The University of Mary Washington ended the 2023-24 fiscal year on June 30, announcing an impressive $14.5 million in gifts and pledges that will help strengthen and enhance the UMW student experience.
Private support from 5,146 generous donors helped Mary Washington continue its commitment to providing students with an outstanding liberal arts and sciences education filled with impactful learning opportunities. Gifts this year benefited 315 areas across the University, including academics, arts, athletics, service and leadership initiatives, career services, and cultural programs.
“We are deeply appreciative of the investments the UMW community has made in our institution this year,” said Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte. “The generosity of our alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff, and students is vital to advancing our mission and to helping to attract, retain, and graduate exceptional students from Mary Washington.”
The grand total was bolstered in part by a record-breaking $843,252 raised on Mary Wash Day on April 4. Eagles across the globe participated in the 24-hour celebration of philanthropy, engagement, and Mary Wash pride, making 3,377 gifts to support UMW students, programs, faculty, and staff.
UMW donors also generously contributed $770,523 for the Fund for Mary Washington, providing unrestricted support that underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved – a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, and personal relationships with professors.
The inaugural Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant program awarded $25,000 in donor-funded grants in spring 2024, supporting eight projects or initiatives pitched by students, faculty, and staff. UMW Votes, WMWC Radio, the Gwen Hale Resource Center, UMW Galleries, the Hurley Convergence Center’s Charnoff Production Studio, and several other projects received full or partial funding.
Making a UMW education affordable and accessible remains a top priority at Mary Washington, with donors giving $3.3 million for endowed scholarships in 2023-24. More than 800 scholarships and awards, totaling more than $2.4 million, were given to 814 students during this fiscal year. Eighteen scholarships were awarded for the first time, including the Class of 1972 Dr. Michael L. Bass Scholarship, the Carl B. Frye ’93 Scholarship, and the Kelly Ragsdale Paino Scholarship for Future Educators. Six incoming students have been awarded full-ride Alvey or Washington scholarships for the upcoming academic year.
Other 2023-24 highlights include:
- $133K raised for the Beyond the Classroom Endowment, supporting undergraduate experiential learning like internships, independent research, and study abroad
- $637K raised for arts and cultural programming, including UMW Theatre, Philharmonic, and Galleries, as well as the Great Lives Lecture Series, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, and the James Monroe Museum
- The new Family Leadership Circle recognizes parents and guardians of currently enrolled students who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more to any area across UMW, while the Forever True Circle recognizes loyal donors who make gifts to the University for three or more consecutive years or who have set up a recurring gift plan
A portion of this year’s grand total came from the transformational $30 million estate gift left to Mary Washington by the late Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 for scholarship and undergraduate scientific research. Last month, UMW named the Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute, a 10-week undergraduate STEM research program established 25 years ago. The University also honored Rodgers and other pioneering alumnae in the sciences at December’s Celebration of Giving and April’s Scholarship Luncheon and Student Showcase.
More than 2,683 alumni participated in regional network and affinity group gatherings, presidential events, Mary Talks, Alumni on the Road trips, Homecoming, and Reunion Weekend, which welcomed 617 attendees spanning the classes of 1949 to 2024 to campus in June.
“I’m truly inspired by the dedication and passion of Mary Washington graduates who actively support their alma mater, as well as the alumni team and volunteers who serve on boards and organize these events,” Turcotte said. “We hope to see even more of you in the future. If it’s been a while since you visited campus, we invite you to come back soon.”
Make a gift for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. To learn more about giving options, please contact the Office of University Advancement at advance@umw.edu or 540-654-1024. Explore upcoming Mary Washington alumni events.
-Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04
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