University of Mary Washington senior Hayley Madden had an unforgettable experience while visiting England’s National Gallery on a faculty-led trip. An art history major, she presented her own research to her professor and classmates on French painter Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun’s “Self Portrait with a Straw Hat.”
“I’m so grateful to everyone who believed in my potential,” Hayley said. The recipient of the Emil R. Schnellock Scholarship and other awards, she’s now applying to graduate art history programs in London. “You’ve made my Mary Washington education possible while helping to nurture my dream from a simple sketch into a vibrant masterpiece.”
Hayley shared her story – including how she explored museums in nine countries while spending a semester in France and now helps her fellow students plan their own excursions as a Center for International Education peer advisor – at the Celebration of Giving on Nov. 21. Held in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom, this year’s event honored 200-plus donors who listened as students and administrators thanked them for supporting the University’s renowned study abroad program and the international students who live and learn at UMW.
“These pillars of the Mary Washington experience cultivate global perspectives and foster meaningful cross-cultural connections, yet can also be costly for our students,” Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte said. “Your gifts help strengthen UMW’s reputation as a hub for international education and student success.”
She thanked supporters for prioritizing UMW in their philanthropic giving during the past fiscal year, with $14.5 million in gifts and pledges raised from 5,146 donors. She also shared 2024 highlights, including the Beyond the Classroom Endowment, which supports student experiential learning like study abroad, surpassing its $1 million goal this fall.
“We’re grateful not only for your investment, but also your example to our students,” UMW President Troy Paino said. Noting UMW’s distinction as top producer of Peace Corps volunteers and Fulbright scholars, he said that curiosity, open-mindedness, humility, and a desire to learn about other cultures are critically important in today’s world. “These are traits that we hope to develop in young people so they can be successful and make a difference.”
Junior Aloysious Kabonge, a mathematics and statistics major and data science minor from Uganda, spoke about how the Thomas Howard and Elizabeth Merchent Tardy Scholarship and other awards have helped him earn a broad liberal arts education while embracing campus life.
At UMW, he serves as a Student Alumni Ambassador, resident assistant, and orientation leader. He participated in an alternative service break and joined the African Student Union, which has helped him connect with other international students.
“Your kindness, generosity, and support have changed my life profoundly,” he told his donors. “I’m here today, pursuing my dreams, because of you. You’ve given me opportunities that I could have only imagined, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.”
Senior Sean McGavin shared his own college journey, beginning with hiking all 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail during a gap year. At Mary Washington, he discovered a passion for chemistry that was vital to his desire to preserve forests and began working as a wildland firefighter during the summers.
Earning the Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship helped Sean go on a faculty-led trip the Galápagos Islands, where he planted trees and learned how other countries address ecological problems. The knowledge he gained abroad influenced his decision to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry so he can develop environmentally safe retardants to fight fires.
“I didn’t know my purpose before I came to Mary Washington, but I found it here,” said Sean as he thanked Hurt. “Going to the Galápagos … was an opportunity that wouldn’t have been possible for me without Sally’s scholarship and is one that I’ll never forget.”
Senior Mima Manton, who hails from England, said the James E. Baker Community Orchestra Scholarship and other awards supported her in studying music abroad while performing in many university ensembles, including leading the Pep Band.
“My musical experiences have developed in ways that I could have never imagined,” said Mima, who performed a piece on bassoon with Music Chair and Professor Brooks Kuykendall on piano. “I cannot stress enough that without my scholarships, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you today.”
Learn more about establishing scholarships and how private support makes a difference in the lives of UMW students who receive scholarships, research fellowships, and internship grants.
View photos from the 2024 Celebration of Giving.
– Article by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04
