Mary Wash

Following the Music

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Scholarship helps student pursue dreams.

Morgan Anderson ’22 already has three degrees from Germanna Community College, including one in early childhood education. She now is majoring in music at the University of Mary Washington and plans to teach elementary school.

“I have always prioritized education and believe it is the critical foundation for success,” says Morgan.

She is grateful to be the 2020-2021 recipient of the Myrtle Hollins Isbell Scholarship. The scholarship honors the life and memory of Myrtle Hollins Isbell, who graduated from Mary Washington College in 1923 and became a home economics teacher.

As a full-time student at UMW, Morgan works several jobs to help pay for school. She is currently a part-time teaching assistant at a preschool in her hometown of Culpeper and also babysits on the weekends. The Isbell Scholarship offers Morgan financial reassurance during her time at Mary Washington and provides her with the opportunity to make her education the top priority.

After graduation, Morgan plans to enroll in UMW’s Master of Education program to earn her teaching license for music education, but her plans do not stop there.  “As an educator, you are continuously learning and thriving with the children you encounter,” says Morgan. Her passion and dedication to learning and educating others makes Morgan successful and serves as an inspiration to all.

Written by Darlene Mugisha ’21

Giving Day Brings UMW ‘All Together’ on April 13

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There’s no time like spring at the University of Mary Washington, and there’s no day like Giving Day. Mary Wash Giving Day returns this year on April 13, and the University community near and far – alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends – is invited to join the celebration.

This year’s theme, #AllTogetherUMW, serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished when supporters join forces for a common purpose: to benefit students through funding for academic, athletic, arts, leadership, service, career and cultural programs. And this year’s goal — 3,000 gifts to areas across the University during the 24-hour online event — emphasizes each donor’s impact on the student experience.

Also known as “Mary Wash Day,” the initiative has grown exponentially since its 2017 inception, and with 2020’s event canceled amidst the growing pandemic, UMW’s Annual Giving team is pulling out all the stops this year. Dynamic leaderboards, matching funds and social media challenges will add to the excitement as the day’s progress is tracked live.

The University has benefited from strong private support for more than a century, and donors’ gifts have provided an essential boost throughout the past year. As student need grows and UMW adapts to a rapidly changing world, Giving Day gifts are more valuable than ever. On the Mary Wash Giving Day website, on April 13, donors will be able to provide direct financial assistance to students through the General Scholarship Fund or the Technology Assistance Fund, or support the University’s most pressing needs through the Fund for Mary Washington. Gifts will strengthen diversity and inclusion initiatives, and bolster campus preservation, student life, and other areas that define the UMW difference.

In addition to marking the calendar for April 13, the Mary Washington community is asked to help spread the word on social media by tagging their posts with #AllTogetherUMW and #MaryWashDay. In 2019, more than 300 Giving Day Ambassadors inspired more than 1,000 additional gifts by posting and sharing. Anyone can sign up as a Giving Day ambassador, and receive access to a custom dashboard and toolkit, at givingday.umw.edu.

Visit the FAQ page for more information about Mary Wash Giving Day.