When Paddy Link ’72 arrived at Mary Washington, she discovered a passion for public service. She joined Student Government, served as her residence hall president junior year and found that a liberal arts and sciences education—rooted in her art history major—would prepare her for a future she hadn’t yet imagined.
“In college, I learned to work with people whose beliefs, values and political leanings didn’t necessarily mirror my own,” said Link, who began a career on Capitol Hill after graduation. She worked for members of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and helped staff congressional committees focused on science, commerce, transportation and appropriations. “But we worked together for the good of our institution.”
That spirit guides her giving today. A dedicated supporter of her alma mater, Link is encouraging alumni, friends, families, faculty, staff and students to contribute to the University of Mary Washington’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and ensure its mission endures. She has pledged to match all gifts made on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, to UMW’s College of Arts and Sciences General Fund, up to $5,000—continuing her commitment to the liberal arts foundation that shaped her career.
One week until Giving Tuesday, when the Mary Washington community can #MakeItPossibleUMW by supporting students, faculty and programs through their generous gifts to the College of Arts and Sciences and other areas across the University on Dec. 2, 2025.
Alanah Cleare ’25, who earned a degree in marketing from UMW in May; junior Owen Wheeler; and senior Chloe Adler review recently captured footage for a project aimed at assessing the usefulness of AI in filmmaking. The trio conducted research under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Communication and Digital Studies J.D. Swerzenski in UMW’s Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Summer Institute. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
Senior conservation biology major Autumn Pembelton studied insect communication this summer as part of Mary Washington’s Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
UMW Theatre performing ‘Godspell’ in fall 2025. From left: Giannii Marshall ’26, Caroline Rous ’28, Jonah Hilbert ’28 and Jeffrey Cobb Jr. ’29. Photo by Geoff Greene.
With 40 diverse majors, CAS fosters critical thinking, leadership and innovation to prepare students for Life After Mary Washington. The CAS General Fund helps faculty and staff create meaningful learning opportunities and sustain a dynamic academic environment. Gifts support:
- Planning and piloting programming for a new humanities center—a vibrant hub reimagining the liberal arts for the 21st century through innovative courses, internships and community-engaged events.
• Guest speakers and cultural programming that bring students, faculty and the community together for academic pursuits.
• Upgrades to critical classroom, laboratory and studio equipment.
• Collaborative campus-community partnerships that build networks and career-advancing experiences.
“Developing a broad background in the arts and sciences is a great launching pad in any field,” Link said. She especially valued her own coursework with the late Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English Donald Glover and the late Professor of Art History Mathew Herban—training she considered essential to her career.
Paddy Link ’72, who earned a bachelor’s degree in art history at Mary Washington and had a successful career as a public servant on Capitol Hill, is sponsoring a challenge to support the College of Arts and Sciences General Fund.
Paddy Link from the 1971 Battlefield Yearbook. Photo courtesy of UMW Special Collections and University Archives.
Paddy Link ’72 (first on the left) with several other members of the Senate Committee from the 1971 Battlefield Yearbook. Photo courtesy of UMW Special Collections and University Archives.
After retiring from federal service, she worked as a lobbyist, primarily for the aerospace, high tech and telecommunications industries. She said those experiences only reinforced her belief in the power of a well-rounded education.
“Throughout my life, I’ve met brilliant physicians and scientists who struggled to clearly communicate their work,” she said. “Strong writing and critical thinking skills matter everywhere. A truly good education blends the humanities with the sciences—each strengthens the other.”
Several other alums are stepping up to sponsor challenges and matches for CAS:
An anonymous donor will match all gifts to the Irene Piscopo Rodgers School of Science General Fund, up to $10,000—doubling support for STEM students. This fund bolsters the School’s ability to respond to unexpected needs that enhance learning, especially the hands-on faculty mentorship made possible through Irene Piscopo Rodgers’ transformative endowment for student research.
If 50 gifts are made to the School of the Arts General Fund, Elizabeth Bray Saunders Morris ’64 will give $8,000 to support the arts at Mary Washington. Her challenge will fuel high-impact teaching and learning—in studios, classrooms, labs and in the field—and help establish the School of the Arts as a destination for future students eager to learn from exceptional faculty.
Looking to support other areas?
Judith Saul Kraft ’75 will match each gift made to the College of Education, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Gifts to COE will support resources and programs to prepare future educators as they embark on their teaching careers in the Fredericksburg area and in other communities.
Members of the College of Business Executive Advisory Board will match gifts to the College of Business, up to $6,000. Donations to COB will help fuel high-impact learning experiences such as undergraduate research partnerships, access to industry-standard technology, professional development and career readiness preparation, entrepreneurship and innovation funding, and more.
On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, donors can #MakeItPossibleUMW for students and programs. Visit the Giving Tuesday site to see other areas you can support and how the impact of your gift can go further.