Open Doors

Every month, I meet with the William & Mary President’s Aides, a “kitchen cabinet” of students from all walks of campus. Last spring, as I often do, I sought their thoughts on a potential university initiative. For access to campus buildings, would a smartphone app be better than a key card swipe? The Aides’ answer surprised me: Apps are more convenient, yes, but it doesn’t really matter. When they recognize someone who has forgotten a key, they hold the door. “We’re a ‘hold the door open’ campus,” they explained.

I mulled this phrase all summer as we reviewed alumni surveys and campus feedback on strategic planning. W&M aims to be nationally preeminent. For us, that means attracting outstanding students, excelling in academics and consequential areas of research, and ensuring strong graduate outcomes. What is the place of university culture in achieving these strategic goals?

The truism of management circles is that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Organizations ultimately succeed, in other words, only on the strength of their cultures. So as we chart the future, I have been reflecting on what “holding the door open” means at W&M today.

This fall, the Princeton Review ranked W&M first in the nation for “friendliest students.” I delight in sharing this ranking — based on direct student surveys — because it lands so true. At W&M, leading with curiosity is key to learning together. Graciousness and respect for human dignity hold strong, even through moments of intense disagreement.

“Holding the door open” captures a quality of W&M that is striking to newcomers and cherished by those of us who have been around for a few years. Going back to 1949, the Student Handbook proclaimed, “Who comes here belongs here. This is the first tradition.” W&M people embrace the daily gestures of recognition that affirm community. They pass on such practices intentionally, as a legacy.

True to form, our alumni are among the most engaged of any university in the country. They volunteer on university boards and wear their green and gold with pride. They host internships and externships. They hire grads. Their support is one reason Forbes continues to recognize W&M as among the best schools for launching a career.

In October, we will celebrate this legacy with due pomp and playfulness at W&M’s 100th Homecoming & Reunion Weekend. Thousands of alumni will flock home to the ‘Burg to party at class receptions. While the Pep Band plays, the Olde Guarde will “chair dance” down Richmond Road during our annual parade. Per usual, some traditions are time-honored and others totally new. We revisit and we reinvent together.

Our culture runs deep at W&M. It is fitting, then, that we begin each academic year by holding open the Wren doors for a new class of students. Sturdy and solid, these doors weather well because of the care of those who pass through each season.

At Convocation, I invited our new students to join in reflecting on what it means to belong in a community where we hold the door open for each other. And I charged them with the responsibility for sustaining this culture for those who follow.

Holding the door open for others is how civic leadership happens. It is how we reach for national preeminence. And how we will advance a 333-year-old institution for all times coming.