What You Missed Over the Summer

Lynne Richardson named as new Dean of the College of Business
On May 18, 2011, the University of Mary Washington announced that Lynne Richardson will be the new Dean of the College of Business.

According to a university press release, Richardson formerly served for three and a half years as the Dean of the College of Business at Mississippi State University. Before serving at MSU, she served as the Dean of the College of Business at Miller College of Business at Ball State University.

Richardson succeeds Larry Penwell, the Acting Dean of the College of Business since its creation in 2010.

UMW graduate received Fullbright scholarship
Michele Alexander, a 2011 UMW graduate was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study healthcare policies toward children affected by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster that released radiation into several countries.

Alexander is the eighth UMW student to receive a Fulbright Scholarship in the school’s history, and the sixth student in the the last four years.
Alexander received a degree in political science with a concentration in Middle Eastern studies and a minor in economics.

UMW employee wins Special Olympics
UMW employee Grace Anne Braxton competed and won the Level 5 18-hole stroke play division for Golf at the 2011 Special Olympic Summer World Games in Athens, Greece.

According to the Virginia State Golf Association, Braxton competed against women from around the world and finished four rounds for a 383 over 72-holes to win the Division I women’s competition.

“It’s always exciting to have a faculty member recognized for their acheivement,” Acting Associate Vice President of University Relations at Eagle Landing and Communications Anna Billingsley said.

This was her second consecutive victory in the World Games, taking home a 36-stroke triumph in the division. She also claimed the world title in 2007 in China by 36 strokes.

Additionally, Braxton has a gold medal in swimming from the 1991 World Summer Games.

UMW named to President’s community service honor roll
For the second year in a row, UMW was named to The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

According to a university press release, “UMW is one of 641 U.S. colleges and universities recognized for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.”

The award was presented specifically to UMW’s Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) for their outstanding overall achievement.

Stephen Farnsworth to lead Leadership and Media Services center
The University of Mary Washington will open a Leadership and Media Services Center in January, headed by Stephen Farnsworth, an author, political scientist, and former UMW professor.

The center will provide students with an opportunity to do research and political opinion surveys studying the role media plays in state and national politics.

The center will also provide undergraduates with  access to UMW graduates in government and political careers in an effort to improve the student and graduate experience.

Farnsworth, a UMW professor for 13 years until 2008, will also resume teaching in the department of political science and foreign affairs.

Three new appointments to Board of Visitors
Governor Bob McDonnell announced three new appointments to the University of Mary Washington’s Board of Visitors on July 8 of this year.

Joseph W. Grzeika, Dorcas R. Hardy and B. Judson Honaker will serve four-year terms, which will expire in 2015.

They succeeded Princess R. Moss, Russell H. Roberts and Nanalou W. Sauder, whose terms expired on June 30 of this year.

UMW recieves honors from Fiske, Princeton Review, and Forbes
According to a series of UMW press releases, Fiske College Guide, the Princeton Review, and Forbes all named UMW as one of the best schools in the country.

For the second year in a row, UMW was the only Virginia institution to be named as a Fiske College Guide’s “Best Buy”

The Princeton Review says UMW is “‘a lovely state university that gives you a private school education.’”

Additionally, Forbes.com online news magazine named UMW as one of the nation’s top colleges for the fourth consecutive year. UMW is ranked 55th out of the 100 best colleges in the country for “best buy.”

“We’re continually pleased with how well Mary Washington ranks,” Acting Associate Vice President of University Relations at Eagle Landing and Communications Anna Billingsley said.

UMW foundation to build Eagle Village hotel
Cardinal Bank is financing the University Foundation to build a $13 million-plus hotel at  Eagle Village, across from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg according to a university press release.

The University Foundation formed a new company, Eagle Hospitality, LLC to own and manage the 100-room hotel.

It will be located between Giant Food and Eagle Landing, and will serve the entire Fredericksburg community. Additionally, it will be accessible to Mary Washington Health Care through a connector road.

This connector road is significant because Mary Washington Hospital is the trauma center for I-95 in Northern Virginia.

Rick Pearce named Vice President for Administration and Finance
The University of Mary Washington announced that Richard R. Pearce would be the new vice president of administration and finances and treasurer of the University Foundation.

Pearce has been acting in the same capacity since last year.

Pearce was previously the assistant and associate vice president for business and finance from 1998 to 2010.

Anderson Center opens with ribbon cutting ceremony
On Aug. 25, the University of Mary Washington officially opened the new Anderson Center on the Fredericksburg campus.

Under construction since 2009, the Anderson Center is a multi-use facility that can host sporting and special events and can hold over 3000 people at maximum capacity.

The first event in the Anderson Center was a volleyball game against Marymount University on Wednesday, Sept. 7.