In 2009 UM alumni Mike and Mary “Bickie” McDonnell of Memphis made a generous gift of $250,000 to establish the Mike and Mary McDonnell Endowment in Classics. The endowment’s first priority is the support of study abroad opportunities for Classics majors, and more than two dozen of our students have benefitted from their help since the first funds were donated. This year, the McDonnells have committed another $250,000 to the endowment. We are beyond grateful for this support for Classics, and are excited to make direct experience of the sites of ancient Mediterranean culture available to even more of our students.