Bookstore to give ornament proceeds to amphitheater

BY BRITTANY POLSON

The University of Mary Washington’s 2013 Christmas ornament featuring the campus amphitheater is now on sale at the university bookstore. A portion of its proceeds going will go toward renovation of the amphitheater.

“I really like the fact that they’re putting the amphitheater in the highlight.  I was told that proceeds would go to renovating and possibly expanding it,” said freshman Kellan Brown.

According to Kathy Sandor, the bookstore’s retail operations manager, this year’s ornament is a tale of serendipity.  The University was considering the amphitheater as the subject of the next ornament because of its beauty and significance to the UMW community.  At the same time, the renovation project for the amphitheater was starting.  According to Sandor, it was not initially planned but the timing was perfect.

The UMW Alumni Association agreed to give a portion of the ornament profits to the renovation project in hopes of giving back to the UMW community and preserve the sight.

The ornament comes with an insert that discusses the amphitheater’s history, its construction in 1913, its popularity with the UMW community and the numerous amount of activities that the site is used for.  This detailed insert was written by a collaboration of writers from various university departments including, Michael Spencer, assistant professor of Historic Preservation, Donna Raab, executive director of advancement and campaign initiative, and Margaret Mock, the bookstore’s senior store clerk.

Brown, seeing the potential provided by the Alumni Association, said, “I hope that one day we can actually restore it to it’s full potential and use it more often.  It’s a great element of the campus”.