UMW’s new MS in AI in Business is the first of its kind in Virginia. The program requires 30 credit hours and can be completed entirely online in as little as one year.

The University of Mary Washington has opened enrollment for a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business (MS in AI in Business), an innovative graduate program designed to prepare professionals for a rapidly evolving, AI-driven economy.

The graduate degree is the first of its kind in Virginia to focus specifically on artificial intelligence in a business context, combining advanced AI technologies with the strategic, ethical and leadership skills needed to translate those tools into real-world organizational impact.

“The MS in AI in Business is designed to equip students with the knowledge and applied skills to integrate AI technologies into organizational strategy, operations and innovation. Coursework will emphasize practical applications of machine learning, data analytics and ethical AI, preparing graduates to lead in a wide range of industries, including finance, marketing, healthcare and consulting,” said UMW Provost Tim O’Donnell. “Artificial intelligence is transforming how organizations operate, compete and serve their communities. This degree will prepare graduates to lead in this field.”

Designed for both working professionals and recent graduates, the program is offered 100% online in an asynchronous format, allowing students across Virginia and beyond to balance graduate study with professional and personal commitments. Read more about UMW’s Master’s Degree in AI in Business.

The University of Mary Washington honored College of Business graduates who have excelled in their professions. From L to R: Christina Malave ’17, Jamie Scully ’04, Rebecca Ely ’97 (accepting on behalf of her husband, Kevin Ely ’97), Carolina Brusch ’23, Luis Gavignano ’22.

With a solid foundation in finance, marketing and management, University of Mary Washington business graduates go on to careers in executive leadership, entrepreneurship and public service.

At the annual College of Business Alumni Awards – held in Woodard Hall during Reunion Weekend – Mary Washington honored grads who have excelled in their professions, from founding supportive online communities and leading public health initiatives to holding key positions at organizations such as Google, McDonald’s and Hilton.

The awards recognized alumni at various stages of their careers, including a Hall of Fame inductee, three Distinguished Business Award recipients and four Outstanding Young Alumni Award winners.

UMW Provost Tim O’Donnell offered introductory remarks, recognizing what he called “the very best” of Mary Washington’s business graduates. Megan Shepherd ’94, chair of the College of Business Advisory Board, served as master of ceremonies and noted that the achievements and community impact of this year’s honorees were “truly inspiring.” Read more about College of Business Alumni Achievement.

Shadwick Yoder ’25 drives alumni around on a student-led golf cart tour of campus during 2025’s Reunion Weekend. K Pearlman Photography.

Daphne Johnston Elliott didn’t take many photos at Mary Washington, since developing film was expensive when she was in college. But she always treasured the times she spent on campus, including coming to Reunion Weekend every five years since she graduated in 1976.

“Our photos might be old and yellowed, but I hope they bring back fond memories,” said Elliott, a longtime reunion volunteer who assembled a slideshow for her class’s 50th Reunion Weekend dinner. But as much as she enjoys looking back on the past, she’s equally excited about the University’s future. “We’re always eager to see what’s new at Mary Washington and to get to know current students.”

More than 550 alumni and their families and friends are expected to return to the University of Mary Washington for the 2026 Reunion Weekend, May 29 to 31. The event specifically honors classes ending in 1 and 6, but all Eagles are invited to reunite, reminisce and rediscover what they love about Mary Washington.

“Many of us have not seen each other for years, but when we do, we pick right up where we left off,” said Margo Clifford, who joined Elliott for the first time to volunteer her time and talents on the Reunion Weekend planning committee. “We’ve enjoyed sharing our stories about Mary Washington and our deep love for this place.” Read more about 2026 Reunion Weekend.

The UMW Athletic Department is proud to announce this year’s Hall of Fame induction class.

Our 29^th class of inductees:

• 4-time National Champion swimmer Alex Anderson ’15
• Men’s Lacrosse All-American Luke Dick ’14
• Field Hockey All-American Jen Freed ’92
• Record-setting Women’s Basketball standouts Jenna McRae ’12 and Katie Wimmer ’12
• NCAA Sweet Sixteen 1991 Volleyball team
  

Read more details about each inductee here.

The induction and celebration will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Cedric Rucker University Center on campus. Social hour will begin at 3:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 4:30 p.m. In addition to the ceremony, your ticket includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar.

Join us as we celebrate these UMW standouts! To register, click the button at the top of this page.

Inductees: If you are an Inductee, please contact Clint Often at coften@umw.edu or (540) 654-1743 to register yourself and a guest. Do not use this form to register.

Recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s top schools for theatre, the department’s 2026–27 season is set to feature four new productions that span comedy, mystery, musical theatre and drama, showcasing the work of student performers, designers, technicians and directors.

Upcoming 2026–27 Season

• The 39 Steps — Sept. 17–27, 2026
• Dear Evan Hansen — Nov. 5–22, 2026 
• Eureka Day — Feb. 4–14, 2027
• The Children’s Hour — April 8–18, 2027 

The fall season begins in September with The 39 Steps, a fast-paced adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock classic that blends suspense with comedy. In November, audiences can experience Dear Evan Hansen, a Tony Award-winning musical that explores connection, identity and belonging in a digital world.

The spring semester kicks off with Eureka Day, Jonathan Spector’s contemporary comedy about community decision-making and public health before concluding with The Children’s Hour, Lillian Hellman’s landmark drama examining the consequences of rumor and misinformation.

All productions will be staged in Klein Theatre, with Pay-What-You-Can preview performances and post-show AfterWords discussions scheduled throughout the season. Additional ticket and season pass information will be available from UMW Theatre in the coming months. Learn more about the Department of Theatre and Dance and the 2026-27 season.

When University of Mary Washington College of Arts and Sciences Dean Keith Mellinger first visited Europe nearly 25 years ago, he found himself in a restaurant in Rome, off the beaten path, eating an eggplant dish he’d never heard of before.

“I didn’t even know that I had ordered it, but it was absolutely amazing,” Mellinger said of the meal that opened his eyes to tasting unfamiliar foods during his travels. He recalled a recent trip to Bilbao, Spain, with UMW Center for International Education Director Jose Sainz, where they enjoyed pintxos – small snacks, often held together by skewers – that are popular in the Basque region. “Again, such amazing food!”

That willingness to explore new culinary experiences and food traditions is what inspired the University to introduce “World on a Plate: A Journey Through Global Cuisines,” an online course that will be held during the summer session starting June 22. Classes will examine food as cultural text – covering topics like migration, colonialism, sustainability and celebrations – through scholarly readings, public lectures and live cooking demonstrations over Zoom. Read more about ‘World on a Plate.’

The newest graduates process to UMW’s Commencement with handshakes, hugs and high fives from Mary Washington faculty. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

With their Mary Wash blue regalia, caps decked out just for the day and smiles shared with family and friends, nearly 1,000 graduates traversed Campus Walk this morning for the University of Mary Washington’s 115th Commencement.

Followed by the faculty who’d guided them through the past four years, the Board of Visitors, President Troy D. Paino and the Eagle Pipe Band, the members of the Class of 2026 made their way to Ball Circle, where the three-hour ceremony unfolded. The chilly air warmed throughout the morning as family, friends and supporters cheered for the graduates’ hard work, perseverance and commitment to earning a degree with the power to enlighten their careers and their lives.

“The classes weren’t easy; it was challenging,” said Aidan Ramirez, an economics major from Stafford, Virginia, who chose Mary Washington for its small class sizes and opportunities to receive individual attention from professors. Read more about UMW’s 2026 Commencement.

Eight students received the Colgate W. Darden Jr. Award for achieving a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Each spring the University of Mary Washington Commencement sets the scene for years’ worth of accomplishments by students, with numerous credit hours in classrooms, labs, internships and extracurricular activities.

Eight University of Mary Washington graduates in 2026 marked the moment with a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning the Colgate W. Darden Jr. Award for Academic Achievement for completing their degrees with the highest grade-point average in the undergraduate program.

As they crossed the stage sharing in the honor – impressively becoming part of the largest group of Darden Award recipients in school history – they each get ready for what’s next through a variety of majors, minors, graduate programs and career paths. Read more about the 2026 Darden Award honorees.