July 17, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

UMW Honors 2025 Alumni Award Recipients

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UMW Alumni Association Board of Directors held its annual Alumni Awards ceremony during Reunion Weekend 2025.

A few weeks after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics, Jenifer “JB” Blair ’82 returned to her alma mater to volunteer at Reunion Weekend.

Since she graduated, Blair has donated her time every year at the University of Mary Washington celebration, so it’s only fitting that she received the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award during Reunion Weekend 2025. Blair also spent more than 20 years working in UMW’s Office of Admissions, eventually serving as dean of undergraduate admissions, and over a decade on the Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD), including two years as its president.

“I know the transformative nature of the education here, and I believe in it so much,” Blair said. It was an honor to receive the award, she said, especially since she knew its namesake, a dedicated former AABOD member who worked in the Office of the President when Blair first began her career at Mary Washington. “Having had such a great experience as an undergraduate made volunteering and supporting UMW so easy for me.”

Blair was one of several alumni honored at a May 31 ceremony in Seacobeck Hall’s Weatherly Wing. Alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, families and friends joined UMW President Troy Paino in recognizing the honorees, including Rob Eastman-Mullins ’00, who received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and Shirley Martey Hargis ’14, who received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award but was unable to attend the ceremony. The recipients were selected by the AABOD and announced by Alumni Awards Vice President Lisa Maloney Keyser ’05. Read more. 

Mary Washington Alumni Come Home for 2025 Reunion Weekend

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Rachel Selle ’05 (second from left) and fellow 2005 alumni join 1980 alumni for a photo on Campus Walk during Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Rachel Selle ’05 (second from left) and fellow 2005 alumni join 1980 alumni for a photo on Campus Walk during Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Living across the Atlantic couldn’t keep Rachel Selle ’05 from celebrating her 20th Reunion Weekend at the University of Mary Washington.

Now a teacher and young-adult author in Germany, she looked forward to staying overnight in Randolph Hall, where she served as a resident assistant two decades ago. “I’m really excited to reconnect with classmates and see what life – and Mary Washington – has brought us all since we graduated,” she said.

Selle was among the hundreds of alumni to return for UMW’s Reunion Weekend, held May 30 to June 1. The forecast called for rain, but showers soon gave way to clear skies, sunshine and even a rainbow as classes ending in 0 and 5 participated in parties and picnics, faculty lectures, campus tours, beverage tastings, family festivities, a fun run and cool treats at Carl’s. Read more. 

Mary Washington Alumni Come Home for 2025 Reunion Weekend

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Rachel Selle ’05 (second from left) and fellow 2005 alumni join 1980 alumni for a photo on Campus Walk during Reunion Weekend. This year’s event celebrated classes ending in 0 and 5, but all graduates are welcome to participate in the annual celebration held at the end of May. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Rachel Selle ’05 (second from left) and fellow 2005 alumni join 1980 alumni for a photo on Campus Walk during Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Living across the Atlantic couldn’t keep Rachel Selle ’05 from celebrating her 20th Reunion Weekend at the University of Mary Washington.

Now a teacher and young-adult author in Germany, she looked forward to staying overnight in Randolph Hall, where she served as a resident assistant two decades ago. “I’m really excited to reconnect with classmates and see what life – and Mary Washington – has brought us all since we graduated,” she said.

Selle was among the hundreds of alumni to return for UMW’s Reunion Weekend, held May 30 to June 1. The forecast called for rain, but showers soon gave way to clear skies, sunshine, and even a rainbow as classes ending in 0 and 5 participated in parties and picnics, faculty lectures, campus tours, beverage tastings, family festivities, a fun run and cool treats at Carl’s.

Syd Collson Chichester ’60, a member of the 1908 Society (for alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago), said she became more involved after co-chairing her 50th reunion. “It brought me back to this place,” said Chichester, who still gets emotional when she sings UMW’s Alma Mater.

“Hosting Reunion Weekend is a highlight for our team each year,” Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Mark Thaden ’02 said. “Seeing alumni return to visit their favorite places on campus, connect with friends and faculty, and spend a few days reliving their college days brings us so much joy.” Read more.

UMW Community Donates a Record-Breaking $1.33 Million on Mary Wash Day

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Student giving more than doubled from last year’s event, and many participated in activities at the Mary Wash Day headquarters on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio on April 2. Here, two students take photos at the selfie station with a puppy brought to campus by Old Dominion Humane Society.

Student giving more than doubled from last year’s event, and many participated in activities at the Mary Wash Day headquarters on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio on April 2. Here, two students take photos at the selfie station with a puppy brought to campus by Old Dominion Humane Society.

When Eagles come together, truly amazing things happen. The entire University of Mary Washington community recently demonstrated that, rallying to raise over $1.33 million on Mary Wash Day to support students, faculty and programs.

A total of 2,565 donors helped crush participation goals, making 3,654 gifts during the 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, held April 2-3 from noon to noon. Alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff and students collectively unlocked hundreds of thousands of dollars in challenges and matches sponsored by generous donors, doubling and tripling the impact of each gift.

“This achievement isn’t just about surpassing a financial goal – it’s a powerful testament to the extraordinary commitment of the UMW community to invest in the University’s mission,” said Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14.

Mary Wash Day saw a 58 percent increase in giving over last year’s event and passed the million-dollar mark for the first time in Mary Wash Day’s eight-year history, she said. “This milestone shows that when Eagles unite around a shared purpose, there’s no limit to how high we can soar or what we can accomplish together.”

Donors from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as those from overseas, made gifts to 124 different areas across the University, benefiting academics, arts, athletics, service, career and cultural programs. Read more. 

Alumni Invited to Reunite and Reconnect During UMW’s Reunion Weekend

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Kathy Vi ’04 (second from left) and her classmates cool off with ice cream at Carl’s, a time-honored tradition during the University of Mary Washington’s Reunion Weekend, which will be held May 30-June 1, 2025. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Kathy Vi ’04 (second from left) and her classmates cool off with ice cream at Carl’s, a time-honored tradition during the UMW’s Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

When Kathy Vi ’04 returned to the University of Mary Washington last year for her 20th Reunion Weekend, it was exactly what she had in mind, filled with meaningful conversations, college memories and making connections with friends both old and new.

“It was a fantastic and focused weekend dedicated to these cherished relationships,” said Vi, who now serves on UMW’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. “Our college experience laid a crucial foundation for our lives, and the University continues to offer valuable resources, networks and a sense of belonging that enriches our lives today.”

As this year’s Reunion Weekend chair, Vi is excited to welcome back more than 500 alumni, families and friends to Mary Washington for 2025’s Reunion Weekend, held May 30 through June 1. While the event specifically honors classes ending in 0 and 5, all Eagles are invited back to campus to rediscover everything they loved about Mary Washington as students.

Attendees can look forward to a vibrant three-day schedule filled with lively class gatherings, a Ball Circle picnic, guided campus tours, thought-provoking lectures, family activities, commemorative photos, art exhibits, beverage tastings and more. And no Reunion Weekend would be complete without the time-honored tradition of visiting Carl’s for its famous frozen custard. Read more.

UMW Impact Grants Program Transforms Ideas into Innovation

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Nine projects and initiatives pitched by UMW faculty, staff and students earned Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants after their presentations to the UMW Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council in April. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Nine projects and initiatives pitched by UMW faculty, staff and students earned Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants after their presentations to the UMW Alumni Association Board of Directors and Young Alumni Council in April. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Amira Said has always been passionate about sustainability, but the junior environmental science major has unearthed new ways to care for her community and the planet since coming to the University of Mary Washington.

“During my first year, I noticed how much food waste was generated,” she said. Building upon the UMW Office of Sustainability’s work – which has earned the University a perennial spot on The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges – she secured funds last year to place three large compost bins in high-traffic areas on campus.

Yet, Said wants to go even greener, with plans to engage her fellow students in a hands-on learning experience to promote composting. The Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant she received this spring will prevent hundreds of pounds of food waste from ending up in landfills, instead producing nutrient-rich recycled matter to use in UMW’s pollinator gardens and on the grounds.

Now in its second year, the Impact Grant program recently awarded over $25,000 in donor-funded grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000, to nine projects pitched by students, faculty and staff on behalf of recognized campus organizations. Eight initiatives earned funding last year, including Eagles in Recovery, the Charnoff Production Studio, an initiative to dispense free menstrual products on campus and a new program called “Soft Landings,” which helps incoming students with autism spectrum disorder acclimate to Mary Washington.

Applicants were required to submit a video and slide deck, demonstrating financial need and outlining measurable objectives, a detailed budget, a sustainability plan and a targeted audience. Each project was also evaluated on how closely it aligned with UMW’s ASPIRE values. Read more.

Impact Grant Supports Eagles in Recovery’s Substance-Free Mission

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From left: Ray Tuttle, UMW’s health promotions and student success specialist, and Devin Walsh, UMW’s peer recovery specialist, run Eagles in Recovery, a program that supports Mary Washington students working to overcome substance and alcohol addiction. Photo by Parker Michel Boyce.

From left: Ray Tuttle, UMW’s health promotions and student success specialist, and Devin Walsh, UMW’s peer recovery specialist, run Eagles in Recovery, a program that supports Mary Washington students working to overcome substance and alcohol addiction. Photo by Parker Michel Boyce.

This month, Devin Walsh, the University of Mary Washington’s peer recovery specialist, marks off some significant milestones.

Two years ago in May, he committed to a life of sobriety, and the following spring, he began training to help others overcome their own struggles with substances and alcohol, which can often make it challenging for college students to stay in school.

“The University wants to give its students the best opportunity to be successful in college and beyond,” Walsh said. “Being visible and outspoken about my own journey can give them the hope they need to heal and continue to study, learn and grow so they can achieve their goals.”

Founded in 2017, UMW’s Eagles in Recovery program has provided the campus with critical resources and tools to support students, from the sober-curious to those who have experienced active addiction. Bolstered by a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant and other sources of funding, Eagles in Recovery also educates and engages the campus community through initiatives such as the coffee bike – providing hot beverages, snacks and outreach – and recovery ally training to teach friends and family how to support loved ones while reducing stigmas surrounding addiction.

“Popular culture has perpetuated the idea that college is the best four-year party one can experience,” said Ray Tuttle, UMW’s health promotions and student success specialist. “But if you’re a person in recovery, and you don’t want to be in that kind of environment, it can be very difficult.” Read more.

UMW Students Thank Supporters at Spring Scholarship Luncheon and Showcase

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Bonnie Butler ’25, recipient of the Rebecca Culbertson Stuart Memorial Scholarship, served as a speaker at the luncheon, also receiving the Helen G. and Justin J. Piscopo Alvey Scholarship. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

As a cybersecurity major at the University of Mary Washington, Christopher Walker knows the importance of being cautious in his career.

Yet, the Mary Washington junior, who was initially concerned about in-person college after being homeschooled, has let down his guard when it comes to embracing educational and extracurricular experiences. He’s shown off his cyber skills at the Innovation Challenge @ Dahlgren, helped plan uniquely UMW events like Devil-Goat Day and Rocktoberfest as Class Council vice president and entertained classmates in epic Star Wars-style battles as part of the Light Saber Duels club.

“Your support means so much and has truly changed my life,” Walker said. The recipient of the Society for Worldwide Financial Telecommunications Inc. (SWIFT) Scholarship and funding through a Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership Grant (V-TOP), he’s been able to engage in his studies while interning at a local cybersecurity firm, where he’ll work full time after he graduates. “Without your generosity, many of us would not have the opportunity to pursue our dreams and make a meaningful impact in our chosen fields.”

Walker expressed his gratitude to a roomful of donors at the 2025 Student Showcase and Scholarship Luncheon on March 22. The annual event celebrates supporters who have established private scholarships and members of UMW’s Washington and Heritage Societies who have either given or pledged significant funds to the University. Read more.

UMW Community Gets to the Heart of Giving Back on Mary Wash Day, April 2-3

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The University of Mary Washington will hold its eighth annual Mary Wash Day, a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, starting at noon Wednesday, April 2, and concluding at noon Thursday, April 3.

The University of Mary Washington will hold its eighth annual Mary Wash Day, a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, starting at noon Wednesday, April 2, and concluding at noon Thursday, April 3.

Get ready for Mary Wash Day! Now in its eighth year, this 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement – running from noon Wednesday, April 2, through noon Thursday, April 3 – gives alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff and students the chance to come #TogetherUMW and share their love of Mary Washington.

Members of the UMW community have sponsored more than $500,000 in challenges and matches, exceeding totals from previous years. Their commitment will double and even triple the impact of each gift, helping the University reach its goal of 2,500 gifts from donors, including 1,200 alumni contributors and 350 new supporters.

“This has the potential to be an absolutely record-breaking Mary Wash Day,” Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14 said. “Every gift, regardless of size, holds the power to create lasting impact. When combined, these contributions shape the future of UMW students, enhancing their education and empowering them to make a difference for generations to come.”

Many participation challenges and dollar-for-dollar matches support the Fund for Mary Washington, which underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved, such as a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, personal relationships with professors and classmates, and more. After making a gift at givingday.umw.edu, supporters can spotlight their names and gifts on the donor wall or remain anonymous, and track progress on dynamic leaderboards.

Festivities will kick off April 2 at the Mary Wash Day headquarters on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio (or inside in case of rain) at 11 a.m., with food, games, prizes, a photobooth and stations for donations, selfies and writing thank-you notes to donors. The UMW Pep Band and UMW Symfonics will perform, and students can pet and play with puppies brought by Old Dominion Humane Society. Read more.

UMW Studio Art Major Paints a New Path as a Nontraditional Student

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Kathleen Trenchard was the only current UMW student selected to have work in the Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial exhibit. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.

Kathleen Trenchard was the only current UMW student selected to have work in the Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial exhibit. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Trenchard.

Kathleen Trenchard was walking on the University of Mary Washington campus early one morning when something caught her eye next to Melchers Hall. The giant cedar tree bathed in sunlight soon became the subject of her first piece for her Topics in Painting course.

“In the class, we were focusing on our personal canon and how we wanted to grow as an artist,” said Trenchard, who captured the evergreen in a photo and amplified the colors before bringing it to life on canvas with vibrant blue, red, green and gold oil paint and pigment powder. “It was an exercise to push myself in ways that are not normal for me.”

After decades as a self-taught artist and military spouse, Trenchard is pursuing a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree in studio art at Mary Washington – and earning recognition for her work in the process. Her painting, “On the Way to Class,” spent several months hanging in Brompton, home to UMW President Troy Paino and wife Kelly. The piece also graces the cover of the 2023-24 Fiscal Year Endowment Report, recently published by the Office of University Advancement and the UMW Foundation.

Trenchard was also selected from over 600 professional artists from New Jersey to South Carolina to have her work displayed in the Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial exhibit. The oil painting of her husband, “Terry,” and more than 70 other works – including those by Mary Washington alumni Heidi Reszies ’86, Emma Knight ’92 and Jasper Drilling ’22 – were on view in the UMW Galleries throughout much of the fall semester.

“I didn’t realize the caliber of artists who were considered, so I was really surprised to find out I was the only current UMW student with a painting in the show,” Trenchard said. “It was such an incredible honor.” Read more at Giving.umw.edu.