W&M Announces New Tradition: Coronation Day

By Suzanne Seurattan, of the W&M Press Room Tuesday, April 06, 2010

It only seems natural that the first institution in the United States with a Royal Charter should celebrate a Coronation Day. William & Mary will begin this new tradition April 12.

King William III and Queen Mary II of England, namesakes of the College, celebrated their coronation day April 11, 1689. It was just four years later that they chartered a "certain place of universal study" that was "called and denominated forever, the College of William & Mary." In celebration of this auspicious day, the entire William & Mary community – past, present and future – is encouraged to show their green and gold spirit. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are asked to break out their sweatshirts, T-shirts, body paint, green and/or gold wigs, foam fingers, and other Tribe Pride regalia.

“It’s time to break out the green and gold and celebrate,” said William & Mary President Taylor Reveley. “A new tradition is born. Let’s hear it for William & Mary!”

Coronation Day joins a number of annual events observed at the College, including Opening Convocation with new freshmen marching east through the Wren Building; Homecoming and Reunions; the Yule Log Ceremony and Commencement with graduating seniors marching back west through the Wren and across campus.

This new celebration will also promote Tribe Pride across the Commonwealth and around the globe at a time when admitted high school students are weighing decisions about where to spend their next four years. The event kicks off the week leading up to William & Mary’s Admitted Students Day on April 17, when those selected for the upcoming freshman class are hosted on campus.

"Students admitted to William & Mary have many choices. We're encouraging current students and all alumni to spend one day in April wearing their Tribe pride on the outside as a signal to our admitted group that they'll be in great company if they enroll here," said Dean of Admission Henry Broaddus.

With the King and Queen’s actual anniversary falling on a Sunday this year, the 2010 on-campus celebration will occur on Monday, April 12 to allow all members of the campus community to participate. In the future, this event will be held on April 11 whenever possible, Broaddus added.

In advance of the on-campus celebration April 12, various alumni chapters across the country will host special Coronation Day events Sunday, April 11 for admitted students in their respective areas. A complete list of these events is available on the alumni Web site.

Creativity counts in the spirit of the celebration. Students who think they are the definition of Tribe Pride should take a picture of themselves on campus April 12 decked out in their green and gold and then submit the photo to the contest hosted on the W&M Flickr Gallery. Winners will be given the opportunity to don their regalia once more at a dinner April 29 hosted by President Reveley.