Nathaniel Huff ’24 (center, green shirt and glasses) and his classmates visit Westminster Abbey during the UMW Theatre in London trip in summer 2023. Nathaniel was able to take the trip because he received the Beyond the Classroom Education Abroad Scholarship, which was awarded for the first time last year. Photo courtesy of UMW Theatre.

Renee Kuntz ’85 can still remember the advice that Distinguished Professor Emeritus Jack Kramer gave her before she graduated from Mary Washington with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and a focus in Russian studies.

“He encouraged me not to stay in one position,” said Kuntz, who spent nearly four decades rotating through various roles in the National Security Agency, putting her foreign policy background and language skills to work to protect American intelligence. “Mary Washington was truly foundational for my life and career.”

A dedicated donor to UMW’s Beyond the Classroom Endowment (BtC), Kuntz wants current and future students at the University of Mary Washington to have access to experiential learning opportunities that will ensure success in their own careers. She recently made a pledge that pushed the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) initiative over the top in its quest to raise $1 million in gifts and pledges to help students pursue study abroad, internships, independent research and travel to academic conferences.

“Accomplishing this milestone in just four years is simply amazing,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Keith Mellinger, who established BtC after student research proposals climbed to twice the CAS budget to pay for them. “It means we will be able to support our students in perpetuity and can make an annual commitment to these learning experiences that can really change lives.” Read more.

Anders Barretta ’25, a double major in geography and political science, is the first-ever recipient of the Marshall E. Bowen Scholarship, established by Susan Liebenow ’71 for the distinguished professor emeritus, who passed away in 2020. Photo courtesy of Anders Barretta.

When University of Mary Washington senior Anders Barretta was a child, he was fascinated by the maps his father kept around the house.

“He told me that his favorite geography professor, Marshall Bowen, taught some of the most influential classes he took in college,” Barretta said. His father, John Barretta ’90, said students would sit on the floor of Monroe Hall just to hear the late professor speak. “Dr. Bowen inspired my dad’s 30-year career as a geospatial intelligence officer.”

That made it even more special when the younger Barretta, who is double majoring in geography and political science and earning a geographic information systems (GIS) certificate, learned he would be the first-ever recipient of the Marshall E. Bowen Scholarship at UMW. Barretta has traveled to professional conferences, engaged in timely research and competed twice in Virginia’s World Geography Bowl, helping UMW’s team beat the buzzer to become the 2022 champions – all of which helped him earn the prestigious geography award.

“Anders truly embodies my husband’s interest in geography, and his curiosity about the places around him is incredibly refreshing,” said Professor of Geography Dawn Bowen, who serves as Barretta’s advisor. She invited him last year to participate in a small group discussion for other students. “He embraced the idea of learning something new and engaging with others.” Read more.

The University of Mary Washington announces $14.5 million was raised from gifts and pledges from generous donors during the 2023-24 fiscal year to support UMW students, programs, faculty and staff.

The University of Mary Washington ended the 2023-24 fiscal year on June 30, announcing an impressive $14.5 million in gifts and pledges that will help strengthen and enhance the UMW student experience.

Private support from 5,146 generous donors helped Mary Washington continue its commitment to providing students with an outstanding liberal arts and sciences education filled with impactful learning opportunities. Gifts this year benefited 315 areas across the University, including academics, arts, athletics, service and leadership initiatives, career services and cultural programs.

“We are deeply appreciative of the investments the UMW community has made in our institution this year,” said Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement Katie Turcotte. “The generosity of our alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff and students is vital to advancing our mission and to helping to attract, retain and graduate exceptional students from Mary Washington.”

Read the full story at Giving.umw.edu.

Thirty SSI participants are joined by their faculty mentors for a photo at the conclusion of the symposium. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

The University of Mary Washington’s Summer Science Institute (SSI) has given UMW students the chance to conduct trailblazing undergraduate STEM research – analyzing cancer cells, carbon dioxide reduction and complex computer coding – for a quarter of a century.

Many of these young scientists had access to their summer studies because of the scholarships, research fellowships and scientific presentation grants funded by Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59.

“Irene had a long history of supporting STEM majors in pursuing their passion through research,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Keith Mellinger, who outlined the history of SSI and recognized the more than 500 students who have participated in research with UMW faculty since its inception. The transformational $30 million estate gift she left the University has resulted in noticeable growth for the program, especially in the last couple of years, he said, from 14 students in the late 1990s to 30 students this summer. “And this trajectory will continue. More faculty, more students, more projects, more lives changed.” Read more.

During UMW’s 25th annual Summer Science Institute, several students earned awards from the John C. and Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Endowment, which will provide funding for them to continue their research during the academic year. From left: Boone Fleenor ’26 (second place, poster), Morgan Hicok ’25 (first place, oral presentation), Kate Green ’25 (first place, poster) and Joseph Gasink ’26 (second place, oral presentation). Photo by Karen Pearlman.

One of senior Kate Green’s favorite activities this summer was wading in the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. Swimming in the cool, chin-deep waters, she collected specimens to study how parasites differently impact male and female freshwater snails.

“From biodiversity to human recreation, aquatic ecosystems play an important role in the lives of many different species,” said Green, a University of Mary Washington conservation biology major, who pursued a completely novel research topic this summer. “My studies will help us obtain a fuller picture of how healthy our beloved rivers are.”

Green was one of two students who took home the top prizes this year during UMW’s 25th annual Summer Science Institute (SSI), which engages undergraduate STEM students in a 10-week intensive research experience alongside their professors and peers. At a public symposium held July 24 in UMW’s Hurley Convergence Center, Green and her lab partner, biology major Morgan Hicok ’25, earned scholarship awards through the John C. and Jerri Barden Perkins ’61 College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Endowment. The funds will help them continue their research during the upcoming academic year. Read more.

Ruth Ann Foiles Brunet ’62 and granddaughter Abby Tank ’24 at UMW’s Commencement in May. They attended Mary Washington more than six decades apart, but Abby’s beloved ‘Meena’ was a constant presence on campus during her four years at UMW. Photo courtesy of Abby Tank and Ruth Ann Foiles Brunet.

When Abby Tank ’24 graduated from the University of Mary Washington, her grandmother had one of the best seats in the house.

“I missed out on my high school graduation four years ago, so having her there made it even more special,” Tank said. As a member of the 1908 Society, Ruth Ann Foiles Brunet ’62 processed onto Ball Circle and watched the ceremony with other alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more. Seeing her granddaughter earn a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and Spanish, she said, was “absolutely one of the highlights of my life.”

Brunet attended Mary Washington over six decades ago, before transferring to another institution. She was a constant presence on campus throughout Tank’s four years of college, cheering on her granddaughter in UMW women’s volleyball games, including the team’s conference championship win, and attending departmental events for families. She even bonded with her granddaughter’s friends and roommates.

“They were all so excited to hug her and take photos with her at Commencement,” said Tank, who was surprised to learn of her grandmother’s ties to the University when she first visited campus for a high school volleyball camp. When Tank applied to Mary Washington, her mother told her that her grandmother had studied dietetics there in the late 1950s. Read more.

Joan Darby ’74 browses books during the alumni author meet-and-greet at 2024’s Reunion Weekend. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Earlier this summer, alumni authors assembled their latest publications during 2024’s Reunion Weekend at the University of Mary Washington. More than 40 books were displayed during the event, covering poetry, short stories, novels, essays, biographies, travelogues, self-help books, children’s stories and more.

Pick up these pages by classmates with a few summer reading recommendations below. Copies can also be found in Simpson Library or through online vendors. Kick back and read on …

Sophia Stil ’23 earned a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and psychology at the University of Mary Washington before beginning graduate studies in human-computer interaction. But the interactions she’s still talking about are the ones she had through Network MaryWash.

“I’m proud of how passionate our alumni are about supporting students,” said Stil, who received tips on improving her résumé, which she hopes will help land her a user experience (UX) internship in New York City. “The website has played a significant role in my post-college endeavors.”

Launched last fall by UMW’s Office of Alumni Engagement, Network MaryWash connects students and grads seeking advice on careers, internships and graduate school with alumni already working in the field. The initiative is integral to Life After Mary Washington, the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, which supports students with the transition from academia to professional life. The platform also complements resources that prepare students to enter the workforce provided by the Center for Career and Professional Development. Read more.