During the final two weeks of December, the University of Mary Washington received $667,544 in campaign gifts from 805 donors. Pledges totaling more than $450,000 were also received during this time period, bringing the Mary Washington First Campaign total to nearly $45 million. Below are just a few examples of gifts and pledges:

• An alumnus from the Class of 1987 gave $100 to the Fund for Mary Washington.
• An alumni couple from the Classes of 1982 and 1984 gave $500 to support a scholarship program for veterans.
• An alumnus from the Class of 1974 gave $5,000 to support the amphitheatre restoration initiative.
• An alumna from the Class of 1970 made a generous $25,000 gift to the Fund for Mary Washington.
• An alumna from the Class of 1959 contributed an additional $50,000 to an endowment that supports research for chemistry students.
• An alumna from the Class of 1954 and her husband gave an additional $140,000 to the Dorsey Scholars program.
• An alumna from the Class of 1969 pledged $325,000 to create a new scholarship for theatre students.

All gifts and pledges count toward the $50 million goal for the Mary Washington First Campaign. Visit MaryWashingtonFirst.umw.edu or call 540-654-2059 for more information.

All gifts and pledges count toward the $50 million Mary Washington First Campaign goal. Click here to read the latest Heritage Newsletter featuring a scholarship donor from the class of 1962.

As of Nov. 15, 2015, Mary Washington alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and businesses have committed nearly $43 million in gifts and pledges. Visit http://umw.edu/marywashingtonfirst or call 540-654-2059 for more information.

The UMW Foundation recently received a surprise bequest from the estate of Erminia Ubaldi Daspit ’49. The gift was designated to the chemistry department in recognition of the alumna’s undergraduate major.

A note from Erminia’s brother, Carmel J. Ubaldi, read: “My sister died in April of last year. She always attributed her success in life to her faith and the excellent education she received at what was then Mary Washington College.”

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1949, Erminia earned a master’s degree in library science from Columbia University. She then worked for DuPont/Westinghouse at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina as a technical librarian, researching literature for atomic energy scientists until her retirement in 1995. Throughout her life, she volunteered for numerous organizations and told her fellow ’49ers that she enjoyed travel, music, and people.

UMW Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Richard Finkelstein says gifts such as this one are of great help and are always appreciated. “Private gifts to an academic department help strengthen our programs by supplementing state funds,” says Finkelstein. “Department chairs can target areas most in need of support, such as faculty and undergraduate research, supplies and equipment, travel to professional conferences, and other high-impact learning experiences for students.”

Finkelstein adds that he is honored Erminia provided for her alma mater in her estate plans. “It’s a tremendous tribute to the faculty and our institutional programs that an alumna who graduated 66 years ago acknowledges the important role her professors and the liberal arts played in her life and successful career.”

This gift counts toward the $50-million Mary Washington First Campaign. As of Sept. 30, 2015, Mary Washington alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and businesses have committed more than $41 million in gifts and pledges. Visit http://umw.edu/marywashingtonfirst or call 540-654-2059 for more information.

Not all gifts to the Mary Washington First Campaign come in the form of cash or checks. Donors also make gifts of personal property, life insurance, real estate and other assets.

Recently an alumna from the Class of 1963 made a generous donation of 66 acres located near Lynchburg, Virginia. The property is a tree farm with open fields for hay or other cover crops. There is also plenty of space for growing herbs, flowers or vegetables. The family home has undergone recent renovations, and the property is currently listed for sale. Proceeds from the sale will be added to an endowed scholarship to benefit deserving University of Mary Washington students. Click here to learn more about the property.

The $50-million Mary Washington First Campaign began July 1, 2011. As of Aug. 15, 2015, Mary Washington alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff and businesses have committed $40.5 million in gifts and pledges. The Campaign is scheduled to conclude June 30, 2016. Visit http://umw.edu/marywashingtonfirst or call 540-654-2059 for more information.

University Advancement announces Mary Washington First Campaign gifts and pledges:

• An alumna from the Class of 1965 pledged $25,000 to endow a new study abroad scholarship.
• A former UMW staff member and her husband have committed $60,000 in their estate to fund an endowment for specialized training and professional development.
• A member of the Class of 1970 gave $10,000 to the Fund for Mary Washington in honor of her 45th class reunion.
• An alumni couple from the Class of 1950 pledged $25,000 to support Arts for the Community and the Fund for Mary Washington.

The $50-million Mary Washington First Campaign began July 1, 2011, and went public April 26, 2014. As of June 15, 2015, Mary Washington alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and businesses have committed more than $40 million in gifts and pledges. The Campaign is scheduled to conclude June 30, 2016. Visit http://umw.edu/marywashingtonfirst or call 540/654-1024 for more information.