Giving Stories

UMW Students Thank Supporters at Springtime Scholarship Luncheon and Showcase

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As a cybersecurity major at the University of Mary Washington, Christopher Walker knows the importance of being cautious in his career.

Yet, the Mary Washington junior, who was initially concerned about in-person college after being homeschooled, has let down his guard when it comes to embracing educational and extracurricular experiences. He’s shown off his cyber skills at the Innovation Challenge @ Dahlgren, helped plan uniquely UMW events like Devil-Goat Day and Rocktoberfest as Class Council vice president, and entertained classmates in epic Star Wars-style battles as part of the Light Saber Duels club.

UMW junior Christopher Walker with his parents, Angela and Charles Walker, at the 2025 Student Showcase and Scholarship Luncheon, where Christopher served as a speaker. A cybersecurity major, Christopher earned the Society for Worldwide Financial Telecommunications Inc. (SWIFT) Scholarship and funding through a Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership grant, which has enabled him to serve as an intern at a local cybersecurity company while earning his degree and engaging in activities across campus. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Edmund Garcia ’26, recipient of the Molly Bradshaw Clark ’59 Scholarship, chats with Emily Lewis ’62 and Anthony Andres during the Student Showcase. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: Director of Jazz Studies Doug Gately, Maria Riegger from the Fredericksburg Woman’s Club, and Mima Manton ’25, recipient of the Henry and Grace Spicer and James E. Baker Community Orchestra scholarships. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Max Puckett ’26 (right), recipient of the Dovetail Cultural Resource Group Scholarship for Historic Preservation, chats with their donor, Mike Carmody, at the Student Showcase. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: Denny Cora ’25, recipient of the June Davis McCormick ’49 Scholarship, and Blaise Wingold ’25, recipient of the UMW Theatre Scholarship, chat with donors at the Student Showcase. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Bonnie Butler ’25, recipient of the Rebecca Culbertson Stuart Memorial Scholarship, poses with her donor, David Burgess. Bonnie, who served as a speaker at the luncheon, also received the Helen G. and Justin J. Piscopo Alvey Scholarship. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

“Your support means so much and has truly changed my life,” Christopher said. The recipient of the Society for Worldwide Financial Telecommunications Inc. (SWIFT) Scholarship, he’s been able to engage in his studies while interning at a local cybersecurity firm, where he’ll work full time after he graduates. “Without your generosity, many of us would not have the opportunity to pursue our dreams and make a meaningful impact in our chosen fields.”

Christopher expressed his gratitude to a roomful of donors at the 2025 Student Showcase and Scholarship Luncheon on March 22. The annual event celebrates supporters who have established private scholarships and members of UMW’s Washington and Heritage Societies who have either given or pledged significant funds to the University.

Attendees interacted with scholarship recipients who showcased their academic and artistic pursuits and projects on the first floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center. Afterwards, guests gathered in Chandler Ballroom for a springtime lunch and listened as UMW President Troy Paino and students thanked them for their generous gifts to Mary Washington.

“I’m always moved that we have so many people here who invest in our students’ lives,” said President Paino, recognizing donors for contributing $14.5 million in gifts and pledges in the last fundraising year. “It’s our hope for the future. Your investment in these students will compound over time as they go out and make this world a better place.”

Merrilyn Sawyer Dodson ’68, poses with her recipient, Katelyn Gueci ’25, who received the Merrilyn S. Dodson/Class of 1968 Scholarship. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Judith Jackson Jones ’68 poses with her recipient, Allen Queen ’26, who received the A. Haskin & Edith N. Jackson Scholarship. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Meredith Walburn ’27, recipient of the Virginia H. Powell UMW Philharmonic Orchestra Scholarship, poses with her donor, Virginia Powell. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Marion Robinson ’25, recipient of the Katherine Edmondson Hopper ’30 Scholarship, poses with her donor, Rita Morgan Stone ’52. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Emily Chen ’28, recipient of the Wilder Family Scholarship III, poses with her donors, former UMW Chief of Staff Marty Wilder ’80 and UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80. Photo courtesy of Karen Pearlman.
Betty Fischer Gore ’49 and her daughter, Carolyn Gore Ashe, attend the 2025 Student Showcase and Scholarship Luncheon. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Barbara Willer and Ed Morawetz pose with their recipient, Marie Bob ’27, who earned the Christopher Edward Morawetz Scholarship. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

He also acknowledged the $36 million donation – adding that it was larger than previously announced – that Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 left the University in 2022. The estate gift has exponentially grown UMW’s undergraduate scientific research program while establishing full-ride Alvey Scholarships that support out-of-state STEM scholars like Bonnie Butler, a senior biomedical sciences major who also earned the Rebecca Culbertson Stuart Memorial Scholarship.

Bonnie said these awards have helped her engage in meaningful learning experiences at UMW, such as presenting her research on mytonic dystrophy at professional conferences and treating patients in rural Panama as president of UMW’s Global Medical Brigades chapter.

“While my story may be unique, the doors my scholarships have opened are experienced by every student who has the privilege of having a scholarship at Mary Washington,” Bonnie said. An aspiring physician, she’ll attend The George Washington University School of Medicine after she graduates, through the early selection agreement with the UMW Honors program.

Junior Amelia Bailey, a history and art history major, said earning the Alumni Legacy, Oscar H. Darter, Barbara Diane Hall, and Polly Updegraff Champ scholarships, among other awards, has helped her pursue her academic passions while playing on the UMW women’s rugby team.

“I work hard every day to do my part in ensuring that the generosity of those who truly care about UMW never goes unnoticed,” Amelia said. On track to graduate in December, she’s planning a career in art and museum law.

“The close-knit community here is unlike any other school I know,” she said. “I’m so beyond grateful for the opportunities it will continue to provide me as an alumna.”

President Troy Paino recognized donors for investing in UMW students’ lives and for contributing $14.5 million in gifts and pledges to the University of Mary Washington in the last fiscal year. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
President Paino recognized longtime Assistant Vice President of Gift Planning Jan Clarke, who is retiring in June. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Senior Bonnie Butler shared how earning the Helen G. and Justin J. Piscopo Alvey Scholarship and Rebecca Culbertson Stuart Memorial Scholarship gave her the opportunity to study mytonic research and serve as president of UMW’s chapter of Global Medical Brigades. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
President Paino recognized longtime Associate Vice President for Advancement Services and Operations Catherine Seller, who is retiring in June. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Junior Amelia Bailey explained how receiving the Alumni Legacy, Oscar H. Darter, Barbara Diane Hall, and Polly Updegraff Champ scholarships, among other awards, has helped her pursue her academic passions while playing on the UMW women’s rugby team. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Senior Mima Manton, who earned the Henry and Grace Spicer and James E. Baker Community Orchestra scholarships, sang the alma mater to conclude the luncheon. 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 awards, research fellowships, and internship grants. View photos from the 2025 Student Showcase and Scholarship Luncheon.

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

UMW Community Gets to the Heart of Giving Back on Mary Wash Day, April 2-3

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Justin Gerbereux ’97 met his wife, Allison Coleman Gerbereux ’96, when they were on the cross-country team together as Mary Washington students. After they fell in love and graduated, he proposed to her in front of Willard Hall, where she lived during her junior year of college.

The University of Mary Washington will hold its eighth annual Mary Wash Day, a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, starting at noon Wednesday, April 2, and concluding at noon Thursday, April 3.
The University of Mary Washington will hold its eighth annual Mary Wash Day, a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, starting at noon Wednesday, April 2, and concluding at noon Thursday, April 3.

“The University of Mary Washington has always held a special place in our hearts,” said Justin, who joined the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees to give back to his alma mater. “Reflecting on the many memories and opportunities available to us at this small liberal arts institution, I hope we can sow some seeds to inspire other graduates to support today’s students.”

The Gerbereuxs will give $10,000 to the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington when 100 gifts are made by married alumni couples during Mary Wash Day, running from noon Wednesday, April 2, through noon Thursday, April 3. Now in its eighth year, this 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement gives alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff, and students the chance to come #TogetherUMW and share their love of Mary Washington.

“This has the potential to be an absolutely record-breaking Mary Wash Day,” Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14 said. “Every gift, regardless of size, holds the power to create lasting impact. When combined, these contributions shape the future of UMW students, enhancing their education and empowering them to make a difference for generations to come.”

Members of the UMW community have sponsored more than $500,000 in challenges and matches, exceeding totals from previous years. Their commitment will double and even triple the impact of each gift, helping the University reach its goal of 2,500 gifts from donors, including 1,200 alumni contributors and 350 new supporters.

Many participation challenges and dollar-for-dollar matches support the Fund for Mary Washington, which underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved, such as a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, personal relationships with professors and classmates, and more.

Last spring, $25,000 was distributed among eight campus projects and initiatives pitched by UMW students, faculty, and staff through the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant program. More projects will be selected next month by an alumni committee to receive these donor-funded grants.

Mary Wash Day gifts help students have experiences both inside and beyond the classroom that prepare them for their careers and lives after Mary Washington, such as the ‘Are We Live?’ course in the Department of Communication and Digital Studies, which teaches students how to write, film, produce, and broadcast a weekly comedy show.
Contributions to the UMW Philharmonic on Mary Wash Day help students explore their musical passions while providing arts and cultural experiences for the greater Fredericksburg community. Gifts can also be made to UMW Theatre, UMW Galleries, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, the James Monroe Museum, and the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series. Photo by Tom Rothenberg.
Gifts on Mary Wash Day to Friends of Athletics or to a specific sports program provide critical support to help enhance the UMW student-athlete experience. Contributions fund athletic facilities, competition travel, professional development opportunities, custom-training equipment, and more.
Mary Wash Day donations help keep UMW’s class sizes small and provide high-impact learning experiences such as undergraduate research and opportunities for students to work alongside faculty mentors.
Service and volunteer experiences give UMW students the chance to make a difference on campus and in the community while exploring leadership roles and potential careers. Gifts on Mary Wash Day support COAR and the Center for Community Engagement, the James Farmer Multicultural Center, the Gwen Hale Resource Center, and other entities that provide valuable and meaningful experiences for students.
Mary Wash Day helps students who participate in campus clubs, organizations, and other activities, such as UMW’s Esports team, pursue interests outside of class while building relationships with their peers.

Supporters can also contribute to student scholarships, academic departments, service and leadership opportunities, campus beautification, and more. This year’s goals include:

  • 540 gifts (Fredericksburg’s area code) will unlock $5,000 from Virginia Blackwell ’67 and John Rigsby
  • 1,908 gifts (UMW’s founding year) will unlock $16,000 from UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Patti Boise Kemp ’69
  • 2,500 gifts will unlock $100,000 from a longtime contributor for the Lynne Gourley Farrell ’62 Fund for Mary Washington Endowment
  • When 100 first-time alumni donors give, UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Donna Sheehan Gladis ’68 and husband Steve will donate $20,000
  • When 350 first-time donors give, the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees will unlock a $50,000 gift
  • UMW President Troy Paino and wife Kelly will make a $100,000 gift when 1,200 alumni donors contribute
  • A gift from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. will unlock a $10,000 gift from UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80 and Marty Wilder ’80, former chief of staff at Mary Washington
  • The Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council are sponsoring challenges and matches to encourage alumni of all ages to give back to their alma mater
  • UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Kourtney Whitehead and husband Terrance, parents of a UMW student, will unlock $5,000 when 500 gifts are made by parents of current students or alumni
  • UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Mike Charnoff ’95 and Katie Valentine Charnoff ’04 are sponsoring a Devil-Goat contest to encourage friendly competition between odd- and even-year graduates
  • Share the Love Challenge: When the Mary Wash Day 2025 video is shared 100 times (from the official UMW Facebook page) by midnight on April 2, Margaret Birch ’79 will donate $10,000

After making a gift at givingday.umw.edu, supporters can spotlight their names and gifts on the donor wall or remain anonymous, and track progress on dynamic leaderboards.

Festivities will kick off April 2 at the Mary Wash Day headquarters on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio (or inside in case of rain) at 11 a.m., with food, games, prizes, a photobooth, and stations for donations, selfies, and writing thank-you notes to donors. The UMW Pep Band and UMW Symfonics will perform, and students can pet and play with puppies brought by Old Dominion Humane Society.

Students can also participate in a scavenger hunt to find 10 stuffed eagles hidden across campus, which can earn a $100 donation to the area of their choice at UMW, courtesy of Beth Craig ’77.

UMW Dining will serve up a Mary Wash Day-themed menu, with frosted blue cookies and dishes named for key people and places on campus. Downtown businesses will offer discounts and incentives for donors.

The Fredericksburg Regional Alumni Network will host a happy hour and trivia night April 2 at the Hurley Convergence Center from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and the Cedric Rucker University Center and Jepson Science Center will be lit in Mary Wash blue lights.

Campus Recreation will also sponsor a Mary Wash Day walk on April 3 at 8 a.m., starting at Goolrick Hall.

Members of the UMW community are invited to sign up as Mary Wash Day ambassadors. They’ll receive a customized dashboard and social media toolkit to inspire others to contribute, and a chance to win an exclusive UMW duffel bag. Those who post on social are asked to tag @umw_alumni and @marywash and use #TogetherUMW and #MaryWashDay.

More information about Mary Wash Day can be found on the FAQ Page. For additional questions, please contact the Office of Annual Giving at umwgift@umw.edu.

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

UMW Studio Art Major Paints a New Path as a Nontraditional Student

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Kathleen Trenchard was walking on the University of Mary Washington campus early one morning when something caught her eye next to Melchers Hall. The giant cedar tree bathed in sunlight soon became the subject of her first piece for her Topics in Painting course.

“In the class, we were focusing on our personal canon and how we wanted to grow as an artist,” said Kathleen, who captured the evergreen in a photo and amplified the colors before bringing it to life on canvas with vibrant blue, red, green, and gold oil paint and pigment powder. “It was an exercise to push myself in ways that are not normal for me.”

Kathleen’s oil and pigment powder painting, ‘On the Way to Class,’ was featured on the cover of the 2023-24 Endowment Report, published by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.
Kathleen Trenchard came to the University of Mary Washington as a nontraditional student and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree in studio art. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.

After decades as a self-taught artist and military spouse, Kathleen is pursuing a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree in studio art at Mary Washington – and earning recognition for her work in the process. Her painting, “On the Way to Class,” spent several months hanging in Brompton, home to UMW President Troy Paino and wife Kelly. The piece also graces the cover of the 2023-24 Fiscal Year Endowment Report, recently published by the Office of University Advancement and the UMW Foundation.

Kathleen was also selected from over 600 professional artists from New Jersey to South Carolina to have her work displayed in the Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial exhibit. The oil painting of her husband, “Terry,” and more than 70 other works – including those by Mary Washington alumni Heidi Reszies ’86, Emma Knight ’92, and Jasper Drilling ’22 – were on view in the UMW Galleries throughout much of the fall semester.

“I didn’t realize the caliber of artists who were considered, so I was really surprised to find out I was the only current UMW student with a painting in the show,” Kathleen said. “It was such an incredible honor.”

Kathleen’s oil painting of Assistant Professor of Art Ashe Laughlin. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.
Kathleen’s oil painting of Professor Emerita of Art Carole Garmon. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.
Kathleen’s oil painting of Associate Professor of Digital Art Jason Robinson. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.
Kathleen and husband Terry pose with the portrait named after him, which was displayed in the UMW Galleries as part of the Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial, which ran Nov. 7 through Jan. 19. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.
Kathleen’s oil painting of Visiting Assistant Professor of Multiple Imaging Aimee George. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.

A Pennsylvania native, Kathleen briefly moved to Fredericksburg almost two decades ago with her husband, a Marine who was stationed at Quantico. After stints across the country and abroad, her family returned to Virginia, where she began helping their children explore their college options. She soon realized that she wanted to go back to school herself.

“I had always done art as a hobby, but it was never something I thought about doing professionally,” said Kathleen, who immersed herself in courses in painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, and art history. “It’s good to know you can just follow a dream and see where it takes you.”

She also began a museum studies minor, which she’s completing under the mentorship of Professor of Historic Preservation Cristina Turdean and UMW Galleries Director Tracy Stonestreet.

“Kathleen is an incredibly motivated and thoughtful student,” Tracy said. “Her interest in art is evident in her work across campus and the community. She has a unique painting style – both realistic and stylized, with a great sense of color.”

Kathleen poses for a picture at the Marine Corps Museum, where she is currently interning with artist-in-residence Kristopher Battles. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.
Kathleen poses for a picture at the Marine Corps Museum, where she is currently interning with artist-in-residence Kristopher Battles. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.

Kathleen has also volunteered as a docent at the nearby Marine Corps Museum. This spring, she’s an intern with the museum’s artist-in-residence, Kristopher Battles. “I’ll help him train young Marines to become combat artists, so they can make a visual record for the history of the Marine Corps,” she said.

She plans to continue working there after she graduates. In the meantime, she’s creating a series that depicts the UMW instructors who have made an impact on her and her education.

“I wanted to gift each of my professors a portrait to thank them for their dedication to my artistic goals,” said Kathleen, who learned to loosen her brush strokes and explored new color choices with the series. “What I have learned from them has been invaluable to me and my journey.”

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

Scholarships Strike the Right Note for UMW Music Major

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University of Mary Washington senior Mima Manton decided at a young age that she was going to study music. Many members of her family were choral singers, her uncle played trombone, her sister learned flute and cello, and like her mother, Mima took up piano, flute, and bassoon.

Senior Mima Manton, who hails from England, is thankful for the scholarships she received at the University of Mary Washington, where she is a music major and performs in numerous ensembles, including the UMW Philharmonic and the University's new pep band. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Senior Mima Manton, who hails from England, is thankful for the scholarships she received at the University of Mary Washington, where she is a music major and performs in numerous ensembles, including the UMW Philharmonic and the University’s new pep band. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

When it came time to go to college, Mima wasn’t sure where she wanted to go, but she did feel ready to spread her wings and fly far from home.

“I always knew I wanted to study internationally,” said Mima, who hails from the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield in England. A family friend helped her research American schools that offered music scholarships, which led her to UMW. “I loved the size of Mary Washington, and after a Zoom meeting with all the music professors, I knew it was the right place for me.”

Mima has since hit all the high notes, majoring in music and joining a slew of ensembles, including the UMW Philharmonic and woodwind chamber trio Aquila Venti. She can often be found at UMW Eagles basketball and volleyball games, serving as assistant director and lead singer with the University’s new pep band. She’s also a member of Mortar Board and the Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA), welcoming alumni, donors, and friends to events put on by UMW’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement.

“I’m so grateful for the chance to connect with the supporters who invest in our education,” she said at UMW’s Celebration of Giving in November. The recipient of the Henry and Grace Spicer and James E. Baker University Community Orchestra scholarships, she said, “I cannot stress enough that without these awards, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you today.”

Growing up outside of Birmingham, a city halfway between London and Liverpool, Mima took lessons through a music program for schoolchildren.

“I wanted to play clarinet, but I was still missing my two adult front teeth, so I chose flute instead,” said Mima, who later picked up the bassoon. “It’s a less common instrument, which gives me more opportunities to play.”

These opportunities include performing with the UMW Philharmonic, where she serves as principal bassoonist. She earned second place at this year’s UMW Concerto Competition, performing Franz Berwald’s Konzertstück for Bassoon and Orchestra, which she played at the Celebration of Giving with Department of Music Chair and Professor Brooks Kuykendall on piano accompaniment.

“The range of Mima’s abilities is staggering,” Dr. Kuykendall said. “She does it all and at a very high level. She will leave us with a void when she graduates — but that will give a number of students the opportunity to step in to her various shoes.”

Mima, who received the Henry and Grace Spicer and James E. Baker University Community Orchestra scholarships, expressed gratitude to her donors at the Celebration of Giving in November 2024. “I cannot stress enough that without these awards, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you today.” Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Mima performing on the bassoon at the Celebration of Giving in November 2024. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Mima has explored both the performance and production side of music at Mary Washington, taking courses in music history, theory, and sound and audio recording. In addition to enhancing her gifts as a musician and singer, they’ve helped her make and produce her own music for Spotify, showcasing a range of influences like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, and Dua Lipa.

“My musical experiences have developed in ways I could have never imagined,” said Mima, who is thankful for the friendships she’s made through the pep band and other campus activities.

After she graduates, she aspires to work in a recording studio or performance venue. She also recently took the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, an exam that can provide licensure for her to privately teach bassoon and flute. “It took years of preparation, but I wanted to do it for my own personal accomplishment.”

Mima performing with the UMW Pep Band in front of Lee Hall on Election Day. Her performances and recordings on Spotify showcase a wide range of influences like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, and Dua Lipa. Photo courtesy of Mima Manton.
A photo of Aloysious (front row, far right) and his fellow Student Alumni Ambassadors at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center. K Pearlman Photography.

Whatever trajectory her talent takes, one thing’s for sure – serving as an SAA has shown her that she can come home to Mary Washington whenever she wants.

“Seeing alumni who’ve been in my shoes, gone out into the world, and still come back to support their alma mater has been truly inspiring,” Mima said. “Even though I’ll miss it, I hope to do the same. UMW will always hold a special place in my heart.”

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

Blazing a Trail: Scholarships Help UMW Chemistry Major Find His Purpose

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Sean McGavin’s college journey has taken him along diverse and far-reaching paths – hiking the Appalachian Trail, traversing the wilds of Montana, and crossing the ocean to the Galápagos Islands. But the UMW senior knows his path wouldn’t have been possible without the University of Mary Washington.

“I want to make the world a better place,” Sean said. While majoring in chemistry, he has served as a wildland firefighter and plans to use his science background to develop more environmentally safe ways of extinguishing the flames. “I didn’t know my purpose before coming to Mary Washington, but I found it here.”

Sean shared his story at UMW’s Celebration of Giving in November, when he told a room full of donors – including his own benefactor – how the Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship gave him the chance to visit one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Numerous students have witnessed the flora and fauna found on the tiny archipelago off the coast of Ecuador because of Sally’s generosity to her alma mater.

Sean McGavin ’25 and his donor, Sally Brannan Hurt ’92, pose for a photo at the Celebration of Giving in November 2024. The Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship has enabled Sean and dozens of other UMW students to study abroad in the Galápagos Islands. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
At the Celebration of Giving in November, Sean, a chemistry major, shared his journey from hiking the Appalachian Trail to fighting fires in Montana to studying in the Galápagos Islands. He expressed gratitude for the private scholarship support he received to attend the University of Mary Washington and engage in study abroad. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

“Getting to experience a global ecological treasure like the Galápagos Islands inspires students like nothing else,” said Professor of Biological Sciences Andrew Dolby, who conducts the faculty-led trip for students and guided the UMW Alumni on the Road excursion that influenced Sally to establish her scholarship. “She opens up the world for students who would not be able to travel internationally without her support.”

That’s true for Sean, who didn’t feel ready for college after graduating from high school in Alexandria, Virginia. Instead, he spent part of a gap year hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, while he figured out his next steps. “It made me realize how much I wanted a life and a job where I could work with birds above my head and bugs crawling across my boot.”

After his 2,200-mile trek, Sean applied to Mary Washington, calling it “close enough to home, but far enough away to spread my wings.”

He decided to major in chemistry after a course with adjunct instructor Caleb Strepka and appreciated the support he found from faculty members like Sarah Smith ’12, Leanna Giancarlo, and Davis Oldham. “They taught me how to be expressive and creative in how I tackled problems, even in the lab.”

Outside of class, he joined UMW’s Ultimate Frisbee team, bonding with one of the captains, a former wildland firefighter. Sean has spent the last three summers doing just that in Montana, learning all he can to protect the trees, plants, and wildlife that dwell there.

“I realized that it was a career path where I could help people and take care of forests, which have given me such a sense of peace in my life,” said Sean, citing fires that have wiped out acres in Hawaii and Greece, and most recently, Southern California. “Wildland firefighting requires a deep understanding of ecological systems and diverse environments.”

A photo of Sean hiking to the top of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, which has some of the most unpredictable weather in the world. Photo courtesy of Sean McGavin.
Sean in the Shenandoah Mountains in Virginia during his hike of the Appalachian Trail. Photo courtesy of Sean McGavin.
A picture of a fire in Montana that Sean’s crew was tasked with controlling during nighttime operations. Photo courtesy of Sean McGavin.
Sean participating in a controlled burn in Montana in the summer of 2022. Photo courtesy of Sean McGavin.
The volcanic crater that Sean hiked during the Galápagos Islands trip. He said the information he gained about the islands’ preservation efforts has been critical to his understanding of wildland firefighting. Photo courtesy of Sean McGavin.
In the Galápagos Islands, Sean observed wildlife he had been fascinated by since he was a child, including marine iguanas. Photo courtesy of Sean McGavin.

He gained that from the Galápagos trip, where he planted trees and observed the giant tortoises and the marine iguanas that had fascinated him since childhood.

But even more important was learning about the islands’ preservation efforts.

“The chemicals currently being used to combat fires can often suffocate birds and animals and raise heavy metal levels in fish,” Sean said. After graduating from Mary Washington, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry so he can develop a wildlife-safe fire retardant that can be used in many different environments.

“The chemistry department, the Frisbee team, and the opportunities that Sally has provided have made me who I am and have given me the support to achieve my dreams of saving the forests that gave me so much joy as a child,” Sean said. “This wouldn’t have been possible for me without her scholarship, and I’ll never forget that.”

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.

Read more about the next UMW Alumni on the Road trip to the Galápagos Islands now booking for June 2025. 

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