Behind the vision: Juxtaposing the W&M ampersand
Under the leadership of President Taylor Reveley, members of the broad William & Mary community last year joined in an effort to begin construction of a strategic plan. The purpose of the plan is to advance the College to the pinnacle of liberal-arts based research universities in the nation.
At one point, community members began to envision the aspirations that William & Mary uniquely is positioned to achieve through the vehicle of the ampersand. They stared at it. They flipped it. Around it, they juxtaposed characteristics of the College in ways that highlighted the university’s special strengths while projecting them into the future. They came up with the following ampersand array:
William & Mary
Celebrating tradition & Forging change
Alma mater of a nation & Citizen of the world
Dedicated to teaching & Devoted to research
Large enough for excellence & Small enough for community
Whole-heartedly undergraduate & Strategically professional and graduate
Supported by alumni committed to serve & Inspired by students prepared to lead
During the summer of 2009, editors within the office of university relations attempted to “put-some-flesh-on,“ as it were, the array. Using video clips collected during the previous academic year, the editors created the accompanying “ampersand” video.
