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UMW Names Championship Soccer Field After Longtime Coach Roy Gordon

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As founding coach of the University of Mary Washington men’s soccer team, Roy Gordon led his players to win after win and multiple championships throughout his 34-year career.

Coach Roy Gordon (right) poses for a photo with Assistant Athletic Director of Communications Clint Often during a ceremony held Sunday to name the Roy Gordon Field. Photo by Kaitlyn Kimball.
Coach Roy Gordon (right) poses for a photo with Assistant Athletic Director of Communications Clint Often during a ceremony held Sunday to name the Roy Gordon Field. Photo by Kaitlyn Kimball.

Along the way, Gordon coached the Eagles to nine NCAA tournament appearances and eight Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) titles and amassed a record 432 wins – a feat that earned him a spot among NCAA Division III coaching elite. He also oversaw the relocation in the 1980s of Mary Washington’s home field to the Battlefield Athletic Complex, which hosted the NCAA Division III national championship in 1997.

Joined by his family, friends, former colleagues, current coaching staff, university administrators, and players from the past and present, Gordon scored yet another accolade on Sunday, as the University named the championship soccer field in his honor. The initiative, spearheaded by decades of alumni student-athletes dedicated to the game, culminated in a ceremony held between the women’s and men’s soccer matches, when UMW unveiled a scoreboard overlooking the Roy Gordon Field.

“Mary Washington has been an incredible place for me to have worked,” said Gordon, who was inducted into the UMW Athletics Hall of Fame after his retirement in 2011.

Assistant Athletic Director of Communications Clint Often, who read the resolution approved by the UMW Board of Visitors in the spring, called him “one of the most important figures in Mary Washington athletic history.”

Gordon thanked wife Terrie and their family, President Troy Paino, Director of Athletics Patrick Catullo ’95, and Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte, who also serves as the UMW Foundation executive director, as well as Mary Washington donors. He also recognized Director of Athletics Emeritus Ed Hegmann, a graduate-school classmate who recruited him to work at Mary Washington in 1977. They trusted one another, Coach Gordon said, and that turned their friendship into a thriving working relationship.

“Having success on the field and getting wins was always a motivating factor, but for 34 years, my goal was to provide a quality experience for my student-athletes,” he said.

Visibly moved during the ceremony, Coach Gordon thanked his family and friends, former colleagues, Mary Washington alumni, administrators, UMW Athletics staff, and Mary Washington donors who contributed gifts and pledges toward the field renovations and facilities upgrades. Photo by Kaitlynn Kimball.
In addition to President Troy Paino, Coach Gordon (center) thanked current UMW Director of Athletics Patrick Catullo ’95 (left) and Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte (right), who is also executive director of the UMW Foundation. Both worked with dedicated alumni to reach out to men’s and women’s soccer supporters. Photo courtesy of Katie Turcotte.
Coach Gordon poses with wife Terrie and their family in front of the scoreboard that overlooks the Roy Gordon Field. Photo by Kaitlynn Kimball.

Over the past two years, a committed group of former players has worked toward the same goal, in collaboration with UMW Athletics and the Office of University Advancement and Alumni Engagement. Together, they’ve helped men’s and women’s soccer supporters, including alumni, parents, and friends, contribute nearly $386,000 in gifts and pledges, combined with an earlier fundraising initiative that established a $95,000 endowment for men’s soccer in Gordon’s honor.

“Coach Gordon knew how to provide leadership and helped us forge relationships with each other,” said Scott Karr, who led the charge with former teammates and fellow 1990 grads Dave Lausten and Ranjit Sidhu. “He was disciplined and worked us hard but taught us how to be a team.”

Gordon was named Coach of the Year by the Capital Athletic Conference, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), and the Virginia State College Division on multiple occasions. In 2007, he became one of only eight head coaches in Division III history to surpass 400 career wins. He received NSCAA’s prestigious Honor Award in 2009 and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2023.

UMW’s current athletic coaches have carried the torch, building nationally competitive teams, making ongoing enhancements to the University’s athletic facilities, and helping recruit talented student-athletes while bringing larger crowds to games.

Coach Roy Gordon poses in front of the scoreboard that bears his name, along with his family, friends, former colleagues, UMW Athletics staff, and soccer alumni who contributed funding toward field renovations and facilities upgrades on the championship soccer field. Photo by Kaitlynn Kimball.

“How many hours did we spend on these fields?” said Sidhu, who helped encourage UMW soccer supporters to contribute toward the renovations and facilities upgrades. “It was such a formative time in our lives.”

A Fredericksburg resident, Lausten said he feels pride when he watches UMW’s soccer teams compete. “It’s a reflection on us and those who came before us who helped build this program.”

Catullo hopes to maintain the momentum, both on the field and through donor support, aiming to reach a $500,000 goal. “These improvements will elevate the program, provide top-tier facilities, and attract the best future talent,” he said in a media release last spring. “Additionally, the success of this project will help drive future fundraising efforts across other UMW Athletic facilities.”

LEARN MORE about the project and make your gift electronically. The Office of University Advancement can explain customized giving options. Call 540-654-1024 or email advance@umw.edu for more information.

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

UMW Reports Record-Breaking $37.8 Million Raised in 2024-25

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The University of Mary Washington wrapped up its most successful fundraising year ever June 30, with a record $37,867,639 in gifts and pledges made in 2024-25. Giving participation increased across every UMW constituency, including alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students.

The University of Mary Washington announces its most successful fundraising year to date, with $37.8 million raised in 2024-25 to support UMW students, programs, faculty, and staff.
The University of Mary Washington announces its most successful fundraising year to date, with $37.8 million raised in 2024-25 to support UMW students, programs, faculty, and staff.

“We’re truly grateful to both our new and longtime donors for investing in the mission of this University,” UMW President Troy Paino said. “Your contributions play a vital role in helping us recruit, retain, and graduate students who are not only prepared for life after Mary Washington but for the rapidly changing digital world and workforce of the 21st century.”

This record-setting year also pushed UMW’s endowment to surpass $100 million, creating lasting philanthropic resources for merit- and need-based scholarships, academic programs, experiential learning, faculty resources, and more.

“Reaching the $100 million milestone for our endowment demonstrates the power of philanthropy to strengthen UMW today and to help secure its future,” said Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and UMW Foundation executive director. “The generosity of our donors combined with strong fiscal management from the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees ensures that the Foundation contributes directly to the University’s success, while providing lasting support for students, faculty, staff, and programs for generations to come.”

Achieving this milestone was possible in part, Turcotte said, because of the final distribution of the transformational $36 million estate gift that Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 left her alma mater when she passed away in 2022, funding four new full-ride scholarships for out-of-state students, in addition to the eight she established during her lifetime, and creating one of the largest endowments for undergraduate STEM research in the country. Her generosity has inspired both current and first-time donors to prioritize the University in their philanthropic giving. Yet, even outside of that single large gift, the fundraising team at Mary Washington has continued to increase its work with donors, reaching new heights for new outright and multi-year gifts each year.

Bucking national trends, UMW saw an 8% increase in unique donor count in the last year. A total of 5,526 supporters, over half of whom are alumni, helped Mary Washington reaffirm its strong commitment to delivering students an exceptional public liberal arts and sciences education filled with high-impact learning experiences such as internships, study abroad, and undergraduate research opportunities.

Contributions supported 317 areas across the University, spanning academics, arts, athletics, leadership and service programs, career development, cultural initiatives, and programs to help prepare and educate students on the advancement of AI and other emerging technologies.

Making a UMW education affordable and accessible remains a priority at Mary Washington, with donors giving $3.57 million to support endowed and non-endowed scholarships in 2024-25. More than 824 scholarships and awards totaling $2.3 million were given to 553 students who received one or more awards. Seventeen awards were given to students for the first time, including the Curie Darwin Newton, Marshall E. Bowen, Colonel Patricia Hess Jernigan ’64 Veterans, and Ralston Costume Design and Technology scholarships.

Mary Wash Day 2025 shattered previous records for dollars raised, with donors contributing over $1.3 million – the first time in the event’s history that totals exceeded six figures. This year also saw a 58% increase in dollars raised over last year and a 12% increase in donations, with 3,654 gifts made to support students, faculty, and programs.

For the first time in almost a decade, giving to the Fund for Mary Washington surpassed $1 million. The unrestricted annual fund 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 more. UMW reported a 133% increase in gifts from first-time donors to the Fund.

The Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants program, now in its second year, awarded $25,000 in donor-funded grants to power student- and faculty-led projects. These include a first-year success workshop, essential technology upgrades, vital accessibility improvements, vibrant campus art initiatives, and passport grants that enable life-changing study abroad experiences for first-time travelers.

Other 2024-25 highlights include:

  • A 24% increase in young alumni donors (from the Classes of 2015-2024)
  • A 43% increase in first-time donors and a 76% increase in young alumni first-time donors
  • A 13.7% increase in parent donors (parents of current students and alumni)
  • A 24% increase in University friend donors (community members, grandparents, and other non-alumni supporters)
  • A 7% increase among UMW faculty and staff donors

In addition, UMW’s College of Arts and Sciences’ Beyond the Classroom Endowment surpassed $1 million in gifts and pledges to support undergraduate experiential learning. More than $576K was raised for arts and cultural initiatives like UMW Theatre, Philharmonic, Galleries, Music, and Dance, as well as the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, and the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library.

Event attendance was up for the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, with hundreds of donors taking part in the Celebration of Giving and the Student Showcase and Scholarship Luncheon. More than 3,400 alumni participated in regional network and affinity group gatherings, presidential events, Mary Talks, UMW Alumni On the Road trips, Homecoming, and Reunion Weekend, which welcomed 400 attendees to campus last spring.

“I’m inspired by the dedication and passion of Mary Washington alumni who give back to their alma mater,” said Mark Thaden ’02, associate vice president for alumni and donor engagement. “I’m equally grateful for the incredible alumni team and volunteers who serve on boards and bring these events to life. We hope to see more of you in the future – and if you haven’t been back to campus in a while, it’s a great time to visit.”

Make a gift for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. To learn more about giving options, please contact the Office of University Advancement at advance@umw.edu or 540-654-1024. Explore upcoming Mary Washington alumni events.

-Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications 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

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

UMW’s Celebration of Giving Generates Global Connections

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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 was among the student speakers who shared their stories at the 2024 Celebration of Giving. An art history major, Hayley studied abroad in England and France and now serves as a peer advisor in UMW’s Center for International Education. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte quoted late chef and globetrotting TV host Anthony Bourdain as she welcomed donors to the 2024 Celebration of Giving, held in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
President Troy Paino and wife Kelly (right), who were the evening’s hosts, and other guests listen to UMW student speakers talk about their international education experiences at Mary Washington. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
With a study abroad theme, tables were decorated with globes, suitcases, and postcards from far-flung locales across the globe. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Keeping with the international education theme, ‘Eagle Airlines’ screens outside Chandler Ballroom announced flight arrival and departure times. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

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.”

Suitcases, globes, and postcards decorated the tables while the Eiffel Tower and a Japanese temple illuminated the walls of Chandler Ballroom. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Aloysious regaled the audience with stories about the cultural differences and social norms he has observed between his homeland of Uganda and the United States. K Pearlman Photography.
Sean McGavin ’25, one of the student speakers, with his donor, Sally Brannan Hurt ’92. Sally established the Sally Brannan Hurt ’92 Study Abroad Scholarship, which has funded faculty-led trips to the Galápagos Islands for dozens of students, including Sean. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Renee Allen Kuntz ’85 and husband Scott enjoy the evening’s festivities. Renee recently made a pledge that pushed the Beyond the Classroom Endowment, which funds study abroad and other high-impact learning opportunities for students, past the $1 million mark in gifts and pledges. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Guests enjoyed a sweet internationally-themed treat of gelato with a cookie and a cannoli. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

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.”

Sean McGavin ’25 points out photos from his college journey on a slideshow presentation. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Marcy Weatherly Morris ’50 reconnects with Dan Steen ’84 and Anne Thompson Steen ’83. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Janet Hedrick ’73, who has gone on several Mary Washington Alumni on the Road trips to destinations across the globe, enjoys dinner with University Librarian Emeritus Jack Bales. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Lisa Patillo Miller ’96 and the Hon. Kerwin Miller Sr. ’95 enjoy the cocktail hour at the 2024 Celebration of Giving, while a Center for International Education student slideshow plays in the background. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: Dr. Terrie Young Crawley ’77, Al Merchent, Cindy Jones Merchent ’77, and Rita Morgan Stone ’52 pose for a photo during the cocktail hour. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

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.”

Mima Manton ’25, a music major from England, performed a piece on bassoon to close out the evening. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Kaylah Lightfoot ’25 poses for a picture with Lucy Lutterbie ’70 during the cocktail hour. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Jane Jackson Woerner ’69 (left) and Karen Kilgore Ralston ’69 reconnect at the Celebration of Giving. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Linda Lemanski Blakemore ’84 and Associate Professor Emeritus of History Porter Blakemore enjoy the evening together. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
President Troy Paino gives final remarks to end the evening. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

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