Giving Stories

UMW Physics ‘PING’ Program Inspires High Schoolers, Empowers Future Educators

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Tristan Towle and Zubair Mohammadzai take turns lobbing colorful cotton balls at a black canvas hanging in a University of Mary Washington parking deck. The splatters they create with washable paint remind Tristan, a junior at Brooke Point High School, of fireworks, but Zubair has another theory.

“We’ve been talking about stars, red giants and white dwarves,” said the Osbourn Park High School senior, thinking back to the astrophysics lesson led by UMW faculty members as well as current physics majors Hannah Steele, Aliya Ather, and CJ Hulleman. “They look like different colors based on temperature.”

The activity, combining both astronomy and art, is part of Physicists Inspiring the Next Generation (PING), introduced at Mary Washington this summer as an expansion of a program that began at Michigan State University (MSU). For two weeks, regional high schoolers curious about majoring in physics in college are exploring astrophysics, electronics, and computer coding, under the guidance of UMW Physics faculty members.

Hannah Steele ’26, who earned a Noyce Scholarship at UMW, demonstrates to high schoolers Zubair Mohammadzai (left), Michael Young (center), and Maiwand Barakzai (right) how to soak the cotton balls in washable paint before throwing them at black canvases hanging in UMW’s Alvey Parking Deck. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
From left: High schoolers Michael Young, Alexander Rosas, and Vincent Phan dip cotton balls in washable paints before lobbing them at black canvases to create artwork resembling evolving stellar clusters, which they learned about in an astrophysics lesson. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Alexander Rosas, a senior at Stafford High School, shows off his strategy of using heavily painted cotton balls on the right side of the canvas and reused cotton balls on the left side to demonstrate that the amount of energy put into an object correlates to its outcome. Alexander, who is involved with robotics and technology clubs in high school, said he was excited to connect with members of the physics community in Fredericksburg by participating in the PING program. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Tristan Towle (center), a junior at Brooke Point High School, chucks a painted cotton ball at the canvas, while Zubair Mohammadzai, a senior at Osbourn Park High School, and UMW Physics Chair and Professor Matt Fleenor watch. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
High schooler Maiwand Barakzai chucks a painted cotton ball at a canvas while his classmates look on. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Supported by a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant totaling $4,500, the program also provides stipends for three UMW student mentors majoring in physics and open to teaching at the high school level.

“This program would’ve expanded my avenues if I participated in it during high school,” said Aliya, a Mary Washington sophomore who is serving as a PING mentor this summer. “I’m excited to share my knowledge about physics but also how to collaborate in this field and how important it is to integrate the creative side into physics.”

UMW Professor and Chair of Physics Matt Fleenor estimates that over half of high school physics classrooms in the U.S. are taught by someone without a degree in the field. “So, our aim is to cultivate interest in physics locally among high school students while supporting the potential futures of high school physics instructors,” he said.

Dr. Fleenor reached out to high school physics teachers in the greater Fredericksburg area to recruit applicants, resulting in a cohort of six students in Mary Washington’s inaugural PING program. Statistics show that 80% of UMW physics majors come from a 90-mile radius, he said. “They grow up here, come to school here, and end up teaching or working at Dahlgren or somewhere close by.”

Kenya Wallach, former math and science supervisor for Stafford County Public Schools, had long wanted to bring such a program to the region. Last fall, she and Dr. Fleenor were surprised to discover they were seated in the same row at a conference in Houston, listening to Ms. Wallach’s 16-year-old daughter, Emma, speak about her experiences in PING at MSU.

“From the time my children were little, we talked about physics and mathematics and how they touch every aspect of our lives,” said Ms. Wallach, who leads PING’s parent group, Promoting Opportunities for the Next Generation (PONG). All three of her children participated in the program, and now her 19-year-old daughter is earning a Ph.D. in physics at MSU. “In order to see yourself doing something, you have to see people like you succeeding at it.”

Hannah Steele ’26, a UMW student mentor and Noyce Scholarship recipient, guides high schoolers Vincent Phan (left) and Alexander Rosas in creating a circuit. Photo by Katie VanHouten ’26.
From left: CJ Hulleman ’28, one of the PING program mentors, demonstrates to high schoolers Michael Young and Maiwand Barakzai how to construct a circuit that measures the effect of resonance, a physics concept that can be applied to engineering, biomedicine, and technology. Photo by Katie VanHouten ’26.
High schoolers Maiwand Barakzai (left) and Michael Young make notes as they learn about creating circuits. Photo by Katie VanHouten ’26.
UMW Physics Chair and Professor Matt Fleenor demonstrates how to construct a circuit to high schooler Zubair Mohammadzai (center), while UMW student mentor Aliya Ather and volunteer mentor Emma Wallach (right) observe. Photo by Katie VanHouten ’26.
High schoolers Zubair Mohammadzai (left) and Tristan Towle (right) are guided in a lesson by volunteer mentor Emma Wallach, a Stafford High School junior who already participated in the PING program at Michigan State University, and UMW mentor Aliya Ather ’28 (background). Photo by Katie VanHouten ’26.

Emma, who is serving as a volunteer mentor, and her mother designed the paintball splatter activity and helped Fleenor create a curriculum that gives participants the chance to create circuits, make measurements, plot graphs, learn Python coding, and explore evolving star clusters using cutting-edge technology. The students are also touring the UMW campus and learning about research Mary Washington students and faculty are doing in the Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute.

Hannah, a senior mentor who aspires to teach physics after graduating from Mary Washington, learned from Ms. Wallach how to employ an explicit inquiry-based instruction model. By writing in reflection journals and engaging in role-play, the mentors learned how to provide the high school students with a solid foundation for the material and ask guided questions to help them reach their own conclusions.

“It allows them to struggle productively until they find the answer on their own,” said Hannah, who received a Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship through UMW’s College of Education partnership with the National Science Foundation.

Alexander Rosas, a Stafford High School senior, experienced his own “a-ha moment” while engaging in the physics painting activity. His strategy? Tossing cotton balls dripping with paint to create a grouping resembling a stellar cluster and then reusing them to create a contrast on the other side of the canvas.

“I wanted to show that the amount of energy put into an object correlates to its outcome,” said Alexander, who hopes PING will help him make connections within the physics community in Fredericksburg. “This project showed me a different perspective of what physics could be.”

Participants in the PING program show off their paintball splatters, reminiscent of evolving stellar clusters. From left: UMW Physics Chair and Professor Matt Fleenor; UMW mentor Aliya Ather ’28; volunteer mentor Emma Wallach, a Stafford High School junior who participated in the PING program at MSU; high schoolers Alexander Rosas, Vincent Phan, Tristan Towle, Zubair Mohammadzai, Michael Young, and Maiwand Barakzai; and UMW mentors CJ Hulleman ’28 and Hannah Steele ’26. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

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

-Photography by Karen Pearlman ’99/K Pearlman Photography and UMW digital communication major Katie Van Houten ’27

UMW Honors 2025 Alumni Award Recipients at Reunion Weekend

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A few weeks after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics, Jenifer “JB” Blair ’82 returned to her alma mater to volunteer at Reunion Weekend.

The University of Mary Washington's Alumni Association Board of Directors held its annual Alumni Awards ceremony during Reunion Weekend 2025, honoring Rob Eastman-Mullins '00 and Jenifer 'JB' Blair '82, as well as Shirley Martey Hargis '14 (not pictured). Here, they pose for a photo with Alumni Awards Vice President Lisa Maloney Keyser '05 and UMW President Troy Paino. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
The University of Mary Washington’s Alumni Association Board of Directors held its annual Alumni Awards ceremony during Reunion Weekend 2025, honoring Rob Eastman-Mullins ’00 and Jenifer ‘JB’ Blair ’82, as well as Shirley Martey Hargis ’14 (not pictured). Here, they pose for a photo with Alumni Awards Vice President Lisa Maloney Keyser ’05 and UMW President Troy Paino. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Since she graduated, JB has donated her time every year at the University of Mary Washington celebration, so it’s only fitting that she received the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award during Reunion Weekend 2025. JB also spent more than 20 years working in UMW’s Office of Admissions and over a decade on the Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD), including two years as its president.

“I know the transformative nature of the education here, and I believe in it so much,” she said. It was an honor to receive the award, she said, especially since she knew its namesake, a dedicated former AABOD member who worked in the Office of the President when JB first began her career at Mary Washington. “Having had such a great experience as an undergraduate made volunteering and supporting UMW so easy for me.”

JB was one of several alumni honored at a May 31 ceremony in Seacobeck Hall’s Weatherly Wing. Alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, families, and friends joined UMW President Troy Paino in recognizing the honorees, including Rob Eastman-Mullins ’00 and Shirley Martey Hargis ’14. The recipients were selected by the AABOD and announced by Alumni Awards Vice President Lisa Maloney Keyser ’05.

President Paino delivered a university update, covering changing student demographics, the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education, facilities updates, fundraising successes, student recruitment and retention, and UMW’s unwavering commitment to the liberal arts. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
President Paino delivered a university update, covering changing student demographics, the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education, facilities updates, fundraising successes, student recruitment and retention, and UMW’s unwavering commitment to the liberal arts. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

President Paino also provided a university update, covering changing student demographics, the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education, and UMW’s unwavering commitment to the liberal arts. He touched upon facilities projects like the new theatre and renovation of duPont, Melchers, and Pollard Halls and thanked those who contributed to fundraising efforts, especially the record-breaking $1.3 million in donations on Mary Wash Day.

He touted ongoing student recruitment successes, citing UMW’s 85% retention rate – higher than the national average – and highlighted how the University will continue to lean into strengths, focusing on small class sizes, personalized attention from faculty, and its robust network of alumni who give back to the University through their philanthropy and engagement.

“We still believe that every individual student matters, and your investment in their lives can have a dramatic impact, not only on them and their families, but on the communities where they’ll work and serve,” the president said. “That’s what makes Mary Washington so special. That has not changed, whether you graduated 50 years ago or just a few weeks ago.”

JB Blair ’82, who has volunteered at Mary Washington for over 40 years, receives a standing ovation as AABOD President James Llewellyn ’87 looks on. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
JB Blair ’82 receives the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award, named for a late member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD) who worked in the Office of the President when JB was a student. JB, who knew Mrs. Armstrong, later served 14 years on the AABOD, with two years as its president. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
JB Blair ’82 hugs President Troy Paino after receiving the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
JB Blair ’82 (center), recipient of the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award, poses for a photo with Barbara Dixon ’82 (left) and her sister, Courtney Blair (right). Photo by Karen Pearlman.
JB Blair ’82 (center) poses with past and present members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, as well as Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Advancement Communications Mark Thaden ’02 (far left, back) and her former colleague, UMW Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice President Melissa Yakabouski ’94 (far left, front), and Barbara Dixon ’82 (far right). Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Nominated by AABOD member Lori Foster Turley ’81, JB joined the Terrapins synchronized swim team as a student and lived in Framar Hall, then the senior women’s honors/leadership house. She also worked as a DJ at WMWC Radio, which she recently supported with generous donations both to the station and to its Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant.

After graduation, she moved up through the ranks of the Admissions team, eventually becoming dean of undergraduate admissions. She now serves as vice president of enrollment management at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics. JB holds an M.Ed. in social foundations of education and an Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University of Virginia.

JB spent 14 years on the AABOD and became a director emeritus in 2024. She also served six years on the Washington Scholars interview committee, helping award the prestigious full-ride scholarship to in-state students.

Shirley Martey Hargis '14 received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award during Reunion Weekend 2025. Photo courtesy of Shirley Martey Hargis.
Shirley Martey Hargis ’14 received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award during Reunion Weekend 2025. Photo courtesy of Shirley Martey Hargis.

Shirley Martey Hargis, who was unable to attend the ceremony, earned the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, recognizing graduates of the last 15 years who’ve distinguished themselves serving UMW or their professions and communities.

Shirley has over a decade of experience in security-related foreign affairs and domestic politics of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan and has worked in D.C. think tanks and government agencies, using her Chinese language skills and experience in high-security work for a U.S. government contractor. She has published numerous articles and provided commentary to Politico, Al Jazeera, BBC News, and Bloomberg.

At UMW, Shirley earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She was president of the Pi Sigma Alpha national political science honor society and was inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu international honor society, among others. She also earned a Fulbright English teaching assistantship and many other scholarships and fellowships. She is now enrolled in the Harvard Kennedy School’s mid-career Master in Public Administration program.

“Of the more than 4,000 students that I’ve taught at UMW, I’ve never known a student who worked as hard as Shirley,” said Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus, the department’s former chair.

Rob Eastman-Mullins received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, honoring graduates who’ve made significant contributions in their professions and communities, while being leaders in their fields.

At Mary Washington, Rob crafted a theatre management major, blending theatre and business courses and gaining experience as an actor, technician, designer, and director. He graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors and was inducted into the Alpha Psi Omega theatre honor society, among others. He earned the Albert R. Klein Scholarship, and in turn, he and wife Andrea established the Eastman-Mullins Scholarship for Theatre at UMW.

Rob Eastman-Mullins ’00 poses for a photo with his wife, Andrea, after receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award during Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Rob Eastman-Mullins ’00, who received the Distiguished Alumni Award, gives remarks while AABOD President James Llewellyn ’87 looks on. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: President Troy Paino, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement and UMW Foundation Executive Director Katie Turcotte, JB Blair ’82, and her family and friends listen to the remarks by Rob-Eastman-Mullins ’00. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Rob Eastman-Mullins ’00 (right) poses for a photo with Professor and Chair of Theatre & Dance Gregg Stull ’82. Eastman-Mullins called his former professor an ‘absolute treasure’ and thanked him for his support throughout his time at Mary Washington and in his career. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Rob is artistic director for the U.S. submission to the 2027 Prague Quadrennial and has spent over two decades creating award-winning scenic, lighting, and costume design for theatrical productions across the country. He has taught at several institutions, most recently as a professor of performance design at Wake Forest University. He also founded the aWAKEn International Scenic Design Competition, participated in theatre festivals in Egypt and Uganda, and has advocated for intellectual property rights. Additionally, he has contributed to over 30 national and international academic presentations and co-authored Scenic Design: A Global Perspective, scheduled for publication by Routledge Press in 2026.

Rob thanked his wife as well as Professor and Chair of Theatre and Dance Gregg Stull ’82, whom he called an “absolute treasure.”

“He’s always been there when I called upon him,” said Rob, who also gave a strong endorsement of the liberal arts education at Mary Washington. “There’s no other state school that I know of that’s like it.”

Learn more about previous Alumni Association Award recipients. Nominations for 2026 will be open in January. 

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

Mary Washington Alumni Come Home for 2025 Reunion Weekend

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Living across the Atlantic couldn’t keep Rachel Selle ’05 from celebrating her 20th Reunion Weekend at the University of Mary Washington.

Now a teacher and young-adult author in Germany, she looked forward to staying overnight in Randolph Hall, where she served as a resident assistant two decades ago. “I’m really excited to reconnect with classmates and see what life – and Mary Washington – has brought us all since we graduated,” she said.

Rachel was among the hundreds of alumni to return for UMW’s Reunion Weekend, held May 30 to June 1. The forecast called for rain, but showers soon gave way to clear skies, sunshine, and even a rainbow as classes ending in 0 and 5 participated in parties and picnics, faculty lectures, campus tours, beverage tastings, family festivities, a fun run, and cool treats at Carl’s.

Rachel Selle ’05 (second from left) and fellow 2005 alumni join 1980 alumni for a photo on Campus Walk during Reunion Weekend. This year’s event celebrated classes ending in 0 and 5, but all graduates are welcome to participate in the annual celebration held at the end of May. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni participate in the time-honored tradition of visiting Carl’s for its famous frozen custard. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni families take a photo by the fountain on Palmieri Plaza on Saturday after the Ball Circle picnic. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni enjoy the Ball Circle picnic in front of the Cedric Rucker University Center. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
The forecast called for rain, but showers soon gave way to clear skies, sunshine, and even a rainbow over the University of Mary Washington campus. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni pose for a picture after the Virginia wine, beer, and cider tasting, held in Monroe Hall this year. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Syd Collson Chichester ’60, a member of the 1908 Society (for alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago), said she became more involved after co-chairing her 50th reunion. “It brought me back to this place,” said Syd, who still gets emotional when she sings UMW’s Alma Mater.

“Hosting Reunion Weekend is a highlight for our team each year,” Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Mark Thaden ’02 said. “Seeing alumni return to visit their favorite places on campus, connect with friends and faculty, and spend a few days reliving their college days brings us so much joy.”

Renee Allen Kuntz ‘85 said being back on campus with Lisa Taylor, Alison Metzger LaMura, Kim Slayton White, and Cuff Gibbons Kunkel “was just like coming home again.” The five friends, all who graduated in 1985, spent Friday morning picking the perfect matching Mary Washington sweatshirts in the UMW Bookstore while reminiscing about watching the soap opera General Hospital together and calling their parents from the residence hall phone booths.

“At what other point in your life do you get to spend all your time with your best friends?” said Shelby Hill Brooks ’95, who toured campus on a golf cart with her husband and Michelle Arcari Rose ’95. As recent grad Shadwick Yoder ’25 drove the cart past Virginia Hall, Shelby said, “It wasn’t that long ago that was my window.”

Members of the 1908 Society, for those who graduated 50 or more years ago from Mary Washington, pose for a photo on the Lee Hall steps. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Recent grad Shadwick Yoder ’25 gave golf-cart tours of campus throughout Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: 1985 graduates Kim Slayton White, Alison Metzger LaMura, and Cuff Gibbons Kunkel pose for a photo during the welcome reception. Typically held at Brompton, the event was moved to the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom due to passing thunderstorms. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Courtney Quinn Hampton ’00 silkscreens a Mary Washington College bag with Assistant Professor of Studio Art Coorain Devin as part of an Alumni College lecture. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Mark Thaden ’02 (front row, right) and members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors pose for a photo during the 2025 University of Mary Washington Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Members of the Class of 1975, who celebrated their 50th reunion and entrance into the 1908 Society, pose for a photo on the Lee Hall steps. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Mary Helen Dellinger ’90 recalled looking out of those same windows to check how long the line was to get into the Underground, a popular campus hang-out, and engaging in an epic snowball battle on Ball Circle.

Mary Washington students have a lot of fun, Mary Helen said, but the perk of attending a smaller school is always having faculty, staff, and administrators looking out for you. “When people care about you, it makes you want to work harder and treat others with kindness and respect,” she said.

Maggie Lovitt ’15 and Melissa Schmidt Estevez ’00 praised UMW’s supportive professors. “They have a vested interest in your outcome,” Melissa said. “You don’t always realize it when you’re here, but the University truly cares for your whole being.”

Jason Ford ’20 and Karen Lebo ’75, who both served as Student Government Association president – 45 years apart – spoke about how their alma mater inspired them to pursue leadership roles. “This place makes you aspire to your best self,” Karen said.

Her classmate, AJ Jenkins ’75, reminisced about being one of the first male students after Mary Washington went co-ed. “We had a true feeling of brotherhood,” he said of the 11 young men who lived together on Trench Hill, now the location of the Jepson Alumni Executive Center.

After attending the Class of 1975’s 50th reunion dinner in the building and reconnecting with his female classmates, AJ said, “I found myself thinking what strong women graduated from Mary Washington and how I benefited from going to school with them.”

From left to right: Artist Nicole Horn poses with Professor Emerita of Art Carole Garmon, Dean of Student Life Emeritus Cedric Rucker ’81, and UMW President Troy Paino after the unveiling of Cedric’s portrait inside the Cedric Rucker University Center. The building was named for the longtime – and beloved – Mary Washington administrator. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Members of the staff, including Director of First Year Admissions Sarah Lindberg ’08 (front), and the Alumni Association Board of Directors clap for Rucker following the unveiling of his portrait. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Live entertainment by the 10 Spot was part of the all-class party festivities during the 2025 Mary Washington Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni take part in a Virginia wine, beer, and cider tasting outside of Monroe Hall. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
A group of Mary Washington alumni pose for a photo on Campus Walk during the recent Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left to right: Mary Washington alumni Karmel James ’13, Sean Lynch ’95, Vicki Sprague Ravenel ’77, and Alumni Association Board of Directors President James Llewellyn ’87 join Kelly Paino, wife of UMW President Troy Paino, and Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement and UMW Foundation Executive Director Katie Turcotte during the 2025 Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

On Friday, the University honored Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Emeritus Cedric Rucker ’81, who provided visionary leadership in student affairs during his 33-year career at Mary Washington. A crowd gathered for the unveiling of his portrait, completed by Fredericksburg artist Nicole Horn and featuring a wood frame made by artist and adjunct instructor Larry Hinkle ’00. The painting will hang on the first floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center.

“I love the University of Mary Washington … because it has been and continues to be a place that invigorates and works with the community and the region,” said Cedric, who also was the first Black male student to live on campus. “I’ve had the opportunity to grow in so many ways – in so many heartfelt ways – and I’m delighted that I’ll continue to be a part of this place forever.”

More photos from Reunion Weekend 2025 will be uploaded to the UMW Alumni SmugMug in the coming weeks. Learn about upcoming Alumni Engagement events.

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

Alumni Invited to Reunite and Reconnect During UMW’s Reunion Weekend

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When Kathy Vi ’04 returned to the University of Mary Washington last year for her 20th Reunion Weekend, it was exactly what she had in mind, filled with meaningful conversations, college memories, and making connections with friends both old and new.

“It was a fantastic and focused weekend dedicated to these cherished relationships,” said Kathy, who now serves on UMW’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. “Our college experience laid a crucial foundation for our lives, and the University continues to offer valuable resources, networks, and a sense of belonging that enriches our lives today.”

As this year’s Reunion Weekend chair, Kathy is excited to welcome back more than 500 alumni, families, and friends to Mary Washington for 2025’s Reunion Weekend, held May 30 through June 1. While the event specifically honors classes ending in 0 and 5, all Eagles are invited back to campus to rediscover everything they loved about Mary Washington as students.

Kathy Vi ’04 (second from left) and her classmates cool off with ice cream at Carl’s, a time-honored tradition during the University of Mary Washington’s Reunion Weekend, which will be held May 30-June 1, 2025. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
1974 alumnae pose for a photo, while also sharing a few of their younger selves, during their 50th reunion dinner at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni College lectures include ‘Biodiversity of the UMW Campus: Our Beautiful Trees,’ taught by Professor of Biology Alan Griffith (right). Photo by Karen Pearlman.
2014 alumni, including Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14 (right), sample Virginia vintages at the wine, beer, and cider tasting during 2024’s Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: 1959 alumnae Edna Gooch Trudeau, Ann Brooks Coutsoubinas, and Dodie Reeder Hruby, who are also members of the 1908 Society, celebrate their 65th reunion with a class photo in 2024. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni dance the night away at the all-class party. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Attendees can look forward to a vibrant three-day schedule filled with lively class gatherings, a Ball Circle picnic, guided campus tours, thought-provoking lectures, family activities, commemorative photos, art exhibits, beverage tastings, and more. And no Reunion Weekend would be complete without the time-honored tradition of visiting Carl’s for its famous frozen custard.

“Reunion Weekend is when the spirit of Mary Washington truly comes alive, with graduates from every generation reconnecting with our campus and each other,” said Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Mark Thaden ’02. “It’s a celebration of shared experiences, lasting friendships, and the enduring impact of a Mary Washington education.”

President Troy Paino and wife Kelly welcome alumni back to campus each Reunion Weekend with a reception at their home of Brompton. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
President Paino greets guests during the welcome reception at Brompton. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Assistant Vice President of Gift Planning Jan Clarke, who is retiring this summer, poses for a photo with Marcy Weatherly Morris ’50. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Young alumni pose for a photo with Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement and UMW Foundation Executive Director Katie Turcotte (right) in 2024. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni sit for a spell at the fountain on Palmieri Plaza in front of Monroe Hall, one of the most popular spots on the UMW campus. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
An alumna flips through a Battlefield Yearbook in the Special Collections and University Archives room at Simpson Library, which will be open Friday and Saturday. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni of all ages, including Executive Director of University Communications Amy Jessee ’06 (left), enjoy the early morning fun run, which will be held on Saturday, June 1. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Festivities will kick off Friday morning with student-led tours of campus, the popular wine-pairing lunch, and a portrait unveiling of Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Emeritus Cedric Rucker ’81 in the building that bears his name.

Alumni College lectures, held both Friday and Saturday, will feature faculty and staff delving into fascinating topics like the impact of A.I. on higher education, Mary Washington fashion through the generations, and learning how to use a “maker mindset.” The Hurley Convergence Center will cover a decade of digital convergence, and current students will present a panel discussion about life today at Mary Washington. Alumni can also create their own souvenir tote bag in a silkscreen workshop taught by Assistant Professor of Studio Art Coorain Devin.

All alumni are invited to attend a welcome reception at Brompton on Friday evening, hosted by UMW President Troy Paino and wife Kelly. The 1908 Society – honoring those who’ve graduated 50 years ago or more – and 1975 alumni will then be treated to celebratory dinners, while other grads will enjoy class gatherings on campus and in downtown Fredericksburg.

1994 alumni enjoy the picnic on Ball Circle in 2024. The popular event includes barbecue fare, a children’s playtime, and class photos on the Lee Hall steps. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
1994 alumni enjoy themselves at the all-class party. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
1979 alumni pose for pictures in the photo booth during the all-class party. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Young alumni and Student Alumni Ambassadors celebrate during the all-class party. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Past and present members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors pose for a photo with Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Mark Thaden ’02 (back row, far left) and Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement and UMW Foundation Executive Director Katie Turcotte (back row, center left) at Reunion Weekend in 2024. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Saturday will feature an early morning fun run across campus, a special breakfast for alumni affinity groups, an alumni authors meet and greet, and departmental open houses. President Paino will present a university update and the alumni awards ceremony in Seacobeck Hall’s Weatherly Wing, followed by the reunion picnic on Ball Circle, along with class photos and a children’s playtime.

During the afternoon, alumni will get a sneak peek at plans for the new theatre and fine arts renovation and can sample Virginia wines, beers, and ciders in Monroe Hall and on Palmieri Plaza, while their little ones watch Monsters, Inc. 

Grads and their guests can dance the night away at the all-class party Saturday evening in the Cedric Rucker University Center. The Eagles in Recovery program will also have a support meeting, facilitated by UMW’s peer recovery specialist.

The weekend wraps up Sunday with a farewell brunch in the Jepson Alumni Executive Center’s Rappahannock Grand Ballroom.

The UMW Galleries will also have a traveling exhibit called Self Adjacent, featuring the work of 20 artists examining the transforming experience of parenthood across North America, on view in the Ridderhof Martin Gallery, Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The UMW Bookstore and Simpson Library will also be open select times throughout the weekend.

Register for Reunion Weekend and view the Reunion Weekend brochure. Download the Whova app and search for “Mary Washington Reunion Weekend 2025”  for a full schedule of events, updates, and announcements. Follow “UMW Alumni” on Instagram and Facebook and tag #MaryWashReunion and #LifeAfterMaryWash.

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

UMW Impact Grants Program Transforms Ideas into Innovation

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Amira Said has always been passionate about sustainability, but the junior environmental science major has unearthed new ways to care for her community and the planet since coming to the University of Mary Washington.

Nine projects and initiatives pitched by UMW faculty, staff, and students earned Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants after their presentations to the UMW Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council in April. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Nine projects and initiatives pitched by UMW faculty, staff, and students earned Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants after their presentations to the UMW Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council in April. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

“During my first year, I noticed how much food waste was generated,” she said. Building upon the UMW Office of Sustainability’s work – which has earned the University a perennial spot on The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges – she secured funds last year to place three large compost bins in high-traffic areas on campus.

Yet, Amira wants to go even greener, with plans to engage her fellow students in a hands-on learning experience to promote composting. The Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant she received this spring will prevent hundreds of pounds of food waste from ending up in landfills, instead producing nutrient-rich recycled matter to use in UMW’s pollinator gardens and on the grounds.

Now in its second year, the Impact Grant program recently awarded over $25,000 in donor-funded grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000, to nine projects pitched by students, faculty, and staff on behalf of recognized campus organizations. Eight initiatives earned funding last year, including Eagles in Recovery, the Charnoff Production Studio, an initiative to dispense free menstrual products on campus and a new program called “Soft Landings,” which helps incoming students with autism spectrum disorder acclimate to Mary Washington.

Applicants were required to submit a video and slide deck, demonstrating financial need and outlining measurable objectives, a detailed budget, a sustainability plan, and a targeted audience. Each project was also evaluated on how closely it aligned with UMW’s ASPIRE values.

Junior environmental science major Amira Said pitched one of the nine projects that earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant this spring. With the funding she received, she plans to implement an experiential learning program to teach UMW students about the importance of composting while preventing hundreds of pounds of food waste from going to landfills each week. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Members of UMW’s Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) student service organization earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant to make hundreds of bagged lunches for Micah Ministries to feed the area’s unhoused population. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: Alumni Association Board of Directors President James Llewellyn ’87, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement and UMW Foundation Executive Director Katie Turcotte, and Alumni Board members Harry Thomas ’96 and Brendan Kelly ’95 listen to presentations before awarding Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants in April. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni Board President-Elect Charmayne Staloff ’05 (left) and Alumni Board member Katherine Redmiles ’15 during the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant presentations. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
In collaboration with the Eagles in Recovery program (which earned an Impact Grant last year), Student Government Association Vice President Shadwick Yoder ’25 (seen here) and SGA Senator Maso Moses ’28 received a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant to purchase enough Naloxone (Narcan) kits for each residence hall on campus, providing a life-saving treatment that can reverse opioid overdoses. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Dean of Students Melissa Jones (left) and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences April Wynn, who is faculty director of UMW’s First-Year Experience, earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant for ‘LaunchPad,’ a program that will help introduce executive function and socialization skills that are critical for students to be successful in college. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Several projects received additional funding from members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, who joined the Young Alumni Council in selecting the recipients after they gave presentations in April. “Amira was one of the top presenters, clearly and directly answering all questions and making a sound case for support,” said Alumni Board President James Llewellyn ’87, who personally contributed funds to Amira’s project with his wife, Deborah.

UMW student newspaper The Weekly Ringer, the Center for International Education, the new UMW Student Research and Creativity Collaborative, and a summer physics camp for high schoolers run by Mary Washington students also earned Impact Grants. In collaboration with the Eagles in Recovery program (which earned funding last year), Student Government Association Vice President Shadwick Yoder ’25 and SGA Senator Maso Moses ’28 also received an Impact Grant to purchase enough Naloxone (Narcan) kits for each residence hall, providing a life-saving treatment that can reverse opioid overdoses.

Impact Grant recipients have one year to use funds and must participate in a reporting workshop this fall.

Junior Knox McKinley received an Impact Grant on behalf of UMW’s Community Outreach and Resources (COAR), as well as a donation from Alumni Board Immediate Past President Vicki Sprague Ravenel ’77. The student-led service organization plans to make 600 bagged lunches next year for Micah Ministries to feed the area’s unhoused population.

“The application process allowed us to reflect on the service projects we’ve done and brainstorm how we can improve for the future,” said Knox, adding that COAR’s leaders honed critical-thinking, public-speaking and advocacy skills that will benefit them in their careers and lives after Mary Washington.

Junior Knox McKinley earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant to support Community Outreach and Resources (COAR), which plans to make hundreds of bagged lunches for Micah Ministries to feed the area’s unhoused population. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From right: Alumni Board Immediate Past President Vicky Sprague Ravenel ’77, Alumni Board member Katherine Redmiles ’15, Alumni Board President-Elect Charmayne Staloff ’05, and Alumni Board member Matthew Baker ’11 listen to presentations in April. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From right: Alumni Board member Brian Reagan ’04 and Young Alumni Council members Mary-Elise Alworth ’23 and Brooke Robertson ’21 listen to the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant presentations. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Assistant Professor of Studio Art Coorain Devin introduces the concept for ‘Print-a-Palooza,’ a large-scale event to introduce printmaking to the campus, which earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
The rubric used by the Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council to evaluate the projects and initiatives. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alumni Board member Colette Strawn Johnson ’97 (right) takes notes during the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant presentations while Alumni Board member Jennifer Boyd Ross ’79 looks on. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Assistant Professor of Studio Art Coorain Devin’s Impact Grant will help host a public-facing printmaking celebration next spring called “Print-a-Palooza.” With a rented steam roller, Professor Devin and art students will create large-scale prints to display next year during Devil-Goat Day, marking the 100th anniversary of the uniquely UMW tradition.

“By getting arts out into the community, I’m hoping to get more people involved in arts on campus and to see themselves as artists, even if they’ve never had the chance to take an art class,” said Professor Devin, who will also use funds to help campus organizations utilize printmaking tools.

Dean of Students Melissa Jones and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences April Wynn, who serves as faculty director of UMW’s First-Year Experience, secured an Impact Grant for “LaunchPad.” The new program will teach students executive function and socialization skills that are critical to success in college, such as how to maintain a schedule, track deadlines, employ technology, communicate effectively, and respond to adversity.

“We’re so elated to have received an Impact Grant,” Professor Wynn said. “The program really speaks to the pay-it-forward spirit at UMW, and the way alumni are paving the way for current and future Eagles.”

Sarah Moran ’10, the study abroad coordinator for UMW’s Center for International Education, earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant to help underrepresented students with the process of getting a passport and studying abroad for the first time. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: Young Alumni Council members Megan Begley ’22 and Hannah Harris ’23 and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Sarah Smith ’12, who serves as the faculty representative on the Alumni Board, chat between presentations. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Betsy Lewis earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant to furnish the new UMW Student Research and Creativity Collaborative in Simpson Library, which will be a hub for undergraduate research. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From right: Alumni Board member Sye Smith ’96 asks a question of a presenter while Young Alumni Council member Melisa Levine ’17 and YAC Vice Chair Reid Merritt ’20 look on. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Junior Callie Harkins, editor of UMW’s student newspaper, The Weekly Ringer, earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant to secure membership in the Virginia Press Association and begin printing the paper in color. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Professor of Physics Matt Fleenor earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant for a summer physics program for high schoolers taught by UMW physics students. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Shadwick Yoder ’25, vice president of the Student Government Association, and Amira Said ’26, UMW Senate vice president, chat in between presentations, while Callie Harkins ’26 (right), editor of The Weekly Ringer student newspaper, looks on. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

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