Campaign Highlights

Lloyd Tilton Backstrom ’61 (pictured above) and her husband, Art, of Richmond, Va., made a $1.2 million commitment to Mary Washington through their estate plans. This includes their personal collection of paintings, sketches and sculptures by former Mary Washington professor Julien Binford.  Lloyd and Art both are serving on the Centennial Campaign’s national steering committee.

Mary Page Williams Walden ’69 and her husband, Dan, of Atlanta, Ga., announced a multi-faceted gift to support numerous efforts at the University. They recently designated $25,000 to augment the endowed scholarship they established a few years ago, they pledged another $25,000 payable over the next five years to be split annually between the scholarship and the Fund for Mary Washington, and they have included a $300,000 bequest to UMW in their estate plans.

Irene Piscopo Rodgers '59 completed her Centennial Campaign gift of $275,000 as part of the celebration for her 50th class reunion. This recent gift will establish a full-ride Alvey Scholarship for out-of-state honor students. Mrs. Rodgers has been a long-time UMW supporter, has made other significant gifts, and has even volunteered her time and expertise to train teachers and students in her specialty related to electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis.

Carlos and Carol Muldoon Martel '68 of Mineral Bluff, Ga., recently established an endowment to support study abroad programs at the University. The Martels' planned gift of $500,000 represents their belief in and support of a global society and the critical need for students to experience the world outside of the Fredericksburg campus.

Woody and Cherry Everett were surprised at the 2008 President's Council Dinner when Ann Strickler '55 and Basil Doumas announced a Centennial Campaign gift to establish an endowment in honor of the Everett's 50th wedding anniversary. The Woodrow W. and Cherry Sarff Everett '61 Endowment is the University's first "unrestricted" endowment and will be utilized to fund areas of greatest need.

Paul R. and Mary Ann Dorsey Judy '54 completed a $1.1 million Centennial Campaign gift to establish the Dorsey Scholars Program. The new endowed scholarships will initially support five undergraduates of diverse backgrounds including gender, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, and geography.

Donald and Josephine McPherson Heslep '56 made a $1 million Centennial Campaign pledge to support UMW in their estate plans. The Hesleps are now members of the UMW Heritage Society.

Rick and Rose Hurley were surprised when Marceline Weatherly '50 and Elmer Morris Jr. '50 announced a Centennial Campaign gift to establish the Richard V. and Rose Hurley Presidential Commendation in their honor.

Merrilyn Sawyer Dodson '68 was surprised at the Reunion Celebration Reception when her husband, Stephen, announced a Centennial Campaign gift to establish a scholarship in her honor and in honor of the Class of 1968.

Carol Lehmann '58 made a $1 million Centennial Campaign pledge to include UMW in her estate plans.. As a member of the Heritage Society, her gift will fund two Alvey Scholarships for out-of-state students.