The University of Mary Washington officially dedicated its newly completed University Center at a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 17.
“With the addition of this center, UMW will be on par, facilities-wise, with the very best colleges and universities in Virginia and the nation,” said President Richard V. Hurley. “We can all be proud of what the University Center represents—the heart of UMW—and what it will mean to the quality of life of our students—now and well into the future.”
The four-story building, located on Ball Circle in the center of the Fredericksburg campus, features ample space for students to meet and study, a career center, student offices, a large ballroom and an expansive dining venue on the top floor.
Rector Holly Cuellar said that the University Center represents a new chapter at Mary Washington.
“It is testament to our commitment to providing space where students may learn, forge bonds with one another, enjoy wholesome and nutritious meals in a beautiful setting, plan and execute a wide array of activities, socialize and plan their future careers,” she said.
The center signifies the hallmark of the Mary Washington experience—a place where students, faculty and staff can come together to build community, said Cuellar.
“This University Center will send a powerful message of community and engagement to prospective students and their parents,” she said, “and we believe it will provide strong incentive for them to want to join our UMW family.”
The center’s clock was dedicated in memory of former student Edith Logan Ott ’59, who died in 2014. The clock, donated by her family, will serve as a lasting tribute to her loyalty to Mary Washington, according to Torre Meringolo, vice president for Advancement and University Relations.
The public will get a chance to tour the University Center at an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12.
