Spring at William and Mary is never a moment too soon -- as soon as we resign ourselves to the winter cold, there's always a burst of warmer weather and the hint of the trees coming back into bloom. Our 315th Charter Day, as it always has, celebrated the very best that William and Mary has to offer. Jim Comey '82, a newly elected member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, gave an inspiring speech as he received an honorary degree. We celebrated our achievements in athletics, academics and service, and united around the words of our royal charter and our shared history, stretching back for three centuries.
Gene Nichol's resignation the week after Charter Day was an unsettling end to his two-and-a-half-year tenure. The story elsewhere in this edition offers a brief chronicle of the few days following his leaving. I applaud interim President Taylor Reveley's willingness to lead the College, and I know all of us who love William and Mary will offer our heartfelt support to him until a new president is named. As Rector Michael Powell '85, D.P.S. '02 said when he and other members of the College Board of Visitors met with faculty, staff and students in the days following the resignation letter, the whole world is watching how we deal with this crisis, and if we are truly a Tribe, we will come together and work to make the College the best institution in the country. I charge all alumni to join this effort. Our priorities are the same, our commitment is the same, and our loyalty to the College is unchanged.
You will notice that there is information about the Alumni Association Board of Directors in this issue as well. Your elected board is your voice, and we will be giving them more visibility in every magazine -- both individually and as a group -- so you will come to know them. You will also find profiles on members of the association staff, and a new department at the end of the magazine featuring an interview with a member of the College community. All of this is intended to give alumni more opportunity to discover who we are and how we are working on your behalf.
A nominating committee will meet this spring to select a slate for election to the Board of Directors, and it is not too late to nominate a candidate for consideration. Please note how to do that, and just as importantly, how to make sure you are eligible to vote in the board elections next fall.
We're also excited to be gearing up for two big events this spring; one for the young, and another for the young at heart. The first-ever Young Guarde Weekend is scheduled for April 11-13 and promises to be the beginning of a great tradition. Anyone interested should contact Leigh Tally '07 by e-mailing latall@wm.edu.
For alumni who are a few more years into their post-collegiate careers, we're proud to host the Class of 1958's 50th Reunion on April 25-27. Then, on April 27-28, the reunion class will join their friends for Olde Guarde Celebration and Olde Guarde Day. Each year, alumni from decades past gather to celebrate their memories, which are a big part of what makes the College great.
As always, I am interested in hearing from you. Your thoughts and concerns are important -- especially during this time of transition. E-mail me at alumni.evp@wm.edu or call 757.221.1842.
