Mary Wash Giving Day

Cullen ’90 and Rosemary Seltzer ’91 made a perfect match when they met in college.

Recently, the alumni couple, who will celebrate 30 years of marriage this summer, made another perfect match – this time at the University of Mary Washington’s sixth annual Mary Wash Giving Day. The Seltzers sponsored a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $6,000, to inspire their fellow 1990s alums to give to the Fund for Mary Washington, which addresses the University’s areas of greatest need.

“Mary Washington will always have a special place in our hearts,” said Rosemary, whose sister, Anne Golden Danforth ’94, and daughter, Kate Seltzer ’21, are also alums. “We are delighted our match was met and can’t wait to see what the future holds for our beloved alma mater.”

They were among the 2,224 supporters – a number that includes 455 donors who made their first-ever gift – who came #TogetherUMW to raise a grand total of $621,528 on April 4 to support Mary Washington and its students.

For the first time, donors in all 50 states (plus Washington, D.C.) and seven countries participated in the 24-hour fundraising extravaganza, unlocking a $5,000 gift from Marty ’80 and Vicky Wilder ’80. They made 2,985 gifts to 124 different areas across the University, benefiting academics, arts, athletics, service, career, and cultural programs.

The Fund for Mary Washington received the most support on Giving Day, followed by UMW Theatre, Friends of Women’s Basketball, the Geography Alumni Scholarship, and the Beyond the Classroom Endowment.

“It’s truly inspiring to see how the UMW community continues to make a meaningful investment in our students, faculty, and programs,” said Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14. “The gifts that were made this year are already providing students with impactful learning opportunities, such as research with faculty mentors, study abroad, internships, and more.”

UMW students took pictures in the Cedric Rucker University Center to express their gratitude toward the 2,224 donors who gave on the sixth annual Mary Wash Giving Day.

The areas that received the most gifts included UMW Theatre, which encouraged donors to “Be a Part of It.”

Donors made 2,985 gifts to 124 different areas across the University, benefiting academics, arts, athletics, service, career, and cultural programs.

Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends helped make the day a success, sponsoring 52 challenges and matches that doubled and tripled the impact of each gift. They also inspired others to donate by serving as Giving Day Ambassadors on social media, and posted photos of their pets donning Mary Washington bandannas, courtesy of the Office of Alumni Engagement.

The festivities continued at the Giving Day student headquarters with games, pizza, and prizes in the Cedric Rucker University Center and at an evening bingo game in the Underground, hosted by Patti Boise Kemp ’69 and Clark Billups ’17.

Videos posted on social media throughout the day showed UMW President Troy Paino and Vice President for Student Affairs Juliette Landphair quizzing students on Mary Wash trivia while driving a Cash Cart (based on the early 2000s game show Cash Cab) down Campus Walk.

Young alumni donors, who graduated in the last decade, topped last year’s gifts, making 365 donations totaling more than $24,000.

Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends helped make the day a success, sponsoring and participating in 52 challenges and matches that doubled and tripled the impact of each gift.

Alumni and students spanning 81 classes, from 1945 to 2026, donated on Giving Day.

Here are some of the other highlights of Mary Wash Giving Day 2023:

• Alumni and students from the classes of 1945 to 2026 donated on Giving Day.
• The Class of 1973 – celebrating their 50th reunion in June – made the most gifts, followed by the classes of 1995 and 2022.
• Goats won Devil-Goat Day this year, but the Devils eked out a Giving Day win, with 889 gifts from odd-year graduates versus 881 from even-year graduates.
• Young alumni donors, who graduated in the last decade, topped last year’s gifts, making 365 donations totaling more than $24,000.
• By sharing their referral links, 149 Giving Day Ambassadors inspired their networks to give 257 gifts totaling nearly $22,000.

If you missed Giving Day, or want to support Mary Washington students even more, there’s still time. The University’s giving year ends on June 30, and online gifts can be made at umw.edu/gift.

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

Clark Billups ’17 was a senior when he made his first-ever gift to the University of Mary Washington.

Now, he’s sponsoring his first Mary Wash Giving Day challenge, encouraging other young alumni to make their first-ever gift on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. All donations during this 24-hour fundraising celebration – themed #TogetherUMW – go to supporting Mary Washington students and programs.

“I owe so much to my alma mater,” said Clark, who majored in business and now works at Liberty Mutual in Fredericksburg. After donating on every Mary Wash Giving Day since its inception, he pledged to give $1,000 this year to the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington to help address UMW’s most critical needs. “I want to ensure that current and future students have access to the same public liberal arts and sciences education that I did.”

He’s not alone. Generous donors have committed to challenges and matches to inspire the entire UMW community – alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, and friends – to participate on Giving Day. Every gift, regardless of size, can help Mary Washington reach its goal of 2,600 gifts and 400 first-time donors, said Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14.

Hazel Lam-Mackintosh and Harper Thaden (left) make bead bracelets with UMW students Jenny Vuong and Boramy Meng at last year’s Multicultural Fair. Challenges and matches during Mary Wash Giving Day will help ensure favorite campus events – and other Mary Washington traditions – continue. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

UMW students Jessica Oberlies (left) and Jazmine Montecino return from a hike during a ‘UMW in Spain’ study abroad trip. Mary Wash Giving Day totals help provide learning experiences like this one at UMW. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

UMW men’s soccer player Nelsar Castillo (16) makes a run during last year’s NCAA tournament. Donations made during Mary Wash Giving Day help support UMW athletics and so much more. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

With $211,000 in challenges and matches waiting to be unlocked at givingday.umw.edu, every donation has the potential of doubling and even tripling its impact, resulting in thousands of extra dollars to be invested in UMW student success. This year’s goals also include:

• 1,908 gifts (celebrating UMW’s founding year) to unlock a total of $5,000 for the Fund for Mary Washington from Board of Visitors (BOV) Rector Devon Cushman ’93 and member Deborah Santiago ’90
• 2,600 gifts to unlock an $18,000 gift from Steve Gladis and Donna Sheehan Gladis ’68
• When 400 first-time donors participate, BOV member Rob Strassheim ’96 and Sarah Gildersleeve Strassheim ’01 will contribute $5,000
• 200 gifts to the Fund for Mary Washington from alumni will result in a $15,000 gift from an anonymous donor
• Sylvia McJilton Woodcock ’61 has pledged $5,000 when 10 individuals make a President’s Council-level gift ($500 for classes 2013-2022, $1,250 for classes 2008-2012, $2,500 for everyone else) to support the Fund for Mary Washington
• Rob Whitt ’93 and Dodie Denison Whitt ’95, who are parents of a UMW student, will make a $2,500 gift when 500 current and former parents donate
• Patti Boise Kemp ’69 will give $15,000 to the scholarship of her choice when $15,000 is raised for scholarships
• A group of 1973 alums will match every gift to the Class of 1973 Reunion Scholarship up to $10,000
• Former Chief of Staff Marty Wilder ’80 and Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80 will give $5,000 if UMW receives a gift from all 50 states

In addition, a Devil-Goat contest by Mike Charnoff ’95 and Katie Valentine Charnoff ’04 will encourage friendly competition between odd- and even-year graduates. Justin Gerbereux ’97 and Allison Coleman Gerbereux ’96 have sponsored a challenge for alumni who are married to other Mary Wash graduates. And 2008 grads Jeremy Bloom, Kate LeBoeuf, Alyssa Lee and Jeremy Vaughn will give $1,000 – and take a pie in the face – if 30 of their 2008 classmates give on Giving Day.

The Cedric Rucker University Center will serve as Giving Day headquarters, with games, prizes, food and fun for students. Clark Billups will also host a Bingo game that evening in the Underground.

Kevin Dougherty uses the UMW Fitness Center. Mary Wash Giving Day donations fund everything from the arts to campus preservation projects. This year’s goal is 2,600 gifts. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

UMW students participate in the annual Into the Streets community service event. Each gift during the 24-hour Mary Wash Giving Day event contributes to enhancing life and experiences for UMW students. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

UMW historic preservation students worked with the Patawomeck and Rappahannock Indian tribes on a Native American heritage driving trail in King George County. Mary Wash Giving Day gifts help fund hands-on research and academic experiences, and contribute to areas across campus. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

Dynamic leaderboards will track progress throughout the day. Meanwhile, over 100 Giving Day Ambassadors have signed up online to receive a unique referral link and digital tool kit to help spread the word on social media. Data shows that each ambassador post inspires three additional gifts. Alums and friends can also follow Mary Wash Giving Day on Facebook to learn which areas are still in need.

The Mary Washington Alumni Association will provide free pet bandannas with a fresh design to alums, who are asked to share their photos on social media, tagging #MaryWashDay and @UMWAlumni.

On the Mary Wash Giving Day Donor Wall supporters can spotlight their names and gifts or remain anonymous. Contributions can be made online, over the phone or in person toward the Fund for Mary Washington, academics, arts and cultural programs, athletics, diversity and inclusion initiatives, campus preservation projects and much more.

Learn more by visiting the Mary Wash Giving Day FAQ page or by contacting Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando at sorlando@umw.edu or 540-654-1361.

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

What matters to you at the University of Mary Washington? Perhaps it’s giving students the chance to conduct real-world research alongside faculty mentors. Or supporting their desire to study abroad and immerse themselves in other cultures. Maybe you wish to help them make a difference through service and leadership.

The entire UMW community will have the opportunity to give to the areas where their passions lie when the University holds its sixth annual Mary Wash Giving Day on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. This 24-hour fundraising celebration – which has a theme of #TogetherUMW – shows what we can accomplish when we unite to support current and future students, and academic, arts, athletics, leadership, service, career, and cultural programs at Mary Washington.

Last year’s event exceeded previous years’ records for most dollars raised, said Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14. She also encourages gifts of any amount, noting how they can add up and urging everyone who loves Mary Washington – alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, and friends – to pitch in with a gift to help UMW reach its goal of 2,600 gifts and 400 first-time donors in 2023.

“The University has benefited from strong private support for more than a century,” she said. “Together, we’re ensuring that students for generations to come can continue to have access to an outstanding public liberal arts and sciences education, filled with impactful learning experiences.”

Every gift made on Giving Day, regardless of size, has the potential of doubling and even tripling its impact, thanks to challenges and matches sponsored by generous donors. Alumni can engage in friendly competition through class and decade challenges and can earn bragging rights through a Devil-Goat themed contest, an extension of UMW’s annual Devil-Goat Day tradition.

Dynamic online leaderboards will help participants track progress in real time, building momentum and excitement throughout the day. The Cedric Rucker University Center at the heart of campus will transform into a Mary Wash Giving Day headquarters, with games, prizes, food, and fun for students.

UMW students Chloe Jones, Sarah Hybl, and Fiona Archer spread mulch for Tree Fredericksburg during last fall’s Into the Streets event. More than 70 students participated in an array of community service projects during the event, coordinated by UMW’s COAR. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

UMW students Jessica Oberlies (left) and Jazmine Montecino return from a hike to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe last summer during a ‘UMW in Spain’ study abroad trip. The experience is one of Mary Washington’s three longest-running faculty-led study abroad programs offered through the Center for International Education. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

Student researchers Carolyn Willmore and Talia Tanner seine fish (a method of fishing that employs a net) for banded killfish near a Virginia power plant. They worked with Assistant Director of Earth and Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

Matthew Monaghan, Alex Anthes Rojas, Cameron Hovey and Ben Lechtman collaborate on a tabletop puppet production. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

UMW soccer player Diego Guzman shows the crowd some love during the NCAA semifinals late last year. Mary Wash Giving Day gifts support the success of UMW athletes, artists, scholars and so much more. #MaryWashDay #TogetherUMW

Donations can be made directly on the Giving Day website to support the General Scholarship Fund and the Technology Assistance Fund, as well as the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington, which addresses the University’s most pressing needs. Gifts can also help UMW expand its diversity and inclusion initiatives and bolster campus preservation and other areas that enhance the quality of life on the Mary Washington campus.

In addition, members of the UMW community are invited to serve as Giving Day Ambassadors to inspire others to contribute. Anyone can sign up at givingday.umw.edu to receive access to a customized dashboard and toolkit.

Meanwhile, the Alumni Association encourages alums to request a UMW pet bandana through an online form and to post pictures of dapper dogs and chic cats – not to mention turtles, parrots, lizards, guinea pigs, and other animal friends – with the tag #MaryWashDay and #UMW Alumni.

More information about Mary Wash Giving Day can be found on the FAQ Page. To sponsor a challenge or match, please contact Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14 at sorlando@umw.edu or (540) 654-1361.

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

The numbers are officially in! Last month, the University of Mary Washington community came together on Tuesday, April 5, in celebration of the fifth annual Mary Wash Giving Day, a 24-hour fundraising extravaganza to support UMW students, faculty and programs.

Now that all online, mailed and phoned-in contributions have been counted, the day’s official results show that this year’s total broke previous Giving Day records: $670,811, from 2,882 gifts made by 2,093 supporters, including 479 first-time donors.

Generous donations were made by alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends to 122 different areas across the University, including academic, arts, athletic, service, career and cultural programs. “It really highlights how broad interests are at Mary Washington,” Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14 said. “Our supporters can give anywhere their passion lies.”

The entire UMW community helped make the day a success, sponsoring challenges and matches, using social media to inspire others to give, and posting photos of their pets donning Mary Washington bandannas. Here are some of the highlights of Mary Wash Giving Day 2022:

• Contributions were made by donors in 48 states and five countries.
• Alumni and students spanning more than 80 classes, ranging from the Class of 1941 to the Class of 2025, donated on Giving Day.
• The classes of 2019 and 2005 were tied for the most donors, while the classes of 1995, 1982 and 2014 were the top three with the most gifts.
• The Goats – alumni who graduated in even years – bested the Devils when it came to the number of donors and gifts. Goats made a total of 937 gifts, while Devils – alumni who graduated in odd years – made 816 donations.
• Young Alumni donors, who graduated in the last decade, made 324 gifts totaling more than $22,000.
• By sharing their referral links, 195 Giving Day Ambassadors inspired their networks to make 277 gifts totaling nearly $32,000.
• More than $152,000, including challenges and matches that doubled and even tripled each gift’s impact, was raised to address the University’s most pressing needs through the Fund for Mary Washington.

Gifts made on April 5 are already helping the University provide students with impactful learning opportunities. Held earlier this month, the Research and Creativity Symposium showcased some of the meaningful work that happens every day in UMW classrooms, labs, studios and performance spaces.

If you missed Giving Day, or want to support Mary Washington students even more, there’s still time. The University’s giving year ends June 30, and online gifts can be made at umw.edu/gift.

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