The University of Mary Washington (UMW) in Fredericksburg, Virginia, has announced a $30 million estate gift from alumna Irene Piscopo Rodgers (’59) in support of undergraduate research and scholarships.

The largest gift in the university’s history will support academic opportunities in UMW’s undergraduate research program in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, Earth and environmental sciences, computer science, and math, as well as opportunities at the university’s Summer Science Institute. In addition, the gift will create four Alvey Scholarships, which provide full tuition, fees, and room and board for out-of-state undergraduate students for up to four years.

Rodgers, who passed away on July 18, 2022, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from what was then known as Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia, followed by a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Michigan. She worked for the American Cyanamid Company and Philips Electronic Instruments. With the latest gift, Rodgers committed a total of $39 million to UMW.

“Students who benefitted from Irene’s generosity welcomed her into their lives, so she was able to observe firsthand the transformative power of her gifts,” said UMW president Troy Paino. “This unprecedented donation guarantees that exceptional students will continue to have access to a UMW education that delivers the kind of high-impact learning experiences that Irene valued so much.”

(Photo credit: University of Mary Washington)