Giving Stories

Senior Martina Pugh has spent the last year stocking free menstrual products in baskets in public bathrooms at the University of Mary Washington. The tampons and pads are tiny enough to fit in a purse or pocket, yet they’ve made a huge impact on her fellow students.

“I’ve never needed to worry about where my next tampon or pad is coming from, but it’s a concern for so many people,” Martina said. She cites a national study that shows that one in five college students has skipped a class due to lack of period products, which have increased in cost because of inflation. “We live here, so having access to simple necessities is important.”

The Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant that Martina received this spring helped her purchase four new Aunt Flow machines and enough products to last the campus for the next year. Sleek, shiny, and silver – and easily accessible for those with visual or physical impairments – the dispensers were installed over the summer in high-traffic buildings like the Cedric Rucker University Center, the Eagle’s Nest, the Hurley Convergence Center, and the UMW Fitness Center.

Piloted by Mary Washington’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, the inaugural Impact Grant 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. Applications for 2025 Impact Grants will open in the spring.

“It helped us achieve a long-term goal in such a short period of time,” said Martina, a double major in communications and digital studies and philosophy: pre-law, who learned about period poverty through the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Student Association.

After consulting with Dean of Students Melissa Jones and Facilities Operations, her original plan located 10 baskets with donated period products across campus, which she and other students maintained using funding from the UMW Finance Committee.

But Martina felt that her project was taking away from other student activities and wanted to find a more sustainable solution. That’s how the Impact Grant program came into play. She and her classmates crafted a proposal, “Preventing Period Poverty,” which she pitched in April to a committee composed of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council.

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.

Martina 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.

“I had never applied for a grant before, but I realized that passion was all that it takes,” said Martina, who encouraged UMW faculty and staff to ask her probing questions so she could prepare. With plans to work for a nonprofit before going to law school, she said the experience improved her writing, research, and public speaking skills. “Taking a simple idea and seeing it to fruition was so valuable.”

Her presentation helped her secure funding totaling $4,000, covering the cost of not only the dispensers but 4,000 tampons and 4,000 pads, which the Aunt Flow company provided at a discounted price. Every machine can hold 50 of each menstrual product, twice the amount her baskets can hold, and includes Braille labeling for visually impaired students.

Each Aunt Flow machine can hold 50 tampons and 50 pads (which read ‘Changing the world one cycle at a time’ on the packaging). Machines also feature Braille for visually impaired students and are easy to reach for those who are physically impaired. Photo by Sam Cahill.

The Aunt Flow machines can be found in the Cedric Rucker University Center, the Eagle’s Nest, the Hurley Convergence Center and the UMW Fitness Center. Martina will continue stocking menstrual supplies in baskets in other public bathrooms across campus. Photo by Sam Cahill.

As a commuter student, junior Tonia Attie said she feels relief knowing that she can grab a pad or tampon if she doesn’t have one in her bag. “And these products are often expensive, so getting them for free in an easy-to-reach location is truly helpful.”

Recent graduate Eliana Nachman ’24 said having the Aunt Flow machines on campus supports students while reducing stigma around periods.

“I think it’s integral to ensuring that UMW continues to be an environment that prioritizes accessibility for its students,” said sophomore Caty Taylor, who felt inspired by the initiative. “Martina has helped foster a culture of acceptance around Mary Washington, one that is warmly welcomed.”

UMW’s Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants program is made possible through donors’ gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington. These gifts are vital to the University’s ability to improve the student experience and support faculty, providing crucial flexibility to respond to emerging challenges and seize opportunities as they arise.

When alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff give to the Fund for Mary Washington, they are choosing to be part of a community that is committed to giving back and making the world a better place – enabling students to make positive change through programs like the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants.

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

The University of Mary Washington ended the 2023-24 fiscal year on June 30, announcing an impressive $14.5 million in gifts and pledges that will help strengthen and enhance the UMW student experience.

Private support from 5,146 generous donors helped Mary Washington continue its commitment to providing students with an outstanding liberal arts and sciences education filled with impactful learning opportunities. Gifts this year benefited 315 areas across the University, including academics, arts, athletics, service and leadership initiatives, career services, and cultural programs.

“We are deeply appreciative of the investments the UMW community has made in our institution this year,” said Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte. “The generosity of our alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff, and students is vital to advancing our mission and to helping to attract, retain, and graduate exceptional students from Mary Washington.”

The grand total was bolstered in part by a record-breaking $843,252 raised on Mary Wash Day on April 4. Eagles across the globe participated in the 24-hour celebration of philanthropy, engagement, and Mary Wash pride, making 3,377 gifts to support UMW students, programs, faculty, and staff.

UMW donors also generously contributed $770,523 for the Fund for Mary Washington, providing unrestricted support that underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved – a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, and personal relationships with professors.

The inaugural Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant program awarded $25,000 in donor-funded grants in spring 2024, supporting eight projects or initiatives pitched by students, faculty, and staff. UMW Votes, WMWC Radio, the Gwen Hale Resource Center, UMW Galleries, the Hurley Convergence Center’s Charnoff Production Studio, and several other projects received full or partial funding.

Making a UMW education affordable and accessible remains a top priority at Mary Washington, with donors giving $3.3 million for endowed scholarships in 2023-24. More than 800 scholarships and awards, totaling more than $2.4 million, were given to 814 students during this fiscal year. Eighteen scholarships were awarded for the first time, including the Class of 1972 Dr. Michael L. Bass Scholarship, the Carl B. Frye ’93 Scholarship, and the Kelly Ragsdale Paino Scholarship for Future Educators. Six incoming students have been awarded full-ride Alvey or Washington scholarships for the upcoming academic year.

Other 2023-24 highlights include:

• $133K raised for the Beyond the Classroom Endowment, supporting undergraduate experiential learning like internships, independent research, and study abroad
• $637K raised for arts and cultural programming, including UMW Theatre, Philharmonic, and Galleries, as well as the Great Lives Lecture Series, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, and the James Monroe Museum
• The new Family Leadership Circle recognizes parents and guardians of currently enrolled students who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more to any area across UMW, while the Forever True Circle recognizes loyal donors who make gifts to the University for three or more consecutive years or who have set up a recurring gift plan

A portion of this year’s grand total came from the transformational $30 million estate gift left to Mary Washington by the late Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 for scholarship and undergraduate scientific research. Last month, UMW named the Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute, a 10-week undergraduate STEM research program established 25 years ago. The University also honored Rodgers and other pioneering alumnae in the sciences at December’s Celebration of Giving and April’s Scholarship Luncheon and Student Showcase.

More than 2,683 alumni participated in regional network and affinity group gatherings, presidential events, Mary Talks, Alumni on the Road trips, Homecoming, and Reunion Weekend, which welcomed 617 attendees spanning the classes of 1949 to 2024 to campus in June.

“I’m truly inspired by the dedication and passion of Mary Washington graduates who actively support their alma mater, as well as the alumni team and volunteers who serve on boards and organize these events,” Turcotte said. “We hope to see even more of you in the future. If it’s been a while since you visited campus, we invite you to come back soon.”

Make a gift for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. 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 

One of senior Kate Green’s favorite activities this summer was wading in the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. Swimming in the cool, chin-deep waters, she collected specimens to study how parasites differently impact male and female freshwater snails.

“From biodiversity to human recreation, aquatic ecosystems play an important role in the lives of many different species,” said Kate, a University of Mary Washington conservation biology major, who pursued a completely novel research topic this summer. “My studies will help us obtain a fuller picture of how healthy our beloved rivers are.”

Morgan Hicok ’25 (left) and Kate Green ’25 collect specimens of freshwater snails in the Rappahanock River at Motts Run Reservoir. Photo courtesy of Kate Green.

At UMW’s 25th annual Summer Science Institute, several students earned awards from the John C. and Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Endowment, which will provide funding for them to continue their research during the academic year. From left: Boone Fleenor ’26, Morgan Hicok ’25, Kate Green ’25, and Joseph Gasink ’26. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Science Tyler Frankel (left) and Joseph Gasink ’26 collect samples of trace metals near a former coal-tar creosote plant in Delaware. Photo courtesy of Joseph Gasink.

UMW named its 10-week undergraduate STEM research program the Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute during SSI’s 25th annual symposium on Wednesday. The late donor left her alma mater a transformational $30 million estate gift for undergraduate scientific research and scholarships. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Kate was one of two students who took home the top prizes this year during UMW’s 25th annual Summer Science Institute (SSI), which engages undergraduate STEM students in a 10-week intensive research experience alongside their professors and peers. At a public symposium held July 24 in UMW’s Hurley Convergence Center, Green and her lab partner, biology major Morgan Hicok ’25, earned scholarship awards through the John C. and Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Endowment. The funds will help them continue their research during the upcoming academic year.

Earth and environmental sciences major Joseph Gasink ’26 took second place, evaluating the impact of trace metals on invertebrates in a tidal marsh near a former coal-tar creosote plant. Joining him as runner-up was physics major Boone Fleenor ’26, who hypothesized that drones might be an effective tool to improve water circulation. They will also receive funding through Dr. Perkins’ endowment.

“I appreciate the role SSI plays in advancing student hands-on research so they can understand our world, gain valuable experience, develop critical thinking skills, and ignite their passion for science,” Dr. Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 said. “These inspired minds will shape the future with groundbreaking discoveries, improve healthcare, and address global challenges.”

Dr. Perkins earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Mary Washington and a medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. She conducted groundbreaking research on rheumatoid arthritis at the National Institutes of Health and reviewed clinical data at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to protect patients in clinical trials.

“As a woman entering the scientific field, I find Dr. Perkins incredibly inspirational,” said Kate, also praising the late Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59, who left UMW a transformational $30 million estate gift for scholarships and undergraduate scientific research. The University named the program for Rodgers in a ceremony on Wednesday. “I’d like to wholeheartedly thank both donors for their contributions to UMW and undergraduate STEM students, as well as to the growth of SSI.”

Loren Delgadillo Llano presents her research on how starving triple negative breast cancer cells can slow proliferation. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Ryan Cloughley shares his poster about his research on the impact of noise on humidity retrievals. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

SSI participants, alumni, faculty members, and guests asked questions of presenters about their research during the symposium. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

CAS Dean Keith Mellinger thanks SSI participants, who engaged in the 10-week undergraduate STEM research program with their professors and peers. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Max W. De La Cruz Morrobel presents her findings on the expression of plasmodesmal regulatory genes in response to brassinosteroids. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Ray Scott, who launched SSI and secured funding from DuPont 25 years ago, listens during the symposium. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Morgan, who worked alongside Green and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Abbie Tomba, researched how parasites called trematodes can affect freshwater snails and their ability to fight against a current in aquatic ecosystems.

“Climate change is beginning to affect water levels and flow due to extreme weather,” said Morgan, who will use the Perkins award to continue experimentation and hopes to eventually attend graduate school. “This experience has helped guide my aspirations and my passion for research.”

SSI has grown exponentially throughout the past quarter century, with more than 500 students engaging in the program since its inception. Alumni participants in the program recently returned to campus for a luncheon that connected them with current scholars, faculty mentors, and industry professionals.

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Ray Scott, who attended the symposium, secured the original grant from DuPont, which helped launch the program. Funding from generous donors, as well as the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, has helped this year’s SSI participants engage in extensive research on a broad range of topics across disciplines.

Thirty students shared their findings through oral and poster presentations during Wednesday’s symposium. In labs and in the field, they discovered solutions to real-world issues, exploring breast cancer cell proliferation, electron dynamics, demographic shifts, myotonic dystrophy, decaying dark matter, how toxic pollutants affect the dopamine system, and more.

But mathematics major Benjamin Plonka ’27 said he pursued his project purely because of his passion. He and research partner Sophie Jensen ’27 investigated the concept of tetration, or repeated exponentiation, and visualized its behavior on a real and complex plane to see what intricate structures it can create.

“If we only study the world through the lenses of how it can serve us,” Benjamin said, “we deprive ourselves of seeing some pretty amazing things.”

Learn more about the College of Arts and Sciences’ Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute.

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

The University of Mary Washington’s Summer Science Institute (SSI) has given UMW students the chance to conduct trailblazing undergraduate STEM research – analyzing cancer cells, carbon dioxide reduction, and complex computer coding – for a quarter of a century.

Many of these young scientists had access to their summer studies because of the scholarships, research fellowships, and scientific presentation grants funded by Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59. UMW named the program the Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute at a ceremony in the Hurley Convergence Center lobby during SSI’s annual symposium on Wednesday.

“Irene had a long history of supporting STEM majors in pursuing their passion through research,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Keith Mellinger, who outlined the history of SSI and recognized the more than 500 students who have participated in research with UMW faculty since its inception. The transformational $30 million estate gift she left the University has resulted in noticeable growth for the program, especially in the last couple of years, he said, from 14 students in the late 1990s to 30 students this summer. “And this trajectory will continue. More faculty, more students, more projects, more lives changed.”

Before Board of Visitors Rector Devon Williams Cushman ’93 read the board resolution, Dean Mellinger thanked Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Ray Scott, who attended the ceremony, for securing the original grant from DuPont and launching SSI. “The program has a history of setting students up for success in graduate and professional study, as well as a seamless entry into any number of careers,” Dean Mellinger said.

Since 1999, SSI’s 10-week program has offered undergraduate students the opportunity to work closely alongside their professors and peers, now in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, and Earth and environmental science. Funding from generous donors, as well as the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, has helped these students engage in extensive research on a broad range of topics across disciplines.

At the symposium, participants summarized their findings through oral presentations and poster sessions, providing solutions for real-world concerns such as preventing breast cancer cell proliferation and exploring how environmental pollutants impact aquatic life. Other projects delved into dark matter, studied skeletal muscle function, explored how to make computers more efficient, and mined data to understand nationwide teaching shortages and demographic changes over time.

CAS Dean Keith Mellinger outlines the history of the SSI program, which has had more than 500 student participants since its inception in 1999. Alumni recently returned for a luncheon to connect with current scholars, faculty, and industry professionals. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

SSI students, faculty members, administrators, alumni, and other guests listen as College of Arts and Sciences Dean Keith Mellinger acknowledges Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 and her transformational $30 million gift. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Board of Visitors Rector Devon Williams Cushman ’93 reads aloud the board resolution naming the Summer Science Institute in Irene Piscopo Rodgers’ honor. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Ray Scott, who launched SSI and secured funding from DuPont 25 years ago, listens during the ceremony. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

At UMW’s 25th annual Summer Science Institute, several students earned awards from the John C. and Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Endowment, which will provide funding for them to continue their research during the academic year. From left: Boone Fleenor ’26, Morgan Hicok ’25, Kate Green ’25, and Joseph Gasink ’26. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Morgan Hicok ’25 and Kate Green ’25, who both studied freshwater snails, earned top prizes. Joseph Gasink ’26, who researched the impact of trace metals on aquatic life, and Boone Fleenor ’26, who studied how drones can impact water circulation, were selected as runners-up. All received awards through the John C. and Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Endowment, which provides funding for them to continue their studies during the academic year.

Dr. Jerri Barden Perkins earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Mary Washington and a medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. She conducted groundbreaking research on rheumatoid arthritis at the National Institutes of Health and reviewed clinical data at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to protect patients in clinical trials.

“We’re so grateful to both of these women, Dr. Perkins and Irene, for their extraordinary philanthropy and dedication to advancing scientific education and research,” said Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte. “Their stories of being women in male-dominated fields and overcoming obstacles to find success have and will continue to profoundly inspire our undergraduate students and faculty in their own pursuit of scientific knowledge.”

Irene Piscopo Rodgers earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Mary Washington, followed by a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Michigan. She became a revered electron microscopist, working at the American Cyanamid Company and Philips Electronic Instruments.

As one of the few women her profession, she helped pave the way for current UMW students, especially women, to excel in STEM subjects of their own choosing. To date, more than 100 students have benefited from her generosity. In 2004, Irene donated a transmission electron microscope to UMW, teaching students and faculty how to use it. A decade later, the University awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for her service and contributions to the institution. Her estate gift also helped establish four new full-ride Alvey Scholarships for out-of-state students, in addition to eight she created during her lifetime.

Learn more about the College of Arts and Sciences’ Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute.  

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