Students leaned into the theatre experience, seeing at least 17 productions during their London trip.

It wasn’t just the chance to earn summertime academic credit that inspired Emma Magner ’24 to join “UMW Theatre in London,” a three-week immersion in one of the world’s greatest and most historic theatre cities.

“We do earn six credits for going on the trip,” Magner said, “but I signed up for the experience of being abroad in London and the opportunities to see amazing shows and to learn more about the history of theatre.”

Led by Assistant Professor of Theatre Marc Williams, the trip was packed with performances, theatre history and other cultural opportunities. Students took a behind-the-scenes tour of William Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and visited Shakespeare’s birthplace, baptismal church and burial site in Stratford-upon-Avon.

They attended 17 plays and musicals as a group, then sought out additional performances to see on their own. To encourage deeper reflection, Williams asked participants to wait 24 hours after each performance before discussing what they’d seen, heard and experienced.

The London trip was just one of several summer study-abroad experiences led by UMW faculty and facilitated by the Center for International Education (CIE). This season’s programs and destinations – some still ongoing – include ancient and early modern empires in Italy; cultural tours of France; digital production, international business and historic preservation in Paris, France; and an exploration of the cities and culture of Spain. Read more.

Kath Davey White ’73 recalls much about her college days, including sharing a bathroom with two girls, having an overprotective dorm mother and taking on phone duties for her hall.

But most of all, she treasures the memories of the friendships she made at Mary Washington.

“I’m here with four women I met in 1969,” said White as she celebrated her class’s 50th reunion last week. “To meet someone when you are 17 and still have that friendship more than 50 years later is remarkable.”

Nearly 850 graduates and guests returned to the University of Mary Washington for 2023’s Reunion Weekend, held June 1-4. The highly anticipated celebration featured parties and picnics, faculty lectures, student-led campus tours, arts and cultural events, family activities, class photos, a Fredericksburg Nationals baseball game and trolley tours downtown and to Carl’s for ice cream. Read more.