{"id":107933,"date":"2025-11-25T11:14:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T16:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/?p=107933"},"modified":"2025-11-25T11:14:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T16:14:50","slug":"powering-possibility-alumni-challenges-boost-umws-college-of-arts-and-sciences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2025\/11\/25\/powering-possibility-alumni-challenges-boost-umws-college-of-arts-and-sciences\/","title":{"rendered":"Powering Possibility: Alumni Challenges Boost UMW\u2019s College of Arts and Sciences"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Paddy Link \u201972 arrived at Mary Washington, she discovered a passion for public service. She joined Student Government, served as her residence hall president junior year and found that a liberal arts and sciences education\u2014rooted in her art history major\u2014would prepare her for a future she hadn\u2019t yet imagined.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn college, I learned to work with people whose beliefs, values and political leanings didn\u2019t necessarily mirror my own,\u201d said Link, who began a career on Capitol Hill after graduation. She worked for members of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and helped staff congressional committees focused on science, commerce, transportation and appropriations. \u201cBut we worked together for the good of our institution.\u201d<\/p>\n

That spirit guides her giving today. A dedicated supporter of her alma mater, Link is encouraging alumni, friends, families, faculty, staff and students to contribute to the University of Mary Washington’s College of Arts and Sciences<\/a> (CAS) and ensure its mission endures. She has pledged to match all gifts made on Giving Tuesday<\/a>, Dec. 2, to UMW\u2019s College of Arts and Sciences General Fund, up to $5,000\u2014continuing her commitment to the liberal arts foundation that shaped her career.<\/p>\n

\"One <\/a>
One week until Giving Tuesday, when the Mary Washington community can #MakeItPossibleUMW by supporting students, faculty and programs through their generous gifts to the College of Arts and Sciences and other areas across the University on Dec. 2, 2025. <\/div> <\/div>
\"Three <\/a>
Alanah Cleare \u201925, who earned a degree in marketing from UMW in May; junior Owen Wheeler; and senior Chloe Adler review recently captured footage for a project aimed at assessing the usefulness of AI in filmmaking. The trio conducted research under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Communication and Digital Studies J.D. Swerzenski in UMW’s Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Summer Institute. Photo by K Pearlman Photography. <\/div> <\/div>
\"A <\/a>
Senior conservation biology major Autumn Pembelton studied insect communication this summer as part of Mary Washington\u2019s Irene Piscopo Rodgers \u201959 Summer Science Institute. Photo by K Pearlman Photography. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Four <\/a>
UMW Theatre performing ‘Godspell’ in fall 2025. From left: Giannii Marshall ’26, Caroline Rous ’28, Jonah Hilbert \u201928 and Jeffrey Cobb Jr. \u201929. Photo by Geoff Greene. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

With 40 diverse majors, CAS fosters critical thinking, leadership and innovation to prepare students for Life After Mary Washington<\/a>. The CAS General Fund helps faculty and staff create meaningful learning opportunities and sustain a dynamic academic environment. Gifts support:<\/p>\n