Giving Stories

Skills for a Lifetime

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Psychology major creates scholarship to acknowledge role of theatre in her life and career

By the time she graduated from high school, Heritage Society member Diana Hamilton Cowell ’66 had attended 12 different schools and lived in several states and countries.

Diana Hamilton Cowell and her mother shared a love for theatre.

“As an Army brat and the oldest of seven children, it was serendipitous that I landed at Mary Washington and finally discovered a sense of stability and belonging,” she says. “There, I was able to pursue an interest while being completely immersed in a subject. I learned skills for logical thinking, and I learned more about being honorable.”

Diana majored in psychology and, during her last year, lived in Framar to participate in special seminars. To optimize her finances, she took heavy course loads and attended summer sessions so she could complete her education in three years. Having performed in a play when she was a child, Diana also took college-level theatre classes.

“My mother had performed in a theatrical touring group in France when she was in college,” says Diana. “So, I became a committed theatre-goer at a young age.”

Diana says she enjoyed all aspects of theatre at Mary Washington. She has fond memories of producing, staging, creating costumes, and directing the German fairy tale Till Eulenspiegel for a foreign language festival. Because of these experiences outside of her major, today Diana is in the process of creating a scholarship for students participating in theatre, but majoring in other subjects.

This new Diana Hamilton Cowell ’66 Scholarship will be the second scholarship Diana has established at Mary Washington. In 2015, she created the Grace Cutler Hamilton Scholarship for French Study to honor her late mother’s career as a French teacher.

After graduating from Mary Washington, Diana held several professional positions, all of which utilized her psychology degree and the skills and confidence she gained from her theatre experience.

Dan and Diana have been married for 54 years.

She was an intern psychodrama therapist in the Psychodrama Department at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C., for two years. As part of a small employee group at the hospital, she helped create and actively participated in an employee theatre group that coordinated plays for the patient population and surrounding community. “A wonderful result of The SAINTS’ productions was the development of networks among the different disciplines and facilities throughout the hospital,” says Diana.

While at St. Elizabeths, Diana learned sign language to work with a group of Deaf patients. That also is where she met her husband, Daniel, while he was finishing his psychiatric residency.

Diana continued her education and received a master of arts degree in teaching from Gallaudet University and then taught a small class of multiply handicapped Deaf at Gallaudet’s Kendall Demonstration Elementary School. A decade later, she received a master of social work degree from Catholic University and was able to fulfill her ultimate career goal as a medical social worker at Community Hospice in Ashland, Kentucky, and later at Hospice of Huntington in Huntington, West Virginia.

Wherever she went, Diana discovered the stage presence and poise she mastered from her Mary Washington theatre days helped her professionally – from competently leading therapy groups and one-on-one counseling sessions, to making formal board presentations and developing and presenting in-service educational programs.

Diana and Dan enjoy visiting with their family.

“I can honestly say that much of what I have done in my life and career resulted from many of the experiences I had at Mary Washington,” says Diana. “Learning to communicate with people to support facts, lead programs, and provide comfort to those who are dying or losing a family member – you just never know where your life is going to go.”

As Heritage Society members, Diana and Dan have a trust in place to contribute to four charitable organizations close to their hearts, including Mary Washington. “Dan has come to love and respect Mary Washington as much as I do,” says Diana. “I’ve taken so much and learned so much, it’s truly a great honor to be able to give back.”

Now retired, the Cowells live in Delaware. They have four children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. They remain active volunteers in their community and currently are sponsoring two Deaf Ukrainian ladies in their home. Diana is teaching both American Sign Language.

Even with all these commitments, they continue to enjoy theatre, whether it be professional performances or local productions. “I firmly believe that theatre can be a part of your life in many ways,” says Diana. “You don’t have to perform or be on Broadway. You just have to enjoy it.”

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

Article by Donna Harter, UMW Advancement

Finding Harmony at Mary Washington

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Chemistry major values opportunities to be creative while exploring career options

Ada is researching career options.

Adelaide “Ada” Gill ’26 has been playing the harp since she was a small child, but she had to leave the large stringed instrument at home in Richmond when she moved into Randolph Hall. Between her classes, labs, homework, and other campus activities, the recipient of the A. Ray Merchent Washington Scholarship can be found plucking the strings on the University’s harp in Pollard Hall.

“Music has been a constant in my life and is a source of joy,” says Ada. While her musical talents have enabled her to perform with the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra and others, she still is fine-tuning her life goals and ultimate career path.

Ada enjoys playing the harp for “gigs” and concerts.

Ada’s major is chemistry, and she has declared a minor in practical ethics. She also is a resident assistant, serves on the UMW Honor Council, plays club tennis, has volunteered with a local EMT unit, and does service work with the College Diabetes Network and the Gwen Hale Resource Center.

“I came to UMW thinking I would go into the medical field,” says Ada. “But after taking some of my humanities courses and becoming actively involved in the campus community, I realize there may be other ways to fulfill my goals and serve people at the same time.”

Ada says her family and her academic advisor are supportive as she continues to research career paths that will utilize her varied skills and talents.

“The great thing about Mary Washington and my scholarship is that I can keep my options open and enjoy learning and being a student,” she says. “I know careers can change and evolve, and I’m looking forward to exploring all the possibilities.”

Ada and her parents at high school graduation.

Ada vividly remembers the day she learned about the scholarship award. “I was in anatomy class in high school, when the guidance counselor called me into her office,” says Ada. “I thought I was in trouble, but the counselor pulled up a Zoom call, and staff from UMW congratulated me. It was so exciting, and I’ll never forget how I felt at that pivotal moment.”

Ada’s scholarship is named for Ray Merchent, a long-time and well-respected administrator and educator at Mary Washington. Ray passed away in 2003. His wife, Mary Alice, a member of the Heritage Society, passed in 2015.

Ray Merchent

Today, Ray and Mary Alice’s daughter, Alice Dearing, and their son and daughter-in-law, Al and Cindy Jones Merchent ’77, remain connected to the University through communication with scholarship recipients.

“UMW has done a wonderful job of introducing us and keeping us apprised of the progress that the recipients are making in their academic lives,” says Al Merchent. “Cindy and I always look forward to the opportunity to interact with the students, and we hope this scholarship serves as a vital turning point in their lives. My dad believed that education is the key to the universe, and we concur.”

For information about establishing scholarships now or in your estate plans, contact Jan Clarke at jclarke@umw.edu or 540-654-2064.

 

 

Article by Donna Harter, UMW Advancement

Washington and Alvey Reception Celebrates Top UMW Scholars

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Senior Harmony Peura ’24 still can’t believe that she earned the Mary Janes Ahern ’46 Washington Scholarship, giving her a full ride to the University of Mary Washington.

Washington and Alvey Scholars attended a reception in their honor at UMW’s Jepson Alumni Executive Center on Sept. 29. Recipients of the prestigious awards receive full tuition, fees, and room and board to attend the University of Mary Washington. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.
Washington and Alvey Scholars attended a reception in their honor at UMW’s Jepson Alumni Executive Center on Sept. 29. Recipients of the prestigious awards receive full tuition, fees, and room and board to attend the University of Mary Washington. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

“I’ve woken up every day for the past four years in complete disbelief,” said Harmony, a computer science major from Virginia Beach. She expressed her gratitude for receiving the prestigious UMW award for in-state students, which provides full tuition, fees, and room and board for up to four years.

“Mary Washington is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she advised her fellow scholars. “Take this time and cherish it and do as much as you possibly can with it.”

Harmony and more than a dozen other exceptional UMW students attended a reception for Washington and Alvey Scholars (a full-ride award for out-of-state residents), held at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center’s Kalnen Inn at the end of September. Eighteen recipients currently benefit from these scholarships, including five first-year students, who were welcomed into the ranks by their fellow scholars, UMW staff, and members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD), which established the first five scholarships more than 25 years ago. A total of 65 students have been awarded Washington and Alvey Scholarships since the program’s inception.

“This gathering is not only about building a connection between you all as recipients but also as soon-to-be alumni in a community that will treasure you for many years to come,” Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations Desmond Davis ’21 told the scholars.

Washington and Alvey Scholarships are renewable for four years of undergraduate studies with GPA and residential requirements. Recipients are accepted into UMW’s Honors Program and have access to funding for experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad and undergraduate research.

The senior class includes six scholars who were asked to share advice with the incoming first-year recipients. “You are going to make a lot of friends outside of your freshman dorm who are going to help you through stressful times,” said Sofia Taylor ’24, a psychology major and neuroscience and music minor who received an Alvey Scholarship. “Branch out and try new things outside of your comfort zone.”

Owen Chong ’24, a computer science major who earned a Washington Scholarship, encouraged the new students to form relationships with faculty members. “A lot of opportunities I’ve had, especially for research and jobs, have been because I’ve talked to professors. Don’t be afraid to get to know yours.” 

“College is meant for growth and to make you a well-rounded individual. Put yourself out there. Study abroad if you can. Take advantage of your time here,” said Hannah Stottlemyer ’24. An Alvey Scholarship recipient, Hannah is a biomedical sciences and Spanish double major who serves as president of UMW’s chapter of Global Medical Brigades, which has helped treat underserved populations in Central America.

From left: Hannah Stottlemyer ’24, Abby Tank ’24, and Adelaide Gill ’25 listen to remarks at the Washington and Alvey Scholar reception. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.
Emily Hart ’27 (left) and Vicki Sprague Ravenel ’77, president of Mary Washington’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.
First-year students Adam McAninley ’27 and Marina Klein ’27 talk in the Kalnen Inn living room. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.
Adelaide Gill ’25 (left) converses with Lori Foster Turley ’81 at the Washington and Alvey Scholars reception. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.
Sofia Taylor ’24 (right) chats with JB Blair, past president of the AABOD. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

Sofia and Hannah were among the recipients awarded one of the eight Alvey Scholarships established by the late Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 during her lifetime. Her transformational $30 million estate gift will create four more Alveys – bringing her total to 12 – while exponentially growing UMW’s undergraduate STEM research program.

“Irene opened so many doors for all of us,” said Abby Tank ’24, an international affairs and Spanish double major. “It’s important that we continue her legacy and advocate for others to give back.”

Ally Fletcher ’25, a biochemistry major, said: “It’s so gratifying to have my name associated with someone like Irene.”

One of Rodgers’ newest recipients, Sydney Kuck ’27, a first-year student from Aberdeen, Maryland, was amazed to have been admitted into this elite group of scholars at Mary Washington.

“I was so happy when I discovered I earned an Alvey Scholarship,” said Sydney, who plans to major in biochemistry. “All the hard work I had put into high school paid off in that moment.”

AABOD members were also asked to share advice with first-year scholars. Here are several responses:

“Be open to any opportunities that present themselves. Some of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in my life have been doing things I didn’t think I wanted to do.” – Lori Foster Turley ’81

“This is such an exciting time of life, so take the time to find yourself. It’s also a great opportunity to network and meet different people. You never know where that’s going to lead you.” – Sean Lynch ’95

“For the freshmen, just show up, whether it’s your 8 a.m. class, your professor’s office hours, or seeing the band you’ve never heard of that’s playing on campus. For the seniors, learning is a lifelong process. Embrace it and continue to be open to learning opportunities.” – Colette Strawn Johnson ’97

Learn more about eligibility for the Washington and Alvey Scholars program or how to fund a Washington or Alvey Scholarship.

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

Why I Give: Sally Brannan Hurt ’92

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Growing up in rural Southwest Virginia, Sally Brannan Hurt dreamed of travel. She finally got her chance to go abroad to the Bahamas during a spring break trip in college. Yet, she realized she yearned to see rainforests and savannas more than she wanted to sunbathe in the sand.

Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 with a giant tortoise in the Galápagos Islands on a Mary Washington Alumni on the Road trip. The experience led her to establish the Sally Brannan Hurt '92 Study Abroad Scholarship in Biology to support students go on faculty-led trips to the islands. Photo courtesy of Sally Brannan Hurt.
Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 with a giant tortoise in the Galápagos Islands on a Mary Washington Alumni on the Road trip. The experience led her to establish the Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship in Biology to support students go on faculty-led trips to the islands. Photo courtesy of Sally Brannan Hurt.

“Being in nature brings me joy,” said Sally, who has since visited some of the most biodiverse places on the planet through the University of Mary Washington’s Alumni on the Road trips. “I love seeing plants, insects, and animals that aren’t in my neck of the woods.”

UMW students have been able to take their own excursions because of the Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship in Biology, which she established soon after going on an Alumni trip to the Galápagos Islands in 2011. Under the direction of Professor of Biology Andrew Dolby, dozens of her recipients have explored the flora and fauna found on this remote archipelago off the coast of Ecuador.

“Getting to experience a global ecological treasure like the Galápagos Islands inspires students like nothing else,” said Dr. Dolby, who helped Sally work with UMW’s Office of Advancement to set up the scholarship. “Sally opens up the world for students who would not be able to travel internationally without support.”

That’s true of Kylie Jackson ’24, who was surprised to learn her donor grew up near her hometown of Rocky Mount, Virginia. Along with her classmates, the UMW senior visited four different islands during spring break, where she observed and learned about wildlife from local guides, visited research facilities, hiked and snorkeled, and planted native trees for a forest restoration project. She also saw sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed booby birds, and more, and even had an up-close encounter with a large group of sea turtles.

“I’m beyond grateful to Sally,” said Kylie, a conservation biology major who hopes to pursue a career helping to protect endangered species around the world. “Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to experience what life as a conservationist could be like,” she said.

Kylie Jackson ’24 on a faculty-led trip to the Galápagos Islands. Receiving the Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship in Biology made the trip possible for her, Kylie said. Photo courtesy of Kylie Jackson.
UMW students plant trees for a forest restoration project in the Galápagos Islands. For more than a decade, Sally Brannan Hurt’s scholarship has helped dozens of students visit one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Photo courtesy of Professor of Biology Andrew Dolby.
A Galápagos sea lion, taken by Kylie Jackson.
A Galápagos finch, taken by Kylie Jackson.
Green sea turtles, taken by Kylie Jackson.
A marine iguana in the Galápagos Islands, taken by Kylie Jackson.

As a child, Sally rarely left Botetourt County but envisioned life outside her small town. Knowing that she’d be the first in her family to attend a four-year school, her high school chemistry teachers, Lorraine Huffman Firestone ’62 and Louise Shick Jargowsky ’68, both Mary Washington alumni, took her to a local college fair to meet an admissions representative from their alma mater.

Sally at her Mary Washington Commencement ceremony in 1992. Photo courtesy of Sally Brannan Hurt.
Sally at her Mary Washington Commencement ceremony in 1992. Photo courtesy of Sally Brannan Hurt.

“From the very beginning, I knew Mary Washington was the right fit for me,” said Sally, who majored in biology with a concentration in environmental science. She also studied dance, served as a resident assistant, and formed close relationships with faculty and friends. “If I could relive any time in my life, I’d go back to college in a heartbeat.”

After graduation, Sally worked within the chemistry field in various positions and raised four children with husband Michael. In her free time, she pursued her passion through local conservation efforts to preserve wildlife and their environments.

Over a decade ago, Sally received a brochure in the mail for the Galápagos Islands Alumni trip and immediately told her husband she wanted to go. “It was everything I wanted to experience,” she said. With Dr. Dolby as their guide, her group came face-to-face with giant tortoises, colorful birds, and marine iguanas camouflaged into the rocks.

Now, because of her scholarship, UMW students who share her passion for conservation can experience these cool creatures themselves. Sally loves to hear their stories, exchanging letters and meeting them whenever she gets the chance.

“The sentiment is always the same; there’s no way I could have gone on this trip without you,” Sally said. “I hope it sparks a love of travel that continues throughout their lives.”

Sally poses with dozens of marine iguanas camouflaged into the rocks, one of the many species found on the biodiverse Galápagos Islands. Photo courtesy of Sally Brannan Hurt.
Sally (fourth from right) with her fellow Mary Washington alumni who went on the Alumni on the Road trip to the Galápagos Islands, led by Professor Dolby (far right), in 2011. Photo courtesy of Sally Brannan Hurt.
Sally took advantage of a a Peru extension on the Mary Washington Alumni on the Road trip to the Galápagos Islands. Here, she stands in front of Machu Picchu. Photo courtesy of Sally Brannan Hurt.

Q: What other UMW Alumni trips have you been on?
A: I traveled to Costa Rica this January, where I saw several active sloths, which is a rare sight because they usually don’t move! While I was there, I was notified that a spot had opened on the Africa trip. In June, I got to see so many magnificent animals roaming free: lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, baboons, and amazing birds!

Q: What would you say to inspire a fellow alum to create a scholarship?
A: If you have passion for any part of the Mary Washington experience, no amount of money is too small to contribute to the education of current and future students.

Q: What is your favorite spot on campus?
A: Mine is more campus adjacent. I love Mary’s Rock by Kenmore Park. It’s so beautiful and quiet. On campus, I loved my window overlooking Ball Circle when I was an RA in Virginia Hall.

Q: Where are you traveling to next?
A: After I traveled to Africa, I thought it was such an amazing experience but realized there’s so much of the United States I still want to see. However, I’d also like to do volunteer vacationing, specifically working with sea turtles.

To learn more about establishing scholarships, please contact the Office of Advancement at (540) 654-1024 or advance@umw.edu. To find out about upcoming Alumni on the Road trips, please visit the Mary Washington Alumni website.

View more of Sally’s photos from 2023 Mary Washington Alumni on the Road trips to Africa and Costa Rica:

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This story originally ran in the Advancing Mary Washington newsletter and was written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04.

Gwen Hale Resource Center Helps Feed UMW Students in Need

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Tamara Garrett ’23 arranges boxed macaroni and cheese, cans of soup, and packaged snacks on shelves. With the fall semester underway at the University of Mary Washington, she wants to ensure that the Gwen Hale Resource Center (GHRC) is fully stocked.

Tamara Garrett '23, an alum and AmeriCorps member, stocks shelves in the Gwen Hale Resource Center.
Tamara Garrett ’23, an alum and AmeriCorps member, stocks shelves in the Gwen Hale Resource Center.

“Most people don’t like to ask for help, but we want students to know that no matter what they need, Mary Washington has resources available for them,” said Tamara, who graduated in May. Now working on the UMW campus as part of AmeriCorps, she’s focused on alleviating food insecurity among college students.

Years in the making, GHRC began on a much smaller scale to address that very issue, thanks to a caring UMW administrator who noticed students who didn’t have enough to eat. Members of the Mary Washington community banded together, donating funds totaling $9,000 to open and operate a two-room food pantry in the attic of Lee Hall in 2019, joining other public and private colleges and universities across Virginia that have developed similar programs. Committed to carrying out Gwen Hale’s legacy, the University renamed the space in her honor after she passed away in 2021.

“So many students were coming to me and saying they had no laundry detergent, no winter coats, no clothing for interviews or student teaching, and no money for food,” said Dr. Hale, then director of UMW’s Writing Center, when GHRC first opened. “I figured if these students had the guts to come to me, how many did not?”

Tamara Garrett '23 makes regular trips to "shop" at the Fredericksburg Food Bank and collects donations of fresh produce from Giant Food and other area organizations. Members of the UMW community have also donated food and funds to keep the Gwen Hale Resource Center stocked for students.
Tamara Garrett ’23 makes regular trips to “shop” at the Fredericksburg Food Bank and collects donations of fresh produce from Giant Food and other area organizations. Members of the UMW community have also donated food and funds to keep the Gwen Hale Resource Center stocked for students.

That’s what Professor of Sociology Leslie Martin, who now runs GHRC, sought to figure out. She and her students administered two campus-wide surveys, receiving several hundred responses. More than 20% of students indicated they struggled with some level of food insecurity, while at least 11% said they frequently had to skip meals for financial reasons.

Additionally, a 2019 study by the Government Accountability Office found that an estimated 30% of college students nationwide are food insecure, a problem that has only been exacerbated because of the pandemic. Hundreds of food pantries have sprung up on college campuses to help answer the call.

“The goal of an institution cannot happen if people are hungry or can’t get their basic needs met,” said Alexanna Hengy ’17, an AmeriCorps member also volunteering at GHRC. The resource center serves a full spectrum of students, she said, from those who just need a snack between classes to those who don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

Financial donations from alumni, faculty, staff and community members have helped get GHRC up and running. Volunteers from Mary Washington and the Fredericksburg community keep it stocked with fresh produce, pantry staples, clothing, toiletries and more, which students can pick up for free. While the resource center maintains the anonymity of those who use it, more than 1,000 visits have been logged since 2021.

Junior Meghan McAndrew breaks down boxes in the Gwen Hale Resource Center, where she has worked as a volunteer and picked up items for herself. She has also helped friends find similar resources at their institutions.
Junior Meghan McAndrew breaks down boxes in the Gwen Hale Resource Center, where she has worked as a volunteer and picked up items for herself. She has also helped friends find similar resources at their institutions.

Nicole Ford ’21, who worked in the Writing Center as a student, decided to honor Dr. Hale by raising more than $1,300 for the resource center. “My fellow consultants and I were devastated when Gwen passed away. These funds are a testament to the impact she made at UMW,” said Nicole, who appreciates that GHRC provides “students who are struggling a discreet way to access basic needs.”

Professor of Economics Robert Rycroft had never considered food insecurity an issue among his students until Dr. Hale’s advocacy persuaded him to make a gift toward the resource center. “We were taking care of our own, and a request from Gwen just could not be ignored,” said Dr. Rycroft, who has also donated food. “Her commitment to UMW students was genuine and total, and I wanted to support my good friend’s efforts.”

Junior Meghan McAndrew first learned about GHRC through the student-run service program COAR. Now, in addition to volunteering, she has occasionally gotten items there. “I’ve been able to direct friends at other schools to seek out similar resources,” Meghan said. “College is expensive, and it’s so helpful to have these necessities accessible on campus.”

Make a gift (include “Gwen Hale Resource Center” as your designation) or donate goods to the Gwen Hale Resource Center.

Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04.  Former Office of University Advancement intern Ellis Winfree ’23 also assisted in the reporting and writing of this story.