Donna Harter

Long-time Heritage Society member Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 passed away in 2022, yet her $30 million bequest will continue to support her alma mater and the students she cared about so deeply.

Irene made a name for herself in the field of electron microscopy and helped pave the way for UMW graduates, especially women, to excel in the sciences through research experiences and scholarships.

She often said her Mary Washington education “opened worlds” for her, and now this generous gift will carry on Irene’s legacy by helping UMW prepare young scholars for successful careers in STEM fields.

Read more about Irene’s gift and her Mary Washington legacy.

Dear Alumni and Friends:

This is truly a great time to be an Eagle. At the University of Mary Washington, we just celebrated our sixth annual Giving Day and held our first in-person Donor Appreciation Luncheon since 2019. It is so inspiring to see this community’s incredible generosity toward UMW and its students.

Speaking of celebrations, on May 6, Mary Washington will graduate the Class of 2023, which has demonstrated the power of hard work, perseverance, and resilience over the past four years. I’m so excited to see how these soon-to-be graduates will use what they have learned at UMW to make a difference in their communities and the world.

But none of this would be possible without donors like Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59, who you’ll read about below. Through her transformational estate gift, she has ensured that UMW students from generations to come will have access to scholarships and undergraduate scientific research opportunities. Many of you share this same commitment to our students and our institution, investing in UMW’s present and future through your philanthropic gifts. Thank you for making Mary Washington an important part of your life and legacy.

Discover a tax-free way to create a charitable gift annuity

If you have an IRA and are at least 70½ years old, the Secure 2.0 Act provides a once-in-a-lifetime way to contribute up to $50,000 to a charitable gift annuity through a tax-free distribution from your IRA.

What is a Charitable Gift Annuity?
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a contract between you and the UMW Foundation. In exchange for your charitable gift, the Foundation agrees to pay you a fixed income for your lifetime. Upon your passing, the annuity ceases, and the remaining principal is used to support academic programs and students.

How Does it Work?
Once you contribute cash from your IRA, the CGA begins to make monthly or quarterly payments to you
for your lifetime. The payment rate is based on your age to your nearest birthday. The agreement benefits you by providing lifetime income, attractive payment rates, reduced taxable estate value for your heirs, and an opportunity to support UMW students.

What Else Should You Know?
Charitable gift annuities may be set up to pay income to you and/or your spouse. Under the Secure 2.0 Act, you must be 70½ or older to take advantage of this tax-free IRA rollover opportunity. If you do not meet the age requirement for this opportunity, contact the UMW Office of Gift Planning to learn about other charitable gift annuity options.

Make your intentions known

If you are considering a bequest to the University of Mary Washington Foundation (Taxpayer Identification Number: 54-0169627), we are happy to provide the following language for your use:

“I hereby give and bequeath the specific amount of $________ (or ____ percent of my estate) unto the University of Mary Washington Foundation, Inc., 1119 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, to provide funding for the _____________________ [Fund for Mary Washington, program, department, or endowment] at the University of Mary Washington OR a program as determined by University administrators.”

For more information about your estate planning options, contact Jan Clarke at jclarke@umw.edu or
540-654-2064. As always, consult with your legal and tax professionals.

Recent graduate balances work and studies to achieve goals

Nicolas Espana ’22 is an accountant for a Northern Virginia company specializing in land development and design services. As the first in his family to attend college, Nicolas says hard work, tenacity, and support from scholarships and financial aid led to this position that aligns perfectly with his UMW degree.

His career path was not always so clear or defined. Nicolas was born in the United States, but he had to return to Guatemala with his family when he was just 11 years old. A year later, Nicolas came back to the U.S. with the goal of finishing high school and going to college. He lived with his aunt, but he knew the financial aspect of that educational goal would be difficult.

During his years at Meadowbrook High School in Richmond, Nicolas focused on keeping his grades up so he could qualify for scholarships. He worked part time at O’Reilly Automotive and also was president of the National Beta Club, president of his senior class, a delegate at Boys’ State, and Lieutenant Commander in the Junior ROTC program.

“I didn’t have anyone in my family who knew what it was like to go to college,” says Nicolas. “So it was really difficult for me to figure things out. I did have the support of my high school teachers, and they offered guidance about exams and how to apply for college. One of my friends also had attended Mary Washington, so that gave me a bit of insight.”

Nicolas was accepted at Mary Washington in 2018 and received a financial aid package, which included the Joanna and John Reynolds Scholarship. He worked another year in auto parts and then found a paid internship at a law firm in Alexandria. This long-term experience enabled him to learn about job opportunities in the legal and accounting fields, and helped him hone in on a major in applied economics with a minor in business administration.

While scholarships and financial aid helped with college tuition, Nicolas says he had to work throughout to pay for necessities like insurance, food, and gas. “I was careful with my money and my time,” he says. “I always remained focused on my studies and, looking back now, I think I did a good job of balancing it all.”

That balancing act continues today. Nicolas recently passed the LSAT and is saving up to apply for law school. “I’ve noticed that each year my dreams keep getting bigger and more possible with the help and relationships I made at Mary Washington and through my job experiences.”

Long-time Heritage Society member Joanna Reynolds says students like Nicolas are the reason she and her late husband, John, created a UMW scholarship. “We wanted to help students who were self-disciplined and motivated to succeed,” she says. “I am so proud of Nicolas and all he has accomplished.”

For more information about creating scholarships now and through your estate plans, contact Jan Clarke at jclarke@umw.edu or 540-654-2064.

 

– Article by Donna Harter