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January 2011 Newsletter

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January 2011

Dear UMW Neighbor,

I write to wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year for 2011. Your support of the University of Mary Washington is greatly appreciated, and I encourage you to take an active part in the life of the University.

Please join us for some of the many interesting and informative public events that will take place on the Fredericksburg campus during the spring semester. These include the Great Lives speakers’ series, the Fredericksburg Forum, and numerous other nationally prominent lecturers and presenters. We will be offering many musical concerts, plays, dance programs, art exhibits, and multicultural programs. In addition, our outstanding intercollegiate athletic teams invite you to attend their winter and spring contests to cheer on the hometown “Eagles.”

I am pleased to provide you with some information and updates regarding important dates and happenings at UMW. New students arrived on Thursday, January 6. Typically, we have about 90 new students joining us for the spring semester. Our students returned to class on Monday, January 10. Spring Break will extend from 5 p.m. on Friday, February 25, until Monday, March 6. Graduate Commencement will be the evening of Friday, May 6, and Undergraduate Commencement will be held on Saturday morning, May 7. Spring Break will extend from 5 p.m. on Friday, February 25, until Monday, March 6. Graduate Commencement will be the evening of Friday, May 6, and Undergraduate Commencement will be held on Saturday morning, May 7.

We are very excited to hold several events this spring to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “Freedom Rides.” In the spring of 1961, a small but courageous group of individuals set forth on commercial buses in a peaceful effort to challenge racial segregation in interstate transportation. They were organized and led by Dr. James Farmer, head of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), who later served as Distinguished Professor of History and American Studies here at Mary Washington. Ultimately, the movement enlisted more that 400 Freedom Riders whose actions helped to change the course of history in the U.S. Throughout the spring semester, UMW will feature educational displays, lectures, and other programs to commemorate the sacrifices of the Freedom Riders and Dr. Farmer’s role as one of the nation’s greatest Civil Rights leaders. A listing of scheduled events is included in this mailing. Please check the UMW website (www.umw.edu) frequently for more information, including times and locations, for these and other activities.

I also invite you to join efforts that we are undertaking to seek a commemorative U.S. postage stamp to honor Dr. James Farmer. A broad-based committee of UMW faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as community members, is asking the U.S. Postal Service Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to issue a stamp honoring Dr. Farmer. A coordinated effort on Capitol Hill is being led by the Honorable John Lewis, U.S. Representative of Georgia, a close colleague of James Farmer during the 1960’s movement and himself one of the original Freedom Riders. You may add your support by signing our online petition at http://jamesfarmer.umw.edu/.

Here on the Fredericksburg campus, we are moving rapidly forward on several major facilities projects. The Anderson Center, our new athletic and convocation center on College Avenue at Route 1, will be completed by summer and will open in the fall of 2011. The renovation of Monroe Hall, our original academic building, will be completed later this spring. The expansion and renovation of the Randolph and Mason Hall living and learning center will continue through next academic year.

As you may have heard, we are currently seeking input to the draft of the University’s new master plan. The draft plan is available for review at the following website: http://masterplan.umwblogs.org/. I encourage you to add to the public comments regarding the master plan or to send your reactions or suggestions directly to me. When it is approved in its final form, this plan will guide our physical plant growth and development for many years, so it is important that we have as much input as possible from all stake holders.

In the interests of good community relations, I also am listing certain outdoor events that will be occurring this spring. I assure you that, while some of these may be heard from the immediately surrounding neighborhood or may bring additional traffic to the area, we will do everything possible to ensure that they are not unduly disruptive to our neighbors.

April 2 Rock for Life Concert, Ball Circle, 3-6 p.m.
April 2-3 Relay for Life, Location TBD, 3:00 p.m.–3:00 a.m.
April 9 Multicultural Fair, Campus Walk, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
April 10 Powder Puff Football, Ball Circle, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
April 16 Students Helping Honduras Volleyball Tournament, Ball Circle, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
April 16 Spring Fling (dance party and laser tag), Ball Circle, 8-11 p.m.
April 22 Devil/Goat Day (games and activities), Ball Circle, 4-6 p.m.
May 6 Graduation Ball, Woodard Courtyard and Great Hall, 9 p.m.-midnight

In addition, we might have a couple of outdoor “drive-in” movies on Ball Circle, but these dates have not yet been finalized.

We hope that you will enjoy these announcements, as well as a coupon to our UMW Bookstore:

Again, I wish you a Happy New Year, and I look forward to seeing you here on our campus.

Sincerely,

Richard V. Hurley
President