A Hundred Little Words
September 11, 2012 by Madelyn Smith
If I could tell you one thing in a 100 words…
Life comes around once, and your decisions dictate your journey… There are two things that you can control in life; what comes out of your mouth and how you interact with people – your emotions and reactions. These two things make up the essence of who you are, define you and the legacy that you will leave behind. You are… Unique. Bold. Curious. Passionate. Honest. Genuine. Open. Caring. Intellectual. Compassionate. Driven. Contemplative. Adaptive. Searching. Loving. Longing. Aspiring. Choose to… Explore. Create. Imagine. Dream. Commit. Learn. Read. Contemplate. Dance. Laugh. Love.
Class of 2016: What’s your story?
August 27, 2012 by Madelyn Smith
“Where are you from?” “What freshman dorm are you in?” “What introductory econ class are you taking this semester?” “Your mom cried when you pulled out of the driveway and didn’t stop until after you moved in? Funny, mine too!”
There is nothing better than those first few, sometimes painfully awkward, days at orientation.
But let me tell you something, Class of 2016… YOU MADE IT! You have flipped the page and are currently writing the next chapter of your life. A chapter full of curiosity and wonder. A chapter where you can be any character, conquering any challenge and exploring any adventure… YOU control your story.
Three years ago I was exactly in your position with a blank sheet of paper in front of me, a pen in my hand and a few notes from my past beside me. I was so anxious to see what the next four years would bring and was dying to skip to the next chapter to see what the ending would be. Would I make friends at college? Would I live through my first chemistry class? How would I ever survive orientation that first week? I just wanted to know that I would be OK.
Class of 2016, I can promise that you will be more than just OK. In fact, chances are you are going to thrive at William and Mary! You were selected to be a part of this class because you are a remarkable student. Your hard work, determination and drive brought you to where you are today and you should be incredibly proud of yourselves. One of my favorite campaigns at William and Mary is the “I AM W&M” week. Say to yourself, “I _________ AM W&M” Because, you are. You are the essence of the College, the future of the College and the intellect that fosters the reputation of the College. Together you and your peers will make the College into what it will become. So, get out there and create the best story ever told!
If you don’t know where to begin, start by taking initiative. Explore a facet of your character that you have always been curious about; dive into a new interest. Try a new sport or pursue a quirky passion. Experiment with different story lines and use the setting of this chapter, the College, to your advantage. William and Mary, it’s students, faculty, staff and administration are here for you. These people are here to see you grow, help you discover and teach you how to learn.
Over the course of my time at the College, different characters have come and gone, taught me life lessons and given me pieces of advice. I have journeyed through frustrations, trials and great accomplishments. But, the beauty is that this is only one story. One story of 5,000 stories at the College of William and Mary. You have a chance to set your pen to the page for the first time in this chapter, what will you do?
Class of 2016, what’s your story?
Economy of Love
August 13, 2012 by Madelyn Smith
I believe in an economy of love, where every action that you make touches on a chord that will play for eternity. I believe if you serve the song of your heart, the world will listen. History, time and space prove that relationships are the foundation of our world and our lives, and constitute our reality. Without relationships this economy of love would not function. Supplying the economy’s demand for love is simple, and it starts with the most basic resource: you.
Your thoughts, your mind and your ability to interact with others in a way that perpetuates goodness and kindness are the necessary elements that contribute to the creation of a stable economy of love for us all to feed off and grow. There is this commercial I saw recently about a man who holds a door open for an elderly woman, minutes later a young girl who witnesses the interaction sees a piece of trash on the ground and throws it in the garbage, a new mother sees the young girl throw away the trash as she is driving by in her car and just seconds after stops to let a couple walk across the street. This goes on for about two minutes until it comes full circle back to the man who originally held the door for the elderly woman. This is the economy of love. The act of doing something greater than yourself for another because you believe in something bigger than you.
Operating from this place is selfless and not always easy. It requires you to act in the present moment and set yourself aside. But the reality of it is, we all take from and give to this economy of love. In this economy, there is no such thing as diminishing marginal returns, because the more that you give, the more you receive. The more that you participate and give of yourself and your love, the stronger the economy. The demand is high, but the potential to meet that demand is also great. And, it’s simple. All that’s required is a smile, a touch, a kind word, a sweet gesture or loving thought.
The truth about this economy of love is that it exists wherever you are and your participation is involuntary. Harsh comments, snide remarks and rude gestures tear apart the fabric of the economy and make it unstable. But on the contrary, acts of love and kindness perpetuate the cycle and stabilize it so that we all can succeed. Imagine what the world would look like if we all operated selflessly in this economy, if our drive was not self-indulgent or based on monetary value, if we contributed with no expectation of return and humbly gave of ourselves. Just imagine …
The Beauty of Serendipity
December 12, 2011 by Madelyn Smith
The moment when you know that you are exactly where you need to be. You don’t once second guess your actions that led you to where you are today, but somehow you trust that it just feels right. Serendipity. The bliss of knowing that you followed your heart, embraced a challenge and disciplined yourself to trust your intuition. Serendipity. There are those few who choose not to believe in serendipity on the tenets that one cannot truly know that they are right where they are supposed to be, but that is the beauty of it. Faith in the unknown. You miss a train because the one that you were supposed to be on goes off the track and crushes the seat that you should have been in. You trip and fall down the stairs, only to look up and notice a sign directly above you reading “hiring” and you’re out of a job. You spontaneously show up to a friends house that you haven’t seen in years only to learn that they are going through a tough time and could really use a friend. Some call it chance, I call it serendipity.
I want to share with you a story. A story of serendipity. She was 45 and single. Worked a 9-5 as a successful consultant at one of the top firms in New York. He was a teacher. 47 and single. Born and raised in NYC he had only been out of the country on one or two occasions. Both rode the metro to work. She would read her newspaper, he would work a crossword puzzle. The same routine each morning. Both wondered if they would forever be alone. One morning the woman was sitting on the metro when she noticed a small white feather float through the metro doors just before the doors slammed shut. Her eyes caught hold of the feather and held onto it in boredom. The metro raced down the tracks towards her office on 32nd street, but still she kept her eyes on this elegant little feather. Slowly it began to float towards her. Dancing across the heads of strangers, catching coats and then letting go to continue on its journey. After minutes of gently floating through the chaos of the metro crowd the feather finally floated right next to her. Her head turned towards the random stranger sitting next to her; still the only thing she noticed was the little white feather. Watching it fall slowly, slowly ever so slowly. Suddenly she raised her gaze to realize that he too had been following the feather from its entrance. The random stranger was the 47-year-old school teacher. The random stranger was her future husband. They laughed, got to talking and the next thing you know they were dating and married. Serendipity?
People say that life isn’t like the movies, but I can’t help but think that these stories are real and could happen to any one of us. If life isn’t like the movies, then what are the movies based on? Sure, we all have fantasies, things that we would like to see happen in our lives that may be slightly unrealistic, but the truth is that these stories have happened to someone somewhere out there. It’s just a matter of who is observant enough to notice and appreciate the beauty in simple little things.
Stuck
November 8, 2011 by Madelyn Smith
I think we all reach a point in our lives where we feel like we’ve hit a wall. The excitement and growth that was once tangible continually shrinks until you feel like you are stagnate and can’t catch a break. Exhaustion prevails and the next thing you know you find yourself stuck. In a rut, with nowhere to turn.
These times can be frustrating because you can’t quite put your finger on what it is that is stunting your growth. You’ve tried treating yourself to your favorite chai tea or reaching out to give someone else a hand with hopes that it will reignite the spark that once burned inside you. But nothing seems to do it…. Then, you realize: In order to succeed, you have to fail.
Live for today and don’t fret about tomorrow. Regardless of how you look at it, tomorrow will come and until that time there is no use worrying about it. Instead of looking at your to-do list as a daunting dark cloud looming over your head, see each little moment as an opportunity to shine. There is no such thing as a menial task, because every action contributes to a greater purpose. Everyone has their moments where they feel the weight of the world on their shoulders and if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, they need a serious reality check. Being stuck only helps you define your character by proving to yourself that you can do it. Think back two months ago… What was your looming cloud then? Maybe an event you had to plan or a difficult conversation that you had to make? At the time those struggles feel like they will never end. Yet, here you are, two months later having survived something you maybe never thought you could. These moments make you stronger.
Look back and be proud of the walls you have jumped and the times you have failed. These trials shaped you and brought you to where you are today. A rut can be a positive thing if you chose to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Embrace it. Treasure it. Outlast it. Because you can and will survive it.
George Carlin once said, “It’s not about how many breaths you take, it’s about the moments that take your breath away.” Go out there and greet this day, it was made for you.
Live Today, Destiny Tomorrow
September 21, 2011 by Madelyn Smith
“The boy didn’t know what a person’s “destiny” was. It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their destiny is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their destiny.” – The Alchemist
Sometimes I wonder what my destiny is; am I meant to achieve great things or should I leave that to someone else who is more equipped and better qualified? The green meanies often get the best of me and convince me that somehow I am not good enough. There will always be someone better. Someone brighter, more handsome, competent and outgoing. If you choose to put yourself in that mindset, you will never be good enough. So let’s try the counter. Who are you not to be brave, bold, brilliant and beautiful? Believe in yourself. In your dreams and your passions. Stand in your convictions of what you know to be pure, good and true and reflect on those beauties. It is all a matter of perspective. Think back and try to remember when you felt like everything was clear and anything was possible…
I was in sixth grade and I swear I could stand on top of the world. For the first time in my life I understood what it was like to live intentionally and purposefully. My teacher, Marilyn Chaffee, truly had me convinced that I could do anything I could dream. I wanted to write a #1 hit song, I could do it. I wanted to star in my own television show, I could do it. I wanted to start an orphanage in Mexico, I could do it. Here I am, eight years later having done none of those things, but feeling equally fulfilled; because I believe in destiny. I trust that every event is meaningful and contributes to a greater purpose. I truly believe that by saying “yes” to life you create opportunities for yourself to grow. Some people might say that the mysterious force convinced me that it was impossible for me to realize my destiny. But who’s to say that in sixth grade I even knew what my destiny was? To be honest, I think that my destiny was not what I had originally dreamed it would be and I am still in the process of figuring it out.
So often people are hesitant to use the word “destiny” for the connotation it implies; the concept of something being set in stone, unable to change freaks people out. I don’t blame them. What if, instead of looking at destiny as a predetermined plan for our lives, we choose to see it as the process of discovering our true selves? Instead of limiting ourselves by perceiving our lives to be one thing set in stone, we see each day as an opportunity to discover another facet of our character and individual selves.
Today, it is all a matter of perspective and what you do with the situations you are given. Are your actions influenced by your destiny or does your destiny decide your actions? Some things, the world may never know…
WELCOME CLASS OF 2015: Let’s make this a year to remember!
August 15, 2011 by Madelyn Smith
I wish someone had told me: you may fail. You will probably get less than an “A”. You might not have enough time in the day to do everything you want to. You will probably gain the freshman fifteen. Your room might be messy. You might be sleep deprived for days, maybe weeks. AND…
YOU WILL LEARN TO LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT at THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY!
Rooms have been scrubbed, Lord Botetourt’s shoes shined and grass mowed in preparation for the incoming freshman CLASS OF 2015!!
As you get ready for the first exciting steps onto a campus that will soon become your home, I want to excite, inspire and help you gear up for ONE OF THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!
My facebook has been buzzing with statuses reminding me of why I came to W&M in the first place…
“8.5 HOURS UNTIL I AM BACK IN 757!!”
“Williamsburg boundy-bound tomorroooow hollaaa!”
“Can you hear the Griffin rumble?! BACK TO THE BURG TOMORROW!”
“Is anyone going to be on campus next week that could get my boxes from the post office for me?” (Only at William and Mary…)
The excitement of upperclassmen eager and waiting in anticipation of what this year will bring reflects the enthusiasm of the W&M community that you will soon be a part of…
So, what should you expect?
Expect to be greeted with open arms. You were selected to be an incoming student because you are amazing and absolutely qualified to be joining our school and the William and Mary community. You are one of us now, welcome to the Tribe!
Look forward to sunny summer days on the Sunken Garden, Friday night music on the terrace and hundreds of new friends that will quickly become family.
Be prepared for classes and professors that will challenge you and encourage you to be your best intellectual self. Expect to grow infinitely in this regard.
Anticipate late night WaWa runs, strolls through CW to get apple cider, and Tribe fans decked out in green in gold for the football games this fall.
Know that there are thousands of students who have gone before you who are right here ready and willing to extend a hand if you are dazed, confused, or just simply cannot find your way to the cafeteria. You are never alone.
And get ready because THE COUNTDOWN IS ON AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU!! WELCOME TO THE TRIBE!
Summer Adventures in Washington DC: An Interview with Rachel Fybel:
July 15, 2011 by Madelyn Smith
I had the opportunity to sit down with sophomore Rachel Fybel to discuss her life, her passions, and her time so far in DC with the W&M DC Summer Institutes. She eluded grace and confidence as she spoke about her heart in service and her internship experience so far with the United Nations Foundation this summer. I watched her face light up as she talked about the William & Mary community and the way that this community has been transferred to DC in the College’s Community Engagement Institute. She spoke eloquently about her involvements at The College and her dreams for the future. As I watched her talk about the many opportunities that she has had as a result of the DC Summer Institutes, I realized that there is something special about Rachel. She is an incredibly driven individual who, as a freshman, took the initiative to apply to a program designed for upper classmen. Her passion for others and drive to succeed is evident in the way that she carries herself and interacts with her peers. Listening to her giggle and casually throw her head back in laughter as she talked about the highlights of the summer institute, I couldn’t help but be inspired by this young woman.
1. So, You’re in DC this summer. What are you doing here?
Yes, I am an intern on the Better World Campaign at the United Nations Foundation this summer. I have been studying the advocacy side of the United Nations in the United States and specifically focusing on US funding of the UN and the relationship between the United States and the United Nations.
2. Do you have any advice to students who are interested in the W&M in Washington program?
Sell your passions. From what I can tell the DC Summer Institute staff wants to build a compassionate group of young people. You have to sell yourself and share with them what you will bring to the group and to the internship on behalf of William & Mary. Be professional and positive in your interview and show them your unique personality. When I was considering coming to DC for the summer, I started off by going to an information session for the Security Institute. The director told us that freshmen should not bother applying to the program because the institute only accepts older students. She all but said, “Focus on your GPA and we’ll see you next year!” Drew Stelljes, the professor for my freshman seminar, saw that I was in the information session and encouraged me to apply for the Community Engagement Institute. He told me that the program would cater to my needs so that I could make it what I wanted it to be. I have to be honest; initially I was not fully convinced that the Community Engagement Institute was where I wanted to spend my summer. Eventually I decided to push forward and interview with the program directors. I did a lot of preparation for the interview, but I must say that it was worth it. I have never been more nervous in my life. Drew came up to me afterwards and said “You nailed that, they’re sold.” I told him, “Cool, I don’t think I want to do it.” Now I understand why he pushed so hard to have me here, this has been a very valuable learning experience!
3. You mentioned that you are interning at the UN Foundation. What has this experience been like?
I knew very little coming in. To be honest, I spent the night before my first day researching the Better World Campaign to figure out what it really was. I had no idea what I was getting myself into or what my role would be in the organization. The first day they told me that I would be on the team that convinces people that the United Nations is worth supporting – I thought this was the coolest thing ever. My job is to increase civic awareness about the importance of the United Nations. I quickly learned that this kind of work is important in the world and would not be dealt with if there were not passionate people advocating for justice. When I found out that I was going to be working for lobbyists I was not exactly thrilled. Slowly I have learned that I am not working so much for lobbyists as for advocacy which is much less aggressive. This has become something that I am passionate about so I can see where my work is making a difference. I have also learned about myself through this experience. For example, I now know that my strength lies in editing. In a standard day at work I am given reports, from House and Senate hearings and other events and asked to summarize or edit the work. So far I have visited the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the United States Institute of Peace and the Brookings Institution. I attend events at these locations and listen for mentions of the United Nations to write summaries on for the organization. These summaries are released within the Better World Campaign.
4. Do you have a favorite memory of your time in DC so far?
A favorite? Wow that’s hard… I love the whole package! I get to wake up in an apartment that I share with four other William & Mary students, I have to get to work dressed and looking presentable, I work 9-6 then run my grown up errands, hit the gym and grab dinner. Just so I can wake up and do it all over again. One of my friends came to visit last week and she told me that she was impressed with how hard I worked. “The fun thing is that I am doing something that no one else my age is doing. I feel like an adult.
5. Can you tell us a little bit more about your involvements at William & Mary? What clubs are you in? Major?
I will be declaring a Government major this coming fall 2011. If for no other reason than to register on Banner. As far as my primary activities go, I am in the International Relations club where I am very active with the collegiate conferences. I helped staff the middle school conference last year and am currently working on the high school conference for this year. I also volunteer 4-5 hours a week at Matthew Whaley Elementary School. I work two hours in a school classroom teaching math and reading and two hours a week with a 4th grade “little sister.”
6. Of all of the places that you could have studied this summer, why DC?
I guess it just felt like it was the right place at the right time. I was in DC in high school and had the opportunity to work on the House floor. I always imagined that I would go to school in Washington DC, but then I ended up choosing William & Mary because I fell in love with the community, but I also knew that I would be able to leave Williamsburg and do programs like this. I am still trying to decide where I want to focus my studies and I thought that this would be a great opportunity to observe a nonprofit in a large city. To have this experience to work with a global nonprofit in DC is a once in a lifetime experience.
7. If you could advocate for one social justice issue for the rest of your life, what would you fight for?
I would focus on post-conflict reconstruction. I think that failed states and the theory behind rebuilding failed states is a very interesting topic. This summer I am analyzing the human, economic and social capital and the way that these variables interact in Africa and South East Asia. I get to study Afghanistan and enjoy looking at all of the different facets of international work. In all honesty, I still haven’t found my “thing”, but I don’t think I have to just yet. I wish I could tell when that changing moment will happen or where I will end up, but that is part of what this summer is going to be for me – exploring issues.
8. What are some of the highlights of the Community Engagement Institute so far this summer?
This program gives me the same feeling that the William & Mary campus exudes. When I step onto campus and see the Wren Building or the Sunken Gardens, I understand that I am exactly where I belong. This same feeling of belonging
was translated at the micro level into the Community Engagement Institute. Being the youngest in the group, I was somewhat intimidated by all of these students that I knew were movers and shakers and scared of what this summer was going to be. All of my fears were assuaged the minute that I stepped into class on the first day. Everyone in the Leadership in DC Nonprofit class encouraged interaction and I could tell that they wanted to see me succeed. There was a feeling of authenticity and of collective uplifting that was very encouraging. For the first time, I understood how adults acted and interacted with one another to disagree and problem solve. In this class, it was neat seeing the different facets of the nonprofit sector because previously I had a biased image in my head of what the sector looked like. Now I realize the effort that goes in behind the scenes and where the policy work comes from. For the first time, I discovered the many faces of the nonprofit sector and the many paths that lead to nonprofit work. I learned about Corporate NGOs from Nancy Gofus who came to speak from Volunteers of America. I saw how a single man can start a movement with Robert Edger and the DC Central Kitchen and how a former government employee, John Bridgeland, started Civic Enterprises focused on civic engagement. I now understand all of the different paths that lead to this profession and how these paths are manifested through the different faces of the nonprofit sector. This realization and enlightenment changed my previous bias of the nonprofit sector.
9. The Capitol Building or the White House?
Capitol Building forever. Which, to be completely honest, is not what I would have initially said. I think what fascinates me is the many pieces that have to work together to correctly represent civilians in the Capitol Building. I had the opportunity to attend a hearing two weeks ago, which changed the way that I think about the Capitol Building. I always thought that policy started on the floor, but recently learned that it starts with someone who has passion enough to lobby on behalf of the issue. There are many steps involved in the process of creating a bill that I had no prior knowledge of.
10. What is something that people around here probably don’t know about you?
I have swum on four continents and one subcontinent. In the Dead Sea in Israel, 0 degrees longitude and 0 degrees latitude off the coast of Ghana and in Glacial bay in Patagonia Chile. I’ve swum in the Mediterranean Sea in Europe and in the US both the Atlantic and the Pacific. My goal is to eventually swim all seven.
11. What would the soundtrack to your life have on it?
A symphony would be the background music that would change based on how I feel inside; sometimes the music would be upbeat, other times slow. I would have some alternative pop in there, maybe the top 40s. Of course, I would have to include the singer-songwriter tracks and some acoustic just for fun.
12. One day I will… Save the world from indifference. If people cared a little bit more, I think we would solve more world issues.
Today the Change is You.
June 9, 2011 by Madelyn Smith
Lately there has been all of this talk about social innovation and entrepreneurship and how brilliant ideas will help people recognize you and discover your amazing talents and capabilities. The idea is that in order to be promoted, acknowledged or viewed as a successful person you must be a visionary; cutting edge in your approach and view of the world. I don’t know about you, but this is a very intimidating thought. I often second guess my abilities and fear that I am not capable of such innovative ideas. However, scary as it seems, I think there is a certain truth in what these people are saying. Think about the man that has worked behind the same desk for fifty years or the woman that recites the same phone script day after day after day. They routinely perform these mundane tasks in the same old environment fearful of change. In fact, in order to compensate for this fear, some people might even argue that this is exactly the life that they want to be living. Safe, comfortable, no risks required. Well, I’ve got news for you: those days of accepting the norm are over. It’s time to step outside of your comfort zone and take a risk. Social innovations do not have to be radical changes. You can be a visionary in the workplace constantly thinking about ways to improve the system or better the company. You are capable of imagining a better tomorrow and actually doing something to make that change. Everyone is. But it takes risks to see if these thoughts will work. Everyone has the ability to think and imagine a new idea, but too few people believe in themselves enough to do it. Whether you’ve had an idea, an “ah-ha” moment or period of enlightenment, I imagine that you have experienced some form of realization in your life.
The real difference between social innovators and your average Joe-Schmo is that those innovators are willing and ready to take risks. Take TOMS shoes for example. Blake Mycoskie saw a need for shoes in Argentina. Instead of sitting back and waiting ten years for someone else to have the same realization, he designed a business model, inspired the right people and is well on his way to becoming a legendry hero. That could be you. There is really no difference between you and Blake Mycoskie. You need not be revolutionary in your desire to implement change or seek improvement, and chances are if you suggest a modification or try a new model in your work people will be impressed with your suggestions and your openness to try new things. Many people are fearful of change and this limits their ability to try new things. Be the change maker. See the world in a new light. Don’t be afraid to share your vision. So you fail and need to pick up a few pieces off of the floor… get up and try again. Just because people are talking about social innovation and being the change-makers of the world doesn’t mean that you are excluded from the conversation. Just think about it, the next breakthrough could be you.
So Here’s To The Seniors I Will Never Forget!
May 10, 2011 by Madelyn Smith
Everyone always says, “Enjoy every single second, because these four years go by fast!” Here I am, a rising junior, wishing my friends the best as they embark on a whole new journey to the “real world” and already I am shocked that time has passed this quickly. To the seniors: You did it! Late nights in swem up until 5am writing papers, finishing up presentations and cranking out theses. Leading organizations, heading up campaigns, hosting events, volunteering in Williamsburg and making a mark on the William and Mary campus. You should be incredibly proud. I watch you all, full of ambition, charisma, and curiosity of what’s to come and I can’t help but think of the incredible things that you are going to do in this world. You all are the next generation. The generation to lead, inspire, create, challenge and grow. Although I can imagine that you all are feeling somewhat sad about leaving this tight-knit community, I hope that you look at this time as a time of celebration to rejoice in the many things that you have accomplished over the course of the past four years. You survived your freshman seminar, experienced the last day of classes, met lots of different people, and completed the triathlon (If you haven’t yet, don’t worry! You still have a couple of days left…) Orientation, the first day of school, getting lost on your way to class and wondering if it was appropriate to raise your hands and ask questions in a 200 person lecture class. Today, you look back and laugh on those moments thinking how naive you must have been as a freshman. But all of those unsure moments and hesitations pushed you to the place that you are at today. Remember, as you go out into the world, that there is nothing that you can’t conquer. William and Mary has provided you with the tools and skills to not only succeed, but to question the norm, think outside the box, and make this world a better place. Seriously. Time passes; things and people change, but the memories that you hold of this campus will forever remain the same. Each of you is unique in your own way, and the college has represented something different to each of you. My hope is that on some level William and Mary has given you a gift, of intelligence, community, family, leadership or exploration. I hope that you will be able to look back on the past four years and be proud of the person that you have become. You may think that your time with the Tribe ends here, but the truth is that you will be one of us forever.
As you begin the next chapter, my greatest wish for you is that you find happiness in whatever it is that you choose to pursue and live with passion and enthusiasm always. That you challenge yourself and ask the difficult questions and that you never settle. I hope that you interact with people that bring out the best in you. I hope that you never forget how much the William and Mary community has been touched by your presence and will forever remember your legacy. The real world awaits… go out with a bang and SHAKE THINGS UP!