Giving Stories

Amphitheatre Groundbreaking, Naming, and Challenge

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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 Heslep-005-for-webHesleps, 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. Bird's EyeIf 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.

UMW Honors Longtime Supporters

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Julie Baxter, Paul Dresser Jr., BOV Rector Holly Tace Cuellar ’89, and President Richard Hurley unveil the new plaque for the President’s Box inside the Anderson Center.
Julie Baxter, Paul Dresser Jr., BOV Rector Holly Tace Cuellar ’89, and President Richard Hurley unveil the new plaque for the President’s Box inside the Anderson Center.

UMW honored two members of the Mary Washington community during a dedication ceremony for the President’s Box held November 15, 2014, at the Anderson Center. Paul A. Dresser Jr. and his wife Julie W. Baxter of Williamsburg, Va., were recognized for inspiring, supporting, and advancing UMW students and programs through service and giving.

Paul’s involvement with Mary Washington began in the early 1990s as the parent of an enrolled student. He served on the Mary Washington Board of Visitors from 1992 to 2000, including two years as Vice Rector and four years as Rector. He then served on the UMW Foundation Board of Directors from 2001 to 2014, leading as Chair of both the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee.

In addition to his dedicated work on the BOV and the UMW Foundation Board, Paul and his family are supporters of the Fund for Mary Washington, members of the UMW Heritage Society, and donors to multiple Dresser family scholarships.

In support of the Mary Washington First Campaign, Paul recently endowed the Julie Baxter Scholarship for BSN Completion and also specified the amount of his estate pledge to enhance endowment levels of other Dresser scholarships.

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Amanda Dresser Gada ’95 and her family prepare for the dedication ceremony in honor of Paul Dresser and Julie Baxter.

More than 40 guests attended the ceremony at the Anderson Center, including Amanda Dresser Gada ’95, Director of UMW Athletics Ken Tyler, and representatives of UMW’s Board of Visitors, Foundation Board, and Alumni Board.

A dedication plaque bearing Paul and Julie’s names will be placed inside the President’s Box. Donors who make significant Campaign gifts to create and enhance UMW program or scholarship endowments may be eligible for future naming opportunities.

The $50-million Mary Washington First Campaign began July 1, 2011, and went public April 26, 2014. As of October 31, 2014, Mary Washington alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and businesses have committed more than $32 million in gifts and pledges. The Campaign is scheduled to conclude June 30, 2016.

Visit marywashingtonfirst.umw.edu or call 540/654-1024 for more information.

Simpson Circle Welcomes New Members

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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.