University of Mary Washington 2025 Reunion Weekend Brochure by University of Mary Washington

There’s an app for that!

In our Reunion app, you can find event details, share your photos, see schedule changes and alerts, use interactive maps, and join a discussion thread for your class. All Reunion registrants will receive an email with app instructions.

Thursday, May 29

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

UMW Bookstore Open

Lee Hall

Visit the University Bookstore on the main floor of Lee Hall. Show your Eagle spirit with alumni apparel, faculty- and alumni-authored books, and gifts for yourself, family, and friends. Alumni receive a 10% discount off regularly priced items.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

UMW Galleries Exhibit:

Self

Adjacent, various artists

Ridderhof Martin Gallery

This traveling exhibition examines the transforming experience of parenthood from across North America. The 20 artists in the exhibition take an expansive approach to concepts and materials that uniquely engage in conversation around parenthood and identity.

4 – 6 p.m.

On-Site Registration & Packet Pickup

Cedric Rucker University Center, Lobby

When you arrive on campus, come to the Ball Circle level of the Cedric Rucker University

Center to pick up your personalized schedule, name badge, and tickets to Reunion Weekend events.

FRIday, May 30

11:45 a.m. – Noon

Cedric Rucker Portrait Unveiling

Cedric Rucker University Center, Lobby

In 2022, the University Center was named after Mary Washington legend Cedric Rucker. Join us for the unveiling of Rucker's portrait in the building's living room.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Wine Pairing Lunch

Cedric Rucker University Center, Chandler Ballroom

Treat yourself to a decadent three-course lunch and wine pairing that is sure to wow you.

Noon – 2 p.m.

Lunch Buffet

Cedric Rucker University Center, 4th Floor

Get a taste of student life with a casual lunch buffet in the dining hall.

ALUMNI COLLEGE

Session 3 • 2 – 3:15 p.m.

• Archives...But Make it Fashion!, Angie Kemp ’11, head of Special Collections and digital scholarship, and Sarah Appleby ’06, university archivist

• Discussion Panel: Student Life at Mary Wash, UMW Student Alumni Ambassadors

• Silkscreen Workshop: Make a Souvenir Tote, Coorain Devin, assistant professor of studio art

2 – 3:30 p.m.

The Life & Legacy of Jean Donovan '75

Catholic Campus Ministry

(St. John Bosco Center, 1614 College Ave.)

Learn about the life of missionary Jean Donovan '75, who was killed in El Salvador in 1980. Her story has been included in numerous books and documentaries. A light reception will follow.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Campus Tour with Current Students

Campus Walk in front of Lee Hall

Chat with current students, rediscover your favorite places on campus, and see what’s new.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Campus Golf Cart Tour with Current Students

Campus Walk in front of Lee Hall

Want a tour, but have mobility challenges? Hop on a golf cart tour instead. Advance registration highly recommended.

4:30 – 6 p.m. (1908 Society and Class of 1975)

5 – 6:30 p.m. (All other classes)

President’s Welcome Reception Brompton

President Troy Paino and his wife, Kelly, invite alumni to celebrate Reunion Weekend 2025 on the lawn of their home, Brompton. Enjoy refreshments, music, and great conversation. The first floor of Brompton will be open for tours.

6 – 8:30 p.m.

1908 Society Dinner (1974 and earlier)

Take the trolley to the Gari Melchers Home and Studio, Belmont, for a cocktail hour in the gardens followed by a seated dinner in the studio.

6 – 8:30 p.m.

Class of 1975 50th Reunion Dinner

Jepson Alumni Executive Center, Rappahannock Ballroom

Enjoy a three-course meal and celebrate your 50th reunion.

7 – 10 p.m.

Friday Night Class Gatherings

Have a blast renewing acquaintances and sharing stories at a time and place dedicated specifically to your class. (See locations at right)

Saturday, May 31

9 – 11:30 a.m.

Special Collections and University Archives Open House

Simpson Library, Room 217

Tour the treasures in the Special Collections, from early versions of UMW beanies (you will be surprised by the color!) to 17th -century vellumbound atlases. View items from over a century of Mary Washington history, including yearbooks, newspapers, memorabilia, and more. During this time, if you have items that you would like to contribute to the collection, staff will be available to discuss the process.

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bookstore Open

Lee Hall

(See Thursday listing, page 4)

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Campus Tour with Current Students

Campus Walk in front of Lee Hall

See Friday listing, page 6

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Alumni Authors Meet & Greet

Cedric Rucker University Center, Lobby

Mix and mingle with some of the alumni authors who have books displayed in the living room of the Cedric Rucker University Center.

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Department Open Houses

Meet faculty and tour the facilities where today’s students prepare for tomorrow. Participating departments (at presstime):

• Athletics – Goolrick Hall, Room 106

• College of Business – Woodard Hall, Red Room

• College of Education – Seacobeck Hall, College Avenue entrance, forum area

• Computer Science – Farmer Hall, Room 036

• Economics – Economics House (1004 College Avenue)

• Geography – Monroe Hall, Room 319

• Historic Preservation – Combs Hall, 2nd Floor HISP suite

• Modern Languages and Literatures –Combs Hall, Room 211 (Language Lab)

• Physics – Jepson Hall

• Psychological Sciences – Mercer Hall, Room 102

• Studio Art – Melchers Hall

• Theatre and Dance – duPont Hall, Lobby

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

UMW Galleries Exhibit

Ridderhof Martin Gallery

See Thursday listing, page 4

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Campus Buildings Open House

Explore campus and step inside most academic and residence halls. Specific buildings will be noted in the Reunion app and at the OnSite Registration area in the Cedric Rucker University Center.

10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Esports Lounge Open

Cedric Rucker University Center, 3rd Floor

Traveling with tweens or teens? UMW's Esports Lounge is a fun space for kids ages 12 & up to hang out and play video games while you enjoy other activities.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

University Update and Alumni Awards Presentation with President Paino

Seacobeck Hall, Weatherly Wing

Join President Troy Paino for a University update.

Be there to congratulate the 2025 Alumni Award recipients.

Class Photos

Class pictures will be taken on the steps of Lee Hall during the picnic, according to the following schedule:

11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Children’s Playtime

Ball Circle

Bring your kids to enjoy activities on Ball Circle. The fun includes an inflatable moon bounce and slide, face painting, lawn games, and more.

Noon – 2 p.m.

Reunion Picnic

Ball Circle

Enjoy cookout fare, draft beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and ice cream on Ball Circle as you reminisce with other alumni. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.

Noon – 2:05 p.m.

Class Photos

See sidebar

2 – 3:30 p.m.

Coffee

Tea from Eagles in Recovery

Cedric Rucker University Center, Lobby

Saturday, May 31

2 – 4:30 p.m.

Carl’s Frozen Custard

Shuttles every half-hour

Enjoy a trolley ride to Carl’s for a nostalgic bite of that one-of-a-kind dairy treat. Trolleys depart from the circle between Monroe and Lee Halls on the half-hour.

2:15 – 3:45 p.m.

Special Sneak Peek: New Theatre Construction

and Fine Arts Renovation

Seacobeck Hall, Weatherly Wing

We are on the cusp of some exciting changes for our Theatre & Dance, Music, and Studio Art programs! Faculty leadership will give a special presentation on what these changes mean for their department. You won’t want to miss it!

Rain location: Cedric Rucker University Center

You may pre-order a 5x7 photo print when you register for Reunion. Complimentary downloads of the digital photos will be available on SmugMug following the weekend.

Stop by for free coffee and tea provided by UMW's Eagles in Recovery, which supports students through the process of recovery from substance use so they don't have to choose between their academics and recovery.

Saturday, May 31

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Family Matinee Movie: Monsters, Inc.

Monroe Hall, Room 116

Stay to watch the family-friendly movie with your kids, or drop them off for a little “me” time. Supervision will be provided by UMW students and staff.

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Virginia

Wine,

Beer, and Cider Tasting

Monroe Hall and Palmieri Plaza

Enjoy unlimited samples of wines and craft brews from Virginia wineries, breweries, and cideries. Mix and mingle with other alumni and enjoy light hors d'oeuvres. All attendees will receive a commemorative wine glass.

6 – 11 p.m.

All-Class Party

Cedric Rucker University Center, Chandler Ballroom

Let the good times roll at this all-inclusive reunion gathering with a live band and dancing. Enjoy a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet and a full bar downstairs, or head upstairs for a buffet dinner in a quieter space. Wear your festive attire and make this a party to remember!

7 – 8 p.m.

Alumni All Recovery Support Meeting

Cedric Rucker University Center, Capital Room

Eagles in Recovery—a program that helps students in their recovery from alcohol and substance use—welcomes alumni to a support group meeting facilitated by a peer recovery specialist. By sharing our experiences, strengths, and hope in recovery from alcohol and substances, we will support each other in overcoming those challenges.

Officer and Director Nominations

The 2025-2026 nominees for the Alumni Association Board of Directors will be announced, and you may vote during the All-Class Party.

9 – 11 a.m. Farewell Brunch

Jepson Alumni Executive Center, Rappahannock Grand Ballroom

Enjoy a scrumptious buffet—including a custom omelet station—and say your farewells before heading home.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. UMW Galleries Exhibit

Ridderhof Martin Gallery

See Thursday listing, page 4

Alumni College Descriptions

FRIDAY, MAY 30

Alumni College Session 1 (9 - 10:15 a.m.)

A Decade of Digital Convergence: 10 Years of the Hurley Convergence Center, Digital Knowledge Center, and Domain of One's Own, Cartland Berge, director of the Digital Knowledge Center

In 2014, we launched several major initiatives designed to put UMW at the forefront of technology and innovation in the liberal arts. As we take a look at how these programs have developed over the last 10 years, we will showcase some student success stories. We also will give a tour of the advanced technology spaces that empower UMW students to be digital creators.

An Exploration of the City Cemetery,

Andrea Livi Smith, Ph.D., professor of historic preservation

symbols, locations, layout, materials, and wording change over time. We also will learn about the challenges in preserving these sites today. Shuttle departs from the circle between Monroe and Lee Halls.

"Making

it" Work in Education,

Kristina Peck, director of clinical experiences and partnerships for the College of Education

In this experiential session, you'll practice a "maker mindset" in the College of Education's Makerspace. We will use hands-on activities to solve a novel problem.

Alumni College Session 2 (10:30 - 11:45 a.m.)

Fifty Years on the Heights: The Lighter Side of My Half-Century at Mary Wash,

William B. Crawley Jr., Ph.D., distinguished professor emeritus of history

From the perspective of five decades at Mary Washington, Dr. Crawley will look back at some of the most memorable (and often humorous) events he observed during his lengthy career. Included will be anecdotes about various people—students, faculty, administrators, and alumni—he encountered through the years.

Campus Civil War Walk,

Michael Spencer '03, associate professor of historic preservation

Mary Washington's Fredericksburg campus has many Civil War relics still in place. Join Professor Spencer on a walking tour as he points out places on campus that hold the history of the Civil War.

Biodiversity of the UMW Campus: Our

Beautiful Trees, Alan B. Griffith, Ph.D., professor of biology

The first thing many people notice at UMW is the beauty of campus and its variety of trees. Beginning in 2015, biology students assisted in developing a “tree map” to document our landscape. Join Dr. Griffith on a walk through campus highlighting some of the trees that contribute to its natural beauty.

Alumni College Descriptions

SATURDAY, MAY 31

Alumni College Session 4 (9 - 10:15 a.m.)

Biodiversity of the UMW Campus: Our Beautiful Trees, Alan B. Griffith, Ph.D., professor of biology

An Exploration of the City Cemetery

Andrea Livi Smith, Ph.D., professor of historic preservation

This walking tour will introduce alumni to the history of graves and burial grounds and the tradition and artistry of headstones and monuments. Using the Fredericksburg City Cemetery as an example, we will see how symbols, locations, layout, materials, and wording change over time. We also will learn about the challenges in preserving these sites today. Shuttle departs from the circle between Monroe and Lee Halls.

A.I. at and After Mary Washington, Leah Schweitzer, Ph.D., director of the Speaking and Writing Center

Have you ever wondered how artificial intelligence is affecting college education or how it will affect life beyond Mary Washington? We’ll talk about how our students are navigating A.I., especially as it applies to writing and communication. We’ll consider how we and students can leverage A.I. as we move forward in our careers—and also what we probably shouldn’t do with A.I.

Screenprinting Workshop: Make a

Souvenir Tote, Coorain Devin, assistant professor of studio art

In this session, we will get a hands-on lesson in screenprinting. All participants will craft and take home a souvenir tote bag with a vintage MWC design. There is a $15 charge to cover materials for this session.

Beyond

Genius:

A Journey

Through the Characteristics

and Legacies

of Transformative Minds, Bulent Atalay, Ph.D., professor emeritus of physics, author, and artist

Genius is a broad and elusive concept, one that is divisive and difficult to define—and yet grossly overused. There are “ordinary” geniuses who achieve remarkable feats of brilliance, as well as “magicians” who make an outsize impact on their given field. This talk will focus on the highest among them: the transformative geniuses, those rare individuals who redefine their fields or open up new universes of thought altogether. Lecture will be followed by book signing.

Do you have any of the following dietary restrictions?

FRIDAY, May 30

Breakfast Buffet: Cedric Rucker University Center (CRUC)

Alumni College Session 1: SELECT ONE A. A Decade of Digital Convergence: 10 Years of the Hurley Convergence Center, Digital Knowledge Center, and Domain of One's Own

B. An Exploration of the City Cemetery

C. "Making it" Work in Education

Campus Tour with Current Students

Campus Golf Cart Tour with Current Students

Alumni College Session 2: SELECT ONE A. Fifty Years on the Heights: The Lighter Side of My Half-Century at Mary Wash

B. Campus Civil War Walk

C. Biodiversity of the UMW Campus: Our Beautiful Trees

Lunch –Seated with Wine Pairings (CRUC, Chandler Ballroom)

Lunch Buffet (CRUC, 4 th Floor)

Alumni College Session 3: SELECT ONE A. Archives...But Make it Fashion!

B. Screenprinting Workshop

C. Panel Discussion: Student Life at Mary Wash

The Life & Legacy of Jean Donovan '75 (Catholic Campus Ministry)

Campus Tour with Current Students

Campus Golf Cart Tour with Current Students

President’s Welcome Reception at Brompton

1908 Society Dinner (1974 and earlier) (Gari Melchers Home and Studio, Belmont)

Class of 1975 50 th Reunion Dinner (JAEC, Rappahannock Grand Ballroom) x $25

Gatherings

Class of 1980 Gathering (Tapa Rio, 1101 Sophia Street, downtown)

Class of 1985 Gathering (Seacobeck Hall, Dome Room & porch)

Class of 1990 Gathering (Lee Hall, The Underground)

Class of 1995 Gathering (Woodard Hall, Eagles Nest patio)

Class of 2000 Gathering (The Fountain/Palmieri Plaza)

Class of 2005 Gathering (The Link, between Mason and Randolph Halls)

Class of 2010 Gathering (CRUC, Linden Terrace) x $20 =

Class of 2015 Gathering (Hurley Convergence Center, Digital Auditorium and patio) x $20 =

Subtotal Class gift to the Fund for Mary Washington (optional)

REGISTRATION FEE (Per each attendee 18 years of age or older) The registration fee helps offset internal costs of programming, materials, and transportation throughout the weekend

$20

Family Matinee Movie: Monsters Inc.

Sneak Peek –New Theatre Construction and Fine Arts Renovation

Children’s Playtime (Ball Circle)

University Update and Alumni Awards

Special Collections and University Archives Open House

Alumni Authors Meet & Greet , CRUC Lobby

Campus Tour with Current Students

Department Open Houses

E. Beyond Genius: A Journey Through the Characteristics and Legacies of Transformative Minds

D. Screenprinting Workshop: Make a Souvenir Tote

C. A.I. at and After Mary Washington

B. An Exploration of the City Cemetery

A. Biodiversity of the UMW Campus: Our Beautiful Trees

Alumni College Session 4: SELECT ONE

Affinity Groups Breakfast: Cedric Rucker University Center, Colonnade Room

Breakfast Buffet: Cedric Rucker University Center