University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino kicked off the new academic year at an assembly for faculty and staff, where he welcomed a strong incoming class and cited ambitious plans for the future.
During the hourlong gathering, held in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium, he reflected on the strengths of the campus community, a flurry of facilities work throughout the summer and technological advances that present both challenges and opportunities. All of it, he said, combined with a unique time and place, puts UMW on a path to success.
“I believe if we take advantage of this moment, this is an opportunity for the revival of the enduring value of the liberal arts,” said Paino, who’s beginning his 10th year as Mary Washington’s president. “We are preparing our students to be lifelong learners, to adapt, to be curious. I look forward to the work that faculty and staff continue to do in this space.”
More than 1,000 first-year and transfer students – including 154 student-athletes and 73 grad students – join this year’s incoming class, which Paino described as selective and talented, a credit, he said, to UMW’s Admissions team. He also welcomed Mary Washington’s new Vice President for Student Affairs Mike Walsh and thanked Juliette Landphair, the former vice president for student affairs who now leads health and wellness at UMW.
Priorities for the year, Paino said, include enhancing and adapting Mary Washington’s liberal arts mission, energizing campus life and school pride, modernizing infrastructure while preserving the University’s historic beauty, and meeting the region and the Commonwealth’s future workforce needs. To that end, Paino said, Mary Washington plans to add several offerings, including certifications in entrepreneurship and AI, and a Master of Science in Nursing.
He touted UMW’s new Center for AI and the Liberal Arts and additional ways the University is working to meet regional workforce needs.
Paino also pointed to a recent wave of top rankings, many of which recognize Mary Washington’s support of students through health and wellness, and internship opportunities, as well as the University’s propensity for making an impact.
In addition, Paino praised facilities projects throughout the summer, including the Monroe Hall roof restoration, Simpson Library repairs, stormwater work around Woodard Hall and improvements to the Alvey Parking Deck. New turf and fencing were added to the fields at the Battleground Athletic Complex, and a campus-wide accessibility project continues, Paino said, with upgrades planned for Ball and Farmer halls.
In preparation for UMW’s new theatre – home to the Department of Theatre and Dance at the corner of Sunken and William streets – came the demolition of Brent Hall, with Russell and Marshall up next and new construction slated to start next year.
Ending his address on a high note, Paino thanked the faculty, staff, friends and donors who invest their time and gifts. Last year, he said, marked the largest fundraising year in Mary Washington history, with a 32% increase in unrestricted support, a large portion of which came during Mary Wash Day, raising $1.33 million from supporters in 24 hours.
University Advancement and Alumni Relations “could not be successful if not for your good work,” Paino said. “The reason people give is because of the experiences they had here … or their belief in the work that’s going on in your departments, in your programs and in your classrooms.”
It’s a trajectory he told the crowd that, with their help, he plans to continue.
“We all have a responsibility to leave this place better than we found it,” he said. “Working together, we will do that on behalf of our students and our future students.”
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