W&M Hits the Big 320

At 13 you’re no longer a “kid,” at 16 you can drive, at 18 you’re an adult, at 20 you’re in your second decade and no longer an adolescent, at 21 you can drink, at 30 you cry, at 40 you wish you were 30, at 50 you celebrate, at 60 you’re golden, at 320 you get GAVIN DEGRAW.

320 years! A little mind-blowing if you ask me. Considering I’m from Williamsburg, it kind of freaks me out that these people were roaming these streets or maybe my backyard, and now we’ve paved it over and the glorious Target is here. But, then it was that time of year again. Charter Day was here! It’s the weekend that we celebrate King William’s and Queen Mary’s signing of the royal charter that established our school, a fact we still revere seeing as we are the only school in this great country that has a royal charter.

So, the way this exciting weekend panned out was like this: Friday ass the traditional reading of the charter by our chancellor, Robert Gates ’65 – yes the former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, can you tell I’m an Army brat yet? – and then on Saturday, Gavin freaking DeGraw was here to perform in Kaplan Arena. I’m such a groupie and this was my fourth time seeing him – not including his divine appearances in One Tree Hill.

Traditions ooze out of the walls at William & Mary. No matter what freshman hall you get, no matter what department you choose, no matter what year you are, there are so many traditions in which you get to participate, but Charter Day is something that truly sets us apart and reminds us who we are.

So here’s to you William & Mary. Here’s to 320 more years of friendships made, traditions followed, lessons learned, and families formed. As John Mayer said, “and celebrate we will, for life is short, but sweet for certain.”

-Kelley