University of Mary Washington
04/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2024 08:36
UMW Students Show Gratitude at 2024 Scholarship Luncheon and Showcase
When senior Sofia Taylor earned a full-ride Alvey Scholarship to attend the University of Mary Washington, she penned the first of many letters and cards she exchanged with her donor, Irene Piscopo Rodgers '59.
"Irene often said that Mary Washington 'opened worlds' for her," said Taylor, a psychology major and neuroscience and music minor. Because of Rodgers' support, her own college experience comprised a semester abroad, singing with the UMW choir, leadership roles in the psychology department and researching the minds of the world's great composers. "She truly did that for me."
Senior Sofia Taylor shares her research into the minds of the world's great composers with Bill Williams and Pat Poole at the 2024 Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase. The annual event, for which Taylor served as emcee, honors donors who have established or supported scholarships for students and those who have given or pledged significant gifts to the University of Mary Washington. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
From left: seniors Maddie Baylor, Nate Huff and Alex Lagon show Janet Hedrick '73 costumes from recent UMW Theatre productions. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Sophomore Aloysious Kabonge, who received the Thomas Howard and Elizabeth Merchent Tardy Scholarship, among others, chats during lunch with his donor, Al Merchent. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Graduate education student Shahir Mohsenyan, who received the Graduate Education Endowed Scholarship and other awards, shared how private support has enabled him to pursue his master's degree while teaching elementary school students. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Senior Norah Walsh, recipient of the Rowe Family Journalism Scholarship and other awards, chats over lunch with her donor, Jeanette Cadwallender. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Senior Brooke Prevedel, who earned the Dovetail Cultural Resource Group Scholarship for Historic Preservation and other awards, said her scholarships gave her the opportunity to pursue a double major and a GIS certificate while contributing to community projects like the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Taylor sang the praises of her late benefactor - who left her alma mater a transformational $30 million estate gift for undergraduate scientific research and to create new Alvey Scholarships - at the 2024 Donor Appreciation Luncheon and Student Showcase on April 6. The annual event honored supporters who have established private scholarships and members of UMW's Washington and Heritage societies, who have either given or pledged significant funds to Mary Washington.
Scholarship recipients displayed their academic pursuits and projects for attendees to peruse on the first floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center. Afterwards, guests gathered in the Chandler Ballroom for a spring-themed lunch and listened as President Troy Paino and student speakers expressed gratitude to donors for their gifts to the University.
"We always look forward to this occasion and for you to connect with our students who are the beneficiaries of your generosity," Paino said, "so you can see, witness and experience what is happening here because of your investment."
In a campus update, Paino thanked donors for helping UMW achieve its highest fundraising year to date, with $21.3 million in gifts and pledges made in Fiscal Year 2023. He also highlighted the recent success of Mary Wash Day, which raised a preliminary record-setting $828,677 on April 4. "To feel the support of the Mary Washington family from across the globe means so much."