The 311th anniversary of the College's Royal Charter was not merely a celebration of the past three centuries, but a discussion about the future of the College's relationship with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the importance of public service in today's increasingly complex world.

The Honorable John H. Chichester, president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, was the Charter Day speaker and the recipient of an honorary doctor of public service degree. He recently made headlines throughout Virginia when he proposed raising state taxes $2.5 billion a year, a $1.5 billion increase over Gov. Mark Warner's proposal. A Republican from Stafford, Va., Chichester has stood by his tax plan in the face of opposition from his own party.

"The College of William and Mary stands today as a beacon of light that has shown brightly for 311 years, guiding many of the greatest minds and hearts this nation will ever know toward the fulfillment of their destiny," Chichester told the Charter Day audience in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall. He went on to emphasize the early relationship the state formed with William and Mary and other schools, citing Thomas Jefferson's work to establish the University of Virginia as a publicly funded institution.

"Admittedly, the Commonwealth has been less than a reliable partner at times -- but a partner still," said Chichester. "We plan to remain a partner, and my hope and dream is that we are on the threshold of infusing that partnership with new vitality."

Chichester plans to achieve this new vitality through the Virginia Investment Act -- legislation he introduced to the General Assembly designed to lay a long-term foundation by increasing funding for transportation and education programs. The measure is also designed to retain the Commonwealth's Triple A bond rating, the highest possible, which Chichester warned Virginia may lose if the current state budget crisis is not soon corrected.

Before wrapping up his discussion, Chichester told the audience, "Everyone in this room has a voice, and I ask that you use it to make the point that we absolutely must invest in Virginia now. We owe it to our forefathers, and we owe it to future generations of Virginians."

In his speech, President Timothy J. Sullivan '66 addressed many of Sen. Chichester's concerns, discussing personal freedoms and obligations to public service. Sullivan referred to Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn as an example of the choices Americans are faced with today. "As Huck struggles to decide whether to remain entangled in civilization or to seek solitary independence on the frontier, he takes the archetypical American journey," explained Sullivan. "Ultimately, Huck turns his back on civilization. He chooses to 'light out for the territory' to exercise his God-given right to unfettered personal freedom."

Sullivan said many Americans now find themselves at the same crossroad, but in the altered context of modern times.

"The quest for personal freedom has today become a dangerous national obsession," said Sullivan. "In choosing to 'light out for the territory' we too often forsake our neighbors, forswear our responsibilities and permit the degradation of our common cultural and educational assets."

Sullivan did stress that many Americans are acting responsibly, citing William and Mary's own students, 70 percent of whom are involved in volunteer activities.

Presentation of the Thomas Jefferson Awards
Three Thomas Jefferson Awards are presented annually during Charter Day. First, the Thomas Jefferson Award recognizes personal and professional character in a recipient who embodies those qualities that Thomas Jefferson would have considered essential to the intellectual, social and political advancement of humanity.

Richard A. Williamson, chancellor professor of law and coordinator of legal affairs for William and Mary, was this year's recipient. He has served as the dean of admission, as well as vice dean and acting dean of the Law School, at various times during his 34 years at the College. Williamson has been an instrumental part of the major developments, which the Law School has undergone over the past several decades.

Second, the Thomas Jefferson Teaching Award is presented to a younger faculty member who has demonstrated the inspiration and stimulation of learning to the betterment of both the individual and society.

Associate Professor of History Kris E. Lane was honored with this award. Since arriving at William and Mary in 1997, Lane has developed 14 new courses, published two highly praised books, supervised student research projects in Ecua?dor and Peru, and established a volunteer internship program for William and Mary students.

A third award, the Thomas Jefferson Prize in Natural Philosophy, is presented to a deserving undergraduate in recognition of excellence in the sciences, honoring the productive relationship that Jefferson enjoyed with Professor William Small, his College tutor in mathematics and the natural sciences.

Biology major Vijay R. Dondetti '04, who has compiled a perfect 4.0 GPA, was recognized with this award. Dondetti, whose work has already been published in bioinformatics journals, plans to pursue biomedical re?search through a combined M.D./ Ph.D. program following graduation.

Conferral of Honorary Degrees
In addition to the degree awarded to Sen. Chichester, two former Virginia college presidents and a commanding general in the U.S. Army received honorary degrees, which were presented by President Sullivan and Rector Susan A. Magill '72.

Ronald E. Carrier, president of James Madison University from 1971 to 1998, and George W. Johnson, president of George Mason University from 1978 to 1996, each received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.

Carrier oversaw the change from Madison College to James Madison University in 1978. He increased enrollment nearly fourfold and completed over $240 million in new facilities during his tenure. Johnson, who transformed a small community college into a major national university, developed George Mason as an interactive university on the strengths of the dynamic Northern Virginia area.

David D. McKiernan '72 is currently commanding general of the 3rd U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Forces Central Command, and the Coalition Forces Central Command in the Middle East, and led all coalition ground forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was honored during the Charter Day ceremony with an honorary doctor of public service degree.

During his Charter Day speech, Sen. Chichester acknowledged each of the other honorary degree recipients, affirming, "One person with a vision can make a difference."