Mary Washington Grads Receive 2023 Alumni Awards at Reunion Weekend
As a University of Mary Washington student, Sean Simons ’13 spent two years working in the Office of the President on campus, where he got to know countless alumni who supported him on his journey to become one of the youngest congressional aides on Capitol Hill.
“I made a pledge that I’d someday return the favor and give back to the University that gave me so much,” said Simons, who went on to shape former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s gun violence prevention organization. Read more.
2023’s Reunion Weekend Brings Back Beloved Barbecue Bash
“Reunion brings together alumni spanning eight decades for a chance to reconnect with campus and each other,” said Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Mark Thaden ’02. “While their stories may differ, their love of Mary Washington transcends generations.”
Please note: All faculty and staff are invited to celebrate Reunion Weekend, June 1-4, 2023. View a complete schedule of events and be sure to register.
As Marshall Hall’s former president, Jay Bradshaw ’88 has fond memories of his years living “down the hill.” He recalls carefully climbing the icy incline each winter, getting pelted by water balloons on a spring evening and sleeping in the building’s lobby to keep cool on late summer nights.
Now, he’s ready to make one more memory. The University of Mary Washington will hold a final Grill on the Hill – a student-led tradition that began in the 1980s and ran until 2015 – to say farewell to Marshall and Russell halls during 2023’s Reunion Weekend, June 1-4. The two residence halls will soon make way for the new home of UMW’s Department of Theatre and Dance, anticipated to breathe fresh life into the east end of campus.
Bradshaw helped plan the June 2 cookout, which will include picnic fare, live music by Sean Michael Dargan ’90 and a chance to visit these buildings that housed thousands of students since the 1960s. “This is a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and relive great memories from our college days,” Bradshaw said.
More than 700 alumni, families and friends are expected to return to Mary Washington for the four-day Reunion Weekend, celebrating class years ending in 3 and 8. Yet, all are welcome to partake in parties and picnics, campus tours, lectures, family fun, class photos, arts and cultural events, beverage tastings, trips to Fredericksburg’s iconic Carl’s for ice cream and more. Read more.
Sixth Annual Mary Wash Giving Day is One for the Books
The entire University of Mary Washington community came #TogetherUMW for the sixth annual Mary Wash Giving Day April 4, raising $621,528 to support UMW students, faculty and programs.
Cullen ’90 and Rosemary Seltzer ’91 made a perfect match when they met in college.
Recently, the alumni couple, who will celebrate 30 years of marriage this summer, made another perfect match – this time for the University of Mary Washington’s sixth annual Mary Wash Giving Day. The Seltzers sponsored a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $6,000, to inspire their fellow 1990s alums to give to the Fund for Mary Washington, which addresses the University’s areas of greatest need.
“Mary Washington will always have a special place in our hearts,” said Rosemary, whose sister, Anne Golden Danforth ’94, and daughter, Kate Seltzer ’21, are also alums. “We are delighted our match was met and can’t wait to see what the future holds for our beloved alma mater.”
They were among the 2,224 supporters – a number that includes 455 donors who made their first-ever gift – who came #TogetherUMW to raise a grand total of $621,528 on April 4 to support Mary Washington and its students.
For the first time, donors in all 50 states (plus Washington, D.C.) and seven countries participated in the 24-hour fundraising extravaganza, unlocking a $5,000 gift from Marty ’80 and Vicky Wilder ’80. A total of 2,985 gifts were made to 124 different areas across the University, benefiting academics, arts, athletics, service, career and cultural programs. Read more.
