Joseph Romero, Angela Pitts, Richard J. Hayes Jr., Liane Houghtalin, and Craig Vasey discussed the classics during lunch at Brompton.
Members of the Classics, Philosophy, and Religion faculty attended a luncheon at Brompton in early June to meet the man behind a $1.5 million campaign pledge. Richard “Rick” J. Hayes Jr., a practicing lawyer in mid-coastal Maine, recently informed UMW of his intent to bequeath $1.5 million for an endowed scholarship in support of Mary Washington students majoring in the classics.
“A college education should open your mind and teach you about some of the greatest thinkers in history, such as Aristotle and Plato. We don’t have to learn from just our experience – we can learn from their experiences as well,” says Rick. “I think a real education in classics and philosophy helps develop a well-rounded, intellectual person who can think and assemble information to be more effective in our complex world today.”
Rick is now “paying it forward” through his generous estate gift, which counts toward the Mary Washington First Campaign. In addition to financial assistance, the Richard J. Hayes Jr. Scholarship will also provide recipients with mentoring and support for success. Each recipient will be asked to sign the Richard J. Hayes Challenge to “pay forward” the benefits they receive through their scholarship by helping others when they are in a position to do so.
The $50-million Mary Washington First Campaign began July 1, 2011, and went public April 26, 2014. As of June 30, 2014, donors have committed $30 million in gifts and pledges. Campaign contributions are actively being solicited for the three colleges, scholarships, the Fund for Mary Washington, program initiatives, and restoration of the amphitheater. The Mary Washington First Campaign is scheduled to conclude June 30, 2016. Visit the campaign website for more information.