Alumni Association Board of Directors

Impact Grant Program Boosts Positive Change Across Campus and Community

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University of Mary Washington junior Journey Mason understands the challenges often faced by the unhoused children she tutors through Loisann’s Hope House.

“From day one, College of Education professors hammer into us building the foundation of a learning space,” said Journey, an elementary education and English literature double major. “Resources and organization are literally the cornerstones of learning.”

She and her fellow volunteers in UMW’s Community Outreach and Resources program (COAR) can now purchase educational and organizational tools to build a space at Hope House to help their K-12 students succeed, thanks to a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant. “This will have a lasting impact on their lives and open a world of opportunities and access,” she said.

Eight projects and initiatives pitched by UMW students, faculty, and staff earned Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants after their presentations to members of the UMW Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council earlier this month. K Pearlman Photography.
Junior Journey Mason, an elementary education and English literature double major, earned a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant to help purchase educational resources and organizational tools for a tutoring space for unhoused K-12 students at Loisann’s Hope House in Fredericksburg. K Pearlman Photography.
Alumni Association Board of Directors President-Elect Charmayne Staloff ’05 (left) and Young Alumni Council member Jaylyn Long ’24 listen to presentations. K Pearlman Photography.
Alumni Association Board of Directors Immediate Past President Vicki Sprague Ravenel ’77, who oversaw the past two Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant Awards, speaks to her fellow alumni on the AABOD and the Young Alumni Council, as well as the student, faculty, and staff presenters. K Pearlman Photography.
From left: Alumni Association Board of Directors members Meghan Kishman ’13, Lisa Maloney Keyser ’05, and Susan Leavitt ’83 listen to presentations. K Pearlman Photography.
Senior Bethanie Hackett (left) and junior Garrett McKenzie, both computer science majors, present ‘Project Frozone’ on behalf of the Department of Computer Science. They’ll use the Impact Grants they received to support their research focused on online political discourse using AI. K Pearlman Photography.
Junior Allie Davis helps with a presentation to fund a professional conference for UMW’s Student Alumni Ambassadors and students in similar programs at other Virginia colleges and universities. K Pearlman Photography.

Earlier this month, UMW’s Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD) and Young Alumni Council (YAC) awarded $25,000 in donor-funded grants to eight projects and initiatives proposed by students, faculty, and staff on behalf of recognized campus organizations.

The brainchild of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, the program has given funding to 25 different ventures across campus over the past three years. These include an initiative to teach critical college success skills to incoming students, a public-facing printmaking event, and introducing technology upgrades to the Hurley Convergence Center’s Charnoff Production Studio.

Each applicant was required to submit a slide deck outlining their proposed project’s measurable objectives, budget, sustainability plan, and targeted audience, along with a short pitch video. Members of the AABOD and YAC evaluated the presentations, also considering how closely projects aligned with UMW’s ASPIRE values.

As a Washington Guide, sophomore Natalie Froustet shows off UMW’s beautiful campus to prospective students and families. But the unexpected wintry weather early this semester came as a surprise to her and her fellow guides. The grant she earned will help purchase additional gear in the form of UMW-branded jackets to protect them from the elements.

“Donors are helping us keep warm and dry while promoting Mary Washington,” said Natalie, a double major in historic preservation and environmental science. “And we can ensure our guests leave with a positive and professional impression of the University.”

Laurie Zdenek, a junior historic preservation major who serves as president of the Living History Club, received a grant to purchase historically accurate costumes for reenactment events in the Fredericksburg area.

During the U.S. Civil War, soldiers would be issued a basic uniform, Zdenek said. But the same attire today costs several hundred dollars, putting it outside the campus organization’s budget. “By providing costumes in a variety of sizes, we can ensure that financial position or body size aren’t barriers to participation.”

From right: Sophomore Natalie Froustet (far right) and junior Caty Taylor clap with other students for the presentations. The two Washington Guides will use the Impact Grant they received to help purchase additional gear in the form of UMW-branded jackets for the guides. K Pearlman Photography.
Junior Shane Maguire, a philosophy: pre-law major (at the podium) and sophomore Kimberlyn Pasch, a biomedical sciences and psychology major, pitch a program to create laundry vouchers for students in need, on behalf of UMW’s Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter. K Pearlman Photography.
Professor of Historic Preservation Andréa Livi Smith shares her presentation to help secure funding to reorganize and display the Department of Historic Preservation’s historical fragment collection. K Pearlman Photography.
From left: Alumni Association Board of Directors members Kathy Vi ’04, Alex Clegg ’17, Sye Smith ’96, and Colette Strawn Johnson ’97 listen to presentations. K Pearlman Photography.
Center for Career and Professional Development Director Michael Dunn and Associate Director of Employer Engagement Linda Catullo pitch an expansion of the Career Trek program, which provides students with on site visits to local employers. Assistant Vice President for Development and Campaign Operations Beth Hunsinger ’01 listens in the background. K Pearlman Photography.
Assistant Director of Annual Giving Cadi Treviño Pinto ’22, staff advisor for UMW’s Student Alumni Ambassador program, pitches a professional conference to help SAAs with networking and leadership. K Pearlman Photography.
Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte, who is also executive director of the UMW Foundation, chats with Young Alumni Council member Alex Obolensky ’16 (center) and YAC Chair Reid Merritt ’20. K Pearlman Photography.

The Department of Historic Preservation earned a grant to reorganize and display its historical fragment collection, while the Department of Computer Science plans to use its funds to support its research focused on online political discourse using AI.

The Center for Career and Professional Development will put its award toward expanding its Career Trek program, which brings students on site visits with local employers so they can tour workplaces and network with Mary Washington alumni working in the field.

UMW’s Student Alumni Ambassadors (SAA) received funds to pilot a professional development conference for its students and those from other Virginia colleges and universities.

“Our goal is helping SAAs gain confidence in their networking skills so they’ll be able to navigate a professional space with ease,” said Assistant Director of Annual Giving Cadi Treviño Pinto ’22, the organization’s staff advisor. “They’ll also acquire the leadership experience that comes with planning, hosting, and leading a conference.”

Kimberlyn Pasch, Shane Maguire, and Keely Butler secured a grant for laundry vouchers for students, a longtime goal of the Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter at Mary Washington. Their proposal shared that many students reported having to choose between clean clothes and buying other necessities.

“With such a great demonstrated need, we couldn’t think of a better project to devote our time and energy to,” said Kimberlyn, a sophomore double majoring in biomedical sciences and psychology. “Knowing I was presenting to alumni who care just as much about UMW as I do was truly heartening.”

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 Assistant Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04 

Business Administration Alum Invests in UMW, Shapes Future Generations

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As a University of Mary Washington senior, Dan Clendenin ’07 accepted a position with wealth management firm Cary Street Partners, where he’d been an intern just a year earlier. Soon after earning a degree in business administration, he found himself guiding clients through the financial crisis as banks failed and the real estate market collapsed.

Dan Clendenin '07
Dan Clendenin ’07, a managing director and financial advisor with Cary Street Partners’ Fredericksburg location, has helped guide many UMW students and grads who are starting their own careers in financial planning. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

“It was such a stressful time, but I learned so much about the emotional intersection of personal finance and psychology,” said Dan, who’d planned to become an orthopedic surgeon. But at UMW, he discovered a different calling that also required a steady hand. “When other firms stopped picking up the phone, I was answering calls, holding hands, and offering our clients sound advice.”

Nearly two decades later, Dan still leads with that personal, hands-on approach. Now a managing director and financial advisor with Cary Street Partners’ Fredericksburg location – one of 20 offices nationwide – he oversees a team serving more than 400 families and representing over $1.5 billion in assets.

As his success grew, so did his commitment to his alma mater. The firm’s competitive internship program has welcomed numerous Mary Washington students, providing a promising professional start, just like the one he received in his own college career.

“We all want to see our students and alumni succeed,” said Dan, whose annual gifts to Mary Washington have earned him a place in the President’s Circle since graduation. He serves on the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees and the College of Business Executive Advisory Board, completed two terms on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and collects updates for Class Notes. “It’s all about paying it forward, staying connected, and paving the way for the future of the institution.”

Dan and his wife, Ginny Tapscott Clendenin ’08, M.Ed. ’09, whom he met through a fellow Mary Washington alum, live with their three children in Fredericksburg, further rooting their family in the community that shaped them.

Dan Clendenin and wife Ginny Tapscott Clendenin pose for a photo during the Celebration of Giving in 2024. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
From left: Kelly Paino, Associate Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement Mark Thaden ’02, Colette Strawn Johnson ’97, Mike Johnson ’96, Ginny Tapscott Clendenin ’08, M.Ed. ’09, and Dan Clendenin ’07 at Homecoming in 2024. Photo courtesy of Dan Clendenin.
Dan Clendenin (front row, far left) poses with other members of the Class of 2007 on the Lee Hall steps at Reunion Weekend in 2017. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
From left: Fred and Barbara Rankin, former Board of Visitors Rector Dori Eglevsky, Ginny Tapscott Clendenin, and Dan Clendenin at an event for the Mary Washington First Campaign in 2014. Photo courtesy of Dan Clendenin.
Dan Clendenin ’07 (back row, sixth from the left) and other members of the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees with UMW President Troy Paino and Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte, who serves as the UMW Foundation executive director. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

His dedication also fuels the strong pipeline he has helped build between the University and Cary Street Partners. About 2,500 applicants vie annually for 10 internships within the entire firm, with many awarded to UMW business majors and recent graduates, several of whom have become full-time employees.

That’s what happened to Brittany McBride Doughty, CFP® ’18, who connected with Dan while earning a business administration degree and minoring in economics. “The role felt like the perfect mix of analytical work and caring for personal relationships,” said Brittany, now a vice president and financial advisor with the firm.

“My responsibility is to understand what matters most to our clients and help them navigate their financial lives,” she said. “That means talking through their goals, helping them evaluate trade-offs, and building a plan that supports them through expected milestones and unexpected moments.”

Dan’s own college experience began on the pre-med track, but a business class taught by Rob Strassheim ’96 changed his direction. He began loading up on coursework in accounting, finance, and management.

College of Business faculty recognized his drive. When local financial advisor Doug Stewart needed an intern to help with his firm’s upcoming merger with Cary Street Partners, Professor Ken Machande ’94 recommended Dan.

“I started off moving boxes and quickly fell in love with the business and my colleagues,” Dan said. He turned down offers from major accounting firms in Washington, D.C., and Richmond, instead opting to stay in Fredericksburg. “I saw the promise and opportunity of joining a growing company.”

He became the company’s youngest partner within a decade. Along the way, he helped recruit nearly half a dozen Mary Washington alumni.

Lee Murray ’04, rector of UMW’s Board of Visitors, also joined the Fredericksburg office a decade ago and leads his own wealth management team. “It’s really meaningful that we get to collaborate as colleagues and friends while advancing Mary Washington,” said Dan, who co-hosts a tailgate party with Lee and another local alum, Jamie Scully ’04, at Homecoming each year.

Three UMW alumni in the College of Business.
Savannah Green ’20, Dan Clendenin ’07, and Brittany McBride Doughty ’18 in the College of Business, where the UMW alumni and Cary Street Partners colleagues recently taught a personal finance class. Photo courtesy of Brittany McBride Doughty.

Dan also keeps close ties to the College of Business, recently co-teaching a personal finance course with Brittany and Savannah Green ’20, a vice president and client service and operations supervision manager at Cary Street Partners. Using their professional networks, the adjunct professors brought UMW graduates who are real-world practitioners into the classroom to mentor students, Dan said.

“Spreading financial awareness and literacy is a passion for all of us, and teaching college students from all different majors who are about to enter the workforce, and at our alma mater, was such a special experience,” Brittany said.

Grateful for the alumni who supported him, Dan is proud his own team – which also includes Ashley Carpenter ’12 and Marina Bonanno Lampiris ’14 – is paying it forward to Mary Washington and the Fredericksburg community.

“Seeing the people you supported succeed and grow,” he said, “and passing that on to the next generation is a special phase of my career.”

Learn more about career opportunities at Cary Street Partners. 

Visit UMW’s Center for Career and Professional Development website to learn about career resources for Mary Washington alumni, including Network MaryWash. Register for Handshake to post open internships and positions at your organization and sign up for future Career & Internship Fairs.

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

Dan Clendenin ’07 and alumni friends at Mary Washington’s Homecoming. Photo courtesy of Dan Clendenin.

 

 

 

Cary Street Partners is the trade name used by Cary Street Partners LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC; Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC and Cary Street Partners Asset Management LLC, registered investment advisers. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Any opinions expressed here are those of the authors, and such statements or opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of Cary Street Partners. These are statements of judgment as of a certain date and are subject to future change without notice. Future predictions are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those currently anticipated or projected. 

These materials are furnished for informational and illustrative purposes only, to provide investors with an update on financial market conditions. The description of certain aspects of the market herein is a condensed summary only. Materials have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable; however, Cary Street Partners does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented. Such information is not intended to be complete or to constitute all the information necessary to evaluate adequately the consequences of investing in any securities, financial instruments, or strategies described herein. 

Cary Street Partners and its affiliates are broker-dealers and registered investment advisers and do not provide tax or legal advice; no one should act upon any tax or legal information contained herein without consulting a tax professional or an attorney.

 We undertake no duty or obligation to publicly update or revise the information contained in these materials. In addition, information related to past performance, while helpful as an evaluative tool, is not necessarily indicative of future results, the achievement of which cannot be assured. You should not view the past performance of securities, or information about the market, as indicative of future results. CSP2026041.

UMW Foundation, Alumni Association Boards Welcome New Members

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The University of Mary Washington announced in August the newest members of the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Directors. These accomplished Mary Washington alumni and supporters will help guide the University’s continued growth, philanthropic outreach, and alumni engagement.

“We’re thrilled to welcome these dedicated individuals to our boards,” said Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and executive director of the UMW Foundation. “Their leadership, experience, and passion for Mary Washington will be instrumental as we continue to advance the University’s mission and strengthen our alumni community.” 

UMW Foundation Board of Trustees:

Martha "Marty" Abbott
Martha “Marty” Abbott

Martha “Marty” Abbott ’72 holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a Latin minor from Mary Washington and a master’s degree in Spanish linguistics from Georgetown University. She retired as executive director of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, representing language educators nationwide. She spent over 30 years in Fairfax County Public Schools as a teacher, foreign language coordinator, and director of high school instruction. Marty has served on numerous national taskforces, the College Board’s Academic Advisory Committee, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress Foreign Language Exam steering committee. She was president of the Foreign Language Association of Virginia and was appointed to the National Security Education Board by President Barack Obama. At UMW, she has served on the Board of Visitors and as an Educator-in-Residence keynote speaker. She also received UMW’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2004 and is recognized among Mary Washington’s Alumni of Distinction. A member of UMW’s Washington and Heritage societies, she established the Abbott International Study Abroad Scholarship and the Craig Family Scholarship and has a planned estate gift.

Irene Cimino Roberts
Irene Cimino Roberts

Irene Cimino Roberts ’86, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Mary Washington, is regional director for U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine for northeastern Virginia. She retired from Dominion Energy’s corporate offices, where she managed the title sponsorship of a multi-year PGA TOUR Champions playoff tournament. Her career also includes roles as deputy press secretary in the Virginia governor’s office and as a broadcast journalist. Irene serves on the board of directors for Scouting America’s Heart of Virginia Council and volunteers with Micah Ecumenical Ministries’ Jeremiah Project. Irene and her husband, Curry Roberts, are longtime sponsors of the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series at Mary Washington.

Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD):                    

Judith Henley Beck
Judith Henley Beck

Judith Henley Beck ’68 received a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Mary Washington and taught the subject in Roanoke and at the Samuel Ready School. She was also director of Pleasant Hill Nursery School. Since 1973, she has held multiple leadership roles in the Baltimore/Annapolis regional network at Mary Washington. Judith was the Class of 1968 reunion coordinator for almost 50 years and previously spent eight years on the AABOD, serving as president for two years. She supported the Jepson Alumni Executive Center building campaign and received UMW’s Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award in 2003.

Janet Hedrick
Janet Hedrick

Janet Hedrick ’73 holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Mary Washington and a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia. A fundraising professional for 45 years, she worked in higher education, healthcare, and association foundations and consulted for hospitals and public broadcasting stations. She also authored the book Effective Donor Relations. A member of UMW’s Washington and Heritage societies, Janet is an active donor through current gifts and her estate plan, co-chaired her 40th reunion committee, helped plan her 50th reunion, and raised funds for the Class of 1973’s endowed scholarship. She regularly attends University events and has traveled extensively with other Mary Washington alumni through the On the Road program. Janet received UMW’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2023.

Susan Leavitt
Susan Leavitt

Susan Leavitt ’83 earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and French literature with an Italian minor from Mary Washington and a master’s degree in international relations, with a focus in Africa studies, from Johns Hopkins University. She spent over a decade working on Wall Street and has 25 years of experience as a D.C.-area realtor. A member of UMW’s Washington and Heritage societies, Susan has contributed to the Mary Washington First Campaign as well as the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Beyond the Classroom initiative while serving on its Advisory Board. She also established the Susan Leavitt ’83 Scholarship to help students in need, named a Hurley Convergence Center space, and served on reunion committees. She received UMW’s Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award in 2024.

Devon Williams Cushman
Devon Williams Cushman

Devon Williams Cushman ’93 earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Mary Washington and a J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law. She spent eight years on UMW’s Board of Visitors, including serving as its rector. A former litigator for several top Richmond law firms, Devon was recognized by Virginia Business as “Legal Elite” and by Virginia Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.” She has also been an adjunct law professor, assistant general counsel at Capital One, pro bono attorney, and entrepreneur.

Alex Clegg
Alex Clegg

Alex Clegg ’17 received a bachelor’s degree in communication and digital studies with a minor in economics from UMW and later pursued graduate studies at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is an account executive at HUB International and was previously a senior client advisor at Forest Capital Management, LLC. Since graduating, Alex has stayed involved with UMW, serving on the Young Alumni Council, CAS Advisory Board, and Rugby Alumni Foundation Board.

Casey Breslin
Casey Breslin

Casey Breslin, MBA ’22 holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Saint Anselm College and an MBA from UMW’s College of Business. He is a senior consultant at Iberia Advisory LLC, a D.C.-based Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. Before entering federal consulting, he developed corporate financial planning and analysis and treasury courses and managed data migrations for financial learning management systems. As an AABOD member, Casey aims to help UMW graduate alumni share ideas and build networks.

Learn more about the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

-Written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communication Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04 

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

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