Donations
We have the best alumni, family, friends and current students at Mary Wash! Our department out-raises just about every other academic unit on Mary Wash Day, despite (or because of!) our small size… we also received donations of time, expertise, advice, and shared job and internship opportunities every day. We are so incredibly grateful to everyone, for every donation!
How to make a donation
On Mary Wash Day, it is possible to select Geography as your area for giving. At other times, it isn’t so easy! You are welcome to contact us for advice, or you might speak with Advancement.
Your donation might be your time – and we’d like that just as much! We want to interact with alumni – be it online through social media, at reunion events, in career panels or guest lectures. Recent graduates regularly speak to students about specific professional skills or give general career advice (resume, cover letter, interview, etc.). Having a former student share details about their professional path inspires our current students and helps to set them on a path to success. If you’d like to speak to a class or visit for a talk, please email Melina Patterson!
Where does your donation go?!
- The Geography Alumni Scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior Geography major in recognition of their achievement and contributions to the department. It was created in honor of the four founding members of our department, Drs. Emory, Gouger, Palmieri, and Bowen. Thanks to a major push and generous alumni, the scholarship now covers more than one full semester of tuition!
- Starting in 2026, this fund also covers two Explore Geography Scholarships. These are awarded to students who recently declared Geography or Geospatial Analysis, who demonstrate involvement in the department and have excellent grades in 2-4 geography/GIS courses.
- The Marshall Bowen Scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior Geography or Geospatial Analysis major in recognition of their achievement and contributions to the department. It was endowed in 2024 by a 1971 Mary Wash graduate, Susan Liebenow, in honor of the phenomenal teacher and mentor, late Professor Marshall E. Bowen. Dr. Bowen taught at Mary Washington from 1965 to 2001 and was renowned for teaching the regional geography of America to classes of 300 students who LOVED his passion and energy. He took students on field trips to western states, he was the men’s basketball coach, and he was beloved.
- The Rountree Endowment for Geography is used throughout the year for awards up to $1000 to support student research (perhaps to buy equipment or data or access to a field site), travel (to a conference, a field location, a study abroad opportunity), or registration at a conference. We consider any reasonable request! The award is named for Jeff and Lisa Rountree, generous supporters of the department. Read about supported projects here.
- We also have a general Geography account used to help pay for the Awards Banquet and for supplies that for some reason cannot be covered by the regular budget. If you make a gift to Geography but don’t specify a fund, this is where it goes!