]

The University of Mary Washington Foundation has announced the names of the first four businesses that have signed leases to open in the new section of Eagle Village. All four businesses are locally owned and include new businesses Blackstone Coffee and Pancho Villa Express, as well as returning businesses Quiznos and Lee’s Cleaners, according to Jeff Rountree, CEO of the University of Mary Washington Foundation and president of Eagle Property Holdings. Blackstone Coffee opened its first store in Spotsylvania in 2008. The new store will be a European-style coffee house offering fresh, imported beans roasted by owner Don Merritt. He also will serve some food items including New York bagels, French baguette sandwiches and a selection of homemade pastries at the new location. “In the surveys that we conducted both on campus and in the local community, the need for a great coffee house was the top request that we received,” Rountree said. What attracted me to … [Read more...]

Mary L. Gendernalik-Cooper has been selected as dean of the College of Education at the University of Mary Washington. As the chief academic officer for the college, she is the inaugural dean of the newly created college of education, which unites two discrete education programs that have been serving different populations of students on the Fredericksburg and Stafford campuses. She will assume the new post on August 1. Gendernalik-Cooper will report directly to the provost and will oversee matters regarding faculty, the curriculum, academic programs and academic support for the College of Education. The college has 21 full-time faculty and additional adjunct faculty. “Mary brings a wealth of experience and a national reputation of excellence to the university and is the right person to lead us forward as we start up the new College of Education. I look forward to her joining the academic affairs team,” said UMW Provost Jay Harper. Gendernalik-Cooper comes to UMW from … [Read more...]

The University of Mary Washington graduated a total of 1,201 students during its 99th commencement in a graduate ceremony on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium and in an undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 8, at 9 a.m. in Ball Circle on the university’s Fredericksburg campus. The university awarded 67 master of business administration degrees, 121 master of education degrees, 12 master of science in management information systems, 40 master of science in elementary education degrees, 396 bachelor of arts degrees, 40 bachelor of liberal studies degrees, 56 bachelor of professional studies degrees and 469 bachelor of science degrees. Graduates with a master of business administration degree: Robert J. Absher, Robert M. Adams, Matthew D. Anderson, George D. Baker, Kristina L. Barbee, Nathan Berezan, Soumya K. Bhowmic, Amanda V. Bresko, Leola D. Britford, Thomas M. Brooks, Jonathan M. Brouillette, Lisa C. Brown, Lisa K. Bruer, Amber E. Busler, Chad R. Cayer, Mark … [Read more...]

The University of Mary Washington presented its top honors during commencement ceremonies Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8. Elisa Ann Stengel Walker of Rockville, Md., received the Colgate W. Darden Jr. Award, which is presented annually to the student with the highest grade-point average (GPA) in the four-year undergraduate program. She finished with a 3.982 GPA. Gregg Stull, professor of theatre and chair of the department of theatre and dance, was presented the Grellet C. Simpson Award, which is the institution’s most prestigious annual award for excellence in undergraduate teaching. The recipient is usually a senior member of the faculty. Stephen C. Davies, assistant professor of computer science, received the Mary W. Pinschmidt Award. The winner is selected by the graduating class as the faculty member “whom they will most likely remember as the one who had the greatest impact on their lives.” Robert R. Barr, assistant professor of political science, … [Read more...]

The University of Mary Washington announced today that Acting President Rick Hurley has named Dr. Martin A. Wilder Jr., to the newly established post as chief of staff effective May 10, 2010. In this role, Wilder will work very closely with the president, providing essential advice and counsel on all matters related to the University. “As we continue to move forward, I wanted a chief of staff who has in-depth knowledge of how the university functions, established regional relationships and the ability to get things done. Marty has all those credentials and is perfect for the position,” Hurley said. Under the direction of the president, the chief of staff will advance the interests of the university through work with state legislators, and regional business and government leaders. He will report directly to the president as a member of the president’s cabinet, serve as liaison to the Board of Visitors, and provide oversight to the board clerk. Mary Randolph … [Read more...]