2026 Alumni Service Awards

NANCY COTÉ KANE ’84, P ’22

Though her Navy family took her many miles from William & Mary after graduation, Nancy reconnected with her alma mater when she attended her 20th reunion at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend. She hasn’t slowed down since. She brought her extensive fundraising experience from more than 20 years with Feeding San Diego to the Society of 1918, W&M’s giving society committed to advancing women’s leadership and philanthropy. After joining as a charter member, Nancy became a champion for the society, encouraging others on the West Coast to join. She uses that same enthusiasm for peer-to-peer outreach as a class ambassador and as a member of the Annual Giving Board of Directors, which she joined in 2020.

During the For the Bold campaign, Nancy was a member of the West Coast steering committee, helping to successfully close William & Mary’s largest campaign. She hosts Yule Log celebrations at her home in San Diego, bringing this meaningful campus tradition to local alumni and their families, and helps plan and host other university events for West Coast alumni. Nancy was also a sponsor for William & Mary Weekend in San Francisco. This year, she supported the Pi Beta Phi Centennial Celebration to commemorate 100 years of her sorority. Her son Christopher also made the trek East to attend William & Mary, graduating in 2022.

“My involvement with William & Mary and our alumni has helped me to see how giving back to my alma mater strengthens all those who have attended the university and all those who will attend someday. I believe in giving back because my education has given so much to me,” she says. “My hope is that my involvement inspires others to give back and get involved.”

REBECCA MCBRIDE KLEPSER ’99, P ’26 AND DAVID KLEPSER ’97, P ’26

Rebecca and David have been active in the William & Mary community since they were students, and their commitment has only deepened with their son Drew following in their footsteps to attend W&M. As members of the Parent & Family Council, the Klepsers prioritize unrestricted annual support through the Parents Fund, advancing undergraduate research, career and leadership development, academic enrichment, and wellness resources. They welcome new families to the Tribe and share their insights on the parent and alumni experience with their peers and university leadership. David is also a new member of the Boehly Center Board of Advisors, helping to ensure students are able to earn the best jobs in finance, no matter their major.

The Klepsers have hosted the Charlotte Yule Log for more than a decade, graciously opening their home to fellow alumni and local W&M families for this beloved tradition. It is the network’s most popular event and an opportunity for this regional community to forge strong connections and welcome new arrivals. They also coordinate with the Boehly Center and Raymond A. Mason School of Business on the Charlotte Trek, an opportunity for W&M students to explore career opportunities in the city by meeting with business leaders there. The Klepsers have hosted welcome receptions for participating students, recommended fellow industry leaders to the program and introduced students to David’s firm, Ram Realty Advisors, furthering William & Mary’s commitment to being students’ career partner for life.

“William & Mary has always held a meaningful place in our lives, and we've seen firsthand how the university continues to evolve and grow. Staying engaged gives us the chance to contribute to its ongoing success. The alumni network is a powerful resource, one that goes beyond professional connections; it’s a lasting community built on shared experiences. Whether it's through mentorship, career guidance, or simply sharing insights about navigating life after graduation, the sense of camaraderie is something we truly value. For us, it’s not just about reflecting on fond memories; it’s about actively investing in the university’s future. We feel a strong sense of responsibility to help both W&M and its students continue to thrive as a place of learning, growth and achievement,” they say.

"We hope that our service leaves a lasting, positive impact on both William & Mary and the individuals it supports. Within the alumni community, our goal is to strengthen connections and foster a network that mentors, supports, and warmly welcomes new members of the Tribe. By contributing to initiatives that benefit students, we aim to help ensure that future generations have access to the same transformative opportunities and resources that shaped our own experiences. On a personal level, we hope to inspire others to give back in ways that are meaningful to them — whether through time, expertise, or financial support. The more we invest in the future, the more we cultivate a cycle of giving that empowers our college to grow, evolve, and thrive for years to come.”

SUSAN SNEDIKER NEWMAN ’79, P ’12

In the D.C. Metro network, Sue ensures alumni of all ages can meaningfully connect with one another, learn from each other and have fun. When she served as D.C. Metro’s networking chair, she spearheaded the network’s book clubs as well as its popular “Welcome to the Real World” series for new alumni, which taught valuable life skills. Always willing to volunteer to plan and staff events, Sue also took on updating the network’s bylaws and reviewing board member applications, improving those processes for the future. As a member of the inaugural W&M Weekend committee, her insights helped make the signature event’s debut in D.C. a resounding success.

Her impact also extends far beyond D.C. Sue served on the W&M Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2011-2015, including as secretary and as chair of the Tribe Ties committee. As a class ambassador since the program’s inception, Sue connects her classmates to the university and opportunities to give back, including in support of their reunions. As co-chair of her 30th reunion, she helped the Class of 1979 achieve a record 45% participation in their class gift. She currently sits on the W&M Reves Global Engagement Board, advocating for the university’s international initiatives. Sue is also a member of the Society of 1918, W&M’s giving society committed to advancing women’s leadership and philanthropy, and shares her love of W&M with her husband, Bob Newman ’78, P ’12, and her daughter, Ali Newman ’12.

“I love William & Mary and have always wanted to give back to the university. My experiences at W&M helped shape the person I am today. My volunteer work on W&M boards and in leadership positions aided and furthered my personal and professional growth. I have lifelong friends from my time at W&M and continue to make new friends from all generations of alumni through my involvement,” she says. 

“I hope that my service will encourage others to volunteer and become more engaged with the university. I have especially looked for ways to create ongoing engagement opportunities for alumni and to bring together multi-generational groups of alumni, from Young Guarde to Olde Guarde.”

ANNE “WIN” WINSLOW WHITEHURST ’69, M.ED. ’72

This is not the first time Win’s name has appeared in the W&M Alumni Magazine — far from it. Her name has graced the pages of every issue of this publication for 36 years. As class reporter for the Class of 1969, Win compiles the latest news from her classmates and their families into a column in each magazine’s Class Notes section. Her warm, accurate and often amusing reporting of the news keeps fellow alumni connected to each other and to W&M.

While never seeking the spotlight, Win has held a leadership role in all milestone 1969 class reunions, including as co-chair of her 50th reunion and chair of the activities subcommittee for the class’s Traditions Weekend events. She serves as a class ambassador, encouraging her peers to stay engaged with their alma mater and to give back. She is also a Greek ambassador for her sorority, Chi Omega, leading the sorority in 2024 to win the Fraternity & Sorority Challenge trophy for the highest participation rate in giving to William & Mary. She helped organize the sorority’s centennial celebration, spearheaded fundraising for the Chi O House Fund. Since 2019, she has sent more than 900 handwritten thank you notes to sisters and donors.

“Like many, I found my four years at the College the most formative of my life, and the friends I made there the most important. I realized early on that I couldn’t give lots of money, but I could give my time. I chose two things that I hoped would help keep my class in touch — class reporter and helping with our reunions,” she says. “I hope that both have helped keep my classmates informed and connected … like a Tribe! In return, I have received so much more than I have given.”