Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement

Taking Flight

Leave a Comment

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

Leave a Comment

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

Leave a Comment

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

Leave a Comment

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

Mary Wash Day Support Powers Scholarships, Programs, and Possibilities

Leave a Comment

Betty Olander Adams ’69 began giving to Mary Washington soon after she graduated. It was one of the best ways, she said, to let her alma mater know what mattered to her as an alum.

UMW students with the Happy Mary Wash Day sign outside the Cedric Rucker University Center.
The University of Mary Washington will hold its ninth annual Mary Wash Day, a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, starting at noon on Wednesday, March 25, and concluding at noon on Thursday, March 26.

“Personally, I fund scholarships so that every student will have the chance to have a meaningful future,” said Betty, who earned a bachelor’s degree in history and later became a lawyer. “Each and every person connected to the University, no matter their age or stage in life, can make a difference to continue the excellence of a Mary Washington education.”

This Mary Wash Day, Betty is encouraging members of the UMW community to give to whatever matters most to them on March 25 and 26, from noon to noon. When 100 first-time donors make their first-ever gift, she’ll unlock $10,000 for the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington. She’s also sponsoring a $5,000 match to the General Scholarship Fund, helping students in need stay in school, take on less debt, and graduate on time.

Now in its ninth year, Mary Wash Day unites Eagles across the country and the globe in a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement that gives alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff, and students the chance to come #TogetherUMW and share their love for Mary Washington.

Alumni and friends have sponsored more than $700,000 in challenges and matches in 2026. Their commitment will double and even triple the impact of each gift, helping the University reach its goal of 2,500 donor gifts, 1,200 alumni contributors, and 400 first-time donors.

Participation challenges and dollar-for-dollar matches support the Fund for Mary Washington, underpinning every aspect for which the University is known and loved. This includes ensuring a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, and personal relationships with professors and peers, and supporting projects and initiatives led by students, faculty, and staff through the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant program.

Gifts on Mary Wash Day to Friends of Athletics or to a specific sports program like UMW Basketball provide critical support to help enhance the UMW student-athlete experience. Contributions fund athletic facilities, competition travel, professional development opportunities, custom-training equipment, and more. Photo by Carly Rehberg.
Mary Wash Day gifts help students have experiences both inside and beyond the classroom that prepare them for their careers and lives after Mary Washington. Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce.
Mary Wash Day gifts provide high-impact learning experiences such as undergraduate research and opportunities for students to work alongside their professors and peers.
Contributions to UMW Music on Mary Wash Day help students explore their musical passions while providing arts and cultural experiences for the greater Fredericksburg community. Gifts can also be made to UMW Theatre, UMW Galleries, UMW Philharmonic, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, and the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series.
Many challenges and matches support the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington, which underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved. This includes ensuring a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, and personal relationships with professors and peers.

Supporters can also contribute to student scholarships, academic departments, athletics, arts and culture, service and leadership opportunities, campus beautification, and more. This year’s goals include:

  • 1,010 gifts (celebrating President Troy Paino’s 10th year at Mary Washington) will unlock $10,000 from Marty Wilder ’80 and UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80
  • 1,908 gifts (the University’s founding year) will unlock $50,000 from Jenny Fankhauser Osterman ’73
  • 2,500 gifts will unlock $100,000 from Diane Harvey Smith ’74
  • When 200 first-time donors contribute, the Alumni Association Board of Directors will unlock $14,000
  • When 400 new donors make their first-ever gift, the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees will unlock $47,500
  • When 300 young alumni donate, the Young Alumni Council will unlock $3,800
  • When 500 gifts are made by parents of UMW students or parents of alumni, Bill and Carolyn Carpenter, parents of a current student, will unlock a $10,000 gift
  • When 1,200 alumni donors make gifts, it will unlock a $100,000 gift from a loyal Fund for Mary Washington supporter

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of a uniquely UMW tradition, UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Mike Charnoff ’95 and Katherine Valentine Charnoff ’04 will sponsor a Devil-Goat contest to see which team can make the most gifts. Making Mary Wash Day gifts and participating in events will also help alumni accumulate points in the Devil-Goat Alumni Challenge, running through May.

After making a gift at givingday.umw.edu, supporters can spotlight their names and gifts on the donor wall or remain anonymous, and track progress on dynamic leaderboards.

Festivities will kick off on Wednesday, March 25 at the Mary Wash Day headquarters on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio (or inside in case of rain) from 12 to 3 p.m. with food, games, prizes, a photobooth, and stations for donations, selfies, and writing thank-you notes to donors. The UMW Pep Band will perform, and anyone who makes a gift of $5 or more can Pie It Forward – pie a faculty or staff volunteer in the face.

Mary Wash Day 2026 kicks off with a celebration for students on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio, featuring food, games, prizes, a photobooth, and stations for donations, selfies, and writing thank-you notes to donors. The UMW Pep Band will perform, and anyone who makes a gift of $5 or more can Pie It Forward – pie a faculty or staff volunteer in the face.  
UMW students will have the chance to write thank-you notes to donors and pose for photos in the photobooth at the Mary Wash Day headquarters outside the Cedric Rucker University Center on March 25 from 12 to 3 p.m.
Students pose for a photo with UMW mascot Sammy D. Eagle at the Mary Wash Day headquarters in 2025.

The Fredericksburg Regional Alumni Network will host a happy hour and bingo from 6 to 8 p.m. in Chandler Ballroom of the Cedric Rucker University Center, which will have its exterior lit up in Mary Washington blue lights.

Richmond area alumni can celebrate with their Regional Alumni Network and watch fundraising totals rise at Väsen Brewing’s newest location in Forest Hill from 6 to 8 p.m.

Members of the UMW community are invited to register as Mary Wash Day ambassadors and receive a customized dashboard. You+2: When you make a gift and inspire two others to give through your unique referral link, you’ll score a Mary Wash multipurpose insulated bag. Those who post on social are asked to tag @umw_alumni and @marywash and use #TogetherUMW and #MaryWashDay.

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