Legacy Celebration

When Oliver Kemp ’27 checked the University of Mary Washington’s admissions portal at 7 a.m. on Nov. 10, he got the news he had been waiting for.

“By 7:01 a.m., his mother, sister, and I also knew he got into Mary Washington,” said his grandmother, Patti Boise Kemp ’69, who has shared her lifelong love of her alma mater with her grandson over the years. “He was still pinching himself when we were on ‘our campus’ last weekend.”

From left to right: President Troy Paino, Patti Boise Kemp ’69 and grandson Oliver Kemp ’27, and Kelly Paino. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

From left to right: Kerwin Miller Sr. ’95, Alanna Miller, Alethea “Lisa” Patillo Miller ’96, and Kerwin Miller Jr. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

The Houghton family chats with the Painos. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

From left to right: Zoey Lutterbie ’22, Lucy C. Lutterbie ’70, and Katherine Fox ’01. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

The Kemps were among the 22 families who attended UMW’s annual Legacy Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 12. Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement, guests enjoyed lunch at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center, a student-led tour of campus, and an opportunity to meet and take family photos with President Troy Paino and wife Kelly at Brompton.

Legacy families with prospective students also had the chance to attend an Admissions Open House in the Cedric Rucker University Center and learn about a new Legacy scholarship. Students with a parent, grandparent, or sibling who graduated from or currently attends Mary Washington are eligible to apply for the $1,000 award, which is renewable each year.

From left to right: Michael Gilchrist ’20, Laura Gilchrist March ’17, George March, E. Castro, Craig Gilchrist, and Laura Castro-Gilchrist. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

From left to right: John Poyer ’95, Julie Poyer ’95, and Corbin Poyer ’24. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

Stephen Lamm ’19 chats with Oliver Kemp, an incoming first-year student who was recently accepted to Mary Washington. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

Victor Catlett ’18 and his mother, Marci Catlett. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

“The Legacy Celebration gives the University an opportunity to recognize the family connections that exist between different generations of Mary Washington alumni and current and prospective students,” said Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Mark Thaden ’02.

Joanne Bartholomew Lamm ’85 and Christopher Lamm ’85 met and fell in love with each other – and with Mary Washington – when they were students. They returned to their alma mater this weekend with their children, including Rebecca Lamm ’13 and Stephen Lamm ’19, and enjoyed visiting with old friends and meeting prospective students.

From left to right: Christopher Lamm ’85, Joanne Bartholomew Lamm ’85, Rebecca Lamm Vail ’13, Johnny Vail, and Stephen Lamm ’19. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

Patti Boise Kemp ’69 and Kerwin Miller Sr. ’95 share a hug at the Legacy Celebration. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

From left to right: Kelly Paino, Caroline Greer, Jennifer Carter Greer ’92, Ryan Greer ’17, and President Troy Paino. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

“This place significantly shaped our lives and gave each of us our first taste of freedom and adulthood,” said Joanne, comparing the Legacy Celebration to a family reunion. “Having that common thread makes it so easy to jump right in and have meaningful conversations with other alums across the generations who are all devoted to Mary Washington.”

Do you know a high school senior or transfer student who would thrive at Mary Washington? Share the application fee waiver code UMW51 to waive the $50 application fee on the Common Application for admission to encourage the student to apply. Learn more here. 

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