January 8, 2024
Dear UMW Neighbor,
We look forward to a new semester full of opportunities, discoveries, and beloved traditions as we welcome our students back to campus for classes that resume on January 16.
We are happy to announce that the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series returns this month, featuring a new slate of fascinating figures and fictional characters — those who have influenced history or culture in a significant way through politics, popular culture, military service, literature, sports, theatre, science, and more. We are thankful for the many UMW faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors, as well as community leaders and organizations who generously support this unique, beloved, cultural resource that is free to all.
The new year brings an array of exciting new improvements to campus, as we are working to implement just over $11M in appropriations to begin campus-wide accessibility improvements, including ramps, elevators, restroom modifications, accessible furniture, pedestrian site improvements, and more. These improvements will remove barriers to accessing classes and offices, participating in events, etc. and will impact every member of our campus and the neighboring communities.
The preliminary design phase for the new theatre building is anticipated to be completed this spring. We are grateful for the collaboration with the City of Fredericksburg as this project will connect campus and the downtown area via Sunken Road and William Street. Plans also include renovating duPont, Pollard, and Melchers Halls, providing long overdue updates to offices, academic spaces, storage spaces, etc. in aged buildings that have seen no major renovations since their construction in the 1950s.
Last month, the UMW Police Department moved its offices from South Hall to Eagle Village, providing an updated central command center needed to provide a safe and supportive environment for our campus community. In addition, the project to install emergency blue light boxes on campus has been completed, offering additional access points for emergency assistance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year.
UMW Athletics will purchase and install modular locker rooms to be located adjacent to the Physical Plant at the Battleground Athletic Complex. The two modular units (24’ x 60’ and 24’ x 100’) will support three locker rooms and installation is expected to begin this spring.
Finally, UMW has formed a Comprehensive Campus and Building Planning Committee that will devise a 10-year plan for UMW, considering anticipated changes in academic and cultural evolution, as well as physical facility, resource, and ecological needs. We look forward to intentionally exploring how we can enhance our lovely campus and strengthen it for generations to come.
UMW promotes values of service and community and civic engagement and UMW students are making an impact in our community. During the 2022-2023 academic year alone, UMW students worked with over 100 community partners and logged 20,000 hours of direct service. Student-athletes are required to give back to the community through service and 4,770 hours of the total hours reflect their service work. UMW students are routinely demonstrating their genuine desire to serve, connect, and make a difference.
Spring Break will be held the first week in March with classes resuming on March 11. This weeklong break affords UMW faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to pursue research projects, travel abroad, service projects, experiential learning opportunities, and more. On April 13, we will host thousands of guests at the 34th annual Multicultural Fair, featuring musical and dance entertainment, craft vendors, children’s activities, etc. Please join us as we celebrate and highlight many varied cultural and ethnic traditions, customs, festivities, food dishes, and more. And, finally, our seniors and their families will celebrate their achievements at Commencement on May 11 on Ball Circle.
I encourage you to be a part of our vibrant, beautiful campus. Please see the links below for more information about how you can connect with our community throughout the semester.
Sincerely,
Troy D. Paino, J.D., Ph.D.
President