President Richard V. Hurley never lost sight of his goal for UMW: That it be one of the nation’s premier public liberal arts and sciences universities.
His term in office began just as the country emerged from a shattering economic recession, a time when public funds for higher education dwindled. College students and their parents were also affected, with fewer resources to channel toward tuition and expenses.
The five-year, $50 million Mary Washington First campaign is vital to the future of UMW, helping students and faculty stretch to their fullest potential. Money raised allows the university to do things it otherwise couldn’t: Extend more scholarships, endow more professorships, and enhance research and internship opportunities. As of mid-March, more than $47.5 million had been raised with more than three months remaining in the campaign.
All of these help UMW attract high-caliber students and faculty, and position itself to keep improving well into the future.
You’ll read here about how the Mary Washington First campaign is already serving President Hurley’s vision for UMW.
You’ll read about students able to challenge themselves by studying abroad and by preparing themselves for top-notch graduate studies. You’ll hear from some of the donors whose philanthropy makes such opportunities possible. Those generous alumni reflect not only on how Mary Washington shaped them, but what UMW can mean for today’s students and for the world.
And you’ll see plans for the renovation and improvement of the beloved UMW Amphitheatre. The ceremonial kickoff of the construction phase of the project is scheduled for June 4 during UMW Reunion Weekend.
Finally, UMW Magazine hopes these stories will illustrate a sentiment expressed by President Hurley when the campaign was publicly launched in 2014.
“We’re at a point now in our history at which philanthropic giving is going to push us into a better future, a stronger future,” he said. “With the success of this campaign, UMW can accomplish great things.”