Charter Day Finale

As my last Charter day approaches, I have reflected on William and Mary’s 318 year history. The history that hides in its walls despite the construction is amazing.

Charter Day weekend, I am looking forward to attending the Roots concert on February 5.  Surprisingly, the College’s charter day kicks off my sorority’s charter day on February 7.   Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated has graced this campus for 35 great years and we look forward to bringing it in with a bang just like William and Mary.  Charter day is a good time to reflect on the rich history of the second oldest college and oldest law school in the United States. So just for reminding purposes…

• William and Mary was chartered on February 8, 1693
• At the age of 17, George Washington received his surveyor license and three other presidents: Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler and James Monroe also received undergraduate education at the College
• The first Greek letter society Phi Beta Kappa was founded here in 1776
• The College went co-ed in 1918
• Monroe Hall named for President James Monroe was opened as a men’s dorm in 1924[1]
• In 1967, the College of William and Mary began its Summer Law School Abroad Program on the campus of the University of Exeter in England[2]
• The first African American woman was admitted to the College in 1955
• Lillian Poe was the first black administrator at the college in 1970

I think it is interesting to see what was going on during each centennial since William and Mary’s charter year:

1793~ William H Cabell graduated from W&M law school and he would become the governor of Virginia and Judge after his term ended

1893~  the college fielded its first football team against Norfolk YMCA, Norfolk won 16 to 4

1993~ Prince of Wales[3] and his mother Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain[4] visited the campus for its 300th anniversary charter day celebration

2093~  who knows what this year holds for William and Mary, we shall see

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[1] I lived in Monroe freshman year, “Monroe! You KNOW!”

[2] I studied abroad fall 2010 in Exeter. Fancy that!

[3] I visited Wales during my semester abroad.

[4] I miss Britain already and it has been only a month since I left its grounds.