The University of Mary Washington has raised $75.7 million during its Centennial Campaign, exceeding its $75 million fund-raising goal more than a month ahead of schedule. The figure includes $32.3 million in new endowments, $25.6 million in capital projects and campus enhancements and $17.8 million for the Fund for Mary Washington.
The announcement was made recently to the UMW Board of Visitors by Ken L. Steen, associate vice president for University Development, and Jeff W. Rountree, outgoing vice president for University Advancement, who will serve full time as CEO of the UMW Foundation and president of Eagle Property Holdings LLC.
The Campaign has received 18 individual gifts and pledges of $1 million or more, including funds that enabled the construction of the Jepson Alumni Executive Center in 2004 and the Carmen Culpeper Chappell ’59 Centennial Campanile in 2007. UMW supporters also have funded, or will fund, more than 200 new endowments, including 135 new scholarships and 56 program endowments. In addition, the University has added 230 new members to its Heritage Society – an honorary designation for donors who have notified UMW of its inclusion within their estate plans.
UMW President Judy G. Hample said the success of the Centennial Campaign can be directly attributed to the university’s loyal alumni, parents and friends. “Our constituents have a passionate commitment to the University of Mary Washington, where friendships are developed and lives are shaped,” she said. “Generous donors have invested in the future of this great university, and I am proud of our team of staff members and dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly to achieve the campaign goal.”
William B. Crawley Jr., distinguished professor of history, and his wife and 1977 alumna, Theresa Young Crawley, volunteered as national chairs for the Centennial Campaign. Sharing the stories of their personal commitments and connections to the university, they led a concentrated, comprehensive effort to inspire, secure and steward private dollars to support a multitude of needs at Mary Washington. “We regard UMW students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends as our family – and the campus as our home,” said William Crawley. “We have been thrilled to see the incredible results of the Centennial Campaign both in terms of dollars raised and in the numerous benefits for students.”
Campaign gifts have had immediate impact at UMW in the availability and increased funding of scholarships. Among them, six new Washington Scholarships were created to offer complete coverage of tuition, fees, and room and board for qualifying students from Virginia, and two new Alvey Scholarships were created to provide the same for out-of-state students. In addition, a recent gift of $1.1 million from Paul R. and Mary Ann Dorsey Judy, a 1954 alumna, has funded the Dorsey Scholars Program. Beginning in August, these newly endowed scholarships will support a minimum of five undergraduate Dorsey Scholars of diverse backgrounds including gender, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, and geography. The program includes the mentoring of these students as a group to encourage camaraderie, community service, leadership, and citizenship.
“Originally, the Centennial Campaign began with a $40 million goal, but when that milestone was reached years ahead of schedule, the UMW Board of Visitors and the UMW Foundation Board increased the goal to $75 million,” said Steen. “Now that we are at $75.7 million, our staff and volunteers continue to bring in additional gifts to lay the groundwork for the next century of excellence.”
“I think the campaign has brought together the Mary Washington community in a way that demonstrates immense pride and lifelong loyalty to this wonderful institution,” said Rountree.
The UMW Centennial Campaign officially concludes June 30, 2009. A complete report of gifts and funded programs and projects will be published as follow-up. Additional details about the campaign are available at www.umw.edu/centennialcampaign.