Honoring Our Alumni
During Reunion Weekend, we announce three awards honoring alumni who have excelled in service, career, and other accomplishments.
The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award honors graduates within the last 15 years who have distinguished themselves through service to Mary Washington or accomplishments in their career or community.
The Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award honors alumni who have demonstrated a lifetime of exceptional service to Mary Washington.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award honors alumni who have made significant contributions to their career field and community and who are a source of inspiration to UMW students and of pride to the University.
Our latest award winners are profiled below.
See a full listing of all past award recipients.
Outstanding Young Alumnus
Shirley Martey Hargis ’16
Congratulations to our 2025 Outstanding Young Alumnus, Shirley Martey Hargis, Class of 2016! Shirley has over a decade of expertise in the security-related foreign and domestic politics of China and Taiwan, US-China relations, and Chinese affairs in the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and Russia. As a geopolitical strategist focusing on emerging technologies, ICT global supply chain, and national security, she has built a dynamic career in Washington, DC think tank and government circles, using her Chinese language proficiency and knowledge of China in high-security work for a U.S. government contractor. Shirley has published many articles about geopolitical strategy and U.S. foreign relations and has provided related comment on Politico, Al Jazeera, BBC News, Bloomberg, and other media outlets. She has worked for the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations and has earned or been a finalist for multiple fellowships, including a Herbert A. Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship, a Blakemore Freeman Fellowship, and a Fulbright Research Grant.
The Frances Liebenow Armstrong ’36 Service Award
Jenifer “JB” Blair ’82
Congratulations to the 2025 Frances Liebenow Armstrong ‘36 Service Award recipient, Jenifer “JB” Blair, Class of 1982! Few alums have given as much to Mary Washington for as sustained a period of time as JB. Her unwavering commitment over more than 40 years is truly extraordinary. In addition to positively influencing thousands of students as a Mary Washington staff member, she has dedicated countless hours as a volunteer and has committed significant financial support for the betterment of the University. JB served on the UMW Alumni Board of Directors for 14 years in several different roles, including as President. She also served on the Washington Scholars Interview Committee for six years and has volunteered at Reunion Weekend every year since 1982. She has been a regular donor for 42 years and is a member of the Forever True Circle and the President’s Circle. Last year, JB made an additional contribution to the campus radio station, WMWC, to help meet their financial needs. Aside from her volunteer work at UMW, JB has been a community volunteer, serving as a member and past president of the Hartsville, South Carolina Rotary International Club. She is a Life Member of both the Richmond Jaycees and the Virginia Jaycees.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Rob Eastman-Mullins ’00
Congratulations to the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient, Rob Eastman-Mullins, Class of 2000! Rob has dedicated himself to theatre as an artistic practice and a means of fostering global connection. As the Artistic Director for the U.S. Submission to the 2027 Prague Quadrennial, he is shaping a compelling and cohesive representation of American theatre design on a global stage. Rob’s commitment to emerging artists is evident in his role as the Founder and Organizer of the aWAKEn: International Scenic Design Competition, which provided a platform for designers outside the U.S. to showcase their talents. Rob’s commitment to global engagement led to an invitation to the Kampala International Theatre Festival, where he led an international workshop on creating theatre with found objects and contributed to a panel of professional scenographers. Rob also served s a Juror for the Alexandria International Theatre Festival in Egypt. Rob has contributed to over 30 national and international academic presentations, including the Southern Europe/Northern Africa Theatre Conference, fostering important dialogues between theatre practitioners worldwide. Beyond his creative work, Rob is committed to advancing scholarship in performance design and art. He currently is co-authoring Scenic Design: A Global Perspective, scheduled for publication in 2026. In 2024, Rob was tapped as a panelist for the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva, where he participated in discussions on intellectual property in the live arts, advocating for artists’ rights and the protection of creative work. Rob and his wife, Andrea, established the Eastman-Mullins Scholarship for Theatre at UMW, honoring his deep commitment to supporting the University and future generations of theatre artists.