Giving Stories

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. 

UMW Reports Record-Breaking $21.3 Million Raised in 2022-23

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The University of Mary Washington closed the books June 30 on its most successful fundraising year to date, with $21,362,093 in gifts and pledges – more than triple last year’s number – made during the 2022-23 fiscal year to enhance the UMW student experience.

The University of Mary Washington announces its most successful fundraising year to date, with $21.3 million raised in 2022-23 to support UMW students, programs, faculty, and staff.
The University of Mary Washington announces its most successful fundraising year to date, with $21.3 million raised in 2022-23 to support UMW students, programs, faculty, and staff.

Private support from 4,829 generous donors, more than half of whom are alumni, helped Mary Washington continue its commitment to providing students with an outstanding public liberal arts and sciences education filled with impactful learning opportunities. Gifts benefited 301 areas across the University, including academics, arts, athletics, service and leadership initiatives, career services, and cultural programs.

“We are so grateful to the many new and longtime supporters across the UMW community, and I am thrilled to thank them all for our most successful fiscal year ever,” said President Troy Paino. “Our alumni, friends, families, students, faculty, and staff give generously and invest in this institution. These funds will be a critical piece of our ongoing efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate successful Mary Washington students.”

This year’s grand total was bolstered by a portion of a transformational $30 million gift from alumna Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59, who passed away in July 2022, leaving the largest donation in Mary Washington’s 115-year history. Rodgers’ gift, which will be paid out over multiple years, exponentially grows UMW’s undergraduate research program in the sciences. The gift also creates four new Alvey Scholarships, providing full tuition, fees, and room and board for out-of-state students for up to four years, adding to the eight already created by Rodgers.

Making a UMW education accessible and affordable remains a major priority at Mary Washington, with 790 scholarships and awards, totaling more than $2.1 million, given to 550 students in this fiscal year. Fifteen scholarships were awarded for the first time, including the Class of 1966 Scholarship and the Class of 1973 50th Reunion Scholarship, which illustrate the investment alumni continue to make in their alma mater and its students. Five incoming students have been awarded full-ride Alvey or Washington scholarships (for in-state students) for the coming academic year.

Recently recognized as a “Top Employer for Interns” by the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership, the University announced in April the William H. Leighty ’78 and Martha Kearns Leighty ’75 Fellows Program. The couple, who are both former Board of Visitors members (Bill also served as chief of staff to two Virginia governors), made a $100,000 philanthropic commitment to the program to support UMW juniors and seniors in pursuit of public service internships in the commonwealth.

“This year’s success is due to the dedicated alumni, friends, families, students, faculty, and staff who make the University of Mary Washington a priority in their philanthropic giving,” said Vice President for Advancement Katie Turcotte. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of every donor and for their devotion to supporting UMW students, programs, faculty, and staff.”

Other 2022-23 highlights include:

  • The entire UMW community came together on April 4th’s Mary Wash Day, a high-energy celebration of school spirit, with alumni and friends sponsoring 52 challenges and matches to help raise $621,528 in 24 hours to support students, faculty, and programs.
  • Alumni donors spanning 84 years made gifts in FY23, totaling $10,135,909.
  • Current and former faculty and staff donors contributed $430,206 in FY23.
  • President Paino and his cabinet endowed the Charles Coleman Service Award for staff who demonstrate dedication to UMW and a concern for others. The first award went to Student Life Case Manager Betsy Southern, who served as COVID care coordinator during the pandemic.
  • UMW dedicated several spaces on campus, including the Weatherly Wing, the Mason Team Room and the Leigh Frackelton Classroom and Gibbons Team Room.

Donors also helped UMW reach its halfway mark of $500,000 for Beyond the Classroom, an initiative that supports undergraduate experiential learning such as independent research, study abroad, and internships. While BTC is already helping current students enhance their academic experience, the long-term goal is to create a $1 million endowment to generate tens of thousands of dollars for students each year.

The unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington received $687,052 in gifts and pledges, as well as a $2.2 million estate distribution to the Lynne Gourley Farrell ’62 Fund for Mary Washington Endowment, helping UMW address its most pressing needs.

This year also marked a full return to in-person advancement events that spotlight the power of philanthropy, including the Celebration of Giving and the Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase. More than 3,100 alumni participated in regional network and affinity group gatherings, presidential events, Mary Talks, UMW Alumni on the Road trips, Homecoming, and Reunion Weekend, which saw over 850 alumni return to campus to celebrate their milestone years in June.

“I’m so impressed and energized by Mary Washington graduates who support their alma mater through their engagement, as well as the alumni team and volunteers who put each of our exceptional alumni events together,” Turcotte said. “We look forward to seeing even more of you in the future, and if you haven’t been back to campus in a while, we hope you’ll visit soon.”

Make a gift for FY24, which runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. To learn more about giving options, please contact the Office of University Advancement at advance@umw.edu or 540-654-1024. Explore upcoming Mary Washington alumni events.

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

Why I Give: Lou Marmo ’94

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When Lou Marmo moved back to Virginia nearly a decade ago, he was looking for a fresh start in his corporate career. On a whim, he emailed Cedric Rucker ’81, then associate vice president and dean of student life at the University of Mary Washington, to ask for advice.

Lou Marmo '94
Lou Marmo ’94

“He called me 30 seconds later, looking to connect me with other people in his network,” said Lou, who soon landed a position on his own. But he credits that conversation with Cedric with reigniting his passion for his alma mater.

“I had donated $50 here and there, but I started to give more to Mary Washington after that,” said Lou, who went on to establish the Louis A. ’94 and Jill Marmo Scholarship five years ago, giving students at Richmond’s Midlothian High School a chance to attend UMW. He and wife Jill later created a second scholarship through local college prep program Partnership for the Future, geared toward students aspiring to study business administration, his own major in college.

“I wanted my community to be more aware of Mary Washington and the kinds of opportunities that exist for high school students,” said Lou, whose scholarship recipient, Zoe Hammond ’23, graduated from UMW with a biomedical sciences degree on May 6.

Lou with Zoe when she learned she'd received the Louis A. '94 and Jill Marmo Scholarship.
Lou with Zoe when she learned she’d received the Louis A. ’94 and Jill Marmo Scholarship.

Receiving the scholarship from Lou and Jill gave Zoe the opportunity to continue her education and helped cover necessary expenses. Next up, she’s applying to dental school. “I’m so excited for my future and feel so grateful to the Marmos for helping me get there,” she said.

Growing up in Holmdel, New Jersey, Lou hadn’t heard of Mary Washington until a family friend put it on his radar. He was sold when his parents told him he could keep his car if he attended college in Fredericksburg, but he also fell in love with the beauty of Mary Washington. “If you can get a student to visit here, the campus is a great selling point,” he said.

Beyond his major, Lou took liberal arts courses like history, geography, and English, which were beneficial as he began traveling abroad for work, he said. “When I visited South Africa, I already had some background on the continent.”

He also got to know faculty members like Leigh Frackelton, Bill Crawley, and the late Dick Palmieri, often hanging out with them outside of class. “Once I entered the workforce, I found that being able to build relationships with adults was an important skillset to have,” Lou said.

Now, as a member of the College of Business Executive Advisory Board, Lou – who also earned an MBA at New Jersey’s Monmouth University – uses his decades of experience as a C-suite executive to prepare Mary Washington students for their own journeys into the business world.

After retiring three weeks before his 50th birthday last year, he visits campus whenever he can and enjoys hearing how his scholarships are setting students like Zoe up for success.

“At this point in my life, it’s all about helping folks,” said Lou, who hopes to inspire others to give. “If you enjoyed your time in college, you can play a part in helping someone else experience Mary Washington.”

Q: What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
A: If you’re responsive, decisive, and conscientious, you’ll be ahead of 95 percent of the people out there.

Q: What has been the most meaningful achievement of your career?
A: I was told that you shouldn’t be friends with people who work for you, but building relationships with my team has meant a lot to me.

Daughters Ally (left) and Danni at the fountain on Palmieri Plaza in 2014.
Daughters Ally (left) and Danni at the fountain on Palmieri Plaza in 2014.

Q: What’s your most memorable Mary Washington moment?
A: My friends and I were walking back to our residence hall in the rain one Friday around midnight. Ball Circle was a swamp, so we started slipping and sliding around in the mud. I guess we were too loud, because campus police came by and told us to have fun but keep it down!

Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus?
A: The fountain on Palmieri Plaza (named for the late professor) in front of Monroe Hall. My college roommate’s aunt even made a painting of it for me.

Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I go to the gym, read, network, and serve on a few nonprofit boards. I also spend as much time as I can with my family. I just flew to Barcelona to meet up with my daughter, who studied in Rome this semester, to see Bruce Springsteen in concert with her.

Q: What might surprise your fellow alums to learn about you?
A: I have an MWC Eagle tattoo. Cedric was admiring it at Homecoming last fall, so I got the chance to remind him how much his phone call meant to me.

To learn more about establishing scholarships, please contact the Office of University Advancement at (540) 654-1024 or advance@umw.edu.

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