March 19, 2024

UMW Launches Founders Day Challenge

The University of Mary Washington has launched a Founders Day Challenge in celebration of its 107th founding anniversary on Saturday, March 14.   President Simpson and guests celebrate the university's 60th anniversary in 1968 The challenge aims to raise $107,000 for the Fund for Mary Washington, the unrestricted gifts fund for the university, by the founding anniversary. The Fund allows UMW to support students, programs and other needs not covered by state’s operating budget. Discretion for use of the funds is handled by the president and other designated decision-makers. The Fund for Mary Washington is just one of seven donation areas within UMW’s $50 million Mary Washington First Campaign, which aims to reach its campaign goal within five years through the support of alumni, students, staff, faculty, parents and community members. UMW was established as the State Normal School for Women at Fredericksburg on March 14, 1908 with the assistance of Virginia State Senator C. O’Conor Goolrick. It was the second institution in the state devoted exclusively to the training of teachers for public schools, after the Normal School for Women at Farmville, now Longwood University. For more information about the founding of UMW, the challenge, or to make a donation, please visit http://giving.umw.edu/challenge.