UMW Students Show Gratitude at 2024 Scholarship Luncheon and Showcase

When senior Sofia Taylor earned a full-ride Alvey Scholarship to attend the University of Mary Washington, she penned the first of many letters and cards she exchanged with her donor, Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59.

“Irene often said that Mary Washington ‘opened worlds’ for her,” said Sofia, a psychology major and neuroscience and music minor. Because of private support, Sofia’s own college experience comprised a semester abroad, singing with the UMW Choir, leadership roles in the psychology department, and researching the minds of the world’s great composers. “She truly did that for me.”

2024’s Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase, held on April 6, gave donors who established scholarships and those who gave or pledged significant gifts to the University of Mary Washington the opportunity to interact with their scholarship recipients and see the impact of their gifts. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

From left: seniors Maddie Baylor, Nate Huff, and Alex Lagon show Janet Hedrick ’73 costumes from recent UMW Theatre productions. Janet and her classmates established the Class of 1973 Reunion Scholarship. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

First-year student Katriana Meiman, recipient of the Helen D. Gawron Alvey Scholarship and a biomedical sciences major, discusses her research on the neurological condition known as postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

Junior Maha Momtaz, a studio art major at Mary Washington, shares her artwork with a donor at the Student Showcase. Maha is the recipient of the Lettie Pate Whitehead and the Nina G. Bushnell scholarships. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Senior Sofia Taylor, a psychology major and neuroscience and music minor who earned the Justin and Helen Piscopo Alvey Scholarship, shares her research into the minds of the world’s great composers with Bill Williams and Pat Poole, who established the Kendra Lynn Williams ’95 Scholarship in memory of their daughter. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

President Troy Paino and wife Kelly visit with donors and student scholarship recipients during the 2024 Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Sofia sang the praises of her late benefactor – who left her alma mater a transformational $30 million estate gift for undergraduate scientific research and to create new Alvey Scholarships – at the 2024 Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase on April 6. The annual event honored supporters who have established private scholarships and members of UMW’s Washington and Heritage societies, who have either given or pledged significant funds to Mary Washington.

Scholarship recipients displayed their academic pursuits and projects for attendees to peruse on the first floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center. Afterwards, guests gathered in the Chandler Ballroom for a spring-themed lunch and listened as President Troy Paino and student speakers expressed gratitude to donors for their gifts to the University.

“We always look forward to this occasion and for you to connect with our students who are the beneficiaries of your generosity,” Paino said, “so you can see, witness, and experience what is happening here because of your investment.”

In a campus update, Paino thanked donors for helping UMW achieve its highest fundraising year to date, with $21.3 million in gifts and pledges made in Fiscal Year 2023. He also highlighted the recent success of Mary Wash Day, which raised a preliminary record-setting $828,677 on April 4. “To feel the support of the Mary Washington family from across the globe means so much.”

Sophomore Aloysious Kabonge, who received the Thomas Howard and Elizabeth Merchent Tardy Scholarship, among others, chats during lunch with his donor, Al Merchent. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Senior Abby Knowles, who earned the Penelope Ann Parrish Internship in Journalism, enjoys a conversation with her donor, Penny Parrish, and fellow journalism scholarship recipient Norah Walsh and her donor, Jeanette Cadwallender. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

First-year student Allie Davis, recipient of the Robert ’93 and Dodie ’95 Whitt Scholarship, poses for a photo with her donors, Rob Whitt ’93 and Dodie Denison Whitt ’95. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Senior Jessica Oberlies, recipient of the John C. and Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 CAS Student Research Endowment, chats with her donor, Dr. Jerri Barden Perkins ’61. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Senior Jarad Ponce, recipient of the Carrie S. and Arthur L. Galloway Scholarship, among others, poses for a picture with George K. and Sallie Galloway Gill ’65, who named their scholarship in memory of Sally’s parents. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Senior Brooke Prevedel, who came to UMW from Colorado, said that private support helped her pursue a double major in classical archaeology and historic preservation, as well as a GIS certificate, which necessitated staying a fifth year at Mary Washington.

Receiving scholarships helped ease financial pressure and gave her the chance to engage in high-impact learning experiences, she said. For example, she contributed her cartographic skills to create printed maps for the local Civil Rights Trail and a Fredericksburg Area Museum exhibit, collaborating on both projects with Professor of Geography Steve Hanna.

“I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities at UMW,” Brooke said. “Because of them, I’m graduating into a world where even more opportunities await me, already as an established professional in my fields.”

Shahir Mohsenyan, a graduate student in UMW’s College of Education, shared how as a child of immigrants, he wasn’t always accepted by his peers. Yet, his favorite teachers made him feel as though he mattered and inspired his decision to become an educator.

He thanked his donors for giving him the chance to ensure that all students feel welcome in his classroom.

“Your investment in education extends far beyond the confines of this University,” Shahir said. “It is a gift that keeps on giving, shaping the future, one student at a time.”

Senior Sofia Taylor, who received the full-ride Justin and Helen Piscopo Alvey Scholarship to attend UMW, served as emcee for the luncheon. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Graduate education student Shahir Mohsenyan, who received the Graduate Education Endowed Scholarship and other awards, shared how private support has enabled him to pursue his master’s degree while teaching elementary school students. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Senior Brooke Prevedel, who earned the Dovetail Cultural Resource Group Scholarship for Historic Preservation and other awards, said her scholarships gave her the opportunity to pursue a double major and a GIS certificate while contributing to community projects like the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Find scholarship opportunities that are available to UMW students. 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. View photos and a video from the 2024 Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase.

Sofia Taylor ’24 is the recipient of the Justin and Helen Piscopo Alvey Scholarship.

Shahir Mohsenyan M.Ed. ’24 is the recipient of the Alice Warren Twiddy 1915 Scholarship, Graduate Education Endowed Scholarship, Hattie M. Strong Foundation Scholarship and the UMW Alumni and Friends Scholarship.

Brooke Prevedel ’24 is the recipient of the Ardiena Ann Tromley Scholarship in Archaeology, Dovetail Cultural Resource Group Scholarship for Historic Preservation, John D. Mac Isaac Scholarship in Classics, Laura V. Sumner Memorial Scholarship in Classics and the National Latin Exam Scholarship.

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