Budding Tribe

NORTHEAST

1. Boston
The Boston chapter hosted their annual meeting in March and welcomed new chapter board members. In May, the Young Guarde Council hosted a philanthropy event to encourage area alumni to gather and give a donation to the College. Also, the Muscarelle Museum of Art-curated exhibit, “Leonardo da Vinci and the Idea of Beauty,” made its only other U.S. stop at the Museum of Fine Arts from April to June.

2. New York City
In March, the Alumni Association had its 12th annual auction in NYC, which generated an all-time record of $250,000. All funds raised provide resources for alumni and student programming. In May, 15 members of the chapter walked in the NYC AIDS Walk and raised over $13,000. Many thanks to Gary Cowling ’84 for being a dedicated leader and Brian Lewis ’90 for sponsoring post-walk pizza. This year marks the 25th year for Team W&M, and during that time, they have raised over $270,000!

Also in May, alumni, students and parents joined Joseph J. Plumeri II ’66, D.P.S. ’11 for a conversation about his new book, The Power of Being Yourself: A Game Plan For Success By Putting Passion Into Your Life and Work (see the article about Plumeri here).

3. Pittsburgh
The chapter celebrated spring with a barbecue and also hosted Tribe Thursdays throughout the city.

4. Philadelphia
Alumni gathered to test their knowledge at a local Trivia Night.

Washington, D.C.

5. Metro
In April, the chapter offered a private, behind-the-scenes look at Nationals Park and an opportunity to throw a pitch in the Nationals bullpen.

Also in April, the chapter sponsored the Project for International Peace and Security Annual Symposium, which featured Brent Colburn ’98, M.P.P. ’00, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, and outstanding student fellows who presented and fielded questions on their original policy research and white papers on emerging international security challenges.

In May, the Washington Area Alumni Business Alliance hosted their annual reception celebrating the alliance of our D.C.-area alumni, and the many remarkable contributions made by professors Jim Smith and Bill Geary, who will be retiring this year.

The Nu Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, hosted a student and alumni networking event with Drew Stelljes Ph.D. ’07, assistant vice president of student engagement and leadership and director of community engagement.

In June, the chapter hosted their annual meeting as an opportunity for alumni to meet new board members. June also included the annual “What Colors do you Bleed?” Blood Drive with JMU’s Alumni Association. The chapter ended the month of June with a private tour of the U.S. Law Library of Congress’ vault.

The chapter hosted several workshops for alumni, including a successful home-buying workshop, a self-promotion workshop for women, and a networking workshop for recent grads. The chapter also continues to host monthly Martini Mondays for alumni to meet and network.

The William & Mary Tribe Club hosted a Northern Virginia Golf Outing fundraiser in June at the 1757 Golf Club.

6. Maryland
The new Maryland chapter continues to host monthly Tribe Thursdays around the state. In June, the chapter partnered with the Orioles for a luncheon and O’s game with a portion of the ticket proceeds benefitting the chapter’s student scholarship fund.

VIRGINIA

7. Charlottesville
Alumni met for a Tribe Thursday in May.

8. Lower Northern Neck
The chapter’s annual spring banquet featured an update on athletics, admissions, the William & Mary Alumni Association and the Office of University Advancement from Marilyn W. Midyette ’75, executive director of the Alumni Association.

9. Richmond
At the end of March, the chapter hosted a private brunch before the Virginia Opera’s performance of “La Traviata.” During this intimate affair, alumni and their guests had an exclusive opportunity to chat with Russell P. Allen, president and CEO of Virginia Opera, and Adam Turner, Virginia Opera’s principal conductor and artistic advisor.

In May, alumni, including Class of 2015 graduates, celebrated spring in the beautiful gardens of Steve ’85 and Amy Williams.

The chapter also continued their monthly First Table dinner series with restaurants in Richmond and Mechanicsville.

10. Roanoke
The Roanoke chapter invited alumni to Toast the Tribe while sampling local wine and craft beers as they prepared exam care packages for the 29 Roanoke-area William & Mary freshmen.

11. South Hampton Roads
Young Guarde members gathered in Norfolk for a happy hour. In May, alumni met at the chapter’s annual meeting and social to hear Wilford Kale ’66, author of Hark Upon the Gale: An Illustrated History of the College of William & Mary, share his passion for history and the College of William & Mary.

12. South of the James
Alumni joined Muscarelle Museum Director Aaron De Groft ’88 for a guided tour with curator John T. Spike through the acclaimed “Leonardo da Vinci and the Idea of Beauty” exhibition. Michele K. Spike, the leading scholar of Matilda of Conossa, then lead the group through the exhibition she curated which followed the tumultuous journey of Matilda’s life and her impact on the formation of American democracy.

13. Williamsburg
In March, the Williamsburg chapter also hosted private tours of the Muscarelle’s Leonardo da Vinci exhibit. The chapter then held their annual meeting in June at the Alumni House to welcome new board members and officers.

This spring’s Tribe Thursday guests from the College included Kathleen Powell, assistant vice president for student affairs and executive director of career development, and all College faculty members.

SOUTHEAST

14. Atlanta
Alumni gathered for a private craft beer night to learn about styles of beer and enjoy tastings. In May, they ran for the roses at the chapter’s Kentucky Derby Party, hosted at the home of Dan Gallik ’88 and Carrie Richards. The chapter also continued their regular monthly gatherings in Midtown.

15. Charlotte
In April, alumni, family and friends enjoyed an evening at the ballpark to kick off the Charlotte Knights’ season.
16. Charleston Young alumni Third Thursdays continued, and the chapter participated in an all-Virginia schools happy hour. In June, the chapter held their annual meeting at Sauer Grapes, a bar owned by Marie Sauer M.S. ’90, M.B.A. ’95.

CENTRAL

17. Chicago
The Chicago chapter hosted a Tribe Thursday in May.

18. Houston
WorldFest founder Hunter Todd ’61 graciously offered all Houston-area alumni access to two gold passes for WorldFest, the international film festival.

WEST

19. San Diego
Alumni joined together in April at the San Diego Yacht Club to meet with admitted students and their guests.

20. San Francisco Bay Area
The chapter held their second annual Napa Wine Tour in April, which included a private tasting with Nicole Abiouness ’94 of Abiouness Wine, and a trip to Green Valley Ranch with host Tom Flesher ’73. In May, the chapter enjoyed a San Francisco Giants baseball game.

21. Seattle
Alumni gathered in April for a happy hour and tour of the Museum of History and Industry.

INTERNATIONAL

22. Shanghai
In June, W&M hosted a reception in Shanghai. It was a wonderful opportunity for alumni in the area to meet and network.

23. Singapore
The College and the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance hosted a networking reception with William & Mary students, faculty, alumni and friends to learn more about the work done by W&M students who were exploring Asian culture and international finance in Singapore.

Chapter Awards

Many congratulations to the following chapters for receiving awards for their alumni engagement performance in 2013-14. These award-winning chapters received a cash prize to continue to provide engagement opportunities for alumni. Also, two representatives are invited to ride in this year’s Homecoming Parade.

Outstanding Chapter (Tier I)
Richmond

Outstanding Chapter (Tier II)
Charlottesville

Most Improved Chapter (Tier III)
New York City

Honorable Mention
San Francisco Bay Area

Chapter Events

One Tribe One Day Celebrations
International: Tokyo, Hong Kong, Zurich, London; Northeast: Boston, New York City, Philadelphia; DC: Arlington, Baltimore, Fairfax; Virginia: Richmond, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg; Southeast: Atlanta, Raleigh, Shreveport; Central: Chicago, Columbus, Dallas; West: Los Angeles, San Francisco

Spring Into Action Week
Several chapters participated in Spring Into Action Week, the Young Guarde Council community service initiative held June 1-8. The week was a time to encourage alumni to engage in a local community service project and provide alumni with a chance to connect with the W&M spirit of giving back. Spring Into Action Week projects included: working at the Intown Collaborative Ministries food pantry in Atlanta; sorting donations at Cradle to Crayons Giving Factory in Boston; cleaning up the South Fork Trail in Charlotte; painting fences at Ash Lawn-Highland near Charlottesville; packing groceries at We Are Family in Washington, D.C.; collecting books for Free Books 4 Children on the Northern Neck; preparing for the Special Olympics in Maryland; helping Communities in Schools with a school carnival in Richmond; cleaning the grounds at the Roanoke Ronald McDonald house; working at the San Francisco Habitat for Humanity ReStore; and cleaning up the Amy Yee Tennis Center Orchard in Seattle.

Incoming Students Receptions
Throughout the summer, the Alumni Association, University Advancement, and the Offices of Parent and Family Programs and First Year Experience will host Incoming Student Receptions throughout the world. In the beginning of the summer, events were held in and hosted by: Northeast: Boston – Nancy and David Harlan P ’18; Virginia: Charlottesville – alumni chapter, South of the James – alumni chapter; Southeast: Miami – Mimi Abella-Blanco and Robert Blanco P ’17, P ’18, Jamie and Nadine Assaf P ’18, and Luis ’82 and Dolores Navas P ’13; Central: Colorado – alumni chapter, and Lauren Schmidt ’97 and Eric Olson, Houston – alumni chapter, Nashville – Dr. Andrea ’92 and Dr. Stephen Capizzi ’92, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky – Dave Croall ’77; International: Beijing – College, Hong Kong – Danny Levinson ’96, Seoul – Soh Yeong Roh ’84