Seventh Annual Mary Wash Day Brings #TogetherUMW, April 4

UMW graduates Matt and Sarah Balenger Good ’19 land on the exact same word to describe their experience at the University of Mary Washington, where they met, fell in love, and earned degrees in political science and psychology, respectively.

“It was more impactful than I could have ever imagined,” said Sarah, who was on UMW’s Honor Council all four years, becoming its president as a senior, and currently works in autism services. Matt, who followed the same track in the Student Government Association and is now employed in public safety, agrees. “I wouldn’t be who or where I am today without Mary Washington.”

On Mary Wash Day, the couple is sponsoring a challenge to inspire graduates from the last decade to make their first-ever gift to their alma mater on Thursday, April 4, a day celebrating all contributions to the University. “We want to ensure that students today have the experiences we had and that young alumni get involved at Mary Washington,” Sarah said.

Eagles everywhere are encouraged to show off their Mary Wash pride during the 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, now in its seventh year, enjoying fun and festivities while making a difference in the lives of students for generations to come.

With a theme of #TogetherUMW, the event unites the entire Mary Washington community in support of students and faculty, as well as academic, arts, athletics, leadership, service, career, and cultural programs. Donors will have the chance to give to more than 80 different areas across the University.

After exceeding expectations last year with a grand total of $621,528 raised, UMW is striving toward a goal of 2,500 gifts from 1,000 alumni donors and 250 new supporters in 2024.

“These funds help Mary Washington continue to provide a public liberal arts and sciences education filled with impactful learning opportunities to current and future UMW students,” said Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14. Every gift made on Mary Wash Day – regardless of size – has the potential of doubling and even tripling its impact, thanks to more than $400,000 in challenges and matches sponsored by generous donors, she said.

Mary Wash Day donations help keep UMW’s class sizes small and provide undergraduate research opportunities for students to work alongside UMW faculty mentors. Here, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Science Pamela Grothe ’06 teaches a course exploring sedimentation.

Gifts on Mary Wash Day to Friends of Athletics or to a specific sports program provide critical support to help enhance the UMW student-athlete experience. Contributions fund athletic facilities, competition travel, professional development opportunities, custom-training equipment, and more. Photo by Tom Rothenberg.

Service and volunteer experiences give UMW students the chance to make a difference on campus and in the community while exploring leadership roles and potential careers. Gifts on Mary Wash Day support COAR and the Center for Community Engagement, the James Farmer Multicultural Center, the Gwen Hale Resource Center, and other entities that provide valuable and meaningful experiences for students.

Contributions to the UMW Philharmonic on Mary Wash Day help students explore their musical passions while providing arts and cultural experiences for the greater Fredericksburg community. Gifts can also be made to UMW Theatre, UMW Galleries, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, the James Monroe Museum, and the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series. Photo by Tom Rothenberg.

Mary Wash Day helps students who participate in campus clubs, organizations, and other activities, such as UMW’s Esports team, pursue interests outside of class while building relationships with their peers.

Gifts can be made on the Mary Wash Day website April 4 to support the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington, which helps UMW’s leadership meet emerging student, faculty, and program opportunities. Supporters can also give to other key areas of need, such as the General Scholarship Fund, the Technology Assistance Fund, and initiatives to bolster campus preservation and diversity and inclusion.

In addition to tracking progress through dynamic online leaderboards, new events and activities planned by UMW’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement and campus partners will build momentum and excitement leading up to and throughout the day.

Festivities kick off with a faculty and staff “grab and go” breakfast on the steps of the Cedric Rucker University Center, which will double as a student headquarters with thank you note, selfie, and donation stations; games and prizes; and more. UMW Dining will host a Mary Wash Day lunch with themed cookies for the occasion.

Students can participate in a scavenger hunt to find stuffed eagles planted across campus, catch a ride and answer UMW trivia in the Eagle Cash Cart, or snag a rubber eagle from the fountain in front of Monroe Hall.

That evening, the Cedric Rucker University Center will be lit in Mary Wash Day blue. Fredericksburg area alumni can join in a happy hour at Rey Azteca in Eagle Village, followed by trivia (in person and via Zoom) in the Hurley Convergence Center’s Digital Auditorium, led by Alumni Association board member Karmel James ’13. Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Eric Gable will host a happy hour garden party for the Richmond Alumni Regional Network.

Alumni can also request a brand new UMW pet bowtie through an online form and are encouraged to post pictures of their dapper dogs, chic cats, trendy turtles, and other animal friends with the tags #MaryWashDay and #UMWAlumni.

Members of the UMW community are invited to serve as Mary Wash Day ambassadors to inspire others to contribute. Anyone can sign up to receive access to a customized dashboard and toolkit.

More information about Mary Wash Day can be found on the FAQ Page. To sponsor a challenge or match, please contact Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14 at sorlando@umw.edu or (540) 654-1361.

-Article written by Associate Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04