April 8, 2024

Dear colleagues,

Thomas Jefferson, amateur astronomer, attempted to view an eclipse on June 24, 1778 from Monticello, but was disappointed by cloudy skies across Virginia. Fortunately, today in Williamsburg we have gorgeous weather and a partial solar eclipse will be 80-85% visible starting at 2 p.m. and peaking around 3:15 p.m. The departments of Art & Art History and Physics are hosting a safe viewing in the Sunken Garden with telescopes, binoculars and solar glasses while supplies last. A limited number of solar glasses will also be available at Swem Library. I hope you can find some time to observe this rare phenomenon and join many of us who plan to be there.

Here are the Top Five Things to Know this week:

Beginning today, all newly created courses in Blackboard will be in the Ultra Course format. IT has provided a guide to Ultra Courses, which includes how to get started from a blank course as well as how to transfer original courses to the new version. All existing original courses will remain in Blackboard until transferred. For more detailed questions, please contact the Technology Support Center at support@wm.edu.
The Williamsburg Institute and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute present “Cultivating a Legacy: Embracing Education Through the Lens of History,” an event enacting a conversation between Thomas Jefferson and his professor/mentor George Wythe. This immersive historical interpretation of 18th century discourse will provoke conversation about the importance of education, critical thinking and the pursuit of common ground. Register for free to attend from 7:30-9 p.m. on April 12 at Kimball Theatre.
In honor of April being national Sexual Assault Awareness month, the offices of Heath Promotion and Compliance & Equity, along with The Haven, are hosting several events inspired by survivors: trauma-informed self-defense, trauma-sensitive yoga, art therapy and more. All may register using the Campus Recreation portal. The American Counseling Association also designated April Counseling Awareness Month to recognize the important role counselors and counseling educators play in communities. On Friday, April 12, W&M’s School of Education invites you to join in honoring Teal Day, encouraging awareness of the support counselors themselves need, by wearing teal and using the hashtag #CounselorsHelp on social media.
W&M’s Democracy Initiative podcast released the latest episode, “Democracy x Careers,” about the intersection between these two Vision 2026 initiatives. Host Emily Tavoulareas '04 mediates the discussion with Roxane O. Adler Hickey of the W&M Washington Center; Michael Ryan of the Graduate Career Management Center; and current junior Ally Swindell, Semester in DC student interning at the U.S. State Department. They dive deep into how W&M prioritizes experiential learning and internships to propel students into careers & help to build life-long relationships on and off campus. Visit the Democracy Initiative Podcast homepage to listen.
The shout-out for this week goes to everyone in the W&M community who joined to make One Tribe One Day a remarkable moment of Tribe pride and generosity. The result: 11,516 students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends contributed more than $3.7 million for over 800 designations across campus. What a way to celebrate the 11th year of OTOD! You can read W&M News for more details about this year’s success.