Read the latest Heritage Newsletter featuring stories of Mary Washington alumni who have made specific plans to support UMW students and programs. Learn helpful tips to aid in year-end giving.
Gifts at Work
Amphitheatre Groundbreaking, Naming, and Challenge
The University of Mary Washington recognized two long-time donors June 4, 2016, at a groundbreaking ceremony for the century-old amphitheatre on the Fredericksburg campus. The outdoor facility, slated for renovation, has been renamed the Heslep Amphitheatre, in honor of 1956 alumna Josephine McPherson Heslep and her husband, Donald, of Richmond.
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Hesleps, who attended the ceremony with their family, have generously supported University initiatives, including a significant endowment for the UMW Philharmonic. The couple’s latest gift of $1.25 million helped push contributions toward the $3 million fundraising goal.
UMW recently received a challenge gift from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation. 
If UMW secures NEW gifts totaling $125,000 for the amphitheatre, the Foundation will match with its own contribution of $125,000.
Gifts to the amphitheatre challenge may be made at umw.edu/onlinegiving.
$1 Million Gift Kindles Amphitheatre Restoration
Thanks to a generous $1 million challenge gift from Robert S. and Alice Andrews Jepson ’64 of Savannah, Ga., the University of Mary Washington currently is making plans to save, restore, and enhance its historic amphitheatre.
![Large Format JPG[1]](https://giving.umw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Large-Format-JPG1.jpg)
Through the years, however, weather and time have not been kind, and the amphitheater has deteriorated considerably. Consultants recently examined the site, and they warn that the amphitheatre must be restored now or it could be lost forever. They estimate the restoration to cost $3 million.
“Bob and I love Mary Washington, and my education means a lot to me,” says Alice Jepson. “I feel the restoration of the amphitheatre is a worthwhile project and one that so many classes can join in supporting.”
The restoration and rehabilitation would return the amphitheatre to its 1952-1953 appearance by repairing and reconstructing damaged and missing pieces. It would provide seating for approximately 600 people on weather-resilient benches and chairs while incorporating accommodations for ADA accessibility.
President Richard V. Hurley says students are excited about the amphitheatre restoration. “Students continue to enjoy the amphitheatre, even in its current state, and they also care about preserving the history behind it,” says Hurley. “I am absolutely thrilled that Bob and Alice Jepson have agreed to help support this important restoration initiative.”
Alice says she is looking forward to visiting campus during Reunion Weekend 2014. “I can’t wait to get back to see all the things that have happened since I was there and to take time to walk through the amphitheatre,” she says. “When President Hurley told us that students still love the amphitheatre, we decided our money would be well-invested in helping to restore this area of campus that holds so many special memories for alumni and students alike.”
In addition to the gift from the Jepsons, two other couples have made significant gifts to support the amphitheatre restoration: Elmer Morris Jr. ’50 and Marceline Weatherly Morris ’50 of King George, Va., and Laurie Mansell Reich ’79 and Henry E. Reich Jr. of Kittanning, Pa.
Architectural renderings projecting the amphitheatre’s appearance after restoration were prepared by Train & Partners Architects of Charlottesville, Va.
“Currently, the amphitheatre is just sitting in the woods degrading more and more every day. The longer it sits, the more difficult and more expensive it will be to restore, and that’s a shame,” says Design Architect Kirk Train. “The surrounding area is beautiful, serene, and bucolic. Once restored, the amphitheatre will be the perfect site for talks, dramas, classes, and performances right there in Mary Washington’s back yard.”
More information about fundraising for this important initiative and a restoration timeline will be available soon.
UMW Students Present Grant Checks
This year’s annual check presentation by the Economics of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector class featured a new technological element to increase visibility and access. President of the Learning by Giving Foundation Alex Buffett Rozek spoke to Professor Robert Rycroft’s class, representatives of three local nonprofits who received grant awards, and guests including President Hurley and Doris Buffett.
“UMW was the site of one of our first philanthropy class programs,” Rozek said, “so it is appropriate that this is now the site of the first live broadcast through Google Hangout as we seek to expand philanthropy beyond classrooms and beyond traditional walls.”
http://youtu.be/_tcN98jSFtwProfessor Rycroft opened the program, President Hurley commended the students for their work, and Rozek recognized the trailblazing work and philanthropic vision of his grandmother – Doris Buffett. A representative of Google and the Academic Director of the Learning by Giving Foundation also participated in the live broadcast. Click the arrow above to watch the program. Click here to read more about the class and the recipients of the grants: Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic; Serenity Home of Fredericksburg; and THRIVE, the Healing Center.
A Day of Gratitude
On a bright, spring day more than 200 donors and students gathered at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center for the annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon. (See highlights below.)
If you have trouble viewing the video on your iPhone or iPad, please click here.
Guests enjoyed a special Student Showcase in the Mayo Courtyard. The program featured speeches by UMW Foundation Chair Kathy Mehfoud ’70, UMW President Richard V. Hurley, scholarship donor Art Steinberg, and former scholarship recipient Fiona Cobb ’08. Keepsake photos of donors and recipients were taken in front of Kalnen Inn. Hosted by the Office of University Advancement, the annual event honored Scholarship donors and members of the Heritage and Washington Societies.