Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement

UMW Community Raises a Record-Breaking $1.34 Million on Mary Wash Day

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Cameron Gittings, a senior psychology major and neuroscience minor, is grateful for all the generous gifts made by University of Mary Washington supporters. For Mary Wash Day, she was invited to take over the University’s Instagram account, creating posts and sharing videos that gave donors a glimpse into the fun and hard work that made the 2026 event the most successful ever.

“The appreciation we feel for our donors and the opportunities they provide students like me is something words truly cannot express,” said Cameron, a UMW Student Alumni Ambassador who also helped coordinate activities at the Mary Wash Day student headquarters and the alumni bingo game. “It was so much fun to show everything happening behind-the scenes of this huge event and to encourage everyone to give.”

UMW mascot Sammy D. Eagle and students (clockwise from top right) Cameron Gittings ’27, Allison Olivar ’27, Sophie Hubbard ’26 (the Office of Annual Giving’s digital media and marketing intern), Jo Lent ’28, and Zoe Mueller ’26. Cameron, Allison, Jo, and Zoe are also Student Alumni Ambassadors and helped coordinate student and alumni activities for the 2026 Mary Wash Day. K Pearlman Photography
Students showed up wearing their Mary Wash gear, ready to thank donors for their generosity. K Pearlman Photography.
Students wrote messages expressing gratitude to donors for their Mary Wash Day donations. K Pearlman Photography.
Students played Mary Wash trivia games and won prizes like UMW socks, playing cards, and bento boxes at the Mary Wash Day student headquarters. K Pearlman Photography.
UMW’s Pep Band treated students to a performance at the Mary Wash Day student headquarters on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio. K Pearlman Photography.
Students – and their dogs – turned up at the Mary Wash Day student headquarters to take photos, make gifts, and write thank you notes to their donors. K Pearlman Photography.
UMW students pose with the Mary Wash Day sign in front of the Cedric Rucker University Center. K Pearlman Photography.

The entire Mary Washington community helped crush participation goals throughout the 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, with $1,347,438 raised to support UMW students, faculty, and programs. A total of 2,577 donors made 3,579 gifts during the ninth annual event, held March 25 to 26 from noon to noon, benefiting 135 different areas across the University, including academics, arts, athletics, service, career, and cultural programs.

Alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff, and students unlocked over $800,000 in challenges and matches sponsored by generous donors. Their collective efforts doubled and even tripled the impact of each gift, making a Mary Washington education more accessible and affordable for students.

“Reaching this milestone reflects far more than financial success,” said Executive Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14. She noted that giving from parents of alumni and from current faculty more than doubled from last year, while friend giving saw an increase in dollar amounts and gift counts over 2025. “It highlights the UMW community’s deep dedication to supporting and strengthening the University’s mission.”

The unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington received the most funds, which will help the University continue to provide students access to a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, personal relationships with professors, and low student debt upon graduation.

Other popular designations included Friends of Belmont, UMW Theatre, the Soccer Complex Fund, Men’s and Women’s Tennis and Lacrosse, the Geography Alumni Scholarship, and the College of Business’ Bloomberg Lab Fund.

Students posed for photos with UMW mascot Sammy D. Eagle at the Mary Wash Day student headquarters at the Cedric Rucker University Center. K Pearlman Photography.
Mary Wash Day festivities kicked off on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio, where students could play games, win Mary Washington-themed prizes, write thank you notes to donors, take photos, and make donations. K Pearlman Photography.
UMW women’s lacrosse players pose for a photo after making a $5 donation to pie faculty, staff, and student volunteers in the face. K Pearlman Photography.
Students had the opportunity to pie UMW faculty, staff, and student volunteers in the face after making a $5 donation on Mary Wash Day. K Pearlman Photography.
Students enjoyed Mary Wash Day-themed treats made by UMW Dining. K Pearlman Photography.
The Richmond Alumni Regional Network (seen here) hosted a happy hour at Väsen Brewing in Forest Hill, while the Fredericksburg Alumni Regional Network hosted a bingo game in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom.

While Devils (those who graduate in odd years) earned the most points during the 100th anniversary celebration of Devil-Goat Day in April, Goats (those who graduate in even years) made the most contributions during Mary Wash Day, with 939 gifts to the Devils’ 781 donations. As the Devil-Goat Alumni Challenge wraps up this week, alumni are encouraged to report their giving and engagement to help Team Devil and Team Goat. The winning team will be announced Saturday at the all-class party during Reunion Weekend.

Mary Wash Day festivities kicked off with a celebration on the patio of the Cedric Rucker University Center, which served as the student headquarters. Students played games, won prizes, took photos with UMW mascot Sammy D. Eagle, made gifts, and wrote thank you notes to the donors who made their Mary Washington education possible. They also were treated to a UMW Pep Band performance and gave $5 donations to pie faculty, staff, and student volunteers in the face.

In the evening, the Alumni Regional Networks in Fredericksburg and Richmond held celebrations. The following day, President Paino recorded a message of gratitude and preliminary totals with Mary Washington graduates across the generations who gathered at an alumni event in Cary, North Carolina.

Mary Wash Day highlights include:

  • 2026 marks the second year Mary Wash Day surpassed the million-dollar mark.
  • Alumni and students from almost every class year since 1950 made gifts.
  • Giving by friends of Mary Washington increased 5% in dollars raised and 8% in gift count from 2025.
  • Giving by parents of alumni increased 53% from 2025.
  • Giving by current faculty increased 56% from 2025.
  • The classes that made the most gifts were 2004, 2014, 2025, 1994, and 1982.
  • The classes that raised the most funds were 1971, 1969, 1974, 1984, and 1977.
  • The classes with the most donors were 2020, 2025, 2024, 2010, and 2017.

If you missed Mary Wash Day or want to support UMW 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.

-This article was written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04

Taking Flight

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Alumna’s veterans scholarship gives former airman his wings

A photo of a UMW student who is a U.S. Army veteran in fatigues in front of a helicopter when he was still on active duty.
Evan Fletcher ’26, a U.S. Army veteran, majored in biology at the University of Mary Washington with the support of the Col. Patricia Hess Jernigan ’64 Veterans Scholarship and other awards. Photo courtesy of Evan Fletcher.

As a teenager, Evan Fletcher ’26 spent a summer working for the University of Mary Washington facilities department. Doing construction alongside a UMW student majoring in biology helped him begin laying building blocks for his own future.

“Hearing him talk about scientific breakthroughs sparked an interest in me to pursue this field of study,” Evan said.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army right after high school, becoming a helicopter pilot. But he never forgot the conversations he had with his construction crew co-worker at UMW. Eventually, Evan was medically discharged and returned home to Spotsylvania and Mary Washington, this time as a student.

Now a biology major himself, Evan is grateful for the generous donors who established the Roland J. and Frances Holsclaw Brown; Thomas Lee Johnson, Ph.D.; and Biology scholarships. He’s also the first-ever recipient of the Col. Patricia Hess Jernigan ’64 Veterans Scholarship, created by an alumna who passed away in January.

“I’m sorry we never had the chance to meet, but Col. Jernigan made a tremendous impact on my life,” said Evan, who was, coincidentally, stationed in his donor’s hometown of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, during his service.

Evan has enjoyed learning from UMW professors like Andrew Dolby – he’s conducting field research with him on the rapid urbanization effects on downy woodpecker populations this spring – and providing a student perspective on the Bachelor of Liberal Studies committee.

He also connects with fellow service members in the Veteran’s Resource Center on the first floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center. “It’s a big blessing for the campus,” he said.

With his military experience and biology background – and the security and conflict studies minor he recently added – Evan hopes to work for the federal government, preventing biological warfare or embarking on a career in conservation biology. Wherever he lands, he’ll remain thankful for the private support that made his UMW education possible.

“College would not have been a reality for me without the donors who’ve given back,” Evan said. “In the future, I hope I’ll be able to make similar donations to help veteran students like me.”

For information about supporting student success through scholarships now and through your estate plans, email Executive Director of Gift Planning and Major Gifts Jeremy Vaughn ’08 or call 540-654-2063.

This article was written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04 and originally ran in the Spring 2026 Gift Planning Connections newsletter. 

UMW Spanish, International Affairs Major Fosters Campus and Cultural Community

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University of Mary Washington senior Olivia-Lena De Veaux has traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, and the Czech Republic since coming to college. The trio of trips has instilled confidence and curiosity, she said, but she loves coming back to a campus that feels like home.

“You can’t walk between Combs and Jepson Halls without seeing someone you know,” said Olivia-Lena, a double major in Spanish and international affairs from Falls Church, Virginia. “It’s a place overflowing with opportunities to try new things, meet new people, and grow into the best version of yourself.”

That’s what Olivia-Lena, who graduates next month, has been doing at UMW over the past four years. Her academic pursuits have given her the chance to study abroad and complete an internship overseas, courtesy of the Gail Madden Shedlick ’78 Scholarship. Meanwhile, her activities on campus – including serving as Inter-Club Association president – have instilled leadership skills she’ll carry into her career and life after Mary Washington.

UMW Spanish and international affairs major Olivia-Lena De Veaux had the opportunity to study abroad in Mexico and Guatemala as well as complete a summer internship in Prague (where she visited the National Museum, seen here), thanks to the Gail Madden Shedlick ’78 Scholarship. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.
Olivia-Lena poses for a photo in Oaxaca, Mexico, with her host mother, Martha, and Martha’s son, Nacho, before returning to the United States. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.
Olivia-Lena poses for a photo with UMW President Troy Paino and friend Blake Bauer ’26 during an ice cream social at Brompton. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.
Olivia-Lena in Kutná Hora, a Czech Republic province and a UNESCO World Heritage site, during her internship abroad. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.
Olivia-Lena, before speaking at the Celebration of Giving last fall, posing for a photo with Student Alumni Ambassador Cameron Gittings ’27. K Pearlman Photography.
Olivia-Lena with friends Jorge and Alicia watching a soccer game in Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.

“These roles taught me that involvement fuels success,” said Olivia-Lena, who also became a NEST coordinator and peer mentor for New Student Programs and the front desk manager for UMW’s Office of Student Activities and Engagement. “I’ve seen firsthand how being connected to your peers and your campus can transform a student’s confidence and trajectory – my own included.”

As a high school student, she toured college campuses across the Commonwealth and beyond, but something about Mary Washington stood out. “It was vibes; a gut feeling,” she said. “I chose to come here because UMW radiated a sense of belonging.”

Part of that, she said, came from the Impact Program, which offers experiential learning for first-year students, helping them gain unique skills, networking opportunities, and knowledge through service and volunteer work and community and civic engagement. “It gave me the chance to connect with other students who share my values.”

Olivia-Lena also connected with Professor of Spanish Jeremy Larochelle, who oversees the program. Courses like Ideas on Nature in Latin American Literature, which he teaches, inspired her to study in Oaxaca, Mexico, during her sophomore year.

She then traveled with Professor of Geography Dawn Bowen and classmates on a grassroots development trip to remote mountain villages in rural Guatemala, where they learned about cloud forest conservation, community development, and traditional Mayan ecological practices.

“My professors haven’t just given me new knowledge; they’ve given me new questions,” she said. “They’ve encouraged me to stretch my thinking, explore cultures and values outside of my own, and better understand why I’m pursuing the path I’ve chosen.”

That path took her to an internship at a hotel in Eastern Europe last summer. Living in Prague, she navigated professional life for the first time while translating her academic studies into the workplace and embracing a new culture.

Olivia-Lena enjoys a Czech delicacy, ovocné knedlíky, a dessert of fruit dumplings. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.
Olivia-Lena and Blake Bauer ’26, who served as student speakers at 2025’s Celebration of Giving, posing in the Office of Student Activities and Engagement, where they both work, before the event. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.
Olivia-Lena, who serves as the front desk manager in the Office of Student Activities and Engagement, poses for a photo with UMW mascot Sammy D. Eagle before welcoming students as part of the 2025 NEST cohort. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.
Olivia-Lena and her fellow NEST coordinators during a lunch with UMW Dean of Students Melissa Jones, who also serves as associate vice president of student affairs. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.
Olivia-Lena was among the student speakers who shared their stories at the 2025 Celebration of Giving. K Pearlman Photography.
From left: Olivia-Lena De Veaux ’26, Martina Nicholson ’25, Shadwick Yoder ’25, Allie Davis ’27, and Amira Said ’26 at a Board of Visitors luncheon, where Olivia-Lena spoke and was voted in as Inter-Club Association president. Photo courtesy of Olivia-Lena De Veaux.

“Because of my scholarship, I could focus entirely on making the most of my work and growth,” said Olivia-Lena, when she expressed her gratitude to UMW supporters at the Celebration of Giving, held last fall by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. “That freedom made all the difference.”

After graduation, she hopes to continue contributing to meaningful initiatives that foster cross-cultural engagement and have a tangible, lasting impact on others.

“It’s been exhilarating to expand my horizons in ways I couldn’t have imagined four years ago,” she told UMW donors. “You’ve helped create a community where students can belong, dream bigger, and push themselves further than they thought possible.”

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. Find scholarship opportunities that are available to UMW students.

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

Scholarships Drive UMW Senior Toward Digital Storytelling Career

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University of Mary Washington senior Blake Bauer has always dug learning about history. So, when he joined UMW’s Department of Historic Preservation – one of the country’s most highly regarded programs in the field – he knew he’d found the right place.

Fast-forward to his junior year, when he conducted “ground-breaking” archaeology research aimed at uncovering Mary Washington’s gravesite with Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation Katherine Parker and Washington Heritage Museums. “When I declared my major, I could have never imagined I’d be using ground-penetrating radar to search for the final resting place of our University’s namesake,” he said.

The department’s quest is ongoing, but Blake has discovered multiple ways to make his mark in college, combining his historic preservation background with a passion for digital storytelling. Graduating in May, his unique skillset and impactful internships with the National Park Service, PBS, the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, and UMW’s University Communications office have set him up for success in his life after Mary Washington.

Blake Bauer and Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation Katherine Parker used ground-penetrating radar near the Mary Washington Monument as they tried to locate the final resting place of the University’s namesake. Photo courtesy of Blake Bauer.
Blake stands in front of his poster showcasing his research with Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation Katherine Parker to try to locate Mary Washington’s final resting place. Photo courtesy of Blake Bauer.
Blake completed several internships at UMW, including one with the National Park Service. Photo courtesy of Blake Bauer.
Blake thanks his donors for his scholarships at the Celebration of Giving in fall 2025. K Pearlman Photography.

These opportunities – which he hopes will help him launch a documentary filmmaking career – were possible because of the Juanita S. Carpenter and UMW Alumni and Friends Scholarships. He thanked his donors for those and other awards during the Celebration of Giving, held last fall by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement.

“Your support hasn’t just eased the financial burden of college; it has opened doors I didn’t even know existed,” Blake said. He also expressed gratitude for the Lt. Gen. Albert J. Bowley Scholarship, which funded his yearlong internship at the James Monroe Museum, and the Veronica S. Johnson ’89 Scholarship in Historic Preservation, given to the department’s most promising student. “That was a big boost to my confidence.”

Blake, who grew up in Pulaski, Virginia, learned about UMW from his parents, Keith Bauer ’89 and Debbie Schluter Bauer ’91. The couple met in graduate school, when they realized they shared an alma mater – and a personal connection to late civil rights leader James L. Farmer Jr., who taught history at Mary Washington for over a decade.

“My mom took courses with Dr. Farmer, while my dad helped him get around campus between classes,” said Blake, who convinced his best friend since childhood, Allen Queen ’26, to apply to UMW. “We’ve been roommates all four years of college, which has strengthened our friendship even more,” he said.

Debbie Schluter Bauer ’91, Blake’s mother, and the late Professor Emeritus of Psychological Science Thomas Moeller at her Commencement ceremony. Debbie kept in touch with Professor Moeller over the years, even bringing Blake on visits with him. Photo courtesy of Blake Bauer.
Blake’s parents, Keith Bauer ’89 and Debbie Schluter Bauer ’91, met at VCU as graduate students and realized that they shared a connection as Mary Washington graduates. Debbie also had classes with Dr. James Farmer while Keith helped the late Mary Washington history professor and civil rights leader around campus. Photo courtesy of Blake Bauer.
Keith Bauer ’89, Blake’s father, on Campus Walk during his Commencement ceremony. Photo courtesy of Blake Bauer.
Keith Bauer ’89, Blake Bauer ’26, and Debbie Schluter Bauer ’91 attend the Generations Breakfast last fall. K Pearlman Photography.

Blake planned to become a history teacher but found his true calling after taking video courses taught by Assistant Professor of Communication and Digital Studies J.D. Swerzenski. A summer internship with the PBS affiliate in the Blue Ridge Mountains followed, with Blake assisting on a documentary about the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Last semester, he interned with University Communications, producing his own Lively video series, UMW: Stories Behind the Buildings. Another recent video he created centered around Marshall and Russell Halls, where he learned that his father and Jay Bradshaw ’88, whom he interviewed, crossed paths during their years in Marshall. “Those unique, cross-generational connections deepen my appreciation for Mary Washington,” Blake said.

As president of UMW’s Historic Preservation Club, Blake helped revive its Victorian Ball, now called Sweetheart Ball, which won Best New Event at the 2025 Eagle Awards. In addition, he has worked as a digital archive lab assistant in Simpson Library, led outdoor trips for Campus Recreation, and served as a front desk assistant in Student Activities and Engagement.

Lively interns (from left to right) Lee Adams ’27, Kaitlyn Griego ’26, Marisol Juarez ’26, and Blake Bauer ’26 in the Office of University Communications. Photo by Sam Cahill.
Blake in front of Machu Picchu during his study abroad experience to Peru. Photo courtesy on Blake Bauer.

He also studied Holocaust remembrance in Austria and Hungary and recently spent spring break in Peru with his digital storytelling class after earning the Barbara Alden International Scholarship.

“You’ve allowed me to explore, take risks, grow, and discover passions I never knew I had,” he said when he thanked his donors last fall. Quoting his best friend, he added: “Because of all the experiences Mary Washington has given us, wherever we land, we’ll be able to make it work.”

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. Find scholarship opportunities that are available to UMW students

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

At UMW Scholarship Luncheon, Students Share Stories of Growth and Gratitude

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University of Mary Washington junior Hannah Jadgchew has been able to do it all in college. She has worked on a research team with her faculty mentor, participated in a clinical internship, competed on UMW’s varsity field hockey team, held leadership roles, and even spearheaded an effort to donate 20,000 lbs. of food to local shelters.

“My scholarships have given me the freedom to flourish and engage in everything Mary Washington has to offer,” said Hannah, who came from San Diego to major in psychology and minor in neuroscience at UMW. She’s preparing for a career in speech and occupational therapy, hoping to “give a voice to children in this world who weren’t necessarily born with one.”

She thanked the donors who established the Llewellyn Scholarship in Psychology, the Kenneth L. Steen Scholarship, and the Civic Leadership and Community Engagement Scholarship that have supported her at Mary Washington over the past three years.

“Your investment doesn’t just fund education,” she said. “It transforms lives.”

That resounding message summed up the 2026 Scholarship Luncheon and Student Showcase on March 21. The annual event honors supporters who’ve established and funded private scholarships and members of UMW’s Washington and Heritage Societies who have contributed or pledged significant gifts to the University.

Hannah Jadgchew ’27 with several of her donors, Mark Ingrao ’81 (left) and Deborah and James Llewellyn ’87 (right), who is the president of UMW’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Matthew Cabrera ’27 shares research with donor Carolyn Gore. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Mollie Moomaw ’26 and one of her donors, UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80, who helped establish the Friends of Dance Scholarship, which Mollie received. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Kassandra Williams ’26 shares computer science research with Jake Jacocks, who established the First-Generation Scholarship Endowment with wife Trenda Powell Jacocks ’82. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Fiona Stevens ’26 with donors Bill Williams and Patricia Poole, who established the Kendra Lynn Williams ’95 Scholarship, which Fiona received. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Rev. Trenda Powell Jacocks ’82 shares her Mary Washington story and how being the first in her family to attend college inspired her and husband Jake to create the First-Generation Scholarship Endowment. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Attendees learned about academic research and artistic pursuits showcased by scholarship recipients on the first floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center before enjoying a springtime luncheon. They then listened as students expressed their gratitude and heard from UMW President Troy Paino and longtime donor Rev. Trenda Powell Jacocks ’82, who created the First-Generation Scholarship Endowment with her husband, Jake.

First in her family to attend college, Rev. Jacocks earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies at Mary Washington and a master’s degree in theological studies in Northern Virginia, where she now serves as a pastor. She’s currently pursuing a doctor of ministry degree, which she’ll complete next year.

“We wanted to model our journey for today’s students – to give them the same launch into the world my family gave me,” said Rev. Jacocks, who is sponsoring a challenge during Mary Wash Day on March 25-26. Quoting the late poet laureate Maya Angelou, she said, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

President Paino thanked donors for their generosity over the past year, which saw a record-breaking $37.8 million in gifts and pledges from alumni and friends. Donors gave $3.57 million to support endowed and non-endowed scholarships in 2024-25. More than 824 scholarships and awards totaling $2.3 million – including 17 scholarships presented for the first time – were given to 553 students who received one or more scholarships.

President Troy Paino thanked donors for their generous gifts and celebrated the UMW men’s basketball team making it to the 2026 D-III national championships. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Donor Adam Fried with several recipients of the Curie Darwin Newton Scholarship. From left: Bryar Laine ’28, Adam Fried, Travis Jimenez ’29, Justin Yoder ’29, and Caroline VanEpps ’29. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Guests enjoyed a delicious springtime luncheon by UMW Dining. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Dianne Madocks ’25, recipient of the Craig Family Scholarship, with her donor, Marty Abbott ’72, a member of the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Lou Marmo ’94 and wife Jill Marmo chat with their scholarship recipient, Julia Hall-Pace ’27, who received the Louis A. ’94 and Jill Marmo Partnership for the Future Scholarship. Lou was recently announced as UMW’s 2026 Commencement speaker. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
1950 classmates Florence Overly Ridderhof (left) and Marcy Weatherly Morris reconnect at the 2026 Scholarship Luncheon and Student Showcase. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Donna Sheehan Gladis ’68 and husband Steve chat with Assistant Vice President for Gift Planning Emeritus Jan Clarke (center). Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

“Your investments make such a difference in the lives of these students to be able to reach their true potential and make this world a better place,” President Paino said. “I hope that being able to interact with some of the beneficiaries of your generosity today is meaningful to all of you.”

Senior Savannah Sinor, an international affairs major and French and sustainability minor, shared how receiving the Paul and Judith Dresser Merit Scholarship all four years made it financially feasible to attend Mary Washington as an out-of-state student from North Carolina.

Her awards helped her study abroad on a faculty-led trip to rural Guatemala, intern full time at the U.S. State Department, and present her undergraduate research paper at a national political science conference.

Savannah, who also received the Elizabeth Baylor Neatrour ’54 and Mary Ellen Stephenson Memorial, Marjorie Jean Frost ’44, and Smith International Affairs scholarships, thanked her donors for “believing in my potential and making my education and these life-changing experiences possible.”

William Goodman, a junior double majoring in history and Middle Eastern studies from Virginia Beach, shared how he had his own transformative experiential learning opportunities after earning the Dr. Hamlin A. Caldwell Scholarship in History and Dr. James Farmer Scholarship.

“My scholarships unlocked worlds I couldn’t have afforded otherwise,” said William, who spent a semester attending the American University in Cairo last fall, courtesy of the Constance Booth Logothetis ’61 Study Abroad Scholarship. Not only did it support his academic studies, he said, but he was able to explore the country and expand his horizons.

“The altruism shown by those who’ve established scholarships and donated to Mary Washington is truly admirable,” he said. “You are helping the next generation succeed.”

William Goodman ’27 shares how receiving the Dr. Hamlin A. Caldwell Scholarship in History, Dr. James Farmer Scholarship, and Constance Booth Logothetis ’61 Study Abroad Scholarship helped him thrive at Mary Washington and the American University in Cairo, where he studied last fall. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Deena Hodge ’27, recipient of the Fredericksburg Network Scholarship and other awards, with donor Mary Helen Dellinger ’90. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Savannah Sinor ’26 shares how earning the Paul and Judith Dresser Merit Scholarship, Elizabeth Baylor Neatrour ’54 and Mary Ellen Stephenson Memorial Scholarship, Marjorie Jean Frost ’44 Scholarship, and Smith International Affairs Scholarship gave her the chance to go on a faculty-led trip to Guatemala, become a full-time intern at the U.S. State Department, and present her research at a national political science conference. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Adelaide Gill ’26, the recipient of the A. Ray Merchent Washington Scholarship, with her donors, Cindy Jones Merchent ’77 and Al Merchent. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Virginia Powell and Meredith Walburn ’27, recipient of the Virginia H. Powell UMW Philharmonic Orchestra Scholarship and other awards. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Music major Sean Henry ’26 leads guests in singing the Mary Washington Alma Mater. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
From left: Deb Stanley Leap ’72 with her recipient, Abigail Powers ’27, who earned the Debra Stanley Leap ’72 Scholarship in Biology, and Deb’s daughter, Amy Leap ’12. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Jake and Trenda Powell Jacocks ’82, who met on the Mary Washington campus when she was a student, and he was in the U.S. Army. They established the First-Generation Scholarship Endowment to support students like Trenda, who was first in her family to attend college. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.

Find scholarship opportunities that are available to UMW students. Learn more about establishing scholarships and how private support makes a difference in the lives of UMW students who receive awards, research fellowships, and internship grants. View photos from the 2026 Scholarship Luncheon and Student Showcase.

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