UMW Receives $2.5 Million Gift

The University of Mary Washington has received a $2.5 million gift to establish a series of endowed professorships and faculty awards in various departments within the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and the College of Education, reported the school. The bequest is from the estate of Shirley Van Epps Waple, an alumna from the Class of 1952.

“Named, endowed professorships enable the University to attract, retain and recognize outstanding faculty who are truly experts in their fields,” said President Richard V. Hurley.

Each new professorship will be named for Van Epps Waple, said Torre Meringolo, Vice President for Advancement and University Relations.

This is one of the largest single gifts to support academics at Mary Washington.

Originally from Troy, N.Y., Waple majored in psychology at Mary Washington. After graduation in 1952, she returned to New York. A longtime supporter of the University, Waple previously endowed a scholarship for students with financial need, and she made a gift to name an office in the Jepson Alumni Executive Center. Waple relocated to Richmond in 1999, and she died in September 2010.

The University of Mary Washington provided this information in a press release.

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