The Jepson Alumni Executive Center
After five years of planning, four years of fundraising and a year and a half
of construction, it was time to celebrate. Hundreds of alumni, friends and
community members gathered on Trench Hill in early June to formally dedicate
the new Alumni Executive Center.
“This new facility symbolizes the connection between all who have gone
this way before and all those yet to come,” said Kathleen Shepherd Mehfoud
’70, then president of the Mary Washington Alumni Association. “In
the past 96 years, Mary Washington has represented the beginning of thousands
of lives, careers and even romances. It has been the center of the Fredericksburg
community, and its programs and people have become woven into the unique history
of the surrounding area.
“I am proud to be an alumna and to be a part of this new center our
alumni can call home,” she added.
President William M. Anderson Jr., added his appreciation to all volunteers
and supporters and offered a special dedication to Alice Andrews Jepson ’64
and her husband Robert S. Jepson Jr. of Savannah, Ga., who provided the $2
million lead gift that launched the campaign. In addition, Alice Jepson chaired
the campaign team.
“In honor of the tremendous and generous contributions made by Alice
Jepson and her husband Bob,” Anderson said, “it is my distinct
privilege to announce to you the official name of this new center. From here
on out this facility will be known as the Jepson Alumni Executive Center.”
Upon taking the podium, Mrs. Jepson clearly was surprised by the gesture.
“I am truly honored; however, we couldn’t have done any of this
without each of you or without my campaign committee. Ideas on paper are one
thing, but it takes everyone working together to make it happen. This project
is the perfect example of how everyone came together to make a dream become
a reality.”
Mrs. Jepson thanked the many people who helped raise nearly $8 million for
the center, far surpassing the original $5.6 million goal. She then cut the
ribbon leading into the center part of the new facility.
Afterward, a ceremonial scissor guard carried the scissors to the door leading
into the Rappahannock Grand Ballroom, where campaign co-chair Charlotte Major
Minor ’66 recognized all members of the campaign committee and cut the
ribbon. From there, the scissors were ceremoniously carried across the courtyard
and presented to the second campaign co-chair Elizabeth Smith Hughes ’51.
Hughes introduced Becky Kalnen ’37 from Wilmington, N.C., and announced
that the newly renovated guest house had been named Kalnen Inn in honor of
Becky Kalnen and her sister, the late Margaret Rose Kalnen ’33. Hughes
and Becky Kalnen officially cut the last ribbon, after which the entire center
was open for tours.
In August, staff members from the Office
of Alumni Relations, the University
of Mary Washington Foundation and the Office of University Development
moved into the central administrative wing of the new complex. Rooms within
the facility, including the Rappahannock Grand Ballroom, the Executive Board
Room and lower level rooms inside Kalnen Inn can be reserved for events beginning
in January 2005. Call 540/654-1172 for more information.
– Donna Harter Raab