Justin Gerbereux ’97 met his wife, Allison Coleman Gerbereux ’96, when they were on the cross-country team together as Mary Washington students. After they fell in love and graduated, he proposed to her in front of Willard Hall, where she lived during her junior year of college.
“The University of Mary Washington has always held a special place in our hearts,” said Justin, who joined the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees to give back to his alma mater. “Reflecting on the many memories and opportunities available to us at this small liberal arts institution, I hope we can sow some seeds to inspire other graduates to support today’s students.”
The Gerbereuxs will give $10,000 to the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington when 100 gifts are made by married alumni couples during Mary Wash Day, running from noon Wednesday, April 2, through noon Thursday, April 3. Now in its eighth year, this 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement gives alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff, and students the chance to come #TogetherUMW and share their love of Mary Washington.
“This has the potential to be an absolutely record-breaking Mary Wash Day,” Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14 said. “Every gift, regardless of size, holds the power to create lasting impact. When combined, these contributions shape the future of UMW students, enhancing their education and empowering them to make a difference for generations to come.”
Members of the UMW community have sponsored more than $500,000 in challenges and matches, exceeding totals from previous years. Their commitment will double and even triple the impact of each gift, helping the University reach its goal of 2,500 gifts from donors, including 1,200 alumni contributors and 350 new supporters.
Many participation challenges and dollar-for-dollar matches support the Fund for Mary Washington, which underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved, such as a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, personal relationships with professors and classmates, and more.
Last spring, $25,000 was distributed among eight campus projects and initiatives pitched by UMW students, faculty, and staff through the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant program. More projects will be selected next month by an alumni committee to receive these donor-funded grants.
Supporters can also contribute to student scholarships, academic departments, service and leadership opportunities, campus beautification, and more. This year’s goals include:
- 540 gifts (Fredericksburg’s area code) will unlock $5,000 from Virginia Blackwell ’67 and John Rigsby
- 1,908 gifts (UMW’s founding year) will unlock $16,000 from UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Patti Boise Kemp ’69
- 2,500 gifts will unlock $100,000 from a longtime contributor for the Lynne Gourley Farrell ’62 Fund for Mary Washington Endowment
- When 100 first-time alumni donors give, UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Donna Sheehan Gladis ’68 and husband Steve will donate $20,000
- When 350 first-time donors give, the UMW Foundation Board of Trustees will unlock a $50,000 gift
- UMW President Troy Paino and wife Kelly will make a $100,000 gift when 1,200 alumni donors contribute
- A gift from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. will unlock a $10,000 gift from UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Vicky Nichols Wilder ’80 and Marty Wilder ’80, former chief of staff at Mary Washington
- The Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council are sponsoring challenges and matches to encourage alumni of all ages to give back to their alma mater
- UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Kourtney Whitehead and husband Terrance, parents of a UMW student, will unlock $5,000 when 500 gifts are made by parents of current students or alumni
- UMW Foundation Board of Trustees member Mike Charnoff ’95 and Katie Valentine Charnoff ’04 are sponsoring a Devil-Goat contest to encourage friendly competition between odd- and even-year graduates
- Share the Love Challenge: When the Mary Wash Day 2025 video is shared 100 times (from the official UMW Facebook page) by midnight on April 2, Margaret Birch ’79 will donate $10,000
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 April 2 at the Mary Wash Day headquarters on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio (or inside in case of rain) at 11 a.m., with food, games, prizes, a photobooth, and stations for donations, selfies, and writing thank-you notes to donors. The UMW Pep Band and UMW Symfonics will perform, and students can pet and play with puppies brought by Old Dominion Humane Society.
Students can also participate in a scavenger hunt to find 10 stuffed eagles hidden across campus, which can earn a $100 donation to the area of their choice at UMW, courtesy of Beth Craig ’77.
UMW Dining will serve up a Mary Wash Day-themed menu, with frosted blue cookies and dishes named for key people and places on campus. Downtown businesses will offer discounts and incentives for donors.
The Fredericksburg Regional Alumni Network will host a happy hour and trivia night April 2 at the Hurley Convergence Center from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and the Cedric Rucker University Center and Jepson Science Center will be lit in Mary Wash blue lights.
Campus Recreation will also sponsor a Mary Wash Day walk on April 3 at 8 a.m., starting at Goolrick Hall.
Members of the UMW community are invited to sign up as Mary Wash Day ambassadors. They’ll receive a customized dashboard and social media toolkit to inspire others to contribute, and a chance to win an exclusive UMW duffel bag. Those who post on social are asked to tag @umw_alumni and @marywash and use #TogetherUMW and #MaryWashDay.
More information about Mary Wash Day can be found on the FAQ Page. For additional questions, please contact the Office of Annual Giving at umwgift@umw.edu.
-Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04
During the holidays, charitable giving is a great way to spread goodwill and make a positive impact. Not only does it benefit organizations and individuals that receive support, but you can also earn valuable benefits, such as owing less in taxes in 2025.
