WMAA Board Notes and Award Nominations

The William & Mary Alumni Association (WMAA) Board of Directors held its spring meeting at the William & Mary Alumni House on June 9-10, 2022. Some members attended virtually.

Anna Dinwiddie Hatfield ’96, board president, opened the meeting and welcomed the members. She also appointed the following committee chairs: Tina Reynolds Kenny ’92, P ’24, Board Development; Barbara Marchbank ’84, P ’15, inclusion, career, affinity and regional engagement; Brian Focarino ’11, J.D. ’15, communications; John Cole Scott ’00, finance and investment; George Cruser ’84, executive committee at large.

Following approval of the consent agenda, Marilyn Midyette ’75, chief executive officer, provided an overview of what we already accomplished this year relative to the strategic priorities of the association and provided information on what we are looking forward to for the balance of the year. Key highlights included:

• Approximately 600 alumni, parents, students, and friends registered for Professionals Week, which ranged in events from panel discussions with experts to interactive workshops to networking hours.
• More than 500 alumni returned to campus for a successful Traditions Weekend, celebrating three 50th Reunions (’70, ’71 and ’72), the Olde Guarde and the Robert Boyle Legacy Society
• 255 alumni volunteers participated in a letter writing campaign to pen 5,000 handwritten notes of congratulations to newly admitted students encouraging matriculation; the goal of this program is to assist the Office of Admission in increasing its yield
• During Commencement weekend, bestowed Honorary Alumni status on seven deserving individuals (the honorary classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022) – Patti Dwyer, Valerie Foradas, Michael Halleran, Jamie Armstrong, Tom Duffy, Jody Forsythe and Peter Meredith
• Hosted 191 alumni for our first Black Alumni Reunion Weekend on campus, with good reviews
• A preview of Alumni Admission Weekend, the Welcome to the City program series and Women's Weekend 
• Alumni Journeys participation is rebounding toward pre-pandemic numbers of travelers
• A summary of the WMAA’s budget, staffing, fundraising status and goals

Midyette also announced the selection of Howard J. Busbee ’65, J.D. ’67, M.L.T. ’68, L.H.D. ’22, P ’90, P ’04 as the interim CEO of the WMAA following her retirement.

Matthew T. Lambert ’99, vice president of university advancement, held a listening session with board members to inform the search for the permanent CEO.

Heather Golden, chief marketing officer, provided an overview of the university's Vision 2026 strategic plan. Amy Sebring, chief operating officer, presented W&M’s master housing and dining plan that arose out of the university’s Vision 2026 statement, "Evolve to Excel."

Kelly Holdcraft, senior director for career, affinity and regional engagement, provided a progress report on planning for W&M Weekend, to be held in San Francisco, June 1-4, 2023.

Jim Taylor ’69 provided an update on recent activities by the Olde Guarde Council. Ian Doty ’21, co-chair of the Young Guarde Council, and Joe O'Brien ’23, chair for Students for University Advancement, provided overviews of their respective organizations. They then lead the board on a campus tour highlighting new construction.

Ryan Caterwood and Chris Marshall, outside consultants, presented an Alumni Futurecast Workshop to the board about national trends in alumni engagement.

Chairs from the Communications, Board Development, Inclusion, Career, Affinity & Regional Engagement and Finance & Investment committees updated members on action items and priorities in their respective areas. 

Significant discussion and decisions also took place on the following actions:

• Approved the nomination of Forest Braden, head cross country coach, for the 2022 Coach of the Year Award. 
• Approved the awarding of the Douglas N. Morton ’62 Alumni Service Award to Karen Burnett ’72, Jimmy Lockedmonds ’08, M.Acc. ’09 and Tamara Wamsley ’80, P ’06, P ’11 and the Douglas N. Morton ’62 Young Alumni Service Award to Katherine Covino ’12 and Thalia Hernandez ’18.
• Approved the awarding of the Staff Service Award to Sherry L. "Lonnie" Peace, head of moving and storage for facilities.
• Approved the slate of eight nominees for election to the board in 2022.
• Approved the following slate of officers for terms beginning July 1, 2022: Janet Osborn ’85, vice president; Kirsten Quackenbush ’05, secretary; John Cole Scott ’00, treasurer
• Approved awarding the Alumni Medallion to the following individuals during Charter Day 2023:
  • Cynthia S. Jarboe ’77
  • Barbara Ramsey ’75
  • Stewart Sell ’56
  • Thomas Watkins III ’74
• Approved the selection of Bill Armburster ’57 and Betty-Wright Armbruster ’58 as Homecoming Grand Marshals.
• Thanked outgoing board members Carla Moreland ’81, J.D. ’84, Bruce Christian ’73, Gail Croall ’77, Todd Norris ’86 and Dave Scott ’93 for their service.

The fall meeting of the board of directors was scheduled for Sept. 15-16, 2022, in Williamsburg.