A few weeks after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics, Jenifer “JB” Blair ’82 returned to her alma mater to volunteer at Reunion Weekend.
Since she graduated, Blair has donated her time every year at the University of Mary Washington celebration, so it’s only fitting that she received the Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award during Reunion Weekend 2025. Blair also spent more than 20 years working in UMW’s Office of Admissions, eventually serving as dean of undergraduate admissions, and over a decade on the Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD), including two years as its president.
“I know the transformative nature of the education here, and I believe in it so much,” Blair said. It was an honor to receive the award, she said, especially since she knew its namesake, a dedicated former AABOD member who worked in the Office of the President when Blair first began her career at Mary Washington. “Having had such a great experience as an undergraduate made volunteering and supporting UMW so easy for me.”
Blair was one of several alumni honored at a May 31 ceremony in Seacobeck Hall’s Weatherly Wing. Alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, families and friends joined UMW President Troy Paino in recognizing the honorees, including Rob Eastman-Mullins ’00, who received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and Shirley Martey Hargis ’14, who received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award but was unable to attend the ceremony. The recipients were selected by the AABOD and announced by Alumni Awards Vice President Lisa Maloney Keyser ’05.
Paino also provided a university update, covering changing student demographics, the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education and UMW’s unwavering commitment to the liberal arts. He touched upon facilities projects like the new theatre and renovation of duPont, Melchers and Pollard Halls and thanked those who contributed to fundraising efforts, especially the record-breaking $1.3 million in donations on Mary Wash Day.
He touted ongoing student recruitment successes, citing UMW’s 85% retention rate – higher than the national average – and highlighted how the University will continue to lean into strengths, focusing on small class sizes, personalized attention from faculty and its robust network of alumni who give back to the University through their philanthropy and engagement.
“We still believe that every individual student matters, and your investment in their lives can have a dramatic impact, not only on them and their families, but on the communities where they’ll work and serve,” Paino said. “That’s what makes Mary Washington so special. That has not changed, whether you graduated 50 years ago or just a few weeks ago.”
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