Olivia-Lena De Veaux ’26, an international affairs and Spanish major who engaged in two study abroad experiences and an internship abroad at UMW. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Olivia-Lena De Veaux, a senior international affairs and Spanish major at the University of Mary Washington, has embraced study abroad in college, spending a semester in Mexico and going on a faculty-led trip to Guatemala over spring break.
“It’s been exhilarating to expand my horizons in ways I couldn’t have imagined four years ago,” said De Veaux, who earned the Gail Madden Shedlick ’78 Scholarship, which helped fund her summer internship working at a hotel in Prague. “It was my first experience navigating professional life in a foreign culture. I learned to translate my academic studies into real-world action – skills I’ll carry forward into my career.”
De Veaux was one of several students who spoke at the Celebration of Giving, sharing how donor-funded scholarships and awards that support internships, study abroad and undergraduate research have prepared them for Life After Mary Washington. With a theme of UMW pride and school spirit, the Nov. 13 event welcomed more than 200 guests to thank donors who contributed to the University’s success and celebrate its historic fundraising year and impressive college rankings.
The evening opened with the UMW Pep Band filling the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom with rousing renditions of fan favorites like the Mary Washington fight song, “Soar, Eagle Nation, Soar.” Guests then heard from a lineup of speakers, beginning with Katie Turcotte, vice president for advancement and alumni engagement and executive director of the UMW Foundation.
Turcotte thanked supporters for contributing $37.8 million in gifts and pledges and helping UMW’s endowment surpass $100 million. She also highlighted several milestones, including Mary Wash Day exceeding $1 million in donations for the first time, and the Fund for Mary Washington receiving more than $1 million in unrestricted support. Donors funded 824 scholarships totaling $2.3 million for 553 students this year.
“Transformational impact isn’t about the size of the gift – it’s about purpose,” Turcotte said. “Every contribution, every volunteer hour, every act of support helps move this University forward.” Read more about the Celebration of Giving.
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