Giving Stories

Senior Madeline Brunt began studying ballet at age 5, but by the time she enrolled at the University of Mary Washington, the pandemic had put her passion on pause. A year later, once restrictions were easing up, she discovered UMW’s Performing Arts Company and auditioned on a whim.

“It’s a strange combination,” Madeline said of her biological sciences major and her art form, which both involve performing a sequence of steps to achieve a successful result. “Biology exercises my logical thinking, while dance allows for creative expression.”

Dance – especially her role as president of the Performing Arts Company – also gives Madeline a respite from her rigorous research into genetics, an area that hits close to home due to hearing loss she and twin sister Meredith were diagnosed with as children. Earning private scholarships has meant that Madeline, who graduates on Saturday, has been able to enhance her academics with extracurriculars and experiential learning opportunities that will prepare her for life after Mary Washington.

“When I’ve told my sister about my studies, she’s blown away that I’m doing this level of research here,” said Madeline, who grew up in Gainesville, Virginia. Her parents, Amy Acker ’94 and Andrew Brunt ’96, are both alumni. “I really enjoyed having a one-on-one relationship with my professors, which you don’t always get at larger universities.”

Under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Ginny Morriss, Madeline used fruit flies to investigate how mechanisms in mytonic dystrophy type 1 can lead to muscle wasting. She recently presented her findings at the 2024 Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase and earned an undergraduate grant award for her research, which she also shared at the annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists in March.

Madeline added a minor in ethics to her biology major after taking a medical ethics course with Professor of Philosophy Jason Matzke. “Sitting on a hospital board or a clinical ethics committee is so intriguing to me,” said Madeline, who is considering pursuing a master’s degree in bioethics and perhaps going to law school in the future.

Madeline (left) performs ‘Le Corsaire: Pas de Trois Des Odalisques’ with Sarah Blanks ’24 in the Performing Arts Company’s small show in spring 2024. Photo by Kait Piston.

Madeline is lifted by her fellow Performing Arts Company dancers in ‘Heaven is Here,’ a piece choreographed by Gabby Lyon ’25, in fall 2023. Photo by Chenin Gruber.

Madeline (third from the left) performs ‘Better in the Morning,’ a piece choreographed by Elianna Bowman ’23, with the Performing Arts Company in the big show in spring 2024. Photo by Maryn Newman.

Madeline takes center stage in ‘Make Your Own Kind of Music,’ a piece choreographed by Jessie Mills ’23, during the Performing Arts Company’s big show in fall 2023. Photo by Chenin Gruber.

Madeline (second from left) hangs out with members of the Performing Arts Company after its big show in fall 2023. Photo by Chenin Gruber.

She also served as the treasurer of UMW’s Cap and Gown chapter of Mortar Board, the historian of the Pre-Health Society, and a member of the Chi Beta Phi, Delta Alpha Pi, and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies.

But the Performing Arts Company is where Madeline has felt the most at home. Joining as a sophomore, she became the student-led organization’s treasurer and then president last year. Overseeing the production of a “big” and “small” show each semester, she weighs in on decisions about choreography, costumes, sets, lighting, and more. “I’ve made so many relationships with students outside my major whom I never would have met,” she said.

Private donor support has enabled her to pursue all these passions. Madeline earned the Deb Stanley Leap ’72 Scholarship in Biology, the Earl G. Insley Chi Beta Phi Scholarship, and the Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship, which gave her the chance to take a faculty-led trip to study the flora and fauna of the Galápagos Islands.

Madeline with Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80 at the 2024 Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase. Madeline earned the Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80 and Florence Overley Ridderhof ’50 Scholarship in Dance, among others. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Madeline received an undergraduate research grant to present her findings on mytonic dystrophy type 1 at the annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists this spring. Photo courtesy of Madeline Brunt.

On the faculty-led trip to the Galápagos Islands, Madeline poses over Sierra Negra, a shield volcano, on the island of Isabela. Photo courtesy of Madeline Brunt.

Madeline received the Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship in Biology, which gave her the opportunity to travel to the Galápagos Islands to study the flora and fauna of one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Here, she poses for a photo with a Galápagos tortoise at an ecological reserve, El Chato Ranch, on the island of Isabela. Photo courtesy of Madeline Brunt.

Madeline (center) with her mother, Amy Acker ’94, and sister Meredith after the Performing Arts Company’s big show this spring. The twins were diagnosed with hearing loss in the first grade, which inspired Madeline’s decision to study genetics at Mary Washington. Photo courtesy of Madeline Brunt.

She also received the Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80 and Florence Overley Ridderhof ’50 Scholarship in Dance. At this year’s Donor Appreciation Luncheon, she met Vicky and her husband, former UMW Chief of Staff Marty Wilder, and learned about her benefactor’s own experiences dancing at Mary Washington.

“She offered great insight into keeping dance in my life after graduation,” said Madeline, who knows that her alma mater and her fellow alumni will be there for her throughout her life. “UMW truly cares about your success and will provide anything necessary to help you reach your goals.”

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.

– Article written by Advancement intern Tabitha Robinson ’24 

The University of Mary Washington’s radio station entertained Eagles for decades, but it was in disrepair when rising senior Davy Washington first stepped foot inside its studio.

“Our overarching goal in the next school year is to reestablish WMWC as an essential part of the UMW community,” said Davy, who has ramped up engagement since becoming station director, recruited 80 student deejays, and organized events like “Eagles in the ’80s.”

Restoring the station, which now broadcasts online, also requires new microphones, a mixer, and other updated technology. That’s why Davy took the mic on April 20 to present a proposal, which secured a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant. Piloted this spring by UMW’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, the program awarded $25,000 in donor-funded grants, ranging from $1,200 to $5,000, to eight projects or initiatives pitched by students, faculty, and staff on behalf of recognized campus organizations.

The Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant program, piloted by UMW’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, awarded $25,000 in donor-funded grants to eight projects or initiatives pitched by UMW students, faculty, and staff this spring. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Senior Steve McClanahan (left) talks about the impact that the Digital Knowledge Center and its director, Cartland Berge (right), had on his UMW experience. The pair earned an impact grant to upgrade the Charnoff Production Studio in the Hurley Convergence Center. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte (center), who conceived of the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant program, listens along with Alumni Board members Charmayne Staloff ’05 and Brendan Kelly ’95. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Student Alumni Ambassador Corbin Poyer ’24, who is the student representative to the Alumni Board, poses a question to one of the presenters. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Rising senior Davy Washington shared a proposal entitled “Rebuilding WMWC,” which earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant to help purchase new equipment for the now online campus radio station. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

“These grants help expand the impact of donors’ gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington, sparking innovation and creating opportunities across campus and beyond,” said Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte, who conceived of the program.

Applicants were asked to submit a pitch video and slide deck, demonstrating financial need and outlining measurable objectives, a detailed budget, a sustainability plan, and a targeted audience. Each project was evaluated on those criteria as well as how closely it aligned with UMW’s ASPIRE values.

“The Fund for Mary Washington gives the University the flexibility to put money where it is most needed, so this program embodies that,” said Jenifer “JB” Blair ’82, immediate past president of UMW’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. She oversaw a committee composed of members of the Alumni Board and the Young Alumni Council, who reviewed 27 initial applicants, winnowing the pool down to the 11 teams that gave their final pitch to the full board and council last month.

From left: Alumni Board members Harry Thomas ’97, Lisa Maloney Keyser ’05, and Brian Reagan ’04 and Young Alumni Council Chair Lauren Rainford ’15 listen to the presentations. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

First-year student Sarah Tyree-Hermann speaks about how UMW Votes educates students about voting procedures and makes the ballot box more accessible. Along with Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees, Sarah earned an impact grant for the organization to rent a trolley to transport students to the polls on Election Day. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Melissa Schmidt Estevez ’00 asks a question while fellow Alumni Board member Sean Lynch ’95 (left) and Young Alumni Council members Michael Gilchrist ’20 (right) and Theo Zotos ’19 (far right) look on. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Professor of Sociology Leslie Martin and Dee Chasten, a Simpson Library staff member and current BLS student, pitched a proposal for the Gwen Hale Resource Center, a food pantry in Lee Hall. The impact grant they received will go toward purchasing food to help alleviate hunger among food insecure students. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

JB Blair ’82, immediate past president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, led the committee that evaluated proposals for Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants. A former student deejay with WMWC, she also helped fulfill Davy Washington’s request for funds to restore the radio station to its former glory. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Eagles in Recovery, Gwen Hale Resource Center, UMW Galleries, the Hurley Convergence Center’s Charnoff Production Studio, and a new Residence Life program for incoming students with autism spectrum disorder were among those that received grants. Recipients have one year to use grant funds and must participate in a reporting workshop this fall.

Several donors committed to funding projects that weren’t chosen, as well as providing additional resources to those that need them. “As one of the original deejays in the late 1970s when WMWC was revived, I was moved by Davy’s request and to hear of the significant interest among students,” said JB, who made her own contribution to help resurrect the radio station.

UMW Votes, a nonpartisan, student-led organization that promotes student voting and civic engagement, earned a grant to rent a trolley to transport students to the polls on Election Day.

“Before coming to UMW, I didn’t know anything about how register to vote, what was going to be on the ballot, or when elections are,” said first-year student Sarah Tyree-Hermann during her presentation. Through her participation with UMW Votes, she educates her fellow students on voting and works to make the ballot box more accessible.

“Some UMW students, especially first-year students, don’t have any way to get to the polls to vote,” said Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees, who also helped pitch the proposal. “Being able to offer rides will help our students be more civically engaged.”

Martina Nicholson pitched ‘Preventing Period Poverty’ in April, before a committee composed of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

UMW Galleries Director Tracy Stonestreet (right) and rising senior Rowan Tully earned an impact grant to help the galleries secure membership in the Virginia Association of Museums and for a staff member to attend VAM’s annual conference. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Eagles in Recovery Program Coordinator and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Jiamie Pyles pitched a proposal to sustain the program, which helps UMW students struggling with substance use or addiction. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Assistant Dean of Students Chris Porter pitched “Soft Landings,” a pre-arrival program to help incoming students with autism spectrum disorder acclimate to the UMW campus before their neurotypical peers. The impact grant she received will help cover the cost of textbooks for the program and mentor stipends. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

From left: Alumni Board President Vicki Sprague Ravenel ’77, member Katherine Redmiles ’15, and President-Elect James Llewellyn ’87, examine sensory toys handed out by Assistant Dean of Students Chris Porter before her presentation. These toys help calm students with autism spectrum disorder, Porter said. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

During rising senior Martina Nicholson’s presentation, “Preventing Period Poverty,” she explained how Women and Gender Studies Club members have used Student Finance Committee funds to stock bathrooms at UMW with menstrual products for those who cannot afford them.

The grant she received will purchase four “Aunt Flow” machines to provide free pads and tampons in the Cedric Rucker University Center and other campus hubs.

“Being able to build on the foundations of this initiative was important to me,” said Martina, who wants the program to remain sustainable after she graduates. “Students all over campus will benefit from having easy access to these basic necessities.”

Learn more about UMW’s Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants.

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