Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome

I Admit It!  I get down-right giddy on move-in day.  No doubt every college has new student welcomes and festivities but I think there’s none quite like William & Mary’s.

Upperclassmen students arrive early to serve as new student Orientation Aides (a volunteer position), Resident Assistants and the “Sweat for You” crew (volunteer students who assist new students with getting their stuff to their room).  The Facebook posts from alumni sending well wishes to the new students and the Tribe littered my news feed this morning (in a good, no make that a great way).  Faculty and staff from across the campus work the welcome tents and make new students feel at home.  Those of us in the Admission Office who are ourselves W&M alumni bring bread ends and house (a local delicacy) to those moving into what were our freshman rooms oh so many years ago (for some of us more years than we care to admit).

But I’ll Admit It!  It’s been 13 years since my freshman move-in day (what was undoubtedly the hottest day of 1999 – on a side note today’s high is only 82 so the Class of 2016 is bringing some good karma from jump), 10 years since my last move-in day as a student and this is the eighth class I’ve helped to admit.  I am humbled by the accomplishments of our new students from a record number of international and multicultural students to a local Gates Millennium Scholar to a Broadway veteran.  And I’m grateful for getting to continue to play a role in shaping my alma mater.

Today those of us in the Admission Office get to see the physical representation of all of our efforts for this past year, and we can’t wait to see how the Class of 2016 will impact our campus.

This is an institution that has shaped me, that has inspired me, that I love.  Go Tribe!

Wendy Livingston ’03, M.Ed. ‘09
Senior Assistant Dean of Admission