Spring 2023 Golden Griffin Award Recipients

Anne Arseneau - Student Leadership Development 

Core Values: Excellence, Service 

Anne’s work in developing the University response to the Virginia legislation on known as Adam's Law has been and continues to be remarkable. The legislation requires University Staff to train in-person, potential new organization members, current organization members, and advisors of student organizations about hazing, the dangers of hazing, including alcohol intoxication, and hazing laws and institution policies.

At the outset, Anne organized online gatherings of staff from Virginia public universities to discuss the requirements of the new law. She convened a William & Mary committee and collectively decided on the William & Mary approach. She provided leadership for training staff, and thus far we have conducted in-person sessions for more than 1500 students. This is arguably some of the most important work we can do as a caring community. Anne truly exemplifies excellence and service to our students, and we are most grateful to her for her efforts. 

Cenie Bellamy - Academic Wellbeing 

Core Values: Belonging, Service, Excellence 

Dean Bellamy is the heart of the Student Success Thematic Area. She is humble; positive; and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure our students, families, and staff feel loved, accepted, and heard. She is the person our students seek on a daily basis for comfort, support, advice, and hugs. Yes, you heard that right: hugs. I have seen firsthand students walking into our suite asking for Dean Bellamy and her hugs because they make our campus feel more like a home.

I like to think our students can feel the love Dean Bellamy has for them, for her work, and for William & Mary in those hugs. Dean Bellamy’s genuine care and concern is what makes those hugs so special. She is the type of professional who always takes time to celebrate successes and grieve losses with her students. She takes time to get to know her students in a way that redefines her position from service provider to mentor and ally. Dean Bellamy is invested in and committed to our students’ development and success, and our students benefit immensely from her care and compassion.

Dean Bellamy reinforces everyday all the values of the Division of Student Affairs, especially belonging. She also exemplifies what it is to be a valued member of the Tribe. Dean Bellamy, we see you!

Rebecca Dougherty - Military & Veterans Affairs 

Core Values: Belonging, Excellence, Flourishing, Service 

Rebecca has represented the interests of military and veteran students and their families in front of groups of veteran students and educators, mental health professionals, the Student Engagement and Leadership Advisory Board, and even William & Mary Chancellor Robert M. Gates. She has helped military and veteran students feel that they belong and flourish by building individual relationships and advising groups like the Student Veterans of W&M and the Military and Veteran Family Counseling students.

She is well respected by both peers and supervisors; her peers elected her president of the Counseling Student Honor Society, and her supervisors selected her to present her research at a conference and serve on a panel for military and veteran students. She has done all this in her graduate assistant capacity, while at the same time serving one of the most vulnerable populations in Hampton Roads at Eastern State Hospital. These dual 20 hour-per-week commitments do not include her class time or study time, nor the needs of her own family. Despite these demands, Becca has consistently performed at an outstanding level and improved the operations and effectiveness of William & Mary’s Military & Veteran Affairs.