Welcome to University of Mary Washington

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Welcome

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Welcome to the University of Mary Washington, a school that prepares students to be engines of society. To drive others forward and make things better! Named for the mother of our nation's first president, UMW is a coeducational, public liberal arts and sciences institution located in the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, just fifty miles south of Washington, D.C. Students find an environment that promotes academic collaboration with small, highly interactive classes and a supportive community that values and instills honor and integrity. There are three colleges – arts and sciences, business, and education – all of which produce graduates who are critical thinkers prepared to adapt and succeed in today's world.

Cedric Rucker University Center

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The Cedric Rucker University Center serves as a hub for all student activities. The Center for Career and professional Development will help you prepare for life after Mary Wash and in particular the world of work. The third floor is entirely student-focused with the Office of Student Activities and Engagement, the James Farmer Multicultural Center, and the Center for Civic Engagement. Leadership, service, social justice, and fun are all part of the fabric of Mary Washington. It's on this floor that students organize and begin to execute the activities that impact the world around them starting with our own community, locally, regionally, nationally, even internationally.

Dining (Cedric Rucker University Center)

Dining in the Cedric Rucker University Center

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The Cedric Rucker University Center offers space for students to meet, study, and eat. With one level devoted entirely to dining, Restaurants at the Top of the UC include the Campus Grill, Mesa Mexicana, Chefs' Fare, Simple Servings, and the Earthbar. Choose from ramen, pizza, pasta, and burgers; and a smorgasbord of other specialties. Vegan? Allergies? We've got you covered. Favorites include Sunday brunch and MTO deli sandwiches. The UC also hosts one of our retail restaurants: Panera Bread.

Palmieri Plaza

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Palmieri Plaza is located directly between the three oldest buildings on campus: Virginia, Willard, and Monroe halls. Benches surround the bubbling fountain in the center of the plaza are a popular gathering spot between classes for Mary Washington students. "Bench Sitting," essentially sitting and watching the day go by on a UMW bench, is a term attributed to Mary Wash by urban dictionary and is a common occurrence at Palmieri plaza. The plaza sits along campus walk, a brick pathway that is the main thoroughfare and stretches the entire length of campus. It connects every part and you'll always see a friendly face.

First Year Housing

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First year students have many living options on campus. Willard and Virginia Halls were recently renovated to preserve historic charm while adding modern amenities like air conditioning and a chef's kitchen. Randolph and Westmoreland Halls offer suite style bathrooms, air conditioning, and a bike storage room. Most halls offer seminar and study spaces for students. First year students are placed into a residence hall based on their first-year seminar course. Other students in that class will live in the same building connecting your living and academic experiences.

Upperclassman Apartments

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Eagle Landing is one of two apartment style communities at Mary Wash. Move in as early as your sophomore year and stay junior and senior year. The building features a desk for 24-hour security. Full kitchens with ice-makers and microwaves, and fully furnished living rooms are part of the amenities. The complex features a front garden with café tables, a rear courtyard with a terrace, and a long grassy area for recreation. A two-story entry rotunda with a cozy fireplace provides a comfortable space where students can relax and study. There is also easy access to Eagle Village for groceries and other restaurants and stores.

HCC

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Connected to the library, the Hurley Convergence Center is a techie's dream. The HCC is an "academic commons," a place where a variety of technology, information, and teaching resources come together in an environment that is modern, energetic, and vibrant. The technology-rich four-story building has a variety of classroom, conference, and collaborative spaces enabling students, faculty, and staff to interact with one another on both academic and extracurricular activities. The HCC is home to a production studio, multimedia editing lab, the Speaking and Writing Centers, the Digital Knowledge Center, and the Digital Auditorium. Before you leave, take a whirl on the red spinning chairs!

Jepson Science Center (Molecular Bio Lab)

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The Jepson Science Center is home to Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Physics. It recently underwent an expansion adding over 42,000 square feet, 16 new labs and three classrooms, along with 30,000 square feet of renovations to the original structure. It features a greenhouse, molecular biology research suite, two tissue culture labs, virology lab, electron microscopy lab, two high-speed centrifuges, geology wet lab, clean microscopy room, a new laser system, and a nuclear magnetic resonance instrument. If you geek out on all things STEM, this will be your home on campus as undergraduate students use all of these features! This is what hands-on, undergraduate research is all about.

Arts Complex (Theater)

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The Fine Arts Complex includes Pollard Hall - home to Music, Melchers hall - home to studio art and art history, and duPont Hall, home to Theatre. These three buildings allow our students to be creative and display their talent whether in natural light art studios, with the philharmonic orchestra or acapella groups, or on stage in Klein Theatre or Studio 151 our black box. Whether you wish to major in the arts, pursue your talent extra-curricularly, or simply enjoy the performances and creations of others, Mary Washington affords you the opportunity to enjoy theatre productions, large and small concerts, and art shows throughout the year.

Seacobeck Hall (College of Education)

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Seacobeck Hall is the new home for the College of Education. It was originally built in 1931 as the campus dining hall and recently underwent a $24 million renovation. The state-of-the-art facility transforms how education students learn and collaborate. The building includes team rooms, a maker-space, classrooms, collaborative areas, flexible event space and an open and airy two-story forum, with stadium stairs, running straight through the structure's center. Original features were saved including Corinthian style columns, crown molding, and arched windows.

Academic Buildings

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Academic departments are integrated throughout campus. Whether you know excactly what you'd like to study or are still considering your options and interests, our first-year experience and academic advisors will help you confirm your plans from among the 80 majors, minors and programs to choose from at UMW. Your education is about much more than classroom learning. While you will find your professors to be engaging, encouraging, and inspiring, all Mary Washington students are required to practically apply what they are learning in the classroom to real world settings through internships or service learning, undergraduate research, or study abroad. This will be your launchpad to life after Mary Wash.

Woodard (College of Business)

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Woodard Hall is home to the AACSB accredited College of Business and features modern lecture halls and a comfortable lounge with a digital stock ticker. Business students participate in career focused activities such as speed networking, meet the firms, and an alumni mentorship program. Woodard also pulls double duty as a full-service post office and express eatery. On the bottom level, grab a meal from one of several eateries offering fresh and hot pre-packaged meals along with salads, cold sandwiches and Starbucks Coffee and Vocelli Pizza which offers pizza, subs and other favorites.

Anderson Center

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The Anderson Center hosts sporting events, concerts, and performances. Anderson is home to D-3 men's and women's basketball teams and the women's volleyball team. It seats 1,700 spectators at games and 3,000 people for concerts and events. Connected to Anderson is Goolrick Hall with additional basketball courts, a pool, dance studios, training rooms and more. Students also use the Fitness Center that houses a cycle studio, strength and cardio equipment, and Olympic lifting floor. Campus Rec offerings include fitness programs, outdoor programs, wellness programs, special events as well as club and intramural sports. Outdoor sports for club or intramural are played on an artificial grass field or beach volleyball court.

Battleground Athletics Complex (Tennis Center)

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Cheer on the Eagles at our Battleground Athletic Complex! The complex features three turf fields, two Bermuda grass fields, a track, a rugby pitch, stadiums for baseball and softball as well as tennis center with indoor and outdoor courts. Varsity teams in soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, track and field, tennis, baseball, and softball compete at the Battleground. In late October, you will find the Battleground packed with student-athletes, students, alumni, and other spectators enjoying Homecoming games and tailgating festivities.

Downtown Fredericksburg

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Fredericksburg sits along the Rappahannock River, is 50 miles south of Washington, D.C., and has a train station to get students where they want to go. The downtown historic area is a 10-minute walk from campus to visit coffee shops, restaurants, bars, stores, and the farmer's market. Favorites include Sedona Taphouse, Mellow Mushroom, Benny Vitali's, Carl's Frozen Custard, and Hyperion Espresso. A Fredericksburg must do is a Ghost Walk put on by UMW historic preservation students. Students can ride the FRED bus for free to Central Park where they'll find a movie theater, Target, Walmart, and more. Cheer on our minor league baseball team, the Fredericksburg Nationals.

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