On Wednesday evening, The UMW Student Government Association hosted Virginia’s 7th Congressional District debate in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. The candidates, Derrick Anderson (R) and Eugene Vindman (D), debated on a range of topics, including the economy, reproductive rights, climate change and gun control.
Supporters of each campaign began lining Double Drive over an hour before the debate began at 7 p.m. to cheer on their favored candidate and verbally clash with the opposition. Signage lined the walkway leading into George Washington Hall as community members funneled into the auditorium.
UMW Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth moderated the debate as the candidates answered a series of 13 questions. Chair of the UMW political science department Rosalyn Cooperman, WFVA Radio News Director Ted Schubel and Managing Editor at The Free LanceStar Jake Womer took turns asking questions.
Both campaigns agreed to a series of rules prior to the start of the debate, which
included a coin toss that Anderson won to determine who gave opening statements first. The rules also included a prohibition on cheering and applause during the question and answer period and a ban on any signage that may obstruct audience members’ views.
Despite Farnsworth’s warning that disruptive behavior was not permitted in the venue, candidates’ remarks were repeatedly interrupted by cheers, groans and heckling.
“I am going to ask my supporters to please be civil and cordial so we can get through this debate and you can hear where both of us stand,” Vindman said after Farnsworth reiterated audience expectations following a particularly lively reaction from the crowd.
Throughout the spirited debate, both candidates had an opportunity to outline policy proposals and provide voters with their stances on pertinent issues. Anderson began the debate with an opening statement that emphasized the economy.
“I want to make sure that it’s more affordable for people to live in our district, get our economy back on track,” he said. “I want to make sure that our border is secure and our foreign policy is strong so we can make our communities safe.”
October 4,
Anderson, the Republican nominee, is a Spotsylvania County native who has served in the U.S. Army and the Special Forces as a Green Beret. He worked in the Office of National Drug Control Policy under former President Donald Trump and currently serves as a Major in the U.S. Army National Guard.
In his opening statement, Vindman, the Democratic nominee, said, “My motivation is family, and there are some critically important issues in this race.”
Following the passing of his mother, Vindman immigrated from Soviet Ukraine to New York City in 1979 with his father, two brothers and grandmother. He served in the U.S. Army for over two decades before joining the National Security Council as a legal advisor focused on international partnerships, human rights and ethics.
“I’m very sensitive to the cost of housing, gas, groceries, and we have to address those, and those will be my priorities on day one in Congress,” he said.
Economy
The first question pertained to the economy.
“We are seeing that the economy is just not working for folks,” said Anderson. “In the Commonwealth of Virginia alone, we see that about a third of Virginians are living paycheck to paycheck. We see that a quarter of Virginians are delinquent on their credit card bills.”
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of Oct. 2024, regular gasoline retails at an average of $3.20 per gallon. Compared to the price in January 2020, the price of gasoline has become 35.9% higher as of June 2024, according to The Pew Research Center.
“We want to make sure we keep taxes low,” said Anderson. “We need to make sure we stop the overspending that the U.S. government continues to do day in and day out, and we’ve got to get U.S. energy back up and running.”
Vindman attributes high costs of living to a variety of factors, namely housing, prescription drug and household food item prices.
“I am a family man, I am raising my family in Prince William County, I am very sensitive to the cost of housing, drugs and the cost of groceries in the supermarket,” said Vindman.
Vindman proposes expanding a price cap on prescription drugs and preventing the formation of monopolies.
“We need to make more drugs—life saving drugs—affordable for the voters in this district,” said Vindman.
He continues, “The market is not working. What we need to do is make sure that the economy is working, that capitalism functions the way it’s supposed to by preventing monopolies from taking shape.”
Anderson and Vindman campaign signs placed debate near campus entry. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Supporters of both candidates attempt to rally attendees along Double Drive as they enter Dodd Auditorium for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District debate. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Please report any corrections to Callie Harkins at weeklyringer.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian at ssubrama@umw.edu
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Please direct all advertising inquiries to Callie Harkins at weeklyringer.eic@gmail.com.
Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson debate relevant topics
Abortion
In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson that effectively allowed states to impose strict restrictions—and in several instances, total bans—on abortion and access to reproductive healthcare.
“This is the most important issue in this race,” said Vindman.
In Virginia, abortion is currently legal but prohibited after 26 weeks. While care is relatively accessible in the Commonwealth, neighboring states like Kentucky and Tennessee have total bans that make no exceptions for rape or incest.
“It affects women’s fundamental freedoms,” Vindman said. “My daughter has fewer rights than women have enjoyed for generations. And again, as someone who defended American rights and freedom, that just does not sit right with me.”
Anderson believes that access to abortion should be left to individual states. However, he says he does support overthe-counter contraception and access to in vitro fertilization treatment.
“The Dobbs [v. Jackson] decision was clear, it gave the rights back to states to make decisions to fit the state,” he said. “I will not support a national ban on abortion.”
Climate Change
Recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Helene, which has caused fatal flooding across the mid-Atlantic region,
have become increasingly common in recent years.
“I absolutely understand that there is climate change,” said Anderson. “We really need to talk about energy and the fact of how it’s being used and what we’re doing.”
Project 2025, also known as the Heritage Foundation’s conservative Presidential Transition Project, suggests cutting programs such as the Department of Energy’s Office for Clean Energy Demonstrations, that research and monitor climate change. Several leaders in the Republican Party have been associated with Project 2025 and its author.
“Project 2025 takes a different position,” said Vindman. “And you would have to trust that Derrick Anderson will stand up to his MAGA funders, bankrollers and he would vote out of lock step of his party.”
Vindman believes that an energy approach that includes alternatives like nuclear energy is necessary.
“Gas, solar, wind—these are the steps we have to take in order to address climate change,” he said.
Gun Control Anderson focused his response on the need for greater investment in mental health resources. He recalls losing a friend to suicide and highlights the danger of inadequate support for service members returning from deployment.
“The first thing we got to do, we got to get funding for mental health,” he said. “We got to get this mental health issue back under control and we got to stop making it a stigma.”
Vindman has two kids who have both gone through active shooter and lockdown drills in their Prince William County
Public Schools.
“My daughter so far— twice—has had drills on how to learn how to survive,” he said.
“That is unacceptable.”
Vindman, a gun owner himself, supports policies like safe storage, red flag laws and closing loopholes.
“I believe in law and order,” he said. “If someone violates the law, then we prosecute them.”
Virginia’s 7th Congressional District includes all of the City of Fredericksburg, where UMW resides, as well as Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Culpeper, Orange, Caroline, King George, Greene, Madison and Albemarle counties.
Early voting began in Virginia on Sept. 20 and ends on Nov. 2. The deadline to register online is Oct. 15 and voters must present an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID confirmation statement at their polling location.
Bell tower logo designed by Bernadette D’Auria ‘22
Republican candidate Derrick Anderson lives in Spotsylvania County, where he was born. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Democratic candidate Eugene Vindman lives in Prince William County with his wife and two kids. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
UMW Professor Stephen Farnsworth moderates as Rosalyn Cooperman, Ted Schubel and Jake Womer ask questions to the candidates during the debate. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Pedestrian safety is an issue around campus and UMW should support greater police presence to monitor traffic
ALEXA DELACONCEPCION Staff Writer
Safety and well-being are two valuable assets UMW is committed to. Fredericksburg seems to be dedicated to these principles as well. However, pedestrian safety is an issue that needs to be further addressed by both the university and the city. Combined efforts between campus and city law enforcement will nearly guarantee some degree of change in the traffic on William Street.
According to UMW’s webpage on Police and Public Safety, in addition to law enforcement, the university provides the resources, personnel and procedures to proactively promote safety on campus. Despite this, it remains extremely difficult and costly to enforce security regulations around campus. The installation of redlight cameras costs more than $100,000, with the process of installing them being lengthy, requiring an engineering safety analysis to be conducted before the Virginia Department of Transportation and the district administrator can approve. Speeding and red-light running has become a devastatingly common occurrence near campus.
I am not the first student to argue that this issue needs to be resolved. In 2021, The Weekly Ringer published an opinion article arguing in favor of red-light cameras around Fredericksburg. I observe the worst instances of the aforementioned issues at the intersection of William Street. and College Avenue, which I cross daily to get from the UMW Apartments to the main campus.
“I have seen the occasional car run a red light going north or south on William St.,” Case Manager for Student Life Betsy Southern said. “I typically walk to work and I cross at the crosswalk at Sunken Rd. and William St. The speeding does make me nervous and I do at times feel unsafe crossing the road.”
I live in the UMW Apartments facing William Street and cross this intersection daily. During the first week of classes, I witnessed numerous drivers speed through the light well after it turned red, and even sometimes shortly after the crosswalk signal lit up. One day, I attempted to cross the sidewalk on the intersection of William Street and Sunken Road, to nearly be hit mid-crossing by a grown man speeding past the flashing lights of the crosswalk.
“You never know if someone will be driving and hit me or someone crossing the street,” junior geography major Noah Harmon said. “I have seen many people speeding and it is dangerous and startles me.”
While the issue may primarily seem to occur going northbound, or downhill, I have seen plenty of cars coming south from Downtown Fredericksburg that press on the gas in an attempt to beat the light, only to harshly run through the red light long after it changed.
While the university has not reported any instances of cars hitting pedestrians, it is only a matter of time before someone becomes the first victim. With the current rate of speeding, I would argue that the likelihood of a student getting hit by a car is relatively high. Some students grow impatient waiting at the crosswalk and run
across at their own discretion. The combination of speed violators and jaywalkers greatly increases the likelihood of an accident occurring.
Sophomore psychology major McKinley Dillon explains how she has seen more cars speed down William Street than she has any area surrounding campus.
“It’s crazy how fast some cars go in an area with such high foot traffic,” she said. “My friend was T-boned in that area.”
Signage as a potential solution is affordable and effective. As a starting measure, news signs posted about the strict enforcement and punishment of speed violations may strongly discourage drivers from continuing to drive recklessly. Per Virginia law, reckless driving is categorized as, “Irrespective of the maximum speeds permitted by law, any person who drives a vehicle on any highway recklessly or at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person shall be guilty of reckless driving.” Depending on how effective this method ends up being, further measures such as a red-light or speeding camera at that intersection might be necessary.
“I hope that if there’s more signage and a camera that people will get the reminder to slow down,” Dillon said.
Although car accidents are relatively uncommon, this does not mean there should be a lack of preventative measures. Considering that the university does not have the authority to do anything about local drivers disrupting student pedestrians, the administration should talk to the
UMW Police Department about working with the City of Fredericksburg to implement measures that punish violators. To lower the rate of people speeding on William Street. First-time violators may start with a $50 ticket. However, repeated offenses should then be subject to further punishment such as community service, or even jail time.
Mere police presence may even be enough to get people to put their foot on the brake going north down William Street. With increased surveillance, officers would not only personally ticket violators, but their presence might also caution drivers to follow the speed limit.
“I think anything that keeps people safer is good, as long as it’s not excessive,” Dillon said. “Since so many people are walking in that area, people need to be safer.”
Whether it be students, faculty or civilians strolling along campus, no pedestrians are truly safe when crossing. The safety of the UMW community is crucial to a positive environment in which everyone may thrive. Both the city and the university should address and implement preventative measures, specifically at the intersection of William Street and College Avenue, to ensure the safety of residents. Frequent and active police presence would be an efficient way to address reckless driving at that spot– not just north, at the bottom of the hill by the apartments, but at the top of the hill, right by the light, as well.
Red light cameras are one way to monitor traffic violations, though repercussions are not immediate to drivers who commit them. Kevin Kindlbinder / Unsplash
Greater police presence may decrease the number of drivers who run red lights and endanger pedestrians. Engin Akyurt / Unsplash
UMW’s Performing Arts Company: Where every student can find their place on the stage
College is a big adjustment, it opens the door to a world of new opportunities. It can be hard to figure out what hobbies and clubs you want to pursue, especially with over 150 clubs offered for students to join. In finding my place at UMW, one organization stood out to me: UMW’s Performing Arts Company, the largest student-run dance organization on campus. As a dancer growing up, I knew I wanted to continue in college, and PAC provides dance opportunities to all dancers no matter their experience.
I danced five days a week for eight years growing up, and I have always had a deep love of dance. When I saw PAC at Club Carnival, I had a feeling it would be exactly what I wanted. When I went to the auditions and was able to meet so many people involved in PAC, I could tell it would be a welcoming environment. Ever since starting PAC, it has been such a fun and exciting part of coming to UMW, and I always look forward to rehearsals.
One of the first activities I did upon starting my freshman year was auditioning for PAC, and I am now dancing in one performance at Big Show. I have found that this club has been something that has only enriched my life since coming to UMW in August of this year. PAC opens you up to new experiences and creates an environment to bond with the other dancers in your group and the club overall. Growing up I met some of my best friends in dance, and have seen firsthand how incredible a bond is among dancers. PAC is an environment that is kind and inviting and creates a space for making friends.
PAC provides an opportunity to perform in front of an audience. PAC’s process involves an audition and selection process for participation in one to three dances, depending on the student’s schedule. Weekly rehearsals last about one hour per dance, where the choreographers, who are all students or faculty advisors, teach and go over the dance. At the beginning of auditions, dancers will be able to give their time availability to the officers, and when selected for a dance they will try to make sure the time chosen for rehearsal is most convenient for everyone.
PAC is overseen by its faculty advisor, UMW alumna, and Program Counselor with the Rappahannock Scholars Program, Shanita Mitchell. She has been a part of the organization since her sophomore year in 2009. Following her graduation in 2012, she continued as an alumni advisor with PAC, and since 2019 she has been the official faculty advisor.
Dancing Eagles spread their wings in one of PAC’s “Big Shows.” Photo courtesy of Arianna
ALANAH MULLER Staff Writer
PAC is where everyone can feel like a dancing queen.
Photo courtesy of Arianna Perez
Eagle dancers soar above the stage in one of PAC’s many performances.
Photo courtesy of Arianna Perez
UMW dancers synchronize to a contemporary dance.
Photo courtesy of Arianna Perez
Two UMW dancers twirl arm in arm along to the beat.
Photo courtesy of Arianna Perez
Mary Washington’s Performing Arts Company remains center stage as talent takes the spotlight
Talking with Mitchell, it is easy to see how much she loves the art of dance and performing.
“I think that dance has a variety of things that it helps to accomplish like it helps to keep students active, like health and wellness overall,” she said. “It gives a creative outlet and then it is just therapeutic as there is something wonderful about releasing those endorphins and also getting the opportunity to maybe explore different characters and personalities, I will say personally I usually do things that are very theatrical so I give all my dancers the opportunity to step into the shoes of someone else.”
“I think that dance has a variety of things that it helps to accomplish like it helps to keep students active, like health and wellness overall.”
- Shanita Mitchell
Senior linguistics major and PAC President Emma Sanford has been involved in the organization since her freshman year in the fall of 2021. This is her seventh semester as a member of PAC, and it is clear how much she loves the organization.
“I am so grateful to have an outlet with which I can continue my love for dancing and performing, and to be able to learn new things like choreographing or dancing different styles,” she said. “I also really love how PAC has been the reason for meeting so many of my friends that I love dearly.”
“It gives a creative outlet and then it is just therapeutic as there is something wonderful about releasing those endorphins and also getting the opportunity to maybe explore different characters and personalities.”
- Shanita Mitchell
“PAC is such a great opportunity to continue or learn dance, perform, and make many many friends,” she said. “If you’re hesitant to audition in the future, we welcome all UMW students to attend our workshops so you can get a feel for the studios, new dance styles and the PAC community.”
“I am so grateful to have an outlet with which I can continue my love for dancing and performing, and to be able to learn new things like choreographing or dancing different styles.”
- Emma Sanford
PAC also hosts weekly free dance workshops by PAC members and alumni which tend to last about 45 minutes. Even if students are not interested in committing for the whole semester, these workshops are a good chance to get some dance experience and connect with other dancers. PAC offers three performance opportunities, Small Show and two Big Show performances. According to the UMW PAC website, Small Show is described as “Our Small Show is a free event that is held in the middle of the semester. This production showcases the talents of PAC choreographers in addition to UMW performing clubs alike.” Small Show is a lower-profile event that is free to all and a chance for everyone to see the hard work put on by dancers. Furthermore, it describes “Big Show” as “Our Big Show is held in Dodd Auditorium at the end of every semester and consists of student and alumni-choreographed pieces. This is a large-scale production that members audition, and rehearse for the entire semester.”
PAC Small Show will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Dodd Auditorium and “Big Show” performances are on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.
“PAC is such a great opportunity to continue or learn dance, perform, and make many many friends.”
- Emma Sanford
Sanford encourages freshmen interested in dance to audition for PAC.
PAC members express themselves through different dance routines in last year’s “Big Show.”
Photo courtesy of Arianna Perez
A group of performing Eagles all pose together with their heads down.
Photo courtesy of Arianna Perez
Performing Arts Company members leap into long lasting friendships through the dance organization. Photo courtesy of Arianna Perez
A PAC pal strikes a pose in “Big Show.” Photo courtesy of Arianna Perez
Americans have a responsibility to vote in this election
LAUREN BOYETT
Staff Writer
Election season is upon us, and with it comes a host of civic responsibilities. Arguably the most important responsibility Americans have right now is to vote in the upcoming 2024 General Election.
At this point in the election cycle, the vast majority of eligible citizens who plan to vote, know exactly who they will cast a ballot for. The true struggle is convincing people to go out and vote in the first place. In the 2020 General Election, obstacles such as “long lines or safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic” or “issues with submitting absentee or mail ballots” were common reasons why eligible citizens were unable to vote, according to Pew Research Center.
However, despite all of these difficulties, the 2020 General election had the highest voter turnout of the 21st century. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “In 2020, 67% of all citizens aged 18 and older reported voting, up 5 percentage points from 2016.” This is primarily because of the alternative voting methods offered, notably absentee or mail-in ballots. Despite the raging pandemic, American voters knew it was their duty to make their voices heard.
“Without voicing your opinion, you give up your ability to defend yourself and others,” Daniel Wheeler, a freshman chemistry major said.
Additionally, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center study, “Around seven-in-ten U.S. adults (69%) say it’s very important to vote in elections to be a good member of society.”
“I think different people have different reasons for voting, and all of them are valid. [...] But for me, I think of voting as an expression of confidence in my own voice,” Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jared McDonald said. “Casting a ballot is my way
of saying that I have a preference in how my government is run and it deserves to be heard.”
Presidential candidates, former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris debated each other on Sept. 10, and the university hosted a live watch party for students in the Digital Auditorium at the Hurley Convergence Center. McDonald helped to moderate the event by providing commentary and contextual information.
Many students attended the event, including Wheeler.
“I’m glad they’ve cracked down harder on the interruptions, as Trump’s aggressive style detracts from a lot of the discussion that should be had,” he said.
“[F]or me, I think of voting as an expression of confidence in my own voice.”
- Jared McDonald
This debate was especially interesting because of the subjects being discussed. The topics of immigration and abortion have recently become increasingly controversial and polarized. This is especially true of abortion. After Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022, federal abortion protections were no more, and individual states were given the right to set their own laws regarding abortion. Harris and Trump debated with the intention of swaying undecided voters to their side. The debate structure allowed candidates two minutes each to answer each question asked by the moderators, and one minute each for rebuttals.
Trump’s arguments were flimsy compared to Harris’s. His claims of ninth-month abortions are completely un-
true, and he was reminded by the moderators that it is illegal in every state of the United States to kill a baby after it has been born. He also claimed that in Springfield, Ohio, immigrants were eating the resident’s pets. This too, was quickly fact-checked by the moderators.
The fact that Trump knew he could get away with such obviously untrue statements on national television, his continuous support of harmful policies such as the repeal of Roe v Wade, and his track record of lying even when there are mountains of evidence against him, shows him to be completely untrustworthy, and can only further prove how unfit he is to be President.
“The debate also highlighted how difficult it is to teach political science in a neutral, objective way these days. [...] But some of the things Trump said during the debate, specifically about immigrant groups, would violate my own classroom rules and get you kicked out,” McDonald said. Polarizing topics are just one of many reasons why it has become increasingly difficult to find common ground and have civil debates between the two major parties.
Voting in an election is one of the few ways the average American can make their voice heard by those in power and influence who hold those positions. It is the easiest way to hold elected officials accountable for their actions and to make sure that the bills signed into law are ones that will positively impact society. Mail ballots, absentee ballots and early voting policies are some of the many ways voting has been made easier for the average American. If you don’t vote, you automatically make it unnecessarily difficult to have a say in the laws and policies that affect you and your loved ones. There is no excuse. If you can vote, you should vote.
Palestinian-Israeli relations expert speaks at teach-in with UMW professors in discussion on ongoing conflicts in Gaza
MADELYN TUNNELL Staff Writer
On Sept. 25, professors from the departments of political science and history hosted a teach-in to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The teach-in was organized by Professor of Middle East History Nabil Al-Tikriti, Associate Professor of Middle East Politics Ranjit Singh and Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, the director of the Institute’s Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs and adjunct instructor of Arab studies at Georgetown University.
“Gaza has been annihilated, in a non-hyperbolic sense, and in the literal sense, the scale of death is unprecedented.”
- Khaled Elgindy
The event was held in the Digital Auditorium of the Hurley Convergence Center. By 7 p.m., about 80 students were gathered in their seats to hear from the speakers.
“The presenters did a fantastic job at getting the severity of the conflict across and were able to give context and important statistics to describe this conflict in a way people who may know nothing about it could digest,” said sophomore international affairs major Zoe Korejwo.
Al-Tikriti started by providing a historical overview of the ongoing conflicts that have taken place in the region from 1881 to the present. The talk then turned over to Elgindy, who focused on the events in Gaza before, during and after Oct. 7, 2023.
“A total of 310 Israelis were killed in the 15-year period before Oct. 7. Half of them, roughly, are soldiers who died in the various Gaza wars in 2009, 2012 and 2014,” Elgindy said. “In that same 15-year period, from 2008 until Oct. 6, 2023, more than 20 times as many Palestinians were killed.”
Elgindy noted that Oct. 7, 2023, was the deadliest day in Israel’s history.
“You remember that 310 Israelis were killed in 15 years? Well, four times as many were killed in a single day,” Elgindy said. “It’s a collective trauma that all Israelis felt.”
Furthermore, Elgindy explained, “For Palestinians, it has been the deadliest single moment in the history of the Palestinian people.”
A PowerPoint slide presented during the teach-in stated that the total death toll for Palestinians was 41,000 people.
“Gaza has been annihilated, in a non-hyperbolic sense, and in the literal sense, the scale of death is unprecedented,” Elgindy said. “All of Gaza’s universities have been destroyed. All 14 of them. Most of Gaza’s hospitals. Most of Gaza’s very limited agricultural area has been destroyed.”
Singh ended the teach-in with his personal experiences from his time studying at the University of Jordan.
Crime Column
EMMA KINGKEO News Editor
“The first time I started learning firsthand about what was happening in Israel and the Palestinian territory zones was in 1991 when I was a student at the University of Jordan,” Singh said.
“It’s very easy to get lost in the weeds on issues like this that have such a long history and so many different kinds of competing interests and viewpoints,” Singh continued. “You have to ask yourself, ‘What principles do I stand for? What are my values? Is it law? Is it justice? Is it human rights? Is it nonviolent action?’ You know yourself in that sense. And I think that to do that is extraordinarily liberating.”
The teach-in ended with an opportunity for audience members to ask questions. Korejwo left feeling like they had a greater knowledge of the topic.
“I thought it was a very well-done presentation. All of the presenters were obviously very well versed in the topic as they had done research for years and all seemed to have personal experiences with the subject,” said Korejwo.
Singh agrees that the teach-in was productive.
“It was very informative and polite, but I think people came there because they wanted to learn something,” he said. “They wanted to learn perspectives.”
Larceny of Bicycle
On Sept. 25 at 11:55 a.m., there was a case of larceny of bicycle at duPont Hall. This case is pending.
Disorderly/Fail to Stop for PD
On Sept. 26 at 3:16 p.m., there was a case of disorderly/fail to stop for PD at the University Tennis Center. A summons was issued.
The Crime Column is based on UMW Police reports from Sept. 23 - Sept. 27.
Students listen as teach-in speakers Nabil Al-Tikriti, Ranjit Singh and Khaled Elgindy discuss history of the region and the ongoing conflict occurring in Gaza. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Professor Ranjit Singh shares his personal experience as a student at the University of Jordan. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Sports
Mary Washington field hockey takes flight in 2-0 win against Randolph-Macon College
THOMAS JACKSON Sports Editor
The University of Mary Washington women’s field hockey team faced off against Randolph-Macon College on Sept. 15, defeating them with a score of 2–0. This win would improve their record to 6–3 for the season.
Going into the match, senior business administration major Bella Schroeder believed that the mentality the team carries into the game impacts how they play.
“The mentality was to go in and have fun,” she said. “When we have fun we play our game.”
The match went for two quarters without any goals, with multiple missed opportunities from both teams. Halftime was a point of readjustment for UMW, as the Eagles struck first with a goal from sophomore Mackenzie Proffitt.
“The mentality was to go in and have fun. When we have fun we play our game.”
- Bella Schroeder
Proffitt scored again late in the game to extend the lead to a comfortable 2–0, which UMW maintained for the win. Proffitt credits the team for how the goals came together.
“It was very exciting scoring the goals,” she said. “I was mostly excited for the team and how well we had worked together to make those two goals happen.”
UMW goalkeeper sophomore Tori Winans recorded her second unassisted shutout of the season, only facing one shot from Randolph-Macon College the entire match.
UMW came out strong and was more organized with their offensive press, per senior psychology major Jessica Wood.
“It was very exciting scoring the goals. I was mostly excited for the team and how well we had worked together to make those two goals happen.”
- Jessica Wood
“I felt we had more offensive opportunities and were just able to capitalize first,” she said. “We came out strong and played our game, which was definitely beneficial in getting the results that we wanted. I also felt like we were more organized with our press than previous games, which also resulted in more offensive opportunities.”
Men’s Soccer (9-0-1)
Sept. 28 vs. Messiah University (2-1)
Oct. 2 vs. St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Oct. 5 @ Salisbury University
Oct. 9 @ Stevenson University
Women’s Soccer (4-3-3)
“Our passing is always our
suit and maintaining possession of the ball,” she said.
“We came out strong and played our game, which was definitely beneficial in getting the results that we wanted. I also felt like we were more organized with our press than previous games.”
- Mackenzie Proffitt
Corners would be an area of strength for the Eagles, beating Randolph-Macon in corners taken 5–1.
Jadgchew emphasized the preparation done before the game, stating that by practicing corners and rebounds they were prepared for the game.
“We did a lot of corners in the practice before which ended up working very well,” Jadgchew said. “We also worked on a lot of rebound shots off our goalies.”
The Eagle’s next game is on Oct. 6 against Centre College.
Carlos Nunes contributed to reporting for this article.
Sept. 28 vs. Hood College (1-0)
Oct. 1 @ St. Mary’s College of Maryland (0-0)
Oct. 5 vs. Marymount University
Oct. 9 @ McDaniel College
Women’s Volleyball (7-9)
Sept. 27 vs. SUNY Cortland (0-3)
Sept. 28 vs. Eastern University (0-3) @ Johns Hopkins University (0-3) Oct. 3
@ St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Oct. 5 vs. Juniata College @ Catholic University
Men’s Rugby (2-3)
Sept. 28 vs. Queens University of Charlotte (20-23)
Oct. 5 @ Life University
Women’s Rugby (2-2)
Sept. 28 @ Christopher Newport University (7-79)
Oct. 5 vs. Navy Development Team
Field Hockey (6-4)
Sept. 28
vs. Stevenson University (0-1)
Oct. 2 vs. Catholic University of America
Oct. 6 vs. Centre College
Games are available to watch via livestream on
Sophomore psychology major Hannah Jadgchew believes that the key point of the match was UMW’s passing and possession of the ball.
strong
THOMAS JACKSON Sports Editor
A group of University of Mary Washington players celebrate together after one of Proffitt’s goals. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly
Three UMW players being led by #12, senior business administration major Ellie Helbling, run up the field as the play continues. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
The UMW field hockey team stands shoulder to shoulder facing the field during their 2-0 victory. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
