On Saturday, April 18, the University of Mary Washington will host Destination UMW, a high-profile event welcoming admitted students to campus with the goal of enrolling them for the 2015-2016 academic year. About 405 prospects and their families will visit, with a total guest count of approximately 1,000 people.

The Destination UMW schedule includes events from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. The event features opportunities to learn about the University up-close and first-hand. Students will participate in an academic session with a professor (class or lab) and a student engagement activity with Dean Rucker and current student leaders. Two tracks will offer an opportunity to message differently to students who have already committed to attend UMW in the fall and those who are still deciding among their college options. More than half of the students registered have already paid their enrollment fee, so the goal will be to affirm their decision by sharing their first-year seminar and residence hall assignments. Others will be able to take these next steps the day of the event if they make their decision on-site. The welcome session includes greetings from President Hurley, Student Government Association President Samantha Worman and alumni highlighting outcomes of a successful UMW graduate.

A sample agenda is posted here. Visitor parking has been reserved in the George Washington (GW) lot and along Double Drive with overflow to other lots along College Avenue. Primary event locations are Dodd Auditorium, Lee Hall, Monroe Hall, Seacobeck Dining Hall and campus/residence hall tours. Expect to see increased foot traffic on campus and curious newcomers in Seacobeck. Help them know their presence is a pleasure by anticipating the crowds and responding warmly, especially in the dining hall where crowds will peak between noon and 2 p.m.

While the Office of Admissions sponsors these events, the entire campus should assume the role of host. Please extend every courtesy and generous hospitality to these visitors. Their impression and decision to attend UMW depends on how they feel while they are here, so thank you for your commitment to perpetuating our brand, our mission, and our sense of the UMW family. One way to show your support is to tweet to @UMWAdmissions and/or post to Instagram and tag @UMWAdmissions. We would like to see #UMW19, #MyMaryWash, and/or #BestDecisionEver trending throughout the day.

Saturday is the final Destination UMW event this spring. The Office of Admissions appreciates your involvement in and support of these signature programs that shape the Class of 2019.

If you’d like to be involved in future Admissions events, please contact Admissions at 540-654-2000 or email admit@umw.edu.

On Friday, March 20, Admissions will host a banquet honoring finalists for the prestigious Washington and Alvey Scholarships. The Washington Scholarship is awarded to an entering freshman who is a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Alvey Scholarship is awarded to an out-of-state student. Both scholarships require students be accepted to the University of Mary Washington Honors Program with preference given to National Merit Scholar semi-finalists. The Winners will receive awards for full tuition, room, board, and fees for up to four academic years. Two Washingtons and two Alveys will be awarded:

James D. Rodgers – Alvey Scholarship
Sally Watson Castle ’55 – Alvey Scholarship
Theresa Young Crawley ’77 and William B. Crawley – Washington Scholarship
William M. Anderson, Jr. – Washington Scholarship

Current Scholars Benjamin Hermerding and Claire Harrington will speak at the banquet. The finalists will interview with the selection Committees on Saturday, March 21.
Washington Committee:
Dr. Jeff McClurken, chair (Professor, History & American Studies and Special Assistant to the Provost)
Dr. Mara Scanlon (Professor, English, Linguistics, and Communication)
Dr. Hilary Stebbins (Assistant Professor, Psychology)
Dr. Alan Griffith (Professor, Biology)
Patti Kemp, Alumni Association Board

Alvey Committee:
Carole Garmon, chair (Professor, Art & Art History)
Dr. Steve Hanna (Professor, Geography)
Dr. Venitta McCall (Professor, College of Education)
Dr. Woody Richardson (Associate Professor, College of Business)
Mike Charnoff, Alumni Association Board

The Scholar Finalists will also attend Saturday’s Destination UMW events, beginning with a breakfast hosted by Kelli Slunt, director of the Honors Program. These scholarships are the University’s most prestigious academic honor for an incoming student. There are 16 finalists in each category.

Please contact the Office of Admissions at (540) 654-2000 with any questions or to participate in an upcoming event.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, the University of Mary Washington will host an Admissions Open House. About 287 prospective students (typically transfers and high school seniors, juniors, and sophomores) and their families will visit campus between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for this event. Estimated guest count is 820 visitors.

Visitor parking has been reserved in the parking deck off of Route 1. Primary event locations are the Anderson Center, Lee Hall, Seacobeck Dining Hall, and residence hall/special interest tours in Randolph, Jepson, duPont, and Melchers. Expect to see increased foot traffic on campus (especially between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and curious newcomers in the dining facilities. Help them know their presence is a pleasure by anticipating the crowds and responding warmly, especially in the dining hall where crowds will be heavy between noon and 2 p.m.

A special note to Seacobeck diners: please help! Ask visitors if they need assistance locating anything. Help them find a place to sit. Welcome them at your table if there’s room and talk to them about UMW. A kind word or deed shows the heart of our community. Faculty and staff will be involved in the Academic Showcase (9 a.m., Anderson Center) and Academic Spotlights (11 a.m., various locations), and student leaders will be panelists for an Inside Student Life session (12 noon, Lee 411). Thank you to all UMW partners who will spend part of their Saturday highlighting our community. An agenda is posted here: October 18, 2014 Open House agenda.

If you’d like to be involved in Open Houses or have ideas, please contact Admissions at (540) 654-2000 or email admit@umw.edu.

While the Office of Admissions sponsors these events, the entire campus assumes the role of host. You represent our brand, our mission, and our sense of the UMW family. One way to show your support is to tweet to @UMWAdmissions and/or post to Instagram and tag @UMWAdmissions. We would like to see #UMWOpenHouse trending throughout the day.

Other Open House dates for 2014-2015 are Feb. 16 and April 3. Thank you for your partnership in showcasing all that is great about UMW!

Office of Admissions
540/654-2000
admit@umw.edu