By Vicki L. Friedman Chat up Dustin McDonald ’07 these days, and he’ll remind you about one of the most underused features of Twitter – it’s Lists – and share at least five unique ways to engage followers on Instagram. The former professional football player might not mention his gridiron days at all. “That was so long ago,” stressed the digital and social media strategist now living in Washington, D.C. Back at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia, McDonald rarely came off the field, playing three positions. He spent his first year of college at Division III Carnegie Mellon University, getting few carries as a true freshman running back. Unenthusiastic about classes in auditoriums, weary of snow before Thanksgiving, and eager to cut his tuition by two-thirds, he opted to transfer to Mary Washington. “The best part was some of the professors,” said McDonald, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. No football in … [Read more...]
Cherished Daughter, Forsaken Son
Journalist Unravels Family Secret
By Edie Gross Photos by Stephanie Klein-Davis Mary Carter Bishop ’67 grew up firmly believing she was an only child. There had been a boy, 10 years her senior, who lived with her family when Bishop was very young, but she’d been told Ronnie Overstreet was her cousin. Besides, by the time she was 7, he was gone, and what few memories she had of the long-limbed, sullen teen grew hazier as the years passed. “The only really semi-vivid memory I have is of him standing in our teeny-tiny foyer. I remember my mom having him stand there naked and dusting him with some kind of powder, as I recall for his allergies,” said Bishop, who figured she was about 4 at the time. “It was a very sad scene. I remember him looking very distressed, ashamed, humiliated. And she appeared angry to me. I just remember looking at those two and thinking, ‘Something’s not right here.’ ” Bishop was 32 before she stumbled upon the source of that anger and shame: Ronnie wasn’t her cousin at all, but her … [Read more...]
The Art of Living
Painter Changed Campus and United a Community
By Kristin Davis Johnny P. Johnson had taught first through 12th grades for a decade, coached basketball, and given art lessons to inmates. He was also an artist in his own right, with a following of Washington, D.C., professionals who drove to Fredericksburg to buy his work. But in 1968, the year Mary Washington came calling, he’d never instructed on a college campus. In fact, a civil rights group of which Johnson served as president had once been barred from holding meetings on campus because its membership was integrated. Now the college wanted Johnson to teach an art education class. Times were changing. So was Mary Washington. Johnson accepted the job, becoming the first African-American faculty member. He stayed on as an adjunct professor for two decades, as his reputation as an artist, educator, and humanitarian burgeoned far beyond the region. Over the summer, Fredericksburg honored those achievements with the first-ever Johnny P. Johnson Day on July 7. UMW further … [Read more...]
Give It Your Best Shot!
We’re guessing this photo of students trying to exchange an egg during a relay race dates to the late ’70s or early ’80s. We hope you’ll help us learn the identities of these young women focused so intently on keeping the plastic spoons steady and the egg from going splat. Go online to magazine.umw.edu and click on “Get the Picture” to leave a comment. Or send an email with “Get the Picture” in the subject line to magazine@umw.edu. You may also write to: UMW Magazine – Get the Picture 1301 College Ave. Fredericksburg Va. 22401-5300 … [Read more...]
You Got It!
Many readers wrote to put names to the faces of the two flag bearers standing beside Virginia Gov. John Battle during the dedication of duPont, Pollard, and Melchers halls in May 1953. The student on the left, holding the American flag, is Toula Drogaris Fotopoulos ’54. She recognized herself and identified the flag bearer on Gov. Battle’s other side as Mary Ann Dorsey Judy ’54. Toula’s daughter Vicki Fotopoulos ’78 wrote in, saying, “It was so surprising and delightful to see Mom’s picture in the magazine!” Others from the Class of 1954 who sent in IDs and reminiscences were Betty Bartz Bradford, Louise Robbins Bryant, Ellen Royston Myrick, Linda Le Hardy Sweet, and Barbara “Bobbie” Scott Trenis (mother of Editor-in-Chief Neva Trenis ’00). Garnette Bell Crawford ’53 and Beverly Carmichael Ryan ’55 also wrote. … [Read more...]