Giving to Mary Washington

Your passion is our passion. Help us move the university forward.

Give Now

Giving Stories

Simpson Circle Welcomes New Members

Leave a Comment

6976-K-Pearlman-Photography---web-465
Daniel K. Steen ’84 and Pamela J. White ’74 (both seated) were inducted into the Simpson Circle on February 20, 2014.

Current and past members of the UMW Board of Visitors gathered February 20, 2014, at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center to recognize the service of  former board members Pamela J. White ’74, Daniel K. Steen ’84, and Mary Jones Berry. The three retiring board members were officially inducted into the Simpson Circle.

President Richard V. Hurley shared important university updates with the group. Following all festivities, members of the Simpson Circle and current Board of Visitors members attended a performance of Always … Patsy Cline, a student production at Klein Theatre in duPont Hall.

The concept for the Simpson Circle was originated and approved by former Board of Visitors Rectors – and was then officially established by a BOV resolution in April 2012. The name of the group was chosen, of course, to honor Grellet C. Simpson — former Chancellor and Mary Washington’s fourth president. It was under his watch in 1972 when legislation was signed to establish Mary Washington’s independence from the University of Virginia. That legislation also created a twelve-member governing board known as the Rector and Visitors of Mary Washington College.

$1 Million Gift Kindles Amphitheatre Restoration

Leave a Comment

Thanks to a generous $1 million challenge gift from Robert S. and Alice Andrews Jepson ’64 of Savannah, Ga., the University of Mary Washington currently is making plans to save, restore, and enhance its historic amphitheatre.

Large Format JPG[1]
The amphitheatre was first constructed in “the grove” in 1913. It has undergone numerous updates and reconstructions in the years since.
For more than a century, the “open air” amphitheatre has been a central part of the Mary Washington experience. Hidden in the grove behind Lee and Trinkle Halls, this campus landmark has been the venue of choice for numerous commencements, May Day celebrations, plays, concerts, and even weddings.

DSCN8564.jpg---465-web
Today, the site is no longer safe for general use.

Through the years, however, weather and time have not been kind, and the amphitheater has deteriorated considerably. Consultants recently examined the site, and they warn that the amphitheatre must be restored now or it could be lost forever. They estimate the restoration to cost $3 million.

“Bob and I love Mary Washington, and my education means a lot to me,” says Alice Jepson. “I feel the restoration of the amphitheatre is a worthwhile project and one that so many classes can join in supporting.”

10---465-web
Architectural renderings show how the amphitheatre could look after restoration.

The restoration and rehabilitation would return the amphitheatre to its 1952-1953 appearance by repairing and reconstructing damaged and missing pieces. It would provide seating for approximately 600 people on weather-resilient benches and chairs while incorporating accommodations for ADA accessibility.

President Richard V. Hurley says students are excited about the amphitheatre restoration. “Students continue to enjoy the amphitheatre, even in its current state, and they also care about preserving the history behind it,” says Hurley. “I am absolutely thrilled that Bob and Alice Jepson have agreed to help support this important restoration initiative.”

Alice says she is looking forward to visiting campus during Reunion Weekend 2014. “I can’t wait to get back to see all the things that have happened since I was there and to take time to walk through the amphitheatre,” she says. “When President Hurley told us that students still love the amphitheatre, we decided our money would be well-invested in helping to restore this area of campus that holds so many special memories for alumni and students alike.”

In addition to the gift from the Jepsons, two other couples have made significant gifts to support the amphitheatre restoration: Elmer Morris Jr. ’50 and Marceline Weatherly Morris ’50 of King George, Va., and Laurie Mansell Reich ’79 and Henry E. Reich Jr. of Kittanning, Pa.

Architectural renderings projecting the amphitheatre’s appearance after restoration were prepared by Train & Partners Architects of Charlottesville, Va.

7-cropped---465-web
After restoration, the amphitheatre may seat up to 600 guests for performances and events.

“Currently, the amphitheatre is just sitting in the woods degrading more and more every day. The longer it sits, the more difficult and more expensive it will be to restore, and that’s a shame,” says Design Architect Kirk Train. “The surrounding area is beautiful, serene, and bucolic. Once restored, the amphitheatre will be the perfect site for talks, dramas, classes, and performances right there in Mary Washington’s back yard.”

More information about fundraising for this important initiative and a restoration timeline will be available soon.