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Thanks to hundreds of gifts from alumni, parents, and friends, UMW met the one-year Amphitheatre Challenge to qualify for a $125,000 matching grant from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation.
As of May 22, 2017, UMW has received a total of $2.75 million in gifts and pledges toward the capital project’s $3 million goal.
Read the latest Heritage Newsletter featuring stories of Mary Washington alumni who have made specific plans to support UMW students and programs. Learn helpful tips to aid in year-end giving.
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The University of Mary Washington recognized two long-time donors June 4, 2016, at a groundbreaking ceremony for the century-old amphitheatre on the Fredericksburg campus. The outdoor facility, slated for renovation, has been renamed the Heslep Amphitheatre, in honor of 1956 alumna Josephine McPherson Heslep and her husband, Donald, of Richmond.
The 
Hesleps, who attended the ceremony with their family, have generously supported University initiatives, including a significant endowment for the UMW Philharmonic. The couple’s latest gift of $1.25 million helped push contributions toward the $3 million fundraising goal.
UMW recently received a challenge gift from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation. 
If UMW secures NEW gifts totaling $125,000 for the amphitheatre, the Foundation will match with its own contribution of $125,000.
Gifts to the amphitheatre challenge may be made at umw.edu/onlinegiving.