Scholarship Recipient Discovers Confidence, Connection, and Calling at UMW

Mariana Lira wasn’t quite sure where she’d go to college, until her grandparents made a simple suggestion—check out the University of Mary Washington.

“UMW was warm, welcoming, and totally matched my vibe,” said Mariana, who was born in Arizona and attended high school in nearby Spotsylvania. A tour of campus confirmed she was in the right place. “I just felt like I belonged here.”

Mariana, now an environmental science major and a UMW Honors Program scholar, has made her mark at Mary Washington. Serving as vice president of the Latino Student Association and the Tri Alpha First Generation honor society, she has helped students with similar journeys feel connected on campus.

As she takes her next steps—including becoming a Marine Corps officer after graduation—she credits the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship with opening doors to her academic pursuits and leadership roles.

Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans, born on Feb. 21, 1872, in Thaxton, Virginia, made history when she stepped up to lead the company of her late first husband, Joseph B. Whitehead, who had the innovative idea to bottle Coca-Cola at the turn of the 20th century. Three decades later, the company appointed her to its board of directors—making her the first woman ever to sit on the board at a major corporation.

A revered philanthropist, Mrs. Whitehead also gave generously to educational institutions, arts and culture, and religious organizations throughout her lifetime. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, established after her death in 1953, supports tens of thousands of students in need each year as well as senior care facilities across the southeast.

More than 2,000 scholars at the University of Mary Washington have benefited from Whitehead scholarships over the last four decades. In 2024-25, the University awarded financial assistance totaling $292,110 to more than 100 Whitehead recipients, which is a part of the over $2.3 million in donor-driven scholarships from the UMW Foundation.

“Our recipients embody Mrs. Whitehead’s enduring spirit of generosity, resilience, and commitment to higher education,” said Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and executive director of the UMW Foundation. “We’re so grateful to the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation for their ongoing support that helps ensure that a Mary Washington education remains accessible and affordable for those with financial need.”

Interested in science since childhood, Mariana discovered that UMW’s Department of Earth and Environmental Science gave her the chance to take courses in lots of different areas, including biology, chemistry, ecology, and geology. “It’s such a multifaceted field,” she said. “I love learning how everything fits together and hearing different perspectives.”

Mariana has particularly enjoyed coursework with Associate Professor of Environmental Science Tyler Frankel and Sarah Morealli, an environmental geology senior lecturer. “Everyone at UMW is so passionate about their subject area, so it’s easy to get excited about research when you’re a student,” she said.

Mariana is currently working alongside her faculty mentor, Associate Professor of Environmental Science Melanie Szulczewski, and her classmates to conduct data analysis that investigates metal contaminants in the soil and how they might affect produce that ends up in grocery stores. They recently presented their findings at CANVAS, a conference focusing on environmental and soil science, in Salt Lake City.

Mariana Lira ’26 (right) and Madeline Binkley ’28 presenting their environmental science and soil research at the CANVAS conference in Salt Lake City. Photo courtesy of Mariana Lira.

Mariana Lira ’26 has conducted soil research with Associate Professor of Environmental Science Melanie Szulczewski, which they’ve presented at professional conferences in their field. Mariana said: “Here, I am filtering soil samples that have been incubated after being treated with an acid phosphatase substrate. The absorbance (or in simpler terms, the color) of the liquid that will filter out will tell us how biologically productive the soil is.” Photo courtesy of Mariana Lira.

“This opportunity has truly enhanced my experiences in my major,” said Mariana, who plans to present her Honors College capstone project at UMW’s Research and Creativity Symposium on April 24. “I’m applying the knowledge I learned in class to address concerns and develop questions that I can then answer through my research.”

But she’s taking a different path for her career. She was recently accepted into Marine Corps Office Candidate School, which she’ll begin this fall. As the daughter of service members, she admires the military branch’s focus on tradition and discipline.

“Honor, courage, and commitment are all important to me,” Mariana said. “I want to work with other people who uphold those same values.”

Learn more about establishing scholarships and how private support makes a difference in the lives of UMW students who receive scholarships, research fellowships, and internship grants.

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