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Regional briefs

Date published: 9/15/2006

By Melissa Nix

Debbie Naggs retiring as clerk of City Council

Fredericksburg City Council Clerk Debbie Naggs will retire Jan. 1, after 21 years with the city.

Naggs is married to Michael Naggs, who announced last month that he would retire as Building and Development Services director after more than 27 years with the city. Michael Naggs retired to focus on recovering from a stroke he suffered in March.

Debbie Naggs met with City Council members in closed session Tuesday night to tell them of her decision. In a letter to the council, she said the decision to retire now was a tough one, but "As we all know, life is short and this is the right decision for me, for Mike and for our continued life together."

She said she hoped to help recruit the next city clerk and provide for a smooth transition before leaving at the end of the year.

"She has done a wonderful job over the years and she will be missed. I think this is a good move for her and Mike," Mayor Tom Tomzak said. "She's assured us that she will not leave until we have found an adequate replacement and that replacement is trained."

The clerk of council is one of three employees, including the city attorney and city manager, who are hired directly by the City Council.

--Emily Battle

New master's degree program starts at UMW

The University of Mary Washington will begin offering a Master of Science in Management Information Systems degree this January.

"Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in planning, design, development and management of complex information systems," according to a press release from the university.

UMW's Stafford County campus currently offers Bachelor of Professional Studies, Master of Business Administration and Master of Education degrees.

In addition to the MSMIS, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia also approved a dual Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Management Information Systems degree.

UMW will begin accepting applications for both programs this fall.

Information sessions will be held at the Stafford campus on U.S. 17 at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 and Nov. 9

--Melissa Nix

Germanna, ODU extend distance-learning option

Germanna Community College and Old Dominion University have decided to extend long-distance learning to Germanna's Fredericksburg campus. That means more opportunities for residents to earn bachelor's and master's degrees.

More than 100 students have received bachelor's or master's degrees in the program since 1994, when Germanna's Locust Grove campus opened its ODU long-distance-learning site.

With the help of on-site interactive satellite broadcast and video-streaming technologies, students participate in live, interactive classes held at ODU's Norfolk campus. Students also can participate off-campus through online courses.

Administrators and business leaders will celebrate the new partnership with a ceremony in the lobby of Germanna's Fredericksburg campus at 10 a.m. Thursday.

--Melissa Nix

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Date published: 9/15/2006