{"id":109166,"date":"2026-03-13T11:00:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/?p=109166"},"modified":"2026-03-13T11:00:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:00:01","slug":"mary-wash-day-support-powers-scholarships-programs-and-possibilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/13\/mary-wash-day-support-powers-scholarships-programs-and-possibilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Mary Wash Day Support Powers Scholarships, Programs and Possibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Betty Olander Adams \u201969 began giving to Mary Washington soon after she graduated. It was one of the best ways, she said, to let her alma mater know what mattered to her as an alum.<\/p>\n

\"UMW
The University of Mary Washington will hold its ninth annual Mary Wash Day, a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement, March 25 to 26, from noon to noon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cPersonally, I fund scholarships so that every student will have the chance to have a meaningful future,\u201d said Adams, who earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in history and later became a lawyer. \u201cEach and every person connected to the University, no matter their age or stage in life, can make a difference to continue the excellence of a Mary Washington education.\u201d<\/p>\n

This\u00a0Mary Wash Day<\/strong><\/a>, Adams is encouraging members of the UMW community to give to whatever matters most to them on March 25 and 26, from noon to noon. When 100 first-time donors make their first-ever gift, she\u2019ll unlock $10,000 for the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington<\/strong><\/a>. She\u2019s also sponsoring a $5,000 match to the General Scholarship Fund, helping students in need stay in school, take on less debt and graduate on time.<\/p>\n

Now in its ninth year, Mary Wash Day unites Eagles across the country and the globe in a 24-hour celebration of philanthropy and engagement that gives alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff and students the chance to come #TogetherUMW and share their love for Mary Washington.<\/p>\n

Alumni and friends have sponsored more than $600,000 in\u00a0challenges and matches<\/strong><\/a> in 2026. Their commitment will double and even triple the impact of each gift, helping the University reach its goal of 2,500 donor gifts, 1,200 alumni contributors and 400 first-time donors.<\/p>\n

Participation challenges and dollar-for-dollar matches support the Fund for Mary Washington, underpinning every aspect for which the University is known and loved. This includes ensuring a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes and personal relationships with professors and peers, and supporting projects and initiatives led by students, faculty and staff through the Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0program.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/a>
Gifts on Mary Wash Day to Friends of Athletics or to a specific sports program like UMW Basketball provide critical support to help enhance the UMW student-athlete experience. Contributions fund athletic facilities, competition travel, professional development opportunities, custom-training equipment and more. Photo by Carly Rehberg. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"A <\/a>
Mary Wash Day gifts help students have experiences both inside and beyond the classroom that prepare them for their careers and lives after Mary Washington. Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Two <\/a>
Mary Wash Day gifts provide high-impact learning experiences such as undergraduate research and opportunities for students to work alongside their professors and peers. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Several <\/a>
Contributions to UMW Music on Mary Wash Day help students explore their musical passions while providing arts and cultural experiences for the greater Fredericksburg community. Gifts can also be made to UMW Theatre, UMW Galleries, UMW Philharmonic, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library and the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Several <\/a>
Many challenges and matches support the unrestricted Fund for Mary Washington, which underpins every aspect for which the University is known and loved. This includes ensuring a leading liberal arts and sciences education, small class sizes and personal relationships with professors and peers. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Supporters can also contribute to student scholarships, academic departments, athletics, arts and culture, service and leadership opportunities, campus beautification and more. This year\u2019s goals include:<\/p>\n