William & Mary Wins in D.C.
William & Mary Weekend brought 1,000+ alumni and friends to D.C. to connect, discover and celebrate
June 8, 2026
By
Claire De Lisle M.B.A. ’21
The Alma Mater of the Nation shone brightly in the nation’s capital May 28-31, with more than 1,000 alumni and friends attending 50+ events across the city. From the first moment to the last, W&M Weekend showcased the exceptional W&M people who are making an impact — whether they are leading a team to victory, navigating a world changed by artificial intelligence, telling the stories of our nation or conserving wildlife. View photos from the event.
“It is especially fitting that we are here, in this city, at the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Some of the most important ideas in our country and in our world were formed at William & Mary. It is an incredible thing to think that even before the Declaration was inked, we were preparing aspiring leaders,” said President Katherine A. Rowe.
This year’s festivities marked 10 years of W&M Weekend, which began in Washington, D.C., in 2016. It has gathered the Tribe in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco to highlight the best of William & Mary in iconic locations within the host city. This year, as W&M celebrates the Year of Civic Leadership, many of the events explored how W&M prepares leaders in a variety of fields.
More than half of William & Mary’s 120,000 living alumni are in the D.C./Virginia/Maryland region. Alumni and friends also traveled to attend the Weekend from 25 states and as far away as South Africa and Costa Rica. 22% of registrants were Young Guarde, alumni within 10 years of graduation.
The Weekend was planned by the W&M Weekend Committee — 36 alumni volunteers led by co-chairs S. Douglas Bunch ’02, J.D. ’06, Maria Elena Monteverde-Jackson ’93, P ’27, P ’28 and Janet McNulty Osborn ’85, plus the 12 members of the Young Guarde Committee led by Kayla N. Sharpe ’17 — who shared their time and expertise with alumni engagement staff. Generous benefactors underwrote the weekend’s programming.
“Thank you to everyone who participated in this is an amazing opportunity to reconnect with one another, to celebrate William & Mary traditions, engage with the university’s future and to grab an oar and contribute to its momentum,” said Brian Focarino ’11, J.D. ’15, president of the W&M Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Below are highlights from this W&M Alumni Association signature event.
Kickoff Celebration
Sean McDermott ’98 joined President Rowe for a discussion of leadership under pressure, how William & Mary forms people of character and how his time as head coach of the Buffalo Bills shaped him as a person and a leader.
“You have to, when you're an athlete, balance athletics with academics. That is challenging, and so all of this is a refining process that prepares our students to become leaders — and not just leaders but great leaders,” he said. “Halfway through my career as a head coach, I stopped trying to hire people that I really didn't know, or didn't know what they had been through to the nth degree. I started really turning my attention to William & Mary students. I know they are tested, tried and true, and their character is a given.”
Among the W&M alumni he has hired in recent years are Joe Brady ’13, DJ Mangas ’12 and Christian Taylor ’07. Brady went on to become the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
As a head coach, McDermott strove to create a transformational, not transactional, culture, in which he got to know each player and staff member personally and develop them as a full person.
“They have a chance with that type of fertile environment to become the best versions of themselves. For us as a football team, it was, hey, let's develop the full person, and then in doing so develop the full athlete, because if you feed the first one it automatically feeds into the second. And so subsequently we're impacting the community by being better people, and impacting the players on the field and the wins by becoming better players—because we're becoming better people,” he said.
Night at Nats Park
Since the first William & Mary Night at Nats Park in 2018, it has quickly become a favorite event in the D.C. region. The more than 1,100 W&M alumni and friends who bought a ticket for Friday night’s game received an exclusive William & Mary & Nationals giveaway to show their Tribe pride.
The game began with the National Anthem performed by W&M Choir alumni on the field, followed by President Rowe throwing the first pitch straight over the plate. In the fourth inning, William & Mary Weekend Co-Chair Maria Monteverde-Jackson ’93, P ’27, P ’28 and Jon Monteverde-Jackson P ’27, P ’28, and Young Guarde Weekend committee members Ben DeMarco ’23 and Ben Zamboldi ’22 held the finish line for the Nats’ famous Presidents Race (George Washington won, of course).
Prior to the game, alumni and friends heard from W&M alumni in the craft beverage industry or learned about baseball as a cultural bridge between the U.S. and Japan in panel discussions with experts. Young Guarde and Mosaic hosted sold out tailgates in the ballpark, and campus partners were on hand to share more about resources available to alumni on campus and in D.C.
Washington Center Events
On Friday, W&M Washington Center celebrated 25 years with a luncheon for alumni. The Center, located in the D.C. Bar Building, hosts more than 450 undergraduate students each year for credit-bearing classes and internships. They also offer new graduate and continuing education programs.
Then, on Saturday, the Global Research Institute hosted a Student Innovation Showcase, moderated by Tim Carroll ’87, who recently served as energy and admissions lead for Microsoft’s Azure Core. Student research projects ranged from the student-run DisinfoLab to an analysis of biotech startups to interviews with Afghan refugees about their pathways to the U.S.
“We are entering a time where we, more than ever in our history, are going to need people who are not afraid to go after challenges and problems that nobody has thought of before,” said Carroll.
Carroll shared that he became engaged with GRI after hearing a presentation from one of the student panelists, Kate Carline ’26, and being so impressed he knew he wanted to be part of this “energizing and hopeful” incubator of meaningful student research. Alumni and friends who asked questions of student panelists shared that they have backgrounds in research, biotechnology, policymaking and more, and Carroll encouraged audience members to share with students their connections in the industry.
Jeremy Swack ’24 was a co-director of the DisInfoLab and is now the co-founder and chief technology officer of VerbaAI. He spoke at the session about how his experience as a student made his career possible.
“None of that would have happened if it weren't for events like this, encouragement from alumni who were fostering these kind of ideas, and asking tough questions and thinking about what next steps should be,” he said.
On Saturday evening, the D.C. Bar Building was also the site of the Young Guarde Rooftop Social where young alumni and guests gathered to enjoy their Tribe community and sweeping views of the Washington, D.C., skyline.
Batten School & VIMS Tours of the R/V Virginia
W&M’s Batten School of Coastal & Marines Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science offered four opportunities for alumni and friends to learn about its mission of education, research and advising — and a special chance to tour the R/V Virginia, their 83-foot state-of-the-art research vessel, which traveled from Weems, Virginia, to dockat the Capital Yacht Club in The Wharf. Faculty members and researchers provided a deep dive into how the Batten School & VIMS monitors and assesses fish populations, zooplankton and coastal geology. Dean and Director Derek Aday provided an overview of what’s next for this premier school of coastal sciences.
Smithsonian National Zoo
In an event hosted by the Institute for Integrative Conservation, attendees heard from alumni about how their liberal arts educations at W&M prepared them for their careers at the National Park Foundation, World Wildlife Fund and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Panelists included Grace Dho '23, senior grants coordinator at the National Park Foundation and a recent graduate of the Institute; Sydney Lenz ’23, animal keeper helper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute; Colby Loucks ’94, vice president and deputy lead of the Wildlife Program; and Robert Rose, executive director of William & Mary’s Institute for Integrative Conservation.
They then headed out into the zoo for guided tours with the experts.
Museum Tours
Events at museums and cultural institutions throughout the Weekend blended insider tours with opportunities to hear from experts and ask questions in an intimate setting.
“Hark Upon the Shale” brought alumni and friends to the Hall of Fossils in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for guided tours with W&M professor Rowan Lockwood, who specializes in paleontology and paleobiology. She and several other professors also hosted informal dinners for additional conversation with alumni and friends.
At the Go-Go Museum, the Hulon Willis Association sponsored a guided tour with founding chief curator Natalie Hopkinson—followed by a conga lesson and a dance party with live music and refreshments.
Art lovers could choose between half-day and full-day experiences at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Kreeger, with David Brashear HON ’07, director of the Muscarelle Museum, Jane Carpenter Rock ’92, acting director of SAAM, and Leslie Umberger, curator of the exhibit “Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work.”
An afternoon at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, sponsored by Ashley Poling ’09, commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, highlighted the ties between W&M and the postal service. The first postal route in the American colonies began in 1693 through a patent granted by King William III and Queen Mary II. It ran from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Williamsburg, and was a weekly service.
At the International Spy Museum, attendees had private access to the special exhibition “Camouflage: Designed to Deceive,” and then joined a discussion moderated by Keith Masback P ’24, former chief executive officer of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, on how a liberal arts education prepares W&M students for careers in national security and intelligence. Panelist included Meredith McBride Cavan ’01, former deputy director of public affairs at the CIA, adjunct faculty member at William & Mary and advisory board member at the International Spy Museum, retired U.S. Army Col. Steve Cheng ’91, founder and owner of Cheng Consulting LLC and Clara H. Masback ’24, Federal Business Development Associate, SynMax.
Sunday brought the APIM Association (Asian, Pacific Islander & Middle Eastern) alumni and friends to the National Museum of American History for “How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories,” a project of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.
Presidential Conversation: AI and the Future of Discovery
What are the best ways for William & Mary to prepare graduates for the age of AI?
Alumni, faculty and students grappled with this question at the Presidential Conversation, which began with a discussion between Doug Schmidt ’84, M.A. ’86, dean of the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics, Alison Smith Renner ’09, vice president of applied human AI research & engineering for Dataminr, and Tucker Peters ’28, founder of W&M’s AI Club.
“For over three centuries, the Alma Mater of the Nation has prepared graduates to lead in their time. For this generation, that time is the age of AI. It’s a time of intense transformation,” said President Rowe. “This is the question we are asking in strategic planning.”
Young Guarde Events
A tradition of William & Mary Weekend is a community service event to help give back to the community in the host city. On Sunday, members of the Young Guarde and others helped D.C. Central Kitchen assemble more than 2,500 turkey and cheese sandwiches for neighbors in need.
Also on Sunday, the Young Guarde hosted a Creator Brunch, where six W&M alumni influencers shared their thoughts on digital trends, authenticity and how they built their digital brand. Panelists included Aria Austin ’21 (@ariaaustin_), singer and classical vocalist; Brandon Battle ’19, M.A.Ed. ’20 (@bbattlecuts), photographer and cosmetologist; Carter Kale ’19 (@carter.kale2), lifestyle, fitness, travel and fashion creator; Jada Short Lambert ’17, M.B.A. ’22 (@jadashortcake), business program manager at Microsoft; and Salimata Sanfo ’22 (@sallistarr), model, and moderated by Faith Odom ’22, M.B.A. ’26, associate director of alumni inclusive excellence.
Spotlight on the Arts
Two events at the Mead Center for American Theater on Saturday showcased the arts’ ability to bring people together. “The Power of the Arts as a Diplomatic Tool,” sponsored by the Reves Center for International Studies, featured live performances from Leah Glenn, William & Mary’s William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Dance and founder of Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, and Carla Canales, an acclaimed opera singer, as well as insights from Mari Carmen Aponte, former ambassador to El Salvador and Panama.
In “Laughing Together: Celebrating Civic Leadership Through Humor And Storytelling,” Jill Twiss ’98, Emmy award-winning comedy writer and bestselling author, and Brian Jenkins ’16, CEO of Armed Services Arts Partnership, came together with Ginger Ambler ’88, Ph.D. ’06, P ’24, senior vice president for student affairs and public safety for an improv workshop and discussion on how comedy can build community, educate and inspire.
W&M’s Past, Present & Future at America’s 250th
William & Mary students and alumni have served in the military since before the nation began. 2025 marked the 250th anniversary of the forming of the College Camp, established by Patrick Henry near present-day Kaplan Arena. The university gained an Army ROTC program in 1947 and Naval ROTC in 2025. In 2020, a $10 million gift from an anonymous alumni enabled W&M to establish its Veteran-to Executive Transition program and the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs.
On Sunday morning, the W&M community gathered at the National Museum of the U.S. Army to learn about W&M’s military history, tour the exhibit “Call to Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War,” and hear a panel discussion with alumni and a current student about the intersection of W&M’s liberal arts education, civic leadership and military service.
“Every day you can find a story about a person of any age who made some extraordinary sacrifice for the benefit of others. That's what museums like this bring to life,” said Michael Powell ’85, D.P.S. ’02. “On this 250th anniversary, read the last sentence of the Declaration of Independence when they pledged their lives and their sacred honor in pursuit of this mission. Here we are, 250 years derived from that experiment, living the dream that they imagined. That's what people doing great things can do. That's what great civic leaders do for America. That's powerful.”
The event was also an opportunity to celebrate: President Rowe announced that Charles Bowery Jr. ’92, executive director of the U.S. Army Center of Military History and a sponsor of the event, will be inducted into the Army ROTC Hall of Fame. Six members of the W&M community are honored there, including Powell.
“Civic leadership doesn't happen by accident. It requires people who invest in the mission, invest in students, and help William & Mary prepare leaders for public purpose,” said Kathleen Jabs, special assistant for military & veteran affairs.
W&M Alumni Association Gala & Auction
The Gala & Auction was the hottest ticket in town on Saturday night. Eleven live auction lots quickly became 15 as generous donors added new exclusive lots in real time. Paddles were flying as attendees bid on tickets to Wimbledon or the French Open, a week on the ski slopes of Breckenridge, dinner with President Rowe and First Gentleman Bruce Jacobson, a W&M Football helmet signed by Sean McDermott ’98 and much more. Auctioneer Jack Edgar ’15 kept the quips flying and the audience laughingthroughout the night, which also included a Raise the Paddle opportunity in support of the W&M Alumni Association Fund.
Anyone could participate in the fun by bidding through the silent auction. Lucky bidders won exclusive items and experiences, including a roof tile from the Wren Building preservation project, a family portrait session, a VIP experience at Wolf Trap and executive coaching sessions.
In total, the Gala & Auction raised more than $300,000 in support of programs and initiatives that connect alumni with each other and alma mater, such as Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, regional events, lifelong learning opportunities and more.
“An event like this is made possible through the work of so many volunteers, through the generosity of benefactors and the enthusiasm of everyone who attended. It’s been an amazing four days to connect with each other, discover new places and ideas and celebrate our shared love for William & Mary,” said Matthew “Matt” L. Brandon ’92, CEO of the W&M Alumni Association.