UMW Students Lead Global Microfinance Movement

The Two Dollar Challenge, part of the Month of Microfinance, raises awareness and funds for poverty-related causes.

More than 85 global microfinance partners have joined the University of Mary Washington in the Month of Microfinance. Throughout the month of April, students at UMW and other participating colleges, universities and high schools will host and participate in campus events related to providing financial services to low-income people who would otherwise be unable to get assistance. A grassroots movement founded at UMW, the Month of Microfinance (MoMF) is in its second year. This year, dozens of international partners are supporting MoMF, including Kiva, Whole Foods Market’s Whole Planet Foundation and Accion. The program highlights local and global events with the goal of providing a value-driven and positive impact for clients. MoMF facilitates connections between students and the microfinance community through conversation and learning. Muhammad Yunus, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, advocated for microfinance principles in … [Read more...]

UMW Survey Shows Virginians Favor Warner in 2014 Senate Race

According to a new survey, Virginians would prefer Mark Warner (left) over Gov. Bob McDonnell in a 2014 Senate match-up. McDonnell's photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor, Michaele White.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner would hold a commanding lead over Gov. Bob McDonnell if the two decide to face off in a U.S. Senate campaign next year, according to a new Virginia survey sponsored by the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Warner received 51 percent support, compared to 35 percent for McDonnell, in the survey of 1,004 state residents conducted March 20-24. The remaining respondents were undecided or declined to answer the question. The margin of sampling error is 3.5 percentage points for the complete survey sample. Data from the survey also includes Virginians’ views of key issues such as gay marriage, the federal deficit and the death penalty. Warner, a former Virginia governor in his first term in the U.S. Senate, said recently that he plans to run for re-election. McDonnell, whose term-limited tenure as governor expires next January, is the strongest potential Republican challenger to Warner, should he choose to enter the … [Read more...]

UMW Survey Shows Virginians Divided on Same-Sex Marriage

A new study from the University of Mary Washington's Center for Leadership and Media Studies shows that Virginia remains a swing state on many key issues.

The question of legalizing gay marriage closely divides Virginians, according to data from a new survey of state residents sponsored by the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. The survey of 1,004 state residents, conducted March 20-24, shows that 45 percent support legalization of gay marriage, with 46 percent opposed. The remaining respondents were undecided or declined to answer the question. The margin of sampling error for the study is 3.5 percentage points. The new UMW survey comes as the U.S. Supreme Court debates two gay marriage cases and as public opinion nationally has shifted in the direction of gay marriage. The UMW survey results represent significant gains for legalization of same-sex marriage in Virginia. In 2006, the commonwealth’s voters approved an amendment to the Virginia Constitution to ban gay marriage by a 57 percent to 43 percent margin. “Rarely does public opinion shift on a social issue as rapidly as it … [Read more...]

City of Fredericksburg, UMW Foundation Awarded Statewide Honor for Eagle Village Hotel

An architect's rendering of the Hyatt Place at Eagle Village

The City of Fredericksburg and the University of Mary Washington Foundation received a statewide 2013 Community Economic Development Award at the Virginia Economic Development Association’s spring conference on Friday, March 29, in Charlottesville. … [Read more...]

UMW Debate Team Started National Tournament Ranked in Top Five

Colin McElhinny (left) and Patrick McCleary are ranked fifth going into the National Debate Tournament.

The University of Mary Washington Debate Team duo of juniors Colin McElhinny and Patrick McCleary ranked fifth in the country going into the 2013 National Debate Tournament. … [Read more...]

UMW To Host Regional STEM Summit, April 20

More than 25 local secondary schools and universities will showcase STEM-related projects.

The University of Mary Washington will host the second annual FredTech STEM 16 Summit on Saturday, April 20 to showcase innovations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics from across the region. … [Read more...]

CEO Doug Dolton ’78 Shares Business Philosophy

Doug Dolton '78 (left) is UMW's Executive-in-Residence for 2012-2013.

Doug Dolton ’78 shared his perspectives on leadership, business and the economy with hundreds of regional leaders on Thursday, March 21, as part of the University of Mary Washington’s annual Executive-in-Residence program. … [Read more...]

UMW English Professor Awarded National Fellowship

LaBreche-Ben10_web

Ben LaBreche, assistant professor of English at the University of Mary Washington, has been awarded a Solmsen Fellowship for 2013-2014. The fellowship will support a year of research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Institute for Research in the Humanities. … [Read more...]

Anderson Wins National Championship in 400 IM

UMW sophomore Alex Anderson broke the NCAA Division III record in the 400-yard individual medley.

University of Mary Washington sophomore Alex Anderson became the fourth individual NCAA national champion in UMW school history by breaking the NCAA Division III record in the 400-yard individual medley on March 21 at the National Swimming and Diving Championships in Shenandoah, Texas.  Anderson finished with a time of 3:50.55. Seeded fourth in the event entering the championships with a time of 3:57, Anderson destroyed his career best by seven seconds in the final. He led the race from start to finish. He shattered the previous NCAA Division III record of 3:51.45, broken in 2009 by Alex Beyer of Washington University. “Alex represented all of the Eagles in the best way possible tonight,” said UMW head coach Abby Brethauer. “We could not be more proud of his national championship. To do it in record setting fashion makes it even more special.” Anderson joins Shannon Hutcherson (women’s swimming, 1993), Myra Simpson (women’s track, 1996), and Paul Bristow and … [Read more...]

UMW Students Turn Out to Help Community

A UMW student helps clean up a hiking trail in Fredericksburg.

Hundreds of University of Mary Washington students spent a recent Saturday in local neighborhoods as part of the university’s Good Neighbor Day. The more than 250 students, representing numerous campus groups and sports teams, completed 20 projects in the neighborhoods surrounding UMW, totaling more than 1,000 hours of community service. The students, joined by President Richard V. Hurley and faculty and staff members, helped with yard work and landscaping projects, organized garages and sheds and cleaned trash from local trails. An effort of UMW’s Student Government Association, Good Neighbor Day gave students an opportunity to interact with their Fredericksburg neighbors. “A lot of students said it was very cool to participate in something so large,” said Jeremy Thompson, president of SGA. “They were hoping they can make a positive impact in the community.” Kagan McSpadden, director of community outreach for SGA, was ecstatic over the success of the effort. … [Read more...]