University of Mary Washington senior studio art major Chloe Rice sweeps a roller covered in black ink onto a giant woodblock carved with a grinning goat wearing a flower hat.

“Growing up, we raised goats that we’d dress in cute outfits, so I’m paying homage to them,” said Rice, whose work is displayed with other Devil-Goat Day-inspired prints in the Cedric Rucker University Center this week. The exhibit is in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the uniquely UMW tradition, which was held on April 23. “Plus, I’m a Goat myself!”

More than a hundred UMW students participated in the University’s first-ever Print-a-Palooza, a public-facing printmaking event supported by a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant. Last Friday, more than a dozen studio art majors printed large-scale pieces using a rented steamroller weighing 2,689 lbs. – over a ton – as an amp pumped house music and disco beats into the Ridderhof Martin Gallery parking lot.

A steady stream of students lined up throughout the afternoon to screen-print T-shirts and bags emblazoned with Mary Washington-themed designs, while others enjoyed the sunshine and watching the heavy machinery press oversized prints. Read more about UMW’s Print-a-Palooza.

When Sean O’Brien ’09 graduated from the University of Mary Washington, smartphones were the latest technology tools on the market. Within six years, almost everyone had one of these handy devices in their palm or pocket.

Yet, it only took two months for ChatGPT to top 100 million users, he added, illustrating the acceleration of artificial intelligence, or AI. “Humanity has always lived through technological revolutions,” O’Brien said, citing the printing press, telephone and internet. “But when a tech storm arrives, the question is, how do we navigate it?”

That’s what O’Brien – an associate vice president at Internet2, a national tech consortium for higher education – discussed when he returned to campus last month to speak about the potentials and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. As UMW’s inaugural AI Expert-in-Residence, he’s providing students, faculty, staff and community members his critical insight on these tools and their tremendous impact on individuals, institutions and society.

His talk, sponsored by UMW’s Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, tackled these topics and more, creating a roadmap for how leadership, especially in higher education, should prepare for these rapid changes. Read more about UMW’s inaugural AI expert-in-residence.

University of Mary Washington junior Hannah Jadgchew has been able to do it all in college. She has worked on a research team with her faculty mentor, participated in a clinical internship, competed on UMW’s varsity field hockey team, held leadership roles and even spearheaded an effort to donate 20,000 lbs. of food to local shelters.

“My scholarships have given me the freedom to flourish and engage in everything Mary Washington has to offer,” said Jadgchew, who came from San Diego to major in psychology and minor in neuroscience at UMW. She’s preparing for a career in speech and occupational therapy, hoping to “give a voice to children in this world who weren’t necessarily born with one.”

Jadgchew thanked the donors who established the Llewellyn Scholarship in Psychology, the Kenneth L. Steen Scholarship and the Civic Leadership and Community Engagement Scholarship that have supported her at Mary Washington over the past three years.

“Your investment doesn’t just fund education,” she said. “It transforms lives.”

That resounding message summed up the 2026 Scholarship Luncheon and Student Showcase on March 21. The annual event honors supporters who’ve established and funded private scholarships and members of UMW’s Washington and Heritage Societies who have contributed or pledged significant gifts to the University. Read more about the Scholarship Luncheon.

Betty Olander Adams ’69 began giving to Mary Washington soon after she graduated. It was one of the best ways, she said, to let her alma mater know what mattered to her as an alum.

“Personally, I fund scholarships so that every student will have the chance to have a meaningful future,” said Adams, who earned a bachelor’s degree in history and later became a lawyer. “Each and every person connected to the University, no matter their age or stage in life, can make a difference to continue the excellence of a Mary Washington education.”

This Mary Wash Day, Adams is encouraging members of the UMW community to give to whatever matters most to them on March 25 and 26, from noon to noon. When 100 first-time donors make their first-ever gift, she’ll unlock $10,000 for the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington. She’s also sponsoring a $5,000 match to the General Scholarship Fund, helping students in need stay in school, take on less debt and graduate on time.

Now in its ninth year, Mary Wash Day unites Eagles across the country and the globe in a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement that gives alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff and students the chance to come #TogetherUMW and share their love for Mary Washington. Read more about Mary Wash Day.

When Mallory Thompson ’26 was interviewed for the Rae Elizabeth Smith ’59 Washington Scholarship, she asked the committee what experiences she shouldn’t miss out on as a University of Mary Washington student.

“They told me, unanimously, that I should study abroad,” said Thompson, a senior biomedical sciences major from Spotsylvania who went on to earn the prestigious award that provides full tuition, fees, and housing and dining for in-state students. “Receiving that scholarship totally changed my college experience.”

She also recently earned the Grellet C. Simpson International Scholarship, which supported her studies during the fall semester at the University College Cork in Ireland. At this world-class research institution, she took courses in anatomy and philosophy for her practical ethics minor, along with Celtic cultural classes like Irish mythology and step-dancing, as well as a lesser known form of traditional folk dancing known as “Irish sets.”

“I’m so grateful to my donors for providing me with these experiences,” Thompson said. An aspiring physician, she joined UMW’s Pre-Health Society, volunteers with Red Cross blood drives and Mary Washington Healthcare’s emergency department and traveled with Global Medical Brigades to treat patients in rural Panama – and dances with the Performing Arts Company for fun.

Read more about student’s journey from cancer research to Celtic culture.

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.