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Office of the Provost

April 29, 2024

Dear colleagues, 

Last week’s Board of Visitors meeting affirmed several W&M values in practice, including cost predictability for students and their families as well as committed and principled leadership in the BOV.  As we near the end of the semester, I thank you all for your hard work and contributions to ensuring William & Mary flourishes as a place of opportunity, collaboration and excellence.  

Here are the Top Five Things to Know this week: 

  1. In the Academic Affairs Committee meeting of the BOV last week, I shared an overview of the university’s current research and scholarship portfolio. This is the second presentation in a series of updates to the Board explaining the three major elements of a tenure-eligible faculty position at W&M: teaching, research and service. As you will recall, the first presentation last April looked at teaching and the next presentation next April will look at service. The research and scholarship overview included data from external perspectives such as U.S. News & World Report and Carnegie, as well as internal trends in externally sponsored funding and doctoral programs. The presentation also included an update on the implementation and utilization of Faculty Success, the software W&M is using to capture ongoing scholarship activities in order to better record and communicate the work of our faculty at a university level. Additionally, the Board resolved (pdf) to pursue a new Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science at William & Mary which, if approved by SCHEV, will be the first of its kind at a public university in Virginia. Please watch W&M News this week for more information. Finally, the Board approved (pdf) naming the proposed new school the “School of Computing, Data Sciences and Physics,” pending final approval by SCHEV. 
  1. William & Mary Commencement ceremonies and traditions provide a moving way to commemorate the close of the academic year and to celebrate the accomplishments of our students (and one another). Faculty and staff volunteers provide needed and appreciated support to Commencement events large and small. I encourage those interested to register to volunteer to staff this Friday's Wren Bell Ringing and events across Commencement weekend, from Wednesday, May 17, through Saturday, May 19. This year, I also expect to see strong participation from our faculty in the main Commencement ceremony, reflecting the deep commitment and pride we share in our work with students. Your involvement should mirror the dedication you demonstrate through teaching, research, mentoring and advising. Please plan to walk in the academic procession on May 17. You can register by next Monday, May 6.  
  1. Tomorrow, W&M’s 2024 Hunter B. Andrews Fellow in American Politics Jon Meacham will deliver a public lecture with a question-and-answer session moderated by Michael Tierney ’87, Director of the Global Research Institute. Meacham is a Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential biographer, historian and prolific author with multiple New York Times bestsellers to his name. The forum will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Sadler Center’s Commonwealth Auditorium. There are no tickets for this event, and doors will open at 6:45 p.m. A clear bag protocol will be in place.  
  1. The Applied Research & Innovation Initiative and Career Development & Professional Engagement are hosting an interactive workshop on the hiring and mentoring of student academic interns in Sadler’s Chesapeake A/B rooms tomorrow at 3 p.m. Kathleen Powell and Phil Heavilin will cover topics such as recruitment & hiring, best practices for mentorship, creating professional development for students in research-based internships, and integrating NACE Career Competencies. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.  
  1. The shout out for this week goes to all of the students, faculty and staff recognized by an astonishing array of awards this Commencement season. From internal awards like the Aceto Award and upcoming Commencement prizes to external honors including the Guggenheim, Gaither Fellowship and Rome Prize, I want to recognize this exceptional display of W&M excellence. Congratulations to all award winners, and to the mentors and collaborators who supported them along the way!