Year in Review 2022-23

in 2022-23

President Troy Paino, Alumni Association President Vicki Sprague Ravenel ’77, and UMW faculty applaud the Class of 2023 as they process down Campus Walk at Commencement. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

We still know where we come from and have reaffirmed

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our commitment to the liberal arts and sciences…

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Greetings from President Paino

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t’s been a big year for the University of Mary Washington. In addition to generous support from thousands of alumni, families, friends, students, faculty, and staff, we announced a transformational gift – the largest in the University’s history – bolstering undergraduate research in STEM fields and funding student scholarships. Beyond our record-breaking fundraising year, we excelled on the national stage, with our men’s soccer team going to the NCAA Final Four and our Goldwater and Fulbright Scholars taking their UMW experience into international arenas.

We still know where we come from and continue to reaffirm our commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as a public institution committed to regional economic excellence and statewide prosperity. We’ve seen accolades of being a

President Paino and UMW Richmond Alumni Network leaders.

Photo by Christine Beltrane.

“best and most interesting” and “best bang for the buck” institution echoed in college guides and rankings.

This publication provides a reflection of this past year, but also a reflection of who we are, from the ASPIRE values celebrated by our student leaders, to ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive campus, while engaging with our local and global communities. We continue to drive what is distinct about UMW and provide an education that matters.

Go Eagles!

Troy D. Paino, J.D., Ph.D. President President Troy Paino signs the ‘Accountability’ banner on the first day of ASPIRE Week, as Mary Washington student Martina Pugh ’25 looks on. Photo by Sam Cahill.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Bright Skies UMW Graduates Class of 2023

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rom the Cedric Rucker University Center balcony to the Lee Hall Terrace to the rim of Ball Circle, proud family and friends cheered as more than 1,000 students received bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Mary Washington’s 112th Commencement on May 6.

In personalized mortarboards, colorful stoles and cords, and blue gowns, the newly minted alumni celebrated a unique four years as the last class to arrive before the pandemic and among the ones to persevere through it. “As a class, we have continually stepped up among our peers to lead by example and push through the tough

experiences we faced,” said Class President Shauna Kaplan ’23. “I look out at each of you and see leaders.”

The Class of 2023 listened intently as Jennifer Clift ’00, chief technology officer and a senior scientific technical manager for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, delivered the keynote address.

“One of the qualities that makes this University so special is its commitment to service,” Clift said. “There is no better feeling than giving back and knowing that you have made a difference, whether big or small. Take the lessons you have learned here and continue to pay it forward.”

Read more about UMW’s 112th Commencement.

“To earn your degree amid a public health crisis is nothing short of amazing did so while preserving what makes this place so special: It’s a caring comm of relationships formed inside and outside the classroom.” – PRESIDENT TRO 2

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Bright Futures A Grand Class

Enrollment continues to tick up in 2023, with UMW’s incoming class totaling more than 1,000 new students, including 260 transfer students. New students hail from Virginia and 21 other states, including Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas, as well as Washington, D.C. Several come from as far away as Austria, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Japan, and the U.K. New course offerings include a minor in law and philosophy. The College of Business now offers an MBA online in 30 credits, and the College of Education’s 30-credit Master of Education for Instructional Improvement puts teachers with a current professional license on a fast track toward an advanced degree with expertise in literacy or special education.

g. And you, Class of 2023, munity based on the strength

OY PAINO

100% of classes at UMW are taught by faculty and industry experts (not teaching assistants).

Read more about our new students and offerings.

Left page: Soon-to-be UMW grads don cords and stoles, and in this case, Eagle mascot feet as Mariana Haugh ’23 leads in school spirit.

Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

This page: Knox McKinley ’26 addresses volunteers on Engagement Day, a community service event as part of UMW’s ASPIRE Week.

Photo by Kaira Otero ’25.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Dylan Crann ’23, a biomedical sciences major, performs research in a UMW lab. Photo by Tom Rothenberg.

Magnifying Our Research

Read more about UMW’s transformational gift.

“The mentored experiences UMW will be able to offer will be unparalleled. I don’t know of another institution, regardless of size or mission, with such a focused investment on undergraduate research.”

– UMW PROVOST TIM O’DONNELL

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Transformational $30 Million Gift Supports Undergraduate Research, Scholarships

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he University of Mary Washington has received the largest gift in its 115year history from the estate of Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59, a dedicated alumna and lifetime supporter of her alma mater, who passed away July 18, 2022.

Rodgers made a name for herself in the field of electron microscopy and helped pave the way for UMW graduates, especially women, to excel in STEM subjects of their own choosing.

Mary Washington, as she often said, had “opened worlds” for her. Now, this generous $30 million gift – and others she made through the years – will carry on Rodgers’ legacy while helping the University prepare young scholars for successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and math for decades to come.

The gift will exponentially grow UMW’s undergraduate research program for students in biology, chemistry, physics, Earth and

Rodgers received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during UMW’s 2014 Commencement ceremony.

environmental sciences, computer science, and math. It will also support four new Alvey Scholarships, providing full tuition, fees, and room and board for out-of-state students for up to four years, in addition to the eight Rodgers already created. To date, 93 students have earned various scholarships, research fellowships, and scientific presentation grants funded by Rodgers. She often kept in touch with her recipients, following their successes through graduate school and beyond.

“Students who benefited from Irene’s generosity welcomed her into their lives, so she was able to observe firsthand the transformative power of her gifts,” said President Troy Paino. “This unprecedented donation guarantees that exceptional students will continue to have access to a UMW education that delivers the kind of high-impact learning experiences that Irene valued so much.”

Rodgers poses in 2017 with then Mary Washington students (from left) Kelly McDaniel ’17, Mary Hopkin ’20, and Emily Ferguson ’17, just a few of the dozens of students who have benefited from Rodgers’ generosity to her alma mater.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Read more about Abigail Swanson ’24 and the Barry Goldwater scholarship.

Double Major Doubles UMW Goldwater Scholars

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or math and physics major Abigail “Abby” Swanson ’24, the two subjects she studies are rightly balanced, in perfect symmetry. Yet, breaking symmetry in fundamental theories is the focus of her undergraduate research with Assistant Professor of Physics Desmond Villalba.

Swanson uses mathematical representation to study how familiar particles obtain mass, an exploration that earned her a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate award in STEM. She’s one of just 413 recipients nationwide selected from more than 5,000 nominees for the award – and the second awardee from Mary Washington, following Henry Mills ’22

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

More than $1 million is available annually at UMW to fund undergraduate research in STEM fields.

in 2021 – as well as the first female student from UMW to receive it. The award will provide up to $7,500 per year for as many as two years of undergraduate study.

With the support of the Margaret Duke ’44 Endowed Fund, Swanson shared her findings at the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics and hopes to advance her mission of making her field more inclusive, especially for women. “I hope that as I’m working toward answering questions about fundamental particles and forces through my research, I’ll be able to also widen my sphere of influence to make systemic change,” Swanson said.

this with her expert ability to analyze the literature of great writers outside of STEM, you find a wellrounded, intelligent scholar who will be able to communicate well with others.”

Smith, a business administration major and English literature minor, was named UMW Athletics’ Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as well as the Coast-toCoast Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and she earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. A women’s tennis player, Smith and her teammates were competing in the NCAA Division-III Women’s Tennis Tournament during Commencement.

Smith’s capstone honors project, “The NCAA’s Conflict with Antitrust Law and the Future of StudentAthlete Compensation,” explored key concerns over the name, image, and likeness of college athletics participants.

Read more about 2023’s top scholars.

Top Scholar Awards

2023 graduates Hannah Harris and Riley Smith not only earned the Colgate W. Darden Jr. Award at May’s Commencement ceremony – they also picked up several prestigious awards along the way.

Harris, a biochemistry and English double major, was recognized with the Virginias Collegiate Honors Council Scholar of the Year award for Virginia and West Virginia.

She earned a spot at the George Washington University School of Medicine after being provisionally accepted two years ago through UMW’s early selection agreement.

“Hannah is the type of student you love to have in class.

She excels in her courses and has advanced insight and critical analysis skills,” said Professor of Chemistry and Honors Program Co-Director Kelli Slunt ’91. “Blending Left page: Abby Swanson ’24 This page: Hannah Harris ’23 (above). President Paino shakes the hand of Riley Smith ’23 (right). Photos by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Beyond the Classroom Endowment Hits $500,000

Above: Madeline Killian ’23 received funds from UMW’s Beyond the Classroom Endowment to travel to Madrid to conduct research on Spain’s first civic organization for women.

Right page, top: Abigail Delapenha ’23 presents her research at the American Society for Southeastern Biologists Conference in April 2023.

Photo by Varun Makhija.

Read more about the Beyond the Classroom Endowment.

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adeline Killian ’23 didn’t just hit the books to study female scientists in 18th-century Spain.

Killian, who majored in physics and Spanish, traveled to Madrid last winter to explore the national archives and delve into discoveries made by Junta de Damas de Honor y Mérito, the country’s first civic organization for women.

Her studies were made possible by the Beyond the Classroom Endowment (BtC), established three years ago to support undergraduate experiential learning such as independent research, internships, travel to

academic conferences, and study abroad.

Generous donors have raised more than $500,000 for the initiative, which is already being used by UMW students.

“We have made tremendous progress in a very short period of time, but the work is not yet complete,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Keith Mellinger. The longterm goal is creating a $1 million endowed fund for BtC, which will help provide tens of thousands of dollars each year for students.

“We’ll continue this journey together, until every student has access to this critical support for years to come.”

“With our help, these students are able to accomplish something they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”

– BETH CRAIG ’77, WHO SPONSORED A $10,000 CHALLENGE LAST YEAR WITH PHYLLIS QUINN ’77

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Honors Program Celebrates 10 Years

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or the past decade, high-achieving, intellectually curious students have found a home in UMW’s Honors Program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this spring with an alumni panel discussion. Conceived to recruit qualified high school students and keep them engaged and enthusiastic about learning, the program offers a supercharged college experience. Honors students take at least 12 credits in honors-designated classes, participate in honors service learning, meet a leadership requirement, write reflective essays, and complete a capstone project.

That’s in addition to field trips to broaden their experience of the arts, government, and other spheres – all while maintaining at least a 3.2 grade-point average during their four years at Mary Washington.

Honors Program alumni panel participants along with Professor of English Mara Scanlon (center left) and Professor of Chemistry Kelli Slunt ’91 (center right), who direct the program. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

“The program is thriving, and I’m just so thrilled with all the changes that have happened in the past 10 years.”

– HONORS PROGRAM CO-DIRECTOR KELLI SLUNT ’91 Read more about the UMW Honors Program.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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ASPIRE Week Celebrates Community Values

From left: SGA President Jaylyn Long ’24, who conceived the idea for ASPIRE Week; former SGA President Joey Zeldin ’23; Martina Pugh ’25; Conner Rogers ’25; and Carlos Nunes ’25. Photo by Sam Cahill.

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rom the moment Mary Washington students become Eagles, they are guided by a set of values called “ASPIRE.” The acronym stands for traits inherent in the UMW community: Accountability, Scholarship, Personal and Institutional Integrity, Inclusive Excellence, Respect and Civility, and Engagement.

Jaylyn Long ’24, in her role as then Student Government Association (SGA) vice president, decided these core principles – and UMW students’ commitment to them – could use a little refreshing. She and her peers introduced April’s ASPIRE Week, a six-day celebration representing each attribute, packed with educational opportunities, open dialogue with faculty and administrators, service projects, tabling events, banner signings, and more.

Read more about ASPIRE Week.

“I really enjoyed the support from campus partners; it created a deeper connection among student leaders.” – JAYLYN LONG ’24,

SGA PRESIDENT FOR THE 2023-24 ACADEMIC YEAR 10

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Best Bang for the Buck in the southeast

Washington Monthly, 2023

11th “Best College” among public liberal arts colleges

U.S. News & World Report, 2024

One of “The Best 389 Colleges”

The Princeton Review, 2024

Among the top 100 schools in the Mid-Atlantic

The Princeton Review, 2024

UMW Theatre ranked among 25 “Best College Theatre” Programs The Princeton Review, 2024

Among the 300 “best and most interesting” public and private colleges in the nation

Fiske Guide to Colleges, 2024

UMW’s Board of Visitors bestowed emeritus status upon the following distinguished members of faculty: Professor Emeritus of Philosophy David K. Ambuel

Professor Emeritus of History Bruce R. O’Brien

Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion Mehdi Aminrazavi

Professor Emerita of Art History Marjorie Och

Professor Emerita of Mathematics Yuan-Jen Chiang Associate Professor Emerita of Health and Physical Education Deborah A. Conway Professor Emerita of Education Venitta McCall

Professor Emerita of History Allyson Poska Professor Emerita of Economics Margaret A. Ray Professor Emeritus of Psychology David A. Rettinger Associate Professor Emeritus of Geography Brian Rizzo

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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NSWCDD engineers brought an assortment of robots to UMW to pique the minds and imaginations of field-tripping elementaryschoolers. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Education at the Full STREAM Ahead

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an you program a robot to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? A roomful of fifth graders discovered those answers and more when engineers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) brought massive military robots to UMW to demonstrate the thought process of robot-programming scientists who break commands into bite-size pieces.

These students from Spotsylvania County Public Schools were among the young people and educators from across Virginia who swept through Mary Washington this year, expanding their scientific knowledge while having fun in the process.

The base partnered with UMW’s College of Education (COE) and the Departments of Biology and Chemistry and Physics, hosting students from 16 public schools to explore science topics and discover how the arts and humanities can tie them together. Students utilized STEM educational tools provided

by NSWCDD, which gifted the University $30,000 worth of laser printers, virtual reality

headsets, robotics kits, and other science gear last fall – dubbed “Operation STEM Drop” – to help enhance learning for future K-12 educators. Read more.

Stafford County Public Schools also got in on the action with a field trip for teachers to COE’s STREAM makerspace in Seacobeck Hall – that’s science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math. They also participated in four faculty-led sessions that taught them how to integrate these innovative spaces and technologies into their own classrooms. Within the year, more than 1,000 students came through campus on these immersive field trips, and 500 students are scheduled to come in fall 2023. Read more.

In addition, the Innovation Challenge @Dahlgren welcomed 22 teams from 19 schools across the Fredericksburg region for a two-day robotics competition. The event was presented by NSWCDD, UMW, MITRE Corporation, Fredericksburg Regional Military Affairs Council, and King George Economic Development Authority. Read more.

“We want to be a regional hub to help develop capacity for that work,” said COE Dean Pete Kelly.

“Our K-12 teachers need help on that front, and NSWCDD’s gift is going to make a difference.”

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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NSF Noyce Grant Funds Future STEM Educators

UMW has long been known as the college in Virginia for aspiring teachers. Now, students interested in pursuing a degree in STEM education have a prestigious funding source to back them up. UMW was recently named to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.

The University, in partnership with Germanna Community College, will use the $1.4 million fiveyear NSF grant to recruit, train, and retain educators to teach science, technology, engineering, and math in secondary schools. Current and future students can be considered for the program, which provides up to $24,000 per student in each of their last two undergraduate years. In return, Noyce Scholars commit to two years of teaching STEM subjects in qualifying schools for each year of funding received, helping fill the need for teachers in these high-demand disciplines.

Read more about the NSF Noyce Grant.

Students prepare to launch their vehicle during the ‘Scrambler’ category at the regional Virginia Science Olympiad competition at UMW. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

The recently renovated Seacobeck Hall is home to the College of Education at the University of Mary Washington.

UMW hosted the Virginia Science Olympiad this spring, which brought hundreds of fifth- through 12th-grade science enthusiasts from across the state to campus to test their STEM skills in biology and chemistry, anatomy and meteorology, forensics and forestry, and more. Read more.

Grant Moves Lab School Plans Forward

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ary Washington, in collaboration with Stafford County Public Schools, has been awarded a College Partnership Laboratory School planning grant totaling $200,000 from the Virginia Department of Education to fund a lab school at UMW’s Stafford Campus.

Anticipated to open in fall 2024, the lab school could serve students in grades nine through 12 from five school divisions, with the possibility to expand to other grades. It will focus on preparing students for college and technology careers, be a test bed for innovative pedagogical approaches, and serve as a model for the state. Teacher development will be a critical component of the lab school design, led by UMW’s College of Education via a professional development school model, akin to a teaching hospital.

Read more about the Lab School planning grant.

Educator and administrator Rebecca Towery, M.Ed. ’06

Local educator and administrator Rebecca Towery has been appointed director, blending in-classroom experience with her know-how of launching a lab school, securing grant funding, and building organizational capacity and curriculum. Towery earned an M.Ed. in secondary education from UMW and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University. Read more about Rebecca Towery.

Business Acumen Series Offered by UMW’s Continuing and Professional Studies

A new Business Acumen Series offers monthly oneday seminars for Fredericksburg area businesses and professionals to invest in developing their leadership skills over six months. Launched by UMW’s Continuing and Professional Studies, each scheduled event will cover a business acumen or leadership-related topic, such as negotiating solutions, building a culture of innovation, and skills for the adaptive leader.

“The Business Acumen Series is a unique opportunity for local organizations to elevate their knowledge of business practices and innovate their skills to produce successful leaders in our community,” said UMW Associate Provost for Career and Workforce Kimberly Young. “When you sign up your business for these seminars, you are giving your employees premier access to our University’s best and brightest professionals – resources you can’t reach anywhere else.”

Read more about the Business Acumen Series.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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On the Map Fredericksburg, UMW Trace Local Civil Rights History

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uring Black History Month in February, the City of Fredericksburg and UMW unveiled a local civil rights trail: “Freedom, a Work in Progress.” The nearly threemile walking trail features 21 sites, including the James Farmer memorial on Campus Walk – named for the late civil rights icon and Freedom Rides leader who taught history at Mary Washington – and the James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC) on campus.

Spearheaded by JFMC Assistant Director Chris Williams and Victoria Matthews, the city’s tourism, stadium, and sales manager, the project utilized the expertise of UMW students and faculty members from historic preservation, history and American studies, and geography.

“It opened my eyes to the huge impact Fredericksburg had on civil rights history,” said John Liberty ’22, who worked with Professor of Geography Steve Hanna to create maps for the trail and its website.

“Being able to be part of something that helps inform the community and tourists about the significance of local civil rights history was an amazing experience.”

Read more about the joint effort behind the local civil rights trail.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Corner of Campus Becomes Center Stage

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tudents and faculty in Mary Washington’s fine and performing arts programs know how to make something beautiful. So do the architects behind the new home of the Department of Theatre and Dance and the renovation of duPont, Pollard, and Melchers halls.

The $117 million construction project, funded by the 2022-23 state budget, will showcase UMW’s liberal arts and sciences mission, while inviting audiences to experience the talents of students, faculty, and staff, bringing their work from behind the scenes to center stage.

The spacious new theatre, which will sit on the corner of William Street and Sunken Road, will be a standout, welcoming the community and embodying transparency, featuring full-length windows to bring visibility to the hands-on learning and practices essential to the performing arts. It will also have additional spaces for teaching, a 300-seat theatre and 150-seat studio, two large dance studios, dressing rooms, a visible costume and wig shop to showcase work, and more.

“Our audiences … come to our productions to see our students learn and grow over time. This approach to the building realizes that and allows them to see how we make theatre,” said Professor and Chair of Theatre and Dance Gregg Stull ’82, who is producing director of UMW Theatre.

Serving as a cultural gateway between the campus and the community, the theatre and accompanying parking will replace the aging Marshall and Russell halls.

Accessible walkways and complementary landscaping will be carved into the hillside, while Campus Walk is extended from the Carmen Culpeper Chappell ’59 Centennial Campanile to the corner of campus.

Above, from left: UMW Professor of Geography Steve Hanna and his current and former students, Josephine Allamby ’22, Anaïs Malangu ’22, John Liberty ’22, and Brooke Prevedel ’24 pose for a photo at the unveiling event for Fredericksburg’s new civil rights trail. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Left: Chris Williams and Victoria Matthews. Photo by Scott Elmquist.

The renovation of duPont, Pollard, and Melchers halls will include new classrooms, increased accessibility, more natural light, and enhanced outdoor green areas.

Performance spaces will be upgraded, including Klein Theatre, which will become an airy music recital hall.

Read more about the planned construction and renovation projects.

A rendering of the new theatre, courtesy of Commonwealth Architects and HGA Architects & Engineers.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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UMW Athletics Highlights

UMW Athletics finished 40th among 432 NCAA Division III schools in the final Learfield Director’s Cup standings for 2022-23. The Eagles accumulated 453 points, with baseball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s swimming all advancing to NCAA tournaments. The Learfield Director’s Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in the NCAA Championships, and men’s and women’s soccer and basketball must be included among schools’ final D-III standings to be eligible.

Read more about the Eagles’ Learfield Director’s Cup standings for 2022-23.

UMW’s scholar-athletes earned additional honors across the conference:

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Three-Time All-America swimmer Kinsey Brooks ’24 was named Female Athlete of the Year.

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All-America selections Josh Kirkland ’23 (men’s soccer) and Greg Rowson ’23 (men’s basketball) were each named Male Athlete of the Year.

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Tennis player Riley Smith ’23, who earned UMW’s Darden Award, was named Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

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Baseball player Xavier Herring ’23 was named Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

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Krista Rodgers ’23 (right), captain of the volleyball team, was named the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference nominee for 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Read more about the 2022-23 UMW men’s soccer team.

Photo by Tom Rothenberg.

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he UMW men’s soccer team advanced to the 2022-23 NCAA semifinals for the second time in program history. Led by five seniors from Virginia, the Eagles were the only public university and Virginia team to make it into the Final Four. The Eagles ultimately lost to Williams College in the NCAA D-III national semifinal round in Salem, Virginia, but had one of their most successful seasons in the club’s history. “This group has done an incredible job,” said UMW Head Coach Jason Kilby after the game, praising his team as “Guys that you love, and trust ... We’ll always be a family.”

Photo by Tom Rothenberg.

26th Athletics Hall of Fame recipients Michael Nissim-Sabat ’03, Noelle Labar ’88, and Kate Weller ’01 (left). Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Xavier Herring ’23 (middle). The inaugural esports program (right).

UMW Athletics announced its 26th Athletics Hall of Fame: Former soccer standout Michael Nissim-Sabat ’03, tennis star Noelle Labar ’88, lacrosse All-American Kate Weller ’01, swimming All-American Maureen Greenlee ’07, and the 2011-12 women’s basketball team, which went undefeated with 30 straight victories, a school record to this day.

The University of Mary Washington’s new esports program ended its spring 2023 season and its inaugural year of competition with a big win. The Valorant team, led by captain Jack Collier, defeated Mount Vernon Nazarene University in a reverse comeback 3-2 sweep to claim the program’s first-ever trophy.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Established Expertise

UMW Faculty Honored for Teaching, Innovation, and Service

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wards were bestowed on deserving UMW professors this fall for their dedication to their academic disciplines, passion for teaching the liberal arts and sciences curriculum, and their commitment to mentoring their students.

Professor of Biology Lynn Lewis received the third annual Board of Visitors (BOV) Faculty Leadership Award, designated for a faculty member who advances UMW’s mission by spearheading a major institutional initiative or program. A microbiologist and member of Mary Washington’s Public Health Advisory Working Group, Lewis has been an integral contributor to the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor of Education Teresa Coffman received the Graduate Faculty Award, presented to a distinguished member of UMW’s graduate program.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences Tyler Frankel won the Alumni Association Outstanding Young Faculty Award, for those who’ve taught full time at the University of Mary Washington for two to five years.

Professor of Sociology Leslie Martin received the J. Christopher “Topher” Bill Outstanding Faculty Service Award.

Established in 2003 in honor of the late psychology professor, this award is for faculty members who have taught

UMW BOV Rector Devon Cushman ’93 (left) and Professor of Biology Lynn Lewis.

Photo by Sam Cahill.

at UMW at least seven years and held significant service roles in their departments, colleges, and community.

Professor of Mathematics Suzanne Sumner received the Grellet C. Simpson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. The honor recognizes full-time faculty members, who – like Simpson, UMW’s fourth president – place an emphasis on quality teaching and the liberal arts.

Read more about UMW’s honored faculty.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Photos by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Associate Professor of Chemistry Randall Reif was recognized with the Mary W. Pinschmidt Award for having had the greatest impact on the Class of 2023 (top). Professor and Chair of Theatre and Dance Gregg Stull ’82 was named the first Anderson Distinguished Professor (top right).

Top Intern Employer in the State

The University of Mary Washington has been named a “Top Employer for Interns” by the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP). UMW hosts interns on campus year-round as part of its long-held mission to support working-learning opportunities that round out the classroom experience.

The University also encourages students to seek off-campus internships with businesses and organizations that are looking to attract and retain exceptional employees. By the time they graduate, more than 30 percent of all Mary Washington students have completed some type of internship.

Read more about UMW’s recognition.

From left: Ryan Hastings, Sharon Williams, Clint Often, Betsy Southern, and Justin Wilkes.

Photo by Sam Cahill.

UMW Employees Receive Service Awards

Five Mary Washington employees were honored at a luncheon in February for their extraordinary contributions to students and the UMW community.

Recipients of the University Staff Council’s Larry Atkins Award were Ryan Hastings, veterans’ liaison; Sharon Williams, assistant registrar for degree audit; and Clint Often, assistant athletic director of communications. The Charles Coleman Award, enhanced this year by an endowment established by President Troy Paino and his cabinet, went to case manager Betsy Southern, who served as COVID care coordinator during the pandemic. The Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Award was given to Justin Wilkes, director of the Student Transition Program.

Read more about UMW’s “unsung heroes.”

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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National & International Recognition NASPA President’s Award

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tudents, families, alumni, faculty, and staff have long acknowledged President Troy Paino’s commitment to their work, wellbeing, and success. Now, his dedication on campus has earned national acclaim, with NASPAStudent Affairs Administrators in Higher Education honoring Paino with its 2023 President’s Award at its annual conference in April. The accolade comes on the heels of his receipt of 2022’s NASPA Region III President’s Award, as well as his placement on the Virginia 500 Power List by Virginia Business magazine for multiple years.

“He is, above all, a student-centered leader,” said UMW Vice President for Student Affairs Juliette Landphair, praising Paino’s compassionate approach to strategic planning and decision-making, his personal attention to students, and his commitment to understanding diverse perspectives.

Gabby Taroc ’26, who attended one of the monthly dinners Troy and Kelly Paino hold with students at Brompton, said: “He was so interested in each of our stories and what we want in life. It was wonderful meeting him and his wife!”

Read more about President Paino’s national accolade.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

President Paino supports both teams during UMW’s annual Devil-Goat Day celebration. Photo by Tom Rothenberg.

Emma Bathke ’21

Olivia Foster ’23

UMW Alumni, Faculty Receive Fulbright Awards

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mma Bathke ’21 studied abroad in Germany as a student, until the pandemic prompted an early return home. Now, the UMW alumna has received the prestigious Fulbright Award to teach English there starting this fall.

Olivia Foster ’23, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history, also earned a Fulbright Award to teach English in Argentina. The pair are among the 28 Mary Washington students who have received the government-sponsored honor, among the world’s most highly regarded, since 2006.

“I absolutely love making connections with people about language and culture,” said Bathke, who majored in international affairs and minored in business German, a language she had studied for a decade. She also taught English language learners as a classroom volunteer. “When I found out Fulbright had grants that combined my two In addition, Professor of Political favorite topics, I knew I Science Stephen Farnsworth (above) had to apply – it was a and Professor Emeritus of Psychological perfect fit.”

Science David Rettinger earned Read more about Fulbright grants to teach and share their the Fulbright Award professional expertise in Poland and recipients.

Nepal, respectively.

Read more about the Fulbright faculty grants.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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From left: 2023 graduates Mary-Elise Alworth, Miranda Colbert, Katheryn Gonzalez, and Tyler Clift celebrate National Voter Registration Day.

UMW Sophomore Goes ALL IN on Student Voting

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onia Attie ’26 was one of 175 students nationwide to make the 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. Each honoree was recognized for their voter registration, education, and turnout efforts ahead of last year’s midterms, which saw a sizable number of young people weighing in at the polls.

Attie, a political science and philosophy major with a pre-law focus, serves as co-president of UMW’s Day on Democracy, Student Government Association Senate vice president, a RISE peer mentor, diversity peer educator, Virginia-21 student leader, and UMW Votes ambassador. Along with Marina Castro-Meirelles ’18, and Associate Professor of Psychological Science David Stahlman, she also penned an article titled: “Bringing Game Day Energy to Election Season on College Campuses.” Earning a mention in Forbes, their piece highlighted the importance of getting students pumped about voting and civic engagement, “much in the same way students get excited before big sports games!”

Read more about Tonia Attie ’26.

Tonia Attie ’26

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Student Involvement Shines at Annual Eagle Awards

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pril’s Eagle Awards ceremony honored over a dozen stellar students, faculty, and staff members who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to community service, citizenship, leadership, philanthropy, and academic excellence.

Maya Jenkins ’23 earned two top prizes: the James Farmer Defining a Legacy Award, named for the late civil rights icon and Mary Washington history professor, and the Grace Mann Launch Award, named for a UMW student leader and social justice advocate who died during her junior year.

“I’m so appreciative of what you’ve done for Mary Washington.”

Jenkins served as the University’s NAACP chapter president, a Student Alumni Ambassador, a TEAL peer mentor for UMW’s Center for Prevention and Education, and a student representative on the President’s Community Advisory Panel. She also helped found UMW’s Black Alumni Group and previously earned the Prince Woodard Emerging Leader Award.

“I like to think that those in this room are getting the most out of their Mary Washington experience,” President Troy Paino told the crowd. “But I also can say that we’ve gotten a lot from you and your leadership. I’m so appreciative of what you’ve done for Mary Washington.”

Maya Jenkins ’23 and Dean of Students and Associate VP of Student Affairs Melissa Jones. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

– PRESIDENT TROY PAINO

Read more about the Eagle Awards.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Spotlight on Service Alumni Couple Create Public Service Fellowship

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ill Leighty ’78 has been chief of staff to two Virginia governors, met the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and Tom Hanks, and enjoyed the satisfaction of a career promoting the common good. He and wife Marti Leighty ’75, a professor emerita at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, are now helping students from their alma mater begin their own public service careers at the state level.

Bill Leighty ’78

Both former members of UMW’s Board of Visitors, the couple came to campus in April to announce the William H. Leighty ’78 and Martha Kearns Leighty ’75 Fellows Program.

The endowed fellowship will encourage Mary Washington juniors and seniors to intern with state legislators, public officials, or state agencies. Students from any major can apply for the program, which will provide a $5,000 stipend and up to six academic credit hours for a semester-long or summer internship.

Marti Leighty ’75

To kick off fundraising for the fellowship endowment, the Leightys made a $100,000 philanthropic commitment. They’re also donating proceeds from Bill’s recent book, Capitol Secrets: Leadership Wisdom From a Lifetime of Public Service, a memoir packed with anecdotes and insider details about getting things done at the highest levels of state government.

Leighty joined a panel discussion of alumni now serving in various state and local governmental capacities, including Amy Atkinson ’93, Tom Allison ’07, Erik Johnston ’03, and Chris Winslow ’01.

Photos by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Read more about the Leightys’ support of UMW students.

Resource Center Provides for Students in Need

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everal years ago, Gwen Hale, then director of UMW’s Writing Center, noticed that some students couldn’t afford winter coats, clothes for job interviews, or even food to eat. She started a small pantry in her office to help. “I figured if these students had the guts to come to me and others on campus, how many did not?” she said.

Banding together, the Mary Washington community opened a larger space in the attic of Lee Hall in 2019 to collect donations and provide free food, clothing, toiletries, and more to students. When Hale passed away two years later, the space was renamed the Gwen Hale Resource Center in her honor.

Working on the UMW campus as part of AmeriCorps, Tamara Garrett ’23 is focused on alleviating food insecurity, an issue that impacts an estimated 30% of college students nationwide.

“Most people don’t like to ask for help,” she said, “but we want students to know that no matter what they need, Mary Washington has resources available for them.”

Read more about the Gwen Hale Resource Center.

Service Spotlight In 2022-23:

UMW’s Center for Community Engagement worked with over 100 community partners.

UMW students logged over 43,000 hours of community engaged work, with nearly 20,000 hours of direct service.

UMW offered 21 community engaged classes and sponsored 262 internships helping the community.

Courtney Haines ’22 volunteers at the Gwen Hale Resource Center.

Photo by John Davis Photography.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Bringing Business Forward Business Classroom Named for Longtime Accounting Professor

When Professor Emeritus Leigh Frackelton retired from UMW’s College of Business in 2021, the pandemic left little room for fanfare. Wanting something more for his former professor, Rob Strassheim ’96 helped raise tens of thousands of dollars to name a classroom in Woodard Hall for Frackelton, who taught business law and accounting for 35 years.

Former students and colleagues, family, and friends finally had the chance to fête the longtime faculty member, gathering in the airy, technology-rich space for the dedication ceremony in April. The College of Business also announced a scholarship for accounting students that Frackelton had a hand in creating.

“Leigh is an institution here at Mary Washington,” said Strassheim, who serves as vice rector of UMW’s Board of Visitors. “I felt this would be a fantastic endeavor to thank someone who has been so impactful in the classroom and in the community.”

Read more about Professor Emeritus Leigh Frackelton.

Grant Increases In-State Internships for Students

UMW was awarded $250,000 from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to expand paid and credit-bearing student internships in collaboration with employers in the commonwealth. The grant is part of the Fund for Excellence and Innovation, also known as the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership. It supports a program director to oversee the establishment and operation of the Rappahannock Work & Learn Collaborative (RWLC), serving the Fredericksburg area, the Northern Neck, and the Middle Peninsula. The University and RWLC will lead the effort to connect employers to students and increase the number of high-quality internships and other work-based learning opportunities.

In the past three years, UMW students have completed 706 internships, with 86% \ working in Virginia.

“Collaborations between employers, industry partners, K-12 education, and postsecondary education have increased dramatically in recent years,” said UMW Associate Provost for Career and Workforce Kimberly Young. “We are proud of the joint efforts and initiatives discovered in the process of developing this proposal.”

Read more about the grant and UMW's efforts to expand student internships.

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Michelle Gibbons ’16 (left) with her parents, Bill and Susie Gibbons (right), who named a team room in Woodard Hall after their daughter, who had Leigh Frackelton (center) as a professor.

Photo

by Suzanne CarrinRossi.

University of Mary Washington Year Review 2022-23

Partnerships Provide Pathways for Business Students

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mily Whitt ’23 considered other graduate schools, but only one rose to the top of her list – William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business. Thanks to UMW’s guaranteed Emily Whitt ’23 admissions partnership with the school, the aspiring accountant is on her way to a master’s degree this fall. Interested students must be nominated by Mary Washington and complete the application by Feb. 15 to receive financial support in the form of scholarships, discounts for prerequisite courses, and the chance to compete for additional scholarships and graduate assistantships. The application fee is waived as part of the nomination.

The University also signed an agreement with Germanna Community College that creates a fast track to earning business degrees in the Fredericksburg region. The ultra-accelerated route begins with Germanna’s “College Everywhere” program, giving students the opportunity to earn a two-year associate degree remotely in just 12 months. Those who transfer to Mary Washington can finish the business administration major, also online, within an additional 18 months, saving time and money.

“This is all about the students,” said President Troy Paino.

“This is about removing obstacles, creating access and opportunities, lowering costs, and accelerating time to degrees. All of those things are really going to make a difference, not only in the students’ lives but in our community.”

Read more about Emily's pathway to graduate school at William & Mary.

Read more about UMW and Germanna's partnership.

Read more about the COB Alumni awards.

Business Leaders Earn Alumni Awards

Jennifer Clift ’00

UMW’s College of Business inducted Jennifer Clift ’00 into the Business Hall of Fame at an awards ceremony held in October 2022. COB also named Megan Shepherd ’94, W. Lee Murray ’04, and Krishna Sinha ’08 as Distinguished Business Alumni. Rachel Lomax ’15, Gerber Ortiz ’17, and Brittany McBride ’18 earned Young Alumni Awards. Additionally, COB welcomed Mark Logan ’04 as 2022’s Executive-in-Residence, a program that gives students the chance to interact with established business leaders in the corporate world and enhance their knowledge of the free enterprise system.

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Lifeand At After Mary Wash Mental Health Is Top of Mind

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hen 2010 alumni Jake Kelly, Jonathan Wigginton, and Jeremy Wood learned that their friend and former roommate had taken his own life, they decided to memorialize him at Mary Washington.

The Phil Smith ’10 Talley Center Endowment, fully funded as of last fall, provides more counseling services, education and training, and resources for UMW students, adding to support from earlier endowments established by Betty Talley ’68 and the Class of 1970. Phil’s friends have also shared their story with first-year students to spark discussions about mental health and suicide prevention.

In addition, the University introduced TimelyCare, a new after-hours and weekend service to give students access to critical care from the Talley Center for Counseling Services and outside licensed professionals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Understanding that students often feel distress after 5 p.m. when the Talley Center is closed, we sought ways in which they could receive clinical attention,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Juliette Landphair. “Students’ well-being affects everything they do, including their academic pursuits.”

The same can be said for athletics. A new program, Eagles Let’s Talk, aims to help UMW’s more than 525 student-athletes identify and discuss stressors that could affect their performance in the classroom or on the field. Spearheaded by Assistant Athletic Trainer Katie Carnaghi, the initiative lays out a full game plan with monthly meetings, timely topics like nutrition and stress management, and a safe space for sharing concerns and conversation.

“It really does make such a difference to have an open and safe environment that allows people to feel comfortable to talk about the tough stuff.”

– KRISTA ROGERS ’23

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

The Eagles Let’s Talk program features sessions like this one on nutrition and aims to bring in a variety of experts to support student-athlete mental health.

Read more about the Phil Smith ’10 Talley Center Endowment.

Read more about TimelyCare.

Read more about Eagles Let’s Talk.

Focused on Quality Since 2019, UMW has had a creditbearing course within the general education requirements for postcollege life, bringing together what we believe students need upon graduation. We place an emphasis on students being able to assess their values, communicate strengths and weaknesses, and have the capacity to build networks. Now, we’re expanding that work beyond the classroom to a collection of experiences, via Life After Mary Washington, our Quality Enhancement Plan as part of the accreditation process of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

We’ve long held the liberal arts and sciences as the essence of the UMW educational experience, and

Small Business with Big Impact

Established in 1992, UMW’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a resource center serving the greater Fredericksburg area. The SBDC provides assistance directly to the small business community via management education, industrial and demographic research, and confidential one-on-one consulting with a focus on capital access and management planning. In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Virginia Small Business Centers Network (hosted at George Mason University), UMW is able to enhance economic prosperity and assist underserved markets throughout Fredericksburg and nearby counties.

with this plan, we are asking students to reflect on what that means and articulate it in meaningful ways as a component of who they are and who they’ve become.

It is our approach to fully address the connection between the liberal arts and sciences and life and learning after college. With Life After Mary Washington, we weave the concept of career readiness and preparation into the fabric and culture of the UMW experience. The goal is to take the best of what we do as a campus community and prepare our students for their future by combining all university activities into one effort with a common language and a community-wide focus.

UMW recently launched NETWORK Mary Wash, a tool for alumni to answer questions and provide career advice to UMW students and fellow grads. Learn more at umw.edu/ networkmarywash.

UMW’s SBDC by the Numbers

605 business clients served

1,092 jobs retained 11 UMW graduates hired

8 business clients

$5.86 million in new

were UMW students

9 business clients were

capital invested in commercial pursuits

Mary Washington alumni

$2.82 million sales

51 new companies

increases

launched

251 new jobs created University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Reunion Weekend Reunites Alumni of All Ages Alumni Association Presents Annual Awards

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early 850 graduates and guests returned to Mary Washington for 2023’s Reunion Weekend, held June 1-4. The highly anticipated celebration featured parties and picnics, faculty lectures, student-led campus tours, arts and cultural events, family activities, class photos, a Fredericksburg Nationals baseball game, and trolley tours to Carl’s for ice cream.

After being apart for several years, alumni were excited to rekindle relationships with those they had not seen since the pandemic.

“We came back for our last reunion, and it rocked our world,” said Whitney Hall ’93. “I made such enduring friendships at Mary Washington. We’re still in each other’s lives today.”

From left: Janet Hedrick ’73, Brent Turner Monseur ’09, Beth Craig ’77, Sean Simons ’13, and UMW President Troy Paino. Photos by Karen Pearlman Photography.

Four Mary Washington alumni were recognized at the 2023 Alumni Association award ceremony, held in Dodd Auditorium during Reunion Weekend in June. Attendees also got their first glimpse of UMW’s Alumni of Distinction gallery, now on display in George Washington Hall.

Janet Hedrick ’73 received the Distinguished Alumni Award, honoring an alum who has made significant achievements and contributions to their profession and community and is recognized as a leader in their field.

Beth Craig ’77 earned the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award, presented to an alum for their length, consistency, and breadth of service over a lifetime of dedication to Mary Washington.

Brent Turner Monseur ’09 and Sean Simons ’13 earned the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. The honor recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years and have distinguished themselves by providing outstanding service to UMW or contributions to their profession and community.

Read more about the Alumni Awards.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Photos by Karen Pearlman Photography.

Beloved Barbecue Bash Returns One Last Time

Reunion Weekend gave alumni the chance to bid farewell to Marshall and Russell halls, slated to come down to make way for the new home of UMW’s Department of Theatre and Dance. On June 2, UMW held the final Grill on the Hill, an annual student-led barbecue that ran for over two decades, to honor the two residence halls that housed thousands of students since the 1960s.

In between downing burgers, brats, and beverages in commemorative mugs and listening to Sean Michael Dargan ’90 perform on the Marshall steps, alumni snapped photos and shared snippets of life from their corner of campus.

“Living in Marshall built character,” said Matt Kapuscinski ’04, who met wife Tricia Piccinino Kapuscinski ’04 when both lived there. Brendan Severo ’97 recalled spending time with his best friends in Russell during sophomore year. “And I always loved walking down Sunken Road, especially in the evening.”

“It’s been such a joy to be back and renew these friendships.”

– MEG LIVINGSTON ASENSIO ’68

Read more about Reunion Weekend.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Mary Wash Day Is One for the Books

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rom coast to coast, the Mary Washington community came together April 4 for the sixth annual Mary Wash Day, a 24-hour celebration to support UMW students, faculty, and programs.

For the first time ever, donors in all 50 states (plus Washington, D.C.) and seven countries participated in the event, raising a grand total of $621,528 from 2,985 gifts that were made to support 124 different areas across the University.

Festivities continued all day long with fun and inspiring social media posts and videos, a Mary Wash Day student headquarters, and an alumni-hosted bingo game at the Lee Hall Underground.

Alumni and students from the classes of 1945 to 2026, along with families, faculty, staff, and friends, helped make the day a success, sponsoring and participating in 52 challenges and matches that doubled and tripled the impact of each gift. “Mary Washington will always hold a special place in our hearts,” said Rosemary Seltzer ’91, who sponsored a match for married alumni couples with husband Cullen Seltzer ’90.

“We can’t wait to see what the future holds for our beloved alma mater.”

Save the date for Mary Wash Day on Thursday, April 4, 2024!

Read more about Mary Wash Day’s success.

A grand total of $621,528 from 2,985 gifts made on Mary Wash Day will support 124 different areas across the University.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

In FY23, the following scholarships were awarded for the first time:

Katherine Aaslestad ’85 Scholarship in History UMW Alumni Accounting Scholarship ArtsLIVE! Scholarship Beyond the Classroom Education Abroad Scholarships Frances Rodgers Bryant ’68 Theatre Scholarship Molly Bradshaw Clark ’59 Scholarship Class of 1966 Scholarship Class of 1973 50th Reunion Scholarship Helen D. Gawron - Alvey Scholarship Thomas Lee Johnson P.D. Scholarship Patricia Boise Kemp ’69 Scholarship V Barbara Jean Blakeman Reed ’01 Scholarship Taylor-Floyd Scholarship for Civic Leadership Alice Warren Twiddy 1915 Scholarship Kendra Lynn Williams ’95 Scholarship Make a gift that is meaningful to you and help exceptional students achieve their dreams at UMW:

Miranda Colbert ’23 (left) and Kaylah Lightfoot ’25 celebrate Mary Wash Day at the student headquarters in the Cedric Rucker University Center. Photo by Cadiann Treviño Pinto ’22.

•

Fund a named scholarship to award aid to those with exceptional merit and/or financial need.

•

Create a named endowment to enhance academic offerings, support museums, or specialized centers.

•

Establish a named award to provide research opportunities, recognize innovative teaching, and acknowledge scholarly achievement.

The Office of University Advancement can explain naming and customized giving options to guide you through the process. Contact us at 540-654-1024 or email advance@umw.edu for more information.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Donor Events Spotlight the

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Power of Philanthropy

orah Walsh ’24 remembers taking a strenuous uphill hike in Spain with her classmates on a hot day last year. Their sweaty bus ride back was a bonding experience – and one of her most memorable moments since coming to Mary Washington.

And it was all made possible, Walsh said, because she received the Abbott International Study Abroad Scholarship.

Read more about the Celebration of Giving.

Read more about the Donor Appreciation luncheon.

Held in person for the first time since the pandemic, December’s Celebration of Giving and March’s Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase gave scholars like Walsh the opportunity to express their gratitude toward the supporters who made their UMW education possible. The University awarded $2.2 million through 817 privately funded scholarships during the last fiscal year, with $1.6 million coming from endowments.

“You make a profound difference in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff through your support and collective efforts.”

– VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT KATIE TURCOTTE

Photo cutline here. Photo cutline here. Photo cutline here.

Norah Walsh ’24 (top) thanks Marty Abbott ’72 (bottom) for giving her the opportunity to study abroad in Spain.

Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

UMW Reports Record-Breaking

$21.3 Million Raised in 2022-23

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he University of Mary Washington closed the books June 30, 2023, on its most successful fundraising year to date, with $21,362,093 in gifts and pledges – more than triple last year’s number – made during the 2022-23 fiscal year to enhance the UMW student experience.

Private support from 4,829 generous donors, more than half of whom are alumni, helped Mary Washington continue its commitment to providing students with an outstanding public liberal arts and sciences education filled with impactful learning opportunities. Gifts benefited 301 areas across the University, including academics, arts, athletics, service and leadership initiatives, career services, and cultural programs.

The grand total was bolstered by a portion of a transformational $30 million gift from Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59, which will exponentially grow Mary Washington’s

undergraduate research program in the sciences and create four new full-ride Alvey Scholarships (see pages 4-5).

Making a UMW education accessible and affordable remains a major priority at Mary Washington, with 790 scholarships and awards, totaling more than $2.1 million, given to 550 students in this fiscal year. Fifteen scholarships were awarded for the first time, including the Class of 1966 Scholarship and the Class of 1973 50th Reunion Scholarship, which illustrate the investment alumni continue to make in their alma mater and its students.

“This year’s success is due to the dedicated alumni, friends, families, students, faculty, and staff who make the University of Mary Washington a priority in their philanthropic giving,” said Vice President for Advancement Katie Turcotte. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of every donor and for their devotion to supporting UMW students, programs, faculty, and staff.”

790 scholarships and awards totaling more than $2.1 million given to 550 students.

Read more about UMW’s most successful fundraising year to date.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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Devil-Goat Day Scores High

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in School Sp r t

he uniquely UMW celebration returned this spring with students taking part in an all-out battle on Jefferson Square, enjoying giant inflatable games, jousting and bull-riding contests, and an epic game of tug-of-war, which ended in a tie.

“Everyone I talked to was excited about it,” said Brianna Miles ’26 of the cherished campuswide tradition that dates to the 1920s. Her victory on the Rocky River Log Roll challenge counted toward the Goats’ tally in the high-energy annual contest of school spirit, where Devils, who graduate in odd years, and Goats, who graduate in even years, vie to collect the most points for participation and wins. This year went to the Goats, ending a five-year streak by the Devils.

“It’s a wonderful way for us to come together and celebrate the time we’ve spent together all year.”

– DEAN OF STUDENTS MELISSA JONES

Read more about Devil-Goat Day 2023.

Top: Goats, UMW students who plan to graduate in even years, take on the Devils each year at Devil-Goat Day. The tug-of-war game (pictured above) was a tie, but the Goats still bested the Devils in 2023. Photo by Tom Rothenberg.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

UMW’s Research and Creativity Symposium

Celebrates Student Accomplishments

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osters, presentations, and projects filled the Mary Washington campus during this springtime celebration of all things academic, now in its 17th year. Complex artwork transformed the ground floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center. In Seacobeck Hall, home to UMW’s College of Education, future teachers discussed theories they’ve tested to help elementary school students retain information, while music emanated from recitals in the Weatherly Wing.

Meanwhile, young scientists explained their methodology and answered questions about their research in the Hurley Convergence Center. A trio of classics students

Left: Student presenters and observers crowd two levels of the Digital Auditorium of the Hurley Convergence Center.

Right: Student presenters explain methodology and answer questions. Photos by Sam Cahill.

envisioned a thermopolium – think an ancient fast-food spot – in James Farmer Hall. Students also presented in the areas of geography, digital communications, religion, psychology, and more.

Nearby in Woodard Hall’s Leigh Frackelton Classroom, undergraduate students analyzed a business case, determined challenges and possible solutions, and presented their findings in UMW’s fifth annual Case Competition. The event was sponsored by Andrew Blate ’04 and business partner Craig Schneibolk, who started an endowed fund to cover $5,000 in award money to be given annually. The pair also judged this year’s contest with business alumni Linda Blakemore ’84 and Rob Whitt ’93.

Read more about UMW’s Research and Creativity Symposium.

Read more about UMW’s fifth annual Case Competition.

University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

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33rd Annual

Performers enjoyed a respite from the rain as skies cleared over Campus Walk. Photo by Chenin Gruber ’24.

Multicultural Fair Brightened Rainy Weekend

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he forecast called for showers, but Mary Washington’s Multicultural Fair, sponsored by the James Farmer Multicultural Center, nevertheless drew enthusiastic crowds on April 1. The popular event was mostly held indoors, where audiences enjoyed clogging, reggae/go-go fusion, jazz, Indian music and dance, K-pop dance, praise music, and a high-energy step show performed by local high school students. Meanwhile, local vendors did a brisk business selling colorful hats, scarves, finger puppets, and other handmade wares. By noon, the rain subsided, giving attendees a chance to indulge at the food trucks that lined Jefferson Square, offering Indian, Greek, and Puerto Rican dishes, barbecue, tacos, and that most beloved of fair foods, funnel cake.

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University of Mary Washington Year in Review 2022-23

Read more about the Multicultural Fair.

Events Calendar

Cat Crotchett Cover Me Again 1-12, 2015 Encaustic and Metal Leaf on Panel Ridderhof Martin Gallery

Dec. 6, 2023

Celebration of Giving

Jan. 16, 2024

Great Lives kicks off Jan. 16, 2024

Classes Begin Jan. 24, 2024

James Farmer Multicultural Center’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote

Feb. 15-25, 2024

UMW Theatre True West by Sam Shepard March 22-23, 2024

Destination UMW April 4, 2024

Mary Wash Day April 6, 2024

Donor Appreciation Luncheon April 11-21, 2024

UMW Theatre Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare April 13, 2024

Multicultural Fair April 13, 2024

UMW Philharmonic Season Finale April 19-20, 2024

Destination UMW April 26, 2024

Research and Creativity Symposium May 11, 2024

Commencement May 31-June 2, 2024

Reunion Weekend

View upcoming events at Mary Wash.

UMW Theatre’s 2023 production of Pride and Prejudice. Photo by Geoff Greene.

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID

1301 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5300

There’s more to the story online. Read more at umw.edu/news or scan the QR code for the digital edition.

University of Mary Washington