UMW Community Donates a Record-Breaking $1.33 Million on Mary Wash Day

When Eagles come together, truly amazing things happen. The entire University of Mary Washington community recently demonstrated that, rallying to raise over $1.33 million on Mary Wash Day to support students, faculty and programs.

A total of 2,565 donors helped crush participation goals, making 3,654 gifts during the 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, held April 2-3 from noon to noon. Alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff and students collectively unlocked hundreds of thousands of dollars in challenges and matches sponsored by generous donors, doubling and tripling the impact of each gift.

2025’s Mary Wash Day was the most successful in the event’s eight-year history, with donors giving $1.33 million to support UMW students, faculty and programs.

Student giving more than doubled from last year’s event, and many participated in activities at the Mary Wash Day headquarters on the Cedric Rucker University Center patio on April 2. Here, two students take photos at the selfie station with a puppy brought to campus by Old Dominion Humane Society.

At the Mary Wash Day headquarters, students had the opportunity to play games and win prizes, such as an illustrated Mary Wash tote bag, UMW bento boxes and socks decorated with iconic Mary Washington-themed images of the Bell Tower and Adirondack chairs.

A student poses for a photo with UMW mascot Sammy D. Eagle at the Mary Wash Day headquarters on April 2.

Students made gifts to many areas across campus, such as UMW Votes, and thanked supporters for their donations on Mary Wash Day.

Students participated in a scavenger hunt to find stuffed eagles hidden across campus and win donations to the areas of their choice, thanks to a gift by Beth Craig ’77.

“This achievement isn’t just about surpassing a financial goal – it’s a powerful testament to the extraordinary commitment of the UMW community to invest in the University’s mission,” said Director of Annual Giving Shelby Orlando ’14.

Mary Wash Day saw a 58 percent increase in giving over last year’s event and passed the million-dollar mark for the first time in Mary Wash Day’s eight-year history, she said. “This milestone shows that when Eagles unite around a shared purpose, there’s no limit to how high we can soar or what we can accomplish together.”

Donors from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as those from overseas, made gifts to 124 different areas across the University, benefiting academics, arts, athletics, service, career and cultural programs.

The unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington, which underpins every aspect for which UMW is known and loved – a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes, personal relationships with professors and low student debt upon graduation – received the most gifts. Other popular designations included UMW Theatre, the College of Education, Women’s Basketball, Simpson Library and the Marshall E. Bowen Scholarship, honoring the late geography professor.

“Breaking the million-dollar mark for the first time on Mary Wash Day is a truly historic moment for the University of Mary Washington,” President Troy Paino said. “These gifts directly enhance the student experience, empower our faculty and strengthen the programs that define a Mary Washington education. We are deeply grateful, and this milestone affirms the enduring impact of our collective commitment to UMW’s future.”

Read more about 2025’s Mary Wash Day at Giving.umw.edu.