Celebrating Success

When it comes to William & Mary’s strengths, this university has produced some of the most exceptional leaders in the world. Most alumni and students know many of the names of graduates, from past United States presidents — four to be exact — to leaders in sports, business, education, service, law and nearly every field imaginable.

This issue of the magazine shines a bright light on the achievements of alumni from coast to coast and around the world, in many fields and from different generations. I know their stories will resonate, full of the ingredients that give W&M alumni that special combination of intellect, compassion and ambition that make our world better. This is a chance to focus on something we can all too easily overlook as we quickly and earnestly move on to the next project, goal or aspiration: celebrating success.

Over Charter Day Weekend, Feb. 5-7, the Alumni Association will celebrate some of our most accomplished alumni for their numerous contributions to their university, communities and professions. They consistently exhibit traits necessary to make the most impactful outcomes — among them selflessness, or put differently, a passion to serve the greater community.

As you read their inspiring stories in this issue of the W&M Alumni Magazine, think about your own contributions to William & Mary, your community and humanity. Have you celebrated your work and the impact caused by your advocacy, service or engagement? Whether at a Homecoming reunion, via the Alumni Medallion & Service Awards, during Charter Day Weekend or at the numerous celebrations in regions around the globe supported by the university, let’s celebrate one another and the spirit of this great university that helped mold us.

But first, enjoy this edition of the magazine. Be inspired. And remember the people featured here represent large groups of alumni leading transformative changes. We lead when we care for one another. William & Mary alumni deserve lots of credit. And we deserve to celebrate that our ethos was formed or fulfilled because we were students at William & Mary.