Campus Briefing 2/16

By JONATHAN POLSON

UMW Mock Trial Team Places Third in Regional Tournament: The University of Mary Washington’s Mock Trial team placed third in the Baltimore Regional Tournament on Feb. 11 and 12 in Baltimore, Md. Co-captains Samantha Carter, a sophomore, and Chapin Fausel led the team. The team will advance to the National Tournament which will be held in Washington D.C., according to a UMW press release

Eagle Fitness: Eagle Fitness is providing exercise advice from experienced athletes and students, according to a recent UMW press release. The gym is also offering fitness activities throughout campus and Fredericksburg in order to increase the social activity of working out. Senior Patrick Owen founded the program, and information can be found on the Eagle Fitness Facebook page.

Political Science Seniors Work with Professor on Book Project: According to a press release by the University of Mary WashingtonSeniors Michael Behrens, Chris Blough, Ian Huff, and Eric Stortz have teamed up with Assistant Professor of Political Science Chad Murphy to research and contribute chapters to a book on presidential rhetoric.

This collaborative project is one of many research initiatives in UMW’s undergraduate research program.

Behrens, political science and pre-law philosophy double major, had no reservations about taking on this difficult project with his professor.

“That’s just the environment that the school’s attitude cultivates,” said Behrens. “There’s no harm in asking [a professor] if there is a project you can work on.”

Murphy also feels that his students are up to the challenge.

“The undergraduates here are really strong, they can pull off something like this.”

UMW Announces Basic Business Course: UMW’s Small Business Development Center has partnered with Rappahannock Community College to introduce the initial course in the Hewlett-Packard Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs program.

According to a university press release, the first level of the program, “Imagine,” will teach the basics of marketing, operations, communication, and finance for people with no business background. The course will provide computer and software technologies necessary for future training.

The course lasts four weeks and will be held every Thursday from Feb. 23 to March 15. Registration for the class is $80 for the full four weeks or $25 for a single class. Registration is available on the UMW website.

Relay for Life: According to a university press release, UMW will hold the 2012 Relay for Life on Saturday, April 21. Relay for Life is an event to raise money for the American Cancer Society and celebrate the lives of cancer survivors. Various teams raise money and walk around the track in different shifts during the 24-hour event.