William and Mary Welcomes Freshmen at Convocation

By Amber Lester Friday, August 27, 2010

Wearing chic sundresses, bow ties and Wayfarer sunglasses, the newest freshmen at The College of William and Mary sauntered to their seats for their warm welcome Friday afternoon.

They were wrapping up their first week on campus at the college’s annual Convocation, a welcome ceremony packed with school spirit, complete with big signs reading, “Welcome Home.” Each year, students turn out in dressy clothes to listen to speeches designed to remind them they have not just arrived at college — they've joined the Tribe.

This year, the students were welcomed with a Convocation speech by Board of Visitors Rector Henry Wolf, who earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the college in 1964 and a law degree in 1966. Wolf told the students the occasion was special to him because this fall marks 50 years since he attended his own Convocation.

He reminded the students of what the college was like in the early 1960s, painting a picture of the “Mad Men” era for a class notable for growing up in the Internet age. Wolf told them that when he entered the school, the U.S. had not put a man in space, the periodic table was missing several elements, female students had curfews, no one had cars and students could not receive financial aid.

The constant of the college, he said, is its history and its tradition. He reminded the students they would walk the same brick paths walked by the nation’s founders. They would have the opportunity to join Phi Beta Kappa on the campus that started the honor society.

“While so much has changed, a great many things have remained constant and endured the test of time,” he said. “Those things that have remained constant … those things that have endured … are the qualities that are the essence of William and Mary. Take time to focus on them … take time to see them and to sense them, for you will be a far richer person for having had that experience.”

At the end of the ceremony, President Taylor Reveley led the students in a rousing rendition of the school’s alma mater song, but the best part awaited them on the other side of the Wren Building. The freshmen passed through the hallway and emerged on the other side to be greeted by a throng of college upperclassmen, professors, staff and even curious passersby.

The marching band played the college fight song, accompanied by two students blowing into yellow vuvuzelas, as the new Tribe members made their way through the crowd, high-fiving upperclassmen. Some soaked it up, some seemed in awe and some held up video cameras to capture the moment. It was a joyous end to a ceremony that marks their new beginning.

The earliest record of a convocation at the college was the opening remarks from President Thomas Dew in 1836. Convocations were not held from 1972 to 1992, but the tradition was revived in 1993 by President Timothy J. Sullivan to commemorate the 300^th anniversary of the college.

Check out pictures from the event here.