Mary Baldwin University Publishes February Wellness Happenings Featuring Mindfulness Resources

Mary Baldwin University’s “Wellness Happenings: February/March” bulletin, posted February 27, 2026, highlights a $14,494 Truth Initiative grant and a packed events calendar running February 28–March 29, 2026 that includes mindfulness sessions, short guided practices, and stress-management programs.

MBU reports that the $14,494 award from Truth Initiative will be used “to boost awareness around the negative health impacts of tobacco-use and vaping, and provide additional resources for individuals who want to quit.” The bulletin says that over the next 17 months Christine Flory will lead a campus task force that will include two student leaders to assess smoking, vaping, and tobacco-use behaviors and attitudes on campus, create a cessation support plan for current smokers and vapers, and identify educational opportunities to foster healthier practices. The bulletin also repeats Truth Initiative’s founding fact: “Truth Initiative was founded in 2000 and has since led a national movement to address smoking, vaping, and nicotine use on U.S. college campuses.”

“Each month, MBU’s medical/health and wellness navigator Christine Flory will share events, insights, and strategies on a variety of health-related topics with faculty and staff,” the bulletin states. Flory is listed as the bulletin author and contact, with extension x7167 and email cmflory@marybaldwin.edu, and the bulletin directs readers to additional info on the MBU health and wellness website.

Daily movement and short practices are prominent in the bulletin. “Walk with the MBU community! Meet at the Spencer Center at 12:15 p.m. and choose from a 15- or 30-minute route. Offered Monday through Friday, beginning on February 23. Sponsored by the Office of Wellness and the Spencer Center,” the bulletin reads, and it references a “Walk the Campus flyer” for more details.

Wellness Wednesdays continue as a monthly series led by Simone McKelvey, director of student services at Murphy Deming, and Christine Flory. The March entry pairs MBU with the Spencer Center for a lunch-and-learn: “Magical Thinking and Creativity,” hosted by Rebecca Silberman, professor of art and photography at James Madison University, beginning at 12:10 p.m. on March 1 at the Spencer Center. The bulletin notes “Free lunch with RSVP! The event will also be live streamed.”

The events calendar lists multiple wellness entries on March 18 and during Wellness Week. Notable listings include “Stress Management: The Stress Guide Reset” on Wed, Mar 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hunt Dining Hall; a virtual “Wellness Workshop- Pranayama & Face Yoga: Movement & Breath” on Wed, Mar 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and “Wellness Week FREE Massage” on Fri, Mar 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Activities Center. The calendar also shows sports and campus social events such as multiple softball and baseball games on Mar 14–17 and a Blackout Step and Dance Show on Mar 14 at James D. Francis Auditorium; the calendar includes two separate Mar 14 softball listings with differing times.

The bulletin contains the fragment that it “collects campus mental-health resources, upcoming events, and practical tips, including mindfulness sessions, short guided practices and guidance for adjusting to daylight‑savin” with that final phrase truncated in the captured text. The bulletin also includes the line “Read more about the grant here,” though no link is shown in the posted excerpt. For calendar entries and RSVP or livestream details, the bulletin directs readers to the MBU health and wellness website and to contact Christine Flory at x7167 or cmflory@marybaldwin.edu.