Endowment Report 2023

2024 Graduate’s Studio Art Scholarships Paint an Impression

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When Jenell Poling ’24 arrived at the University of Mary Washington as a first-year student in fall 2020, their art classes were a bright spot when the world seemed at its bleakest.

Jenell Poling '24 with their 2022 sculpture, 'Egg,' made of sticks, cardboard, and coffee grounds. Photo courtesy of Jenell Poling.
Jenell Poling ’24 with their 2022 sculpture, ‘Egg,’ made of sticks, cardboard, and coffee grounds. Photo courtesy of Jenell Poling.

“I fell in love with UMW’s Department of Art and Art History and knew I wanted to pursue this as a major,” said Jenell, who spent four years expanding their knowledge of drawing, painting, sculpture, video art, and more in Melchers Hall.

Jenell’s commitment to their craft earned further validation when they received the Alfred Levitt Memorial Scholarship three years ago. The renewable award – named for a late artist and teacher who was a loyal supporter of Mary Washington – is given to a rising junior or senior majoring in studio art who aspires to pursue a career in the visual arts after graduation.

“My scholarships have made me feel like my work is truly being recognized and appreciated,” said Jenell, who also earned the Shannon A. Broom ’97 and Stanley A. Owens scholarships and the Emil R. Schnellock Award for Excellence in Painting while at UMW.

Jenell Poling’s ‘Illumination,’ a reductive charcoal piece from 2021. Courtesy of Jenell Poling.
Jenell Poling’s ‘A Day in the Life,’ a collection of oil paintings on different objects. Courtesy of Jenell Poling.

Growing up in Bristow, Virginia, Jenell wanted to make art from the start. At age 8, they had already begun researching renowned artists and gaining inspiration from their work. “I’ve always had a wild imagination.”

At Mary Washington, Jenell’s talent flourished under the guidance of dedicated professors like Carole Garmon and Jason Robinson. “Jenell is the epitome of an art student,” Professor Garmon said. “They are curious, dedicated to their studio practice, and most importantly, fearless.”

Jenell Poling's 'Mice Night Out.' The 2022 painting appeared on the cover of the Fiscal Year 2023 Endowment Report. Courtesy of Jenell Poling.
Jenell Poling’s ‘Mice Night Out.’ The 2022 painting appeared on the cover of the Fiscal Year 2023 Endowment Report. Courtesy of Jenell Poling.

Receiving private donor support covered part of Jenell’s tuition and provided much-needed funds to purchase art supplies and equipment, often a large expense in a college student’s budget.

Furthermore, being a scholarship recipient also earned Jenell’s whimsical oil painting, “Mice Night Out,” a spot on the cover of the Fiscal Year 2023 Endowment Report, published by UMW’s Office of University Advancement and the UMW Foundation.

While the piece began as a challenge at first, painting the brightest spots – bursts of blues and reds, with splashes of orange and green – helped Jenell find their way to a finished work.

“Being an artist has helped form me into the best version of myself,” said Jenell, who is planning to pursue a career that aligns with their artistic interests before beginning graduate school. “It’s given me a space to share my ideas and express my passion.”

For information about creating scholarships at the University of Mary Washington, visit giving.umw.edu or contact the Office of University Advancement at advance@umw.edu or 540-654-1024.

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

Alumna’s Bequest Bolsters Fund for Mary Washington

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When Lynne Gourley Farrell ’62 was growing up, her parents were always helping a family in need. “Her sense of benevolence came from our mother and father as well as our church,” Judy Gourley Kamishlian ’59 said of her late sister, who held such a deep appreciation for her Mary Washington education that she spent the rest of her life giving back to her alma mater.

Lynne Gourley Farrell '62 and Judy Gourley Kamishlian '59.
Lynne Gourley Farrell ’62 and Judy Gourley Kamishlian ’59.

When she passed away on Aug. 27, 2020, Lynne left UMW a generous estate gift that helped establish the Lynne Gourley Farrell ’62 Fund for Mary Washington Endowment. Now part of her legacy, her endowment will help strengthen and grow the University and enhance the experience for current and future generations of students.

The unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved – a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, personal relationships with professors and classmates, low student debt upon graduation, and more. Donors who give to the Fund help UMW’s leadership achieve a crucial flexibility to meet emerging student, faculty, and program opportunities.

“For Lynne, making unrestricted gifts was a thing of principle,” Judy said. “She always trusted Mary Washington to make the best and wisest decision when it came to her donations.”

Growing up in the small mill town of Fieldale, Virginia, Lynne and Judy’s parents were active in their church, fostering in their daughters a belief in helping others and an intellectual curiosity.

“They always expected us to go to college,” said Judy, who applied to Mary Washington because of its “reputation as an academically outstanding Virginia women’s college.” Lynne joined her, earning a degree in clothing and textiles, while studying art, music, and literature. “Our education opened up a bigger world for us, and Lynne took advantage of that.”

From left to right: Judy's daughter, Ella, and her grandson, Mitchell, with Judy and Lynne at Mitchell's high school graduation. Photo courtesy of Judy Gourley Kamishlian '59.
From left to right: Judy’s daughter, Ella, and her grandson, Mitchell, with Judy and Lynne at Mitchell’s high school graduation. Photo courtesy of Judy Gourley Kamishlian ’59.

After graduation, Lynne worked in marketing for Thalhimers, a department store chain based in Richmond, and taught elementary school for several years, bonding with students who kept in touch with her over her lifetime. She also traveled extensively – with husband Paul and later with Judy – and was an advocate for education, community, and the arts, supporting the United Way, the Virginia Beach Foundation, and the ACCESS College Foundation, even endowing a scholarship in memory of a friend.

Lynne’s obituary, penned by Judy, recognizes UMW as the greatest benefactor of her gifts. At Lynne’s humble request, the sisters named the Gourley Living Room in the Cedric Rucker University Center in 2015, honoring their late parents and the values they instilled in them.

And yet, given her commitment to the Fund for Mary Washington, it seemed fitting that her endowment should bear her name. “She was proud to lead in this,” Judy said. “Lynne would want to inspire others to give, just as she did.”

For information about funding an endowment or to make a gift to the Fund for Mary Washington, visit giving.umw.edu or contact the Office of University Advancement at advance@umw.edu or 540-654-1024.

– This article by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04 originally ran in the Fiscal Year 2023 Endowment Report.