Fredericksburg in the running for 10 Best college towns
2 min read
By MEGAN FLOURNOY
Every week, USA Today asks travel experts to pick 20 nominees for different categories to compete in their “10Best” contest. One of the categories featured is Best College Town Weekend, and Fredericksburg, Virginia, home to the University of Mary Washington, is currently featured as a nominee. In this category, twenty different college communities are labeled as nice weekend getaways, complete with the college atmosphere.
Other categories from 10Best “range from food, lodging destinations to travel gear and things to do,” according to 10best.com. For the duration of the contest, readers can vote for their favorites, and when the contest is over, the top 10 choices are winners.
According to UMW’s Faculty and Staff Newsletter Eagle Eye, voting for Best College Town Weekend ends on Monday, Oct. 6. The 10 winners will be announced on the 10Best website on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
This contest has already brought attention to Fredericksburg, and each day more students and faculty are becoming aware of the contest.
“Fredericksburg is a strong contender for this contest because it has everything: a strong university, vibrant downtown community – history, tradition, and a lot of people who genuinely care for the community,” said Doug Searcy, vice president for student affairs. “It really is a great place to be.”
Junior Megan Green said she found out about the contest through Facebook and is eager for a potential Fredericksburg victory.
“It would mean a lot for the community. UMW does a great job of supporting the people of Fredericksburg. It would be a well-deserved honor,” Green said.
Sophomore mathematics major Breezi Comden also agreed winning the contest would bring positive attention to both the university and the city of Fredericksburg.
“More people would come and check it all out,” Comden said. “It would bring in good business for Fredericksburg and get people to view our beautiful campus.”
The contest is also an opportunity to further unite the university and the Fredericksburg community, junior psychology major Sarah Listenbee noted.
“Winning would allow for student bragging rights,” Listenbee said. “And [it would] increase the school spirit throughout the town.”
