As the spring semester takes off, the University of Mary Washington is moving its mission forward while looking back on a landmark year defined by record-breaking philanthropy and numerous national rankings.
UMW’s 2024-25 Year in Review publication showcases these achievements and highlights student research, athletics, the arts, and so much more.
U.S. News & World Report put Mary Washington in the No. 8 spot for Top Public Schools – National Liberal Arts Colleges, while Fiske Guide to Colleges and The Princeton Review highlighted the University’s academic reputation and commitment to affordability. They also showcased its student support and counseling services, town-gown relations, theatre program, health services, and how UMW is making an impact and providing internships that prepare students for Life After Mary Washington.
The University achieved a historic fundraising year – with more than $37.8 million in gifts and pledges made by generous donors – and met major milestones for Mary Wash Day and the Beyond the Classroom endowment, which both topped $1 million. UMW’s endowment surpassed the $100 million threshold, creating lasting philanthropic support for scholarships, academic programs, experiential learning, faculty resources, and more. For the second year, Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants bolstered innovative projects designed by students, faculty, and staff.
First-year and transfer students were welcomed to campus, while graduates said goodbye during a Commencement ceremony filled with meaningful Mary Washington traditions. Alumni of all ages returned for Reunion Weekend to reconnect with each other and their alma mater. Recent grads shared their real-world successes, with nearly 90% reporting being employed, enrolled in graduate school, or engaged in service, military, or volunteer positions.
Focusing on the future, the University announced the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, a vibrant hub for research, teaching, and community engagement, exploring artificial intelligence through a multidisciplinary lens. The Hurley Convergence Center celebrated a decade of leading in the digital liberal arts, as well as exciting donor-funded technological updates that will help prepare students for their careers.
Students shared their studies on campus and at academic conferences – from sciences to the arts, humanities, and social sciences – and showcased their commitment to their communities through service and civic engagement. At advancement events, they thanked the donors who’ve made their undergraduate research, study abroad, and internship experiences possible.
Excellence in both athletics and the arts was on display, with the naming of the Roy Gordon Field after the founding men’s soccer coach and UMW Galleries sharing art by alumni inspired by a beloved professor emerita who taught at Mary Washington for a quarter-century.
UMW’s College of Arts and Sciences celebrated grants and partnerships with other institutions and gave students the chance to reveal their undergraduate research and projects. The Academy of Technology and Innovation at UMW officially opened its doors to high-school students and educators, and the College of Education received high marks for excellence in teaching. The College of Business continued innovative contests to prepare young entrepreneurs for the business world and ranked among the country’s best business schools and MBA majors.
UMW added new, flexible pathways for career success for students and alumni, while the Dahlgren campus offered innovative partnerships and programs, equipping regional students with STEM skillsets.
This year celebrated accomplishments of alumni, from recent Fulbright winners and Peace Corps volunteers to graduates who give back in many ways to Mary Washington. The University also honored faculty, staff, and administrators of the past and present, including the late President William M. Anderson, who passed away last summer.
All the while – as President Troy Paino writes in his Year in Review opening letter – UMW remained deeply committed to the liberal arts and sciences and their power to provide transformative educational experiences.
Take a look back as we showcase stories from 2024-25 in the annual publication.