At William & Mary’s 2026 Charter Day, acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns reflects on the power of authentic history, shared memory and the responsibility we all carry to shape the future.
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W&M Life
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W&M Life
Charter Day 2026: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger
At William & Mary’s 2026 Charter Day, Governor Abigail Spanberger reflected on Virginia’s history, civic leadership and the power of engaged citizens.
W&M Life
William & Mary students meet with America’s storyteller
World-renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns visits for Charter Day.
University News
Four university presidents reflect on leadership
W&M President Katherine A. Rowe moderated a panel discussion among W&M Chancellor Robert M. Gates, W. Taylor Reveley III and W. Taylor Reveley IV.
Service & Community
Burns, Spanberger help launch W&M’s Year of Civic Leadership
Ken Burns and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger spoke at William & Mary's 2026 Charter Day ceremony.
Excellence
William & Mary announces 2026 Alumni Medallion recipients
The 2026 Alumni Medallions will be bestowed at a ceremony during Charter Day Weekend on Feb. 7, 2026.
W&M Life
How college presidents succeed
Join Katherine A. Rowe, Robert M. Gates, W. Taylor Reveley III and W. Taylor Reveley IV for a lively discussion on leadership.
Excellence
W&M announces 2026 Charter Day award winners
Two students and two faculty members will be recognized at the Charter Day ceremony on Feb. 6 and a special reception on Jan. 30.
University News
Governor, award-winning filmmaker to speak at Charter Day
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will speak at the Charter Day ceremony.
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Service & Community
Happy Charter Day 2025
During the Charter Day ceremony on Feb. 7, William & Mary launched the Year of the Environment.
University News
W&M’s Year of the Environment embraces science for solutions
Building on momentum from its strategic plan and two historic gifts, William & Mary launched the Year of the Environment Feb. 7.
Excellence
W&M celebrates 2025 Alumni Medallion recipients
The highest and most prestigious award given by the Alumni Association, the Alumni Medallion recognizes outstanding alumni.
Excellence
Celebrating excellence: W&M’s 2025 Charter Day awards
Two students and two faculty members will be recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.
University News
William & Mary launches Year of the Environment at Charter Day
Health sector visionary and former Rector Todd A. Stottlemyer '85, P '16, P '21 to be honored.
Service & Community
W&M presents 2024 alumni service awards
The Douglas N. Morton ’62 Alumni and Young Alumni Service Awards recognize alumni who are constantly working to engage and support alumni, connecting them to each other and the university.
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University News
2024 Charter Day
The annual Charter Day tradition celebrates the university’s founding 331 years ago and offers an opportunity for the community to reflect on William & Mary’s past while keeping an eye toward its future, guided by…
University News
Power of history, arts celebrated at W&M’s Charter Day
Lonnie Bunch, secretary of Smithsonian Institution, reflected on the power and purpose of history as the keynote speaker for William & Mary’s 2024 Charter Day
University News
Honoring excellence: Meet this year’s Charter Day award winners
Two students and two faculty members are recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.
University News
Smithsonian’s visionary leader to highlight W&M Charter Day
Ceremony to highlight W&M’s Year of the Arts celebration; Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and former W&M Rector Jeffrey B. Trammell '73 to receive honorary degrees.
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W&M Life
Highlights from the 2023 Charter Day ceremony
William & Mary’s 2023 Charter Day ceremony at Kaplan Arena provided a meaningful platform to tell a more inclusive story of the university’s past while celebrating the path forward.
University News
W&M honors history while celebrating present and future connections at Charter Day 2023
University launches 300th anniversary commemoration of Brafferton Indian School while recognizing distinguished tribal leaders during ceremony in Kaplan Arena.
Research & Scholarship
Clues in W&M’s charter may reveal its founding as a university 330 years ago
Research by a W&M law professor and students may prove that W&M was always intended to be a university.
Service & Community
W&M announces 2023 Alumni Medallion Awards
Meet this year’s recipients of the William & Mary Alumni Medallion.
Excellence
W&M will recognize award recipients at Charter Day
The award winners will be celebrated during the university's 330th "birthday" commemoration on Feb. 10.
University News
William & Mary honors pathbreaking history and leaders at Charter Day
In addition to honoring the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and one of the commonwealth’s leading philanthropists, W&M will be recognizing the start of the 300th anniversary of the Brafferton Indian School.
University News
Vision 2026: W&M outlines strategic plan during Charter Day weekend
Data, water, democracy, careers: Those will be the four areas of focus as William & Mary embarks on a new strategic direction over the next five years, President Katherine A. Rowe stated Friday during the…
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Excellence
William & Mary to honor award winners at Charter Day
Four 2022 Charter Day Award winners will be celebrated during the Feb. 11 Charter Day ceremony at Kaplan Arena.
University News
Va. Governor Glenn Youngkin to speak at W&M’s Charter Day ceremony
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will speak at William & Mary’s 2022 Charter Day ceremony, slated for Feb. 11 in Kaplan Arena.
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