The Blue & Gray Press

THE

The University of Mary Washington Student Newspaper

BLUE & GRAY PRESS VOLUME 95 | ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 21, 2021

Serving the community since 1922

UMW community celebrates life of Dr. Gwen Hale

“I just wanted a way to honor Gwen and felt like raising money for the community would be fitting,” said Ford. “She was an action-oriented person when it came to people needing help, and I think she would want to be remembered through good actions.”

Heather Guhl, an education support specialist in the Writing and Speaking Centers, began working with Hale in the fall of 2019. Her favorite thing about Hale was “that juxtaposition of so many things in her—the most kind and compassionate person you’ve ever met who loves heavy metal music and monsters. She is an example to other people that you can be anything and everything. You don’t have to fit into a box.”

When Landphair came to the university in 2015, she repeatedly heard staff and students speak fondly of Hale and decided to take her out for lunch. This sparked a years-long friendship between them.

JESS KIRBY Editor-in-Chief

On Monday, Oct. 11, Writing Center Director Gwen Hale passed away after a long battle with cancer. Hale had been with the university since 2011.

Hale started the First-in-Family initiative in 2017 to provide resources for first-generation college students at UMW.

“[Hale was] the most kind and compassionate person you’ve ever met who loves heavy metal music and monsters. She is an example to other people that you can be anything and everything. You don’t have to fit into a box.”

-Heather Guhl “I think the thing that always defined her for me is her care for students and … her placing the student experience at the center of literally everything she did,” said Chief of Staff Jeff McClurken.

Hale also transformed a Writing Center closet into a pantry where students could get food and household products. Years later in 2019, with the help of Hale and other staff and students, this pantry moved to the fifth floor of Lee Hall and officially became the Eagle Resource Closet, according to Leslie Martin, faculty director of the Center for Community Engagement.

“I think it also occurred to her to do this because

Gwen Hale in the Writing Center.

Karen Pearlman / University of Mary Washington

so many students feel comfortable sharing their lives with her,” said Juliette Landphair, the vice president for Student Affairs. “Her legacy, it’s the Resource [Closet].

It’s the Positivity Post. It’s the First-in-Family. Nobody has really stepped up to take her place in the First-inFamily initiative … Her influence was so enormous.”

Nic Ford, a graduate student in the education program and former Writing Center consultant, created a GoFundMe page for the Eagle Resource Closet in honor of Hale.

“She was an action-oriented person when it came to people needing help, and I think she would want to be remembered through good actions.”

-Nic Ford Hale first battled cancer when she was 20 years old, so when Landphair was diagnosed with cancer, she reached out to Hale.

“I contacted her and •MEMORIAL| 7 she was just amazingly

Homecoming week continues with alternate schedule their friends, supporting their student organizations and student-athletes or spending time on campus when campus

SAMANTHA stachowiak Staff Writer

Due to the high local rates of COVID-19 transmission, the University has opted to postpone the traditional Homecoming tailgate until the spring semester. Instead, UMW is celebrating its annual Homecoming Monday, Oct. 18 through Saturday, Oct. 23 with an alternate schedule and some new events.

Throughout the week there are various events that all students are welcome to attend. These events include bingo, the Big Ash Bonfire, Clash of the Clubs and the Homecoming Concert, as well as several sporting events taking place at the Battleground Athletics Complex.

“We hope that many students will take advantage of these events to enjoy being in [the] community together and [to celebrate] being an eagle,” said Sandrine Sutphin, director of UMW Student Activities and Engagement.

In lieu of the traditional lip sync battle that usually happens during Homecoming weekend, the Class Council will be hosting Clash of the Clubs on Ball Circle at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21. This event is open for all performing and non-performing clubs to attend, as well as spectators. Club members will be able to show off their skills and talents to the student body, the winner receiving bragging rights and prize money.

The week will conclude with a Homecoming concert, Mary Rock, hosted by the Campus Programming Board and the Radio Club. All students and alumni are invited to Ball Circle on Friday, Oct. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. to listen

IN THIS

ISSUE

“Missing out on last year’s Homecoming has only made me more excited to get to support all of my friends at their games and really feel the school spirit. I can’t wait to watch the athletic teams take some U-M-Dubs.”

-Cailyn Tripp

The homecoming tailgate will be taking place in the spring 2022 semester.

Photo courtesy of Jack Vizzard

to the Tyler James Band perform.

In addition to the live music, there will be food from Mission BBQ and a t-shirt giveaway.

“I am so excited to get to experience Homecoming this year!” said Cailyn Tripp, a sophomore communication and digital studies major. “I was really bummed about missing out last year due to the pandemic.”

Although the traditional Homecoming tailgate has been postponed, various athletic events will still be taking place at the Battleground on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Alumni, students, parents and friends are all welcome to come cheer on the Eagles.

“Missing out on last year’s Homecoming has only made me more excited to get to support all of my friends at their games and really feel the school spirit,” said Tripp. “I can’t wait to watch

the athletic teams take home some U-MDubs.”

Teams that will be hosting alumni events throughout the morning will include both the men’s and women’s swim teams, the softball team, women’s soccer, women’s rugby and the UMW baseball team. A naming ceremony will also be taking place at the Hegmann Family Tennis Complex.

At noon, men’s rugby will host Mount St. Mary’s at the Hanover Recreation Field. Men’s soccer will be hosting Coast to Coast Athletic Conference rival, Christopher Newport University, on the UMW Grass Field Stadium at noon as well. “[Homecoming is] a great time to demonstrate school spirit for whatever is most important to our students,” said Sutphin. “Whether it’s being with

BOOSTER SHOTS

RAINY DAYS

Boosters provide increased protection against COVID-19.

Students on campus react differently to the rain.

VIEWPOINTS | 3

LIFE | 5

is most beautiful in the fall.”

Summer Allen, a senior communication and digital studies major, said she is thrilled that the university is hosting Homecoming events this year.

“Over the years I have made so many memories with my friends during Homecoming,” said Allen. “I only have a few months left before graduation, so being able to attend Homecoming one last time with my friends is super special to me.”

To make up for the lack of a traditional Homecoming tailgate and to honor alumni from the Classes of 2020 and 2021, UMW will be hosting a spring Homecoming in April of 2022.

The events to take place during this new Homecoming weekend include a Post-Grad Ball, a Tailgating event and the seventh Annual Young Alumni Eagle Crawl. More information on these events is to come in the spring semester.

XC tRAVELS 16 runners travel to California for championships.

SPORTS | 8

NEWS THE

BLUE & GRAY

PRESS

MISSION

The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code.

In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jess Kirby

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Bernadette D’Auria Cosima Pellis

Editors: Josephine Johnson & Scotti Mullen | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

The Popular Reading section returns to Simpson Library following a year break

GRACE SCHUMACHER Staff Writer

The Popular Reading section of Simpson Library has been brought back to life after its absence during the 2020-2021 academic year.

The Popular Reading section, which includes everything from fantasy, to thriller, to memoirs, can be found to the left of the circulation desk on the first floor of Simpson Library.

UMW students can check out books from the section for up to 35 days using their EagleOne card.

Simpson Library has had a long-standing McNaughton lease subscription with the library lenders company Brodart Co. The lease subscription program is a way for libraries to establish rotating collections of popular titles.

BUSINESS EDITOR Erin Matuczinski

COPY EDITOR Abigail Slaughter

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Scotti Mullen Josephine Johnson

VIEWPOINTS Norah Walsh

LIFE Josephine Good

SPORTS Victoria Percherke

ONLINE Cameron Delean Maggie Mae Young

PHOTO Emily Warren

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

“There was a transition period when students would ask where the books were. I’d have to tell them we didn’t have them.”

-Rebecca Harris When deciding which books to order from the lease subscription, the library staff evaluates different reading resources such as Goodreads, public library picks, new release catalogs and popular reading guides. The library staff also look at which titles seem to be popular amongst students.

The library administrators agreed that because COVID-19 prevented students from accessing the books specially ordered for them, the subscription should be canceled during the fall 2020 to spring 2021 academic year. Popular Reading has been a part of Simpson Library for upwards of ten years, with the pandemic introducing UMW’s first academic year without this student section.

Rebecca Harris, the night circulation supervisor of Simpson Library, started working in the library during the height of the pandemic when there were not many students on campus or studying in the library. She said the atmosphere of the

Students can suggest books for the Popular Reading section that has returned to the Simpson Library.

Grace Schumacher / The Blue & Gray Press

library, now that campus has opened back up, is completely different.

“I started this job back in March of 2020,” Harris said. “So I have yet to really experience a normal semester here at UMW.” Harris eagerly took on the revival of the Popular Reading section during September of this year and is continuing to add to the section with a combination of New York Times bestsellers and students’ hot picks.

“There was a transition period when students would ask where the books were.

I’d have to tell them we didn’t have them,” said Harris. “I think it showed just how popular the section was.”

All of the titles displayed are influenced by student engagement with the section.

Typically, all of the borrowed books are sent back at the end of the month and new ones are borrowed. However, UMW can renew their loan of particular books if they are popular with students.

Harris estimates that students should expect to see a collection of new books every month.

“I’m happy because I’ve been noticing books are off the shelves,” said Harris, “Because the first few weeks, it seemed like it was all untouched ... I think because people didn’t know they were there.”

The section has proven to be a “hidden gem,” as Harris calls it.

“I just came across the popular book set-up this year,” said sophomore business major John Staugaitis.“I think it’s nice to have reading options that aren’t reference or research related.”

Student input is the foundation of the section, and library administrators encourage students to make suggestions both at the front desk or through the link found at the bottom of the Popular Reading website.

“Students have a say in what books we select, and we would love it if more students contributed suggestions for what Popular Reading books we choose,” said James Pape, the access services and outreach librarian and previous supervisor of the section.

“All anyone needs to do is

“All anyone needs to do is either provide a suggestion for a Popular Reading book at the front desk or via email to UMWLibraries@umw. edu.”

-James Pape either provide a suggestion for a Popular Reading book at the front desk or via email to UMWLibraries@umw. edu.”

During times of crisis, libraries take pride in staying open as vital community

centers. For Simpson Library, COVID-19 did not mean shutting down; it required finding new ways to serve and support their students from a distance. Simpson provided extended renewal and return policies, expanded online checkout services and added digital resources.

Simpson’s administrators chose to view the pandemic with a clean slate attitude, taking the extra time to revamp the student resources they have available on campus.

“The pandemic provided us with the opportunity to take a look at how books were selected and fine-tune it a bit so our UMW students have the best Popular Reading selection possible,” said Pape.

Popular books can also be viewed on the Library’s website. Some students appreciate having this digital option.

“It’s nice to be able to check what books the library has from my phone,” said junior geography major Caitlin Shirvinski. “That way I can decide if I want to swing by on my way from class.”

Many are excited about the return of the Popular Reading section.

“The Popular Book section is a much-needed mental distraction for many students on campus,” said Pape, “I am glad to see it back in the library.”

CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Jess Kirby, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

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VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Norah Walsh | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Once available, everyone should get booster shots KEVIN REILLY Staff Writer

Everyone at UMW should get a COVID-19 booster shot when they are available, especially if they have underlying health conditions.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pfizer booster shot is available for individuals who were fully vaccinated by the same vaccine at least six months ago, and the Moderna booster is now recommended for emergency use by the FDA. Booster shots are an additional layer of protection against COVID-19, with data from the CDC showing that protection rates from the vaccine may decrease over time and that booster shots lead to increased immune response and protection from the virus.

Of course, booster shots are only something to be considered if the person has already been vaccinated.

While approximately 66 percent of people living in the United States have received their first dose of a vaccine, only about 57 percent have been fully vaccinated, as stated by the CDC vaccine tracker.

In Virginia, approximately 61 percent of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, according to USA

Facts. This high vaccination rate won’t mean too much if the vaccine’s effectiveness lessens as the months continue. Utilizing booster shots along with practicing protocols already in place will help ensure that the COVID-19 virus is maintained as well as possible.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the most highrisk groups include older adults over 65 and those with underlying health conditions. Over the course of the year and into 2022, the booster shots are likely to be available to most people in the U.S. The CDC also states that people who work in high-risk locations, such as health care facilities and schools should highly consider getting a booster shot as well.

In the past, the risk of side effects affecting daily life has been a concern, and the CDC reports rare but reported serious side effects from the booster shorts. The most common side effects are overall fatigue and pain at the injection site.

We are now halfway through UMW’s fall semester and have done a great job at keeping each other protected as much as possible from the spread of COVID-19, as well as the Delta variant. As of Oct. 21, UMW has had

68 known cases, with 425 total tests being conducted at the Student Health Center.

That being said, continuing to wear masks and practice social distancing is beneficial, but getting COVID-19 vaccine booster shots could lower the risk of contracting the virus even further.

Due to many students living in dorms and attending in-person classes on campus, UMW would be considered to be a high-risk zone, meaning all students should get the booster shot.

“I am strongly in favor of everyone getting the vaccine; that is a top priority. As for the booster shots, they are a high priority for anyone in a high-risk category,” said Dr. Anand Rao, professor of communication and digital studies. “Eventually I would think that everyone should get a booster, and, on an individual level, I would encourage getting it.”

Junior political science major Molly Sharman said, “I do think it’s important for UMW students and the community to get the booster if we want to start getting back to normal. I think our school should be trying to set an example for other colleges and have a high vaccination and booster rate. I hope everyone

considers getting vaccinated and the booster shot when it’s available for them, since [the Pfizer vaccine is] now FDA-approved.”

As it stands, the booster shots are meant for individuals in high-risk categories, but as time goes on, it will be important for everyone to get a booster shot to help keep their immunity to COVID-19 strong. Ideally, these shots should be administered sooner than later, as someone’s immunity to the virus will decline the longer they wait. In order for us to get past this pandemic, it’s better to be safe than sorry and to do all we can to protect ourselves and the people around us.

Booster shots allow for increased protection against COVID-19.

CDC / Unsplash

UMW needs to hire more professors of color AIYANNA BARTLEY Staff Writer

UMW should hire more Black teaching faculty in general. But if the University does continue to utilize white professors to teach Black history and culture, these professors should go through proper training.

No differently than using a student’s proper pronoun, a Professor should have the simplest ability to refer to a minority or group of people in an appropriate way.

More reliable resources should be offered so students can express their concerns of racial insensitivity and biases they experience in class. This would be a plausible effort to positively change the culture of our university so that all students are not only comfortable in class but also on campus.

“It’s very shaky at this point due to … professors using language like ‘Blacks’ and ‘negro’ or flat out saying the N-word and not being empathetic towards the students within the class,” said Cameron Washington, a junior cyber security major.

A huge influx of “wokeness” followed the massive human rights movement in the summer of 2020.

Universities worldwide created courses and lectures to discuss racial issues within society directly. For instance, the University of Mary Washington allowed students to participate in two free eight-week courses: COVID-19 in Context, which was offered in the summer of 2020, and U.S. Race and Reality, which was offered in the fall of 2020.

Although it is fantastic that the administration has acknowledged the societal disparities of race within the United States, it is just as important to be aware of who is teaching these classes. At a predominately white institution, it can be difficult for students to digest concepts relating to Black culture in general.

The University is eager to boast the “28 percent self-identified minorities” on the university webpage, but they are not willing to create appropriate faculty representation on their behalf.

In a classroom setting, Black history is taught historically, while Black culture is often taught in a sociological environment. For students, there has been much concern with white professors utilizing offensive language when discussing historical Black topics.

There don’t appear to be many people of color

Thursday, October 21, 2021

within UMW’s History and American Studies Department other than the Office Manager, Jessica Batten.

“I have heard a white teacher use the N-word and justified saying it by claiming it was for historical context,” said Sophia Hobbs, a senior history major in the secondary education program.

A professor’s race shouldn’t make a difference in the subject matter, but I can’t say the same when explicitly teaching or discussing Black culture. I would make the same argument for any culture because no individual can discuss a culture more appropriately than someone embedded in it. Hence, creating the parallel issue of culture capital theft.

Cultural capital is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviors and skills that a person can utilize as currency to navigate cultural competence and alter opportunities and social status.

“I have heard a white teacher use the N-word and justified saying it by claiming it was for historical context.”

- Sophia Hobbs For example, Jessica A. Krug, a former professor of African and Latin American studies at George Washington University, admitted to being a cultural leech and pretending to be a Black woman. She did so in order to be taken more seriously as a professor in her department. She utilized the stolen cultural capital of her feigned Afro-Latina heritage despite her true identity as a Jewish woman who grew up in Kansas City.

At UMW, I am frequently one of few, if not the only, Black people in my classroom. So, when the University offers courses to adequately discuss aspects of Black culture, Black history or systemic disparities against marginalized groups, it becomes much more important to have a person of color teach it. In class, it can be difficult enough to be surrounded by the eyes of “white guilt” when discussing a topic.

When I’m the only minority in the room, I feel the exhaustive pressure of having to speak up or educate

my peers when a professor is discussing a topic of racial inequality. Nevertheless, I am often labeled as “too sensitive” when I correct a professor on their usage of offensive terms. With a campus of over 68 percent white students, I understand it can be difficult to sit through topics of racism in class. But there are aspects of my life that I did not have the courtesy of learning in a classroom.

As a sociology major, I have only had two wonderful experiences with white professors discussing Black issues in class. With that being said, it is one thing to discuss the systemic problems as a part of the class discussion, but it is another for UMW to offer classes that focus on race that are only taught by white professors.

Several students feel similarly. Senior women and gender studies and philosophy/pre-law major Alex Polymeropoulos said she “personally doesn’t have an issue with a white professor educating white students on the topic of racial history, but not racism. A white professor cannot relate to racism.”

All of the six students I asked about whether a professor’s race matters in regard to subject content stated that they would like to see more diversity within the UMW teaching faculty. I am by no means saying that we should stick a Black professor in each course that discusses Black issues, but it is essential to make an active effort to diversify the community and culture of UMW, rather than just talking about it.

“Race does not matter at all in regards to subject matter, unless they know what they’re talking about, and that goes for all races,” said freshman psychology major J’Laya Williams. “Black professors don’t always know what they are talking about either.”

Although some professors are assigned to teach courses that contain themes of racial disparities, it is important to question whether they are taking a job from a more qualified Black person. White professors benefit from the privileges they teach about by teaching courses rooted in the concept of disparities within the Black community, since they are profiting from a culture that isn’t their own. At a university where the slogan is ‘You Matter,’ it doesn’t feel like we do.

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LIFE

Editor: Josephine Good | blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Photo essay: Students react to a rainy day on campus MEGAN MERCURO Staff Photographer

Rainy days are both loved and hated by many. They can remind us of nostalgia, happiness, sadness and always leave us with something beautiful. In the busy life of a college student, sometimes we don’t know what the weather holds, so we come unprepared. For me, the unpreparedness of rain has always been a bit of a struggle, but also a bit of a laugh.

As I’m walking across campus in the rain, I always see two types of students. The first come prepared with an umbrella, a rain jacket and boots simply strolling along College Avenue. Then there are the students that don’t come prepared and are absolutely drenched. They are either accepting their fate in the rain, embracing it or running away from it. I have always found this hilarious, how, even on the darkest and rainiest of days, the people running in the rain bring a smile to others’ faces.

These photos were taken all in one day as I was walking around campus. They depict students experiencing the rain differently; some wearing rainy attire, others wearing everyday clothes; some wearing faces of stress and anger, others experiencing joy; some are in the midst of the rain, running back to their dorms or to shelter, others jumping in rain puddles or just strolling along with an umbrella. Even on the days when everything seems slow and dreary, there is still a little bit of joy and fun to be had.

A couple protecting each other from the rain passing Jefferson Square.

Megan Mercuro / The Blue & Gray Press

Junior Vaishnavi Visveswaran taking a simple stroll by the University Center in the rain.

Megan Mercuro / The Blue & Gray Press

Taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the rain in the underpass of the Eagles Nest.

Megan Mercuro / The Blue & Gray Press

A fast dash out of the rain along Campus Walk.

Megan Mercuro / The Blue & Gray Press

Sophomore Willlow Candge dancing in the rain.

Megan Mercuro / The Blue & Gray Press

Junior Simon Jones making a splash in the rain outside of Bushnell Hall.

Megan Mercuro / The Blue & Gray Press

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LIFE

Novel by Ocean Vuong discusses his search for identity

MATTHEW SIMMONS Senior Writer

“In Vietnamese, the word for missing someone and remembering them is the same: nhớ. Sometimes, when you ask me over the phone, Có nhớ mẹ không?

I flinch, thinking you meant, Do you remember me? I miss you more than I remember you.”

A couple of weeks ago I saw this quote by Ocean Vuong online. Noticing the number of shares and praise that it was receiving, I decided to give it a shot.

The excerpt was from Ocean Vuong’s debut novel “On Earth, We’re Briefly Gorgeous.” The novel recounts Vuong’s vivid memories, spanning from when he was a young child to young adult. The novel’s release followed the success of his poetry collection titled “Night Sky With Exit Wounds,” which won him the T.S. Eliot prize, along with other notable recognitions. Vuong brought this talent of poetry straight into his first novel, which has received much praise.

In the form of a letter, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” is written to the young author’s illiterate mother, who may never have the ability to read what lies within it. It is a story that takes the reader on a journey with Vuong as he recounts the moments that led him to put pen to paper.

Vuong sought asylum alongside his family at the young age of two, eventually immigrating to the United States. He is the child of a Vietnamese woman and an American veteran who fought during the Vietnam War. Vuong’s background would become an important backdrop for the coming-of-age story, where he struggles to find his own identity.

From a young age, Vuong faced the aftermath of what war had done to his family. He initially viewed his abusive mother as a monster, but eventually acknowledged that she and his grandmother alike had become products of a brutal war and had fallen men-

tally ill as a result. Although still new to the English language, he was given the role of being the family interpreter. Through this, he began carrying an unbearable amount of weight produced by the many sacrifices made by the women before him.

Throughout the book, varying settings held different tones, allowing the reader to capture a whole new set of emotions and understanding within each. In one paragraph, I would be on the shoulder of a street in Vietnam, alongside the narrator, staring up at the napalm-covered skies. Next, I would be underneath the metal roof of a barn where he found his first love—a love that seemingly defined a part of his youth, aiding him in discovering who he was.

Ocean Vuong writes about his life experiences in his semiautobiographical novel. @ocean_vuong / Instagram

I have never before had the opportunity to read a novel that features so many poetic excerpts. Every word had its own place within each sentence of every paragraph, placed carefully, with well-thought-out intentions. Every analogy, connection and memory was brilliantly illustrated, done with research and patience.

I have never taken as many breaks while reading

a book before reading this one. I felt as though I had bought a ticket to a ride conducted by Vuong. I was now riding alongside him as he recounted his experiences for the first time through this letter. Every memory presented itself through a sharp turn and growing incline, inevitably dropping after a short wait at the top. I wanted to appreciate each emotional thrill, and I aimed to do so in a proper way.

Although raw in its delivery, this novel is equally as beautiful. I was able to learn about the experiences of first-generation immigrants and the generational sacrifices and work of those before. This was a pressure for Vuong that was laced with the brutal force of drug addiction and acknowledgment of his sexuality, which became present at a young age.

Vuong used the color purple as a way to describe the apathetic moments within his life, to describe days as neither happy nor distraught or just another day that would pass like all the others that came before it.

Although complex, this is how the book felt to me. At no point during my time reading did I feel okay with being too happy because I knew that something darker might inevitably follow.

More than anything, this tale perfectly encapsulates what our time on Earth is all about: how we can capture its beauty all while sitting within its inevitable ugliness. Most importantly, it showed how brief these lives are and that, for a moment, death, life and everything in between can be described through words and lived again through decaying memories. This showcases that a change of perspective can enable Vuong and me alike to feel somewhat okay with the harsh realities of the world that surrounds us. By seeing it through a colored lens—a purple one to be exact—we will be okay.

Davis Oldham, Ph.D.: Professor and researcher at UMW LEIGH HATTON Senior Writer

Although UMW is a relatively small university, it produces significant research and attracts accomplished professors. In fact, Davis Oldham believes that UMW achieves these things because of, and not in spite of, its smaller size.

Oldham is a professor in the Chemistry and Physics Departments at UMW and has multiple ongoing research projects. His work is mainly focused on organic and medicinal chemistry.

Oldham shared that he was originally interested in a career in pharmacy when he was a student in high school, but he grew interested in becoming a professor during his time as an undergraduate and graduate student.

“My [undergraduate] advisor was the type where you could come to him and say, ‘I have a different project that I want to work on,’” Oldham said. “So sometimes we all worked on ideas we had, and it was very collaborative, which is how science is and should be.”

As a student studying chemistry, Oldham realized his affinity for explaining scientific topics to other people. This led to a role as a teacher’s assistant for chemistry courses at his school, Lawrence University. Additionally, Oldham attributed his scientific areas of interest to his time working on research as an undergraduate when, surprisingly, a research mishap gave him a new opportunity.

“I got there, and the molecule that I was supposed to be studying had broken down in storage,” he said. “So that meant my tasks switched from cell culture and biology experiments to doing organic synthesis, which was so different from what I had done in my classes. It was really fun, I liked making stuff so that it was good at the job it was designed for. This research program gave me a chance to do that, and I really grew a lot from that experience.”

Oldham’s interest in research has continued throughout his career, and he currently has two ongoing projects. The first has been focused on developing drugs to combat tuberculosis. The second project is based in toxicology, specifically how soft plastics are processed in the human body.

Oldham worked with two UMW students this past summer. He described the experience as helpful and enjoyable.

“Science is collaborative, so they can work on one part of the project, and people can try different things at the same time. I enjoy it, and we can move forward quicker,” he said.

When asked why he wants to give students these types of research opportunities, Oldham outlined the numerous benefits to students. Working in a lab allows students to try more sophisticated techniques than they could practice in a class. Spending hours in a lab each day also gives students an idea of what a future career in research would be like. Oldham also said that for some students, like himself, being involved in research can change the trajectory of their career plans.

“I think that it has a similar impact for them as it did for me,” he said. “I have a former student who was interested in being a [physician’s assistant]. She wound up doing some research, and that, along with other factors, tipped her towards going to grad

Thursday, October 21, 2021

school for biochemistry.”

Senior chemistry major Nicholas Hacker spoke highly of his research experiences with Oldham.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working under Dr. Oldham,” Hacker said. “He is a fantastic professor and grounded in not just his research, but his demeanor as well, which makes him easy to work with. I’ve learned many new skills, both in and out of the laboratory, because of my time under his tutelage.”

However, research also comes with challenges, especially in recent years. Oldham mentioned the limitations on research during the 2020 semesters. Due to COVID-19, direct collaboration was not possible in the same way it was normally conducted.

“We had to be creative about coming up with solutions and some people wound up going into the building for limited hours and taking turns so they wouldn’t be close to each other,” he said. “As a director of Summer Science, I was really proud of the virtual presentations.”

Oldham also brought up the current supply issues that have made research difficult for him and other UMW faculty in science departments. Items such as plastic syringes and specific chemicals have been harder to locate and order.

Finally, Oldham reflected on his time working at UMW, pointing to the school’s academic environment as one of its best features.

“When I looked at my fellow graduate students, especially some of the most successful ones, they came from places like UMW,” he said.

“I saw that small- to medium-sized liberal arts schools were very effective at training students.

So I figured, that’s where I want to teach. I’d rather teach here than teach at a school where it’s lectures of 350 students. There, you don’t ask the professor questions… it is really Davis Oldham conducts research on his own projects while teaching at UMW. University of Mary Washington just lecturing.”

Oldham said that it is the people at UMW that foster a sense of community.

“Some schools are getting bigger and going out there and offering spots to students that they don’t have room for,” he said. “I don’t feel like they’re taking care of students.

I think here, most of the people that you know have their heart in the right place.”

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VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Norah Walsh | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Staff Ed: Students need to take voting seriously THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

Oct. 12 marked the last day to register to vote in the state of Virginia. The upcoming election will decide who will be our new governor, but, more importantly, what our new policies will be. As college students, we need to educate ourselves about how each candidate’s platform might affect us, and we need to vote for the candidate that’s right for us and for our community.

If you have a job, their policies may affect your wages. If you feel strongly about civil rights, like immigration or reproductive rights, or accessibility to healthcare, then you should conduct research to see which candidate aligns with your views. For this election, the need for student perspectives is crucial since this decision will be with us for the next four years and the policies will last even longer.

College students have an extensive amount of resources to help them learn about the different candidates such as political clubs on campus, Simpson Library and educated professors. In utilizing these resources that we have the privilege to access on our campus, it is our responsibility to understand the importance of voting and how the elected candidate can affect the way society functions even more.

The polls are open until Oct. 30 for absentee and mail-in voting and Nov. 2 for in-person voting. With one candidate representing each party, Terry McAuliffe for the Democratic Party and Glenn Youngkin for the Republican Party, it is important to vote for principles and not for candidates based on their party affiliation.

Each of the candidates have selected a few topics that are most crucial to their platforms. A few of Terry McAuliffe’s platforms are: combating climate change, civil and voting rights, higher wages and affordable healthcare. Glenn Youngkin focuses on creating more jobs, funding law enforcement programs and investing money in roads and highways.

Paying attention to differing news outlets and listening to the speeches and propositions made by each of the candidates is the best way to avoid bias when researching the election and who to vote for.

While students aren’t required to vote, your vote is how you make the changes you want to see in your government. The easy option is to not vote, but then you put the decision in everyone else’s hands. You have the power to decide your future and how it will affect you.

follow us on @2530_espresso Thursday, October 21, 2021

6

NEWS

CRIME COLUMN JOSEPHINE JOHNSON & SCOTTI MULLEN News Editors

Writing Center Director Gwen Hale leaves behind a legacy at UMW •MEMORIAL | 1

Vandalism On Oct. 3 at 11:43 p.m., there was a case of vandalism at the Palmieri Fountain area. This case is pending.

Petit Larceny

On Oct. 9 at 5:31 p.m., there was a case of petit larceny at Eagle Landing. This case is pending.

Computer Fraud

supportive,” said Landphair.

“Gwen was cheerfully realistic in our conversations about cancer. For both her and me it was like ‘okay, cancer sucks.’

It was so great that somebody just said the truth and talked about it very openly.”

Five years ago, Hale sent an email to her close colleagues explaining that her cancer had come back.

“In typical Gwen fashion, it was upbeat and cheery,” said McClurken, who received that email. He said that Hale would “shepherd us through the process of someone who had cancer. Teach us the language … That’s how she understood her role, to help us understand how to interact with others.”

Hale frequently hosted “First Fridays” on the fourth floor of the HCC, where she would bring food and gather people together for a meal.

“She was incredibly kind, so smart, just really easy to talk to. I definitely did not think that that bossemployee relationship would turn out to be a really meaningful connection.”

-Kate Seltzer

On Oct. 13 at 7:56 p.m., there was a case of computer fraud at Brent House. This case is pending.

“She impacted the students, but also the people on this floor,” said Guhl. “There wasn’t an invitation of hers that wasn’t open to absolutely everyone. And we all need to be more like her in many, many ways.”

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hale started a soap-making business called Straight From

Hale Soap. Hale frequently made personalized soaps for her friends and colleagues, including McClurken.

“I talked to her about my grandfather who had this pipe and this cherry tobacco that he would smoke,” he said. “I swear, she managed to recreate it and sent me a bar. She wanted to make sure she was doing my memory justice.”

Hale also previously served as the women’s lacrosse team’s faculty liaison, according to Caitlin Moore, assistant director of athletics.

“She was such a wonderful friend, kind face on campus and big support of our Athletic Department,” said Moore.

“Gwen was the ultimate pickme-up, always at the ready with a motivational speech or snack on hand. She was such a sweet soul and had such a phenomenal impact on our campus community.”

Hale positively impacted many of the Writing Center consultants that she worked with. She introduced herself to all of the consultants as Gwen.

“Whenever I think about Gwen, the way she always looked out for us consultants is the first thing that comes to mind,” said Anne-Marie Guelcher, a UMW alumna and former Writing Center consultant. “The best thing about Gwen was how much she cared about everyone, especially the student workers at the WC.” Piper Giannini, an alumna and former Writing Center consultant, shared her favorite thing about Hale.

“My favorite thing about Gwen is how she would give us her love without expecting anything in return,” said Giannini. “She was a kind, giving soul. She would give the shirt off her back to help

The Writing Center created a tribute to Hale, and members of the community have showed their support as well.

Jess Kirby / The Blue & Gray Press

anyone.”

UMW alumna Kate Seltzer applied to work at the Writing Center during her freshman year.

“I wasn’t prepared for how much Gwen really took me and took … everybody who worked there under her wing,” she said. “She was incredibly kind, so smart, just really easy to talk to. I definitely did not think that that boss-employee relationship would turn out to be a really meaningful connection.”

When Seltzer moved to Maryland for graduate school, Hale put her in contact with a few people in the area in case she needed anything.

“She’s just always been very, very good to me and made sure that the people that worked at the Writing Center,

and I think the people that just came into her life generally, were taken care of,” said Seltzer.

Landphair described how students frequently praised and looked up to Hale.

“Students would write these letters, and they were unlike anything that I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been in higher education for three decades,” said Landphair. “The enormity of the loss is just almost inexpressible.”

Hale will be remembered by many for her kindness.

“We’re going to miss her in ways that I think we’re only beginning to imagine,” said McClurken. “I think all of us who have known her will be changed.”

COVID DASHBOARD

68

Total cases since Oct. 19, 2021

2

Active cases

0.28

7-day average cases per day

425

Student health center tests

15

38 of 38

Isolation spaces available

82 of 82

Quarantine spaces available

Positive student health center tests

Thursday, October 21, 2021

7

SPORTS

Editor: Victoria R. Percherke | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Men’s rugby beats Virginia Tech 76-12

MASON GODEK The University of Mary Washington Giwa, and freshman international business Staff Writer men’s rugby team hosted Virginia Tech in a major Toby Barnfield-Lee. Chesapeake Collegiate Rugby Conference “We have an incredibly talented team this (CCRC) on Saturday, Oct. 16. UMW ended the game with a win year, and also a very young team,” said Ritter. “During COVID, against Virginia Tech with a final score of 76-12, pushing UMW our team struggled with numbers, but our Player Executive to a winning record of 4-1.

Board did a fantastic job recruiting, and our freshmen class this year is about 20 guys, many of whom came from professional Mary Washington began the game strongly by outscoring academies.”

Virginia Tech 57-0 in only the first half.

Out of a 43 man roster, 18 of this year’s “As with most teams this year, VT’s players “We just stick to our men’s rugby team are freshmen. were a lot bigger than us,” said senior art strategy because there is “Our game plan is the same every week,” history major and rugby president Joseph nobody that can play with us said senior accounting major Seamus Brennan.

Ritter. “Our team is not made up of large “We just stick to our strategy because there is players. But Head Coach Hennie Van Zyl has when we keep out heads on nobody that can play with us when we keep our really been training us to play at a quick rate straight and play our game.” heads on straight and play our game.” and focus on moving the ball into space, rather UMW has previously conquered teams like than try to out-muscle them.”

-Seamus Brennan North Carolina State (64-0), Southern Virginia Freshman Sebastian Schefermann led the University (52-15) and the University of Maryland (90-0). team in tries with three total in the game and an additional try Compared to the University of Mary Washington’s previous from freshman business administration winger Connor Foster. season in the CCRC back in 2018, the team is making similar Freshman accounting major and winger Lewis Naylor joined his strides.

They went undefeated in the 2018 season and look to fellow teammates with two tries.

Not to be forgotten are tries by freshman psychology major replicate similar results for this season.

This win against Virginia Tech puts UMW in second place in Bill Tamani, freshman business administration major Cameron the premier competition of the CCRC, right behind Mount St. Mary’s, who is placed first with four wins and one loss. Mount St. Mary’s currently leads Mary Washington by only one point in the Premier Competition, making it a tight race for first place for the Eagles.

“We take it week by week and only focus on one game at a time, but these next two games will be the toughest and most crucial because ourselves and the other two teams are the top three teams in the conference and are all nationally ranked,” said Brennan.

UMW will be looking to become first in each of the forms of competition as they look to take on Mount St. Mary’s on Saturday, Oct. 23.

“Since we don’t have football it’s really fun to go out and root for the school,” said junior environmental science major Mary Woodrum when asked what she enjoys most about these matches.

“I also like that we play big schools like Tech and do well against them.”

Men’s rugby is currently holding a winning streak of four games.

David Hughes

Cross country runners compete in California

University of Mary Washington Fall Sports Schedule and Scores

Men’s Soccer (7-2-3)

Oct. 9 T vs. Salisbury (0-0) Oct. 13 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (6-1) Oct. 23 vs. Christopher Newport Oct. 25 @ Virginia Oct. 30 @ Salisbury

Women’s Soccer (4-1-7)

Oct. 9 W vs. Salisbury (3-0) Oct. 16 L vs. Christopher Newport (0-3) Oct. 20 L @ Swarthmore (1-2) Oct. 23 vs. Blue-Gray Exhibition Oct. 27 @ Christopher Newport

Men’s Rugby (4-1)

Sept. 25 W @ Southern V.A. (52-15) Oct. 2 W @ Maryland (90-0) Oct. 16 vs. Virginia Tech (76-12) Oct. 23 vs. Mount St. Mary’s Oct. 30 @ Queens

Cross Country

Oct. 16 @ Hood Oct. 30 @ Coast to Coast Conference Nov. 13 @ NCAA Regionals Nov. 20 @ NCAA Regionals

KAILYN SCOTT

On Oct. 30, the University of Mary Lloyd prepares for races by having “a good Staff Writer Washington’s cross-country team will be night’s sleep, good breakfast ... not too late, so competing in the Inaugural Coast to Coast championship at UC I usually stop eating like three hours before I race and I listen to Santa Cruz. Eight runners from the men’s team and eight runners music on the way.” from the women’s team will compete against other members of UMW’s cross country team is big on building recovery into the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference at Baylands Regional Park their training so that they make progress in and out of practice. in Sunnyvale, Calif.

The coaching staff over the years have developed a training UMW has previously competed in the Capital Athletic strategy that is heavy at the start of the season and gradually gets Conference, which transformed into the Coast-to-Coast Athletic lighter towards the end when all of the important races are held.

Conference (C2C) on Nov. 18, 2020.

The coaches want their runners to feel refreshed during those The runners chosen are the ones that are predicted to put the races. team in the “best position” to place, according to cross country “Training is changed throughout the season, so we just hit Head Coach Kunle Lawson. Due to financial limitations, only 16 the point where we’re hitting our highest amount of mileage or runners are able to travel to California for the competition, but running and we’re now shifting towards cutting down and doing Lawson said that, if he could take everyone on the team, he would more short speedier stuff,” said Brown. “We’ve finished our do so. base training phase and we’re not into the sharpening phase for “I don’t want to undervalue the contribution of those who may competitions at the end of the season.” not be traveling to the championship just because they’re not After the championship in Santa Cruz, the team is traveling to the championship,” said Lawson. expected to compete again on Nov. 13 and 20 at the NCAA For many runners, this meet is not only a chance to compete Regional Championship and the NCAA Division III National with runners across the country, it is also an opportunity to visit Championship.

California.

“I’m excited … I’ve never been to California,” said Patrick Brown, a junior runner and political science major.

The last championship meet that the cross country team was able to compete in was two years ago at Christopher Newport University.

“We are getting there a couple of days early to acclimate to California and get a good pre-race run in,” said senior interdisciplinary science studies major Kenzie Lloyd.

According to Lawson, runners have been diligently working towards meeting their goals all season. Runners are expected to lift two to three times a week in the weight room. Having a balanced diet and taking care of injuries and possible injuries with the athletic trainers are methods runners use to stay healthy throughout the season.

Cross country runners posing for a photo.

Stephen Harrison According to Brown, running is “a lot of sleep and rest … half of running is resting so you’re ready for the next time you have to run.”

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Field Hockey (8-6)

Oct. 10 W@ Rhodes in Newport News, Va (4-0) Oct. 12 L vs. Christopher Newport (0-4) Oct. 16 L vs. Salisbury (0-4) Oct. 25 @ Lynchburg Oct. 27 vs. Dickinson

Women’s Volleyball (14-9)

Oct. 9 vs. L Christopher Newport (0-3) Oct. 12 W @ St. Mary’s (Md.) (3-1) Oct. 13 W vs. Va. Wesleyan (3-0) Oct. 23 @ Marywood 4pm Oct. 23 @ Marymount 6pm

Swimming (0-1)

Oct. 16 L @ Washington and Lee Oct. 22 vs. Southern Virginia Oct. 22 vs. Marymount (Va.) Oct. 23 vs. Alumni Oct. 30 @ Randolph-Macon

Games are available to watch via livestream on the UMW Athletic’s webpage Schedule not listed above.

Bold indicates home game.

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