Camera Captures UMW’s Resolve During COVID-19

Masks are typically worn on Halloween. Social distancing is practiced during flu-season physicians’ visits. COVID-19 has flung these phenomena into the mainstream and into microcosms of it, on college campuses everywhere. As the University of Mary Washington community perseveres through the pandemic – monitoring, masking, distancing, cleaning, testing and more – a rigorous liberal arts and sciences education remains the mission.

The Fredericksburg campus has been reimagined – classrooms reconfigured, athletic conditioning modified, residence halls re-arranged, dining options altered – with a focus on slowing the spread of the virus and continuing to provide a transformative college experience.

So what does UMW really look like these days? Here, in 22 photos, Mary Washington shares a snapshot of campus life during COVID-19.

Students in a socially distanced classroom in the Jepson Science Center. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Dodd Auditorium in George Washington Hall is typically reserved for presentations and performances. The 1,200-seat venue is being used as a socially distanced classroom space during the pandemic. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

In his costume design course, Associate Professor of Theatre Kevin McCluskey observes the work of a student. The class is held not in duPont, but in a spacious meeting room in the University Center. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

The changing of classes has taken on a new look this semester. Campus Walk is eerily devoid of student clusters. UMW’s iconic benches are at max-capacity with a single “bench-sitter.” And student “Eagles Care Ambassadors” are out and about, reminding others to properly mask and follow health guidelines.

Bench-sitting looks a little bit different in the time of COVID-19, but UMW juniors Kira Frazee (left) and Allison Bliss find a way to enjoy the popular UMW pastime while seated separately. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Eagles Care Ambassador Abby Zimmerman chats with a fellow student on Campus Walk. These student volunteers ensure that others are following the University’s “MMDC” – monitor, mask, distance and clean – policy. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Donning a Mary Washington mask from the UMW bookstore, freshman Lexi St. Clair picks up a smoothie in Katora Cafe. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Eagles Care Ambassador Anna Longacher (in yellow) works a shift in a dining tent on Ball Circle. Student ambassadors remind others to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

The arts and sciences remain top priority at UMW, with theatre, dance, music and a palette of fine arts courses carrying on, sometimes in the digital realm. The newly renovated Jepson Science Center continues to host hands-on learning experiences, with floor and lab-table space dissected into socially distanced segments.

Juniors Katie Ragone (left) and Rebecca Visger (right) chat from their respective workstations during a socially distanced sculpture class in Melchers Hall. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

From left to right: First-year students Arianna Chase, Andrew Cooper and Mitchell Freitag conduct an experiment in a lab in the Jepson Science Center. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Sophomore Stella Dallasch (foreground) and junior Dana Sherman (background) sketch during a socially distanced drawing class in Melchers Hall. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Competitions for UMW’s 20-plus varsity sports were put on hold this fall, but COVID-19 couldn’t stop athletes from training. With new practice protocols in place, the academically rich Division III student-athlete experience continues to play out across the Battlefield Athletics Complex, William B. Anderson Center, Goolrick Pool and beyond.

The UMW Men’s Rugby team, including Rem Yates (center), practices on the athletic fields. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW Soccer players, including freshman Grace Martin, practice on the athletic fields. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Swim practice in Goolrick Pool. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

The 72,000-square-foot Hurley Convergence Center is teeming with student activity – socially distanced, of course. Capped study-area capacity and diligent cleaning keep the space – a hub of collaboration and digital learning – up and running, for classes and cram sessions.

Junior Joseph Lewis completes an assignment in a socially distanced workspace in UMW’s Hurley Convergence Center. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Students work in single occupant study rooms in the Hurley Convergence Center. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Stringent cleaning protocols are followed in the Hurley Convergence Center, which hosts classes and frequent study sessions. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Juniors Kayla Villareal and Liam Kelly study Japanese verbs in the Hurley Convergence Center. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

With strict guidelines in place, UMW’s Fitness Center in Goolrick Hall is alive with squats, bench presses and pull-ups. Campus Recreation exercise classes – yoga, cycle, dance and more – often take place online or in outdoor locales, like the intimate Goolrick Courtyard.

A student wipes down weights after using them in the UMW Fitness Center. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Senior Madeline Enderle leads a group of students in a late afternoon outdoor fitness class in Goolrick Courtyard next to the Anderson Center. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW employee Andre Reaves lifts weights in the UMW Fitness Center, which has spaced apart its workout equipment and is sanitizing between uses. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Students must reserve a time to use UMW’s Fitness Center and wear a mask during their workout. Equipment is spread out for social distancing and sanitized between uses. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

COVID-19 guidelines, posted and reinforced across campus, test Mary Washington traditions, but camaraderie and friendships thrive in beloved UMW spaces, especially outdoor areas, like Ball Circle, the Heslep Amphitheatre and the fountain in front of Monroe Hall.

From left to right: Sophomore Megan Giglio and juniors David Miller, Kira Frazee and Alison Bliss enjoy the fall weather while chatting on the Lee Hall plaza. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.