University Advancement announces new Campaign gifts and pledge commitments:

• An alumna from the Class of 1966 has committed $250,000 to support a professional symposium for the nursing program in the College of Arts and Sciences.
• An alumna from the Class of 1968 made a $25,000 gift to support the LearnerSpace project in the College of Education.
• An alumna from the Class of 1948 sent in a $300 check for the Fund for Mary Washington in response to a student phonathon caller. A consistent donor since 1981, this alumna included a note that read, “At age 88, I’m still grateful for my MWC education.”

The $50-million Mary Washington First Campaign began July 1, 2011, and went public April 26, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, Mary Washington alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and businesses have committed more than $30 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.

The University of Mary Washington announces the naming of the Talley Center for Counseling Services to honor a significant campaign gift from Betty Dobbins Talley ’68. The UMW Board of Visitors approved the new name August 5, 2014, to supersede the title of the former Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) center.

A counselor for more than 40 years, Betty Talley thought it especially important to remove the reference to “psychological” in the new name of the center. “Counseling centers on college campuses should have an aura of easy access and warmth without any stigma,” she says. “I believe counseling should be available to help students get over those bumps that occasionally come up in life, or during major transitions, so they can grow and reach their full potential. Professionals and educators shouldn’t make them feel sick. Sometimes students just need to talk to someone.”

Located in Lee Hall, the Talley Center for Counseling Services is staffed by licensed mental health professionals. A part of the Division of Student Affairs, the Center is committed to furthering student development, and it offers crisis intervention, consultation, community referrals, and training and educational outreach programs to the entire UMW community.

The new Talley endowment will count toward the Mary Washington First Campaign goal, and it will enhance existing student counseling services by enabling the center to increase outreach and prevention efforts for early recognition of at-risk behaviors.

“We have a long family history in counseling and education,” says Betty Talley. “My late husband, Page, was also a lifelong counselor and educator. When we began planning our estates, we decided to support the two institutions that had given each of us our initial starts — Mary Washington and his alma mater, Western Kentucky University.”

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.

Read the latest issue of the Heritage newsletter featuring stories about alumni and students, including Ken and Jennifer Fankhauser Osterman ’73, Nancy O’Neal Robinson ’62 and Thomas “Robbie” Robinson, and Marie “Ria” Firth ’15.

This publication is mailed to Mary Washington alumni, parents, and friends who have already made plans to include Mary Washington in their estates, as well as to those who may be considering giving options to support UMW students and programs.

Read the latest issue of the Heritage newsletter featuring stories about alumni and faculty, including Nanalou West Sauder ’56, Robert Lynn ’08, and John H. and Joanna L. Reynolds. This publication is mailed to alumni, parents, and friends of the University who have already made plans to include Mary Washington in their estates, as well as to those who may be considering giving options to support UMW students and programs.