Springtime at the College is always beautiful and exciting. Early April witnessed the formal investiture of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as chancellor and the inauguration of Gene R. Nichol as president. As then-Rector Susan Magill '72 noted, their installation represents a historic day for the College. The Alumni Association looks forward to their leadership in moving the College forward to even greater heights.
President Nichol has, of course, been on campus for some 11 months now, and it is really heartwarming to see and hear the reception he has received from the College community. He seems to be everywhere! We welcome Chancellor O'Connor and thank her for her commitment to the College. We're delighted that she wants to spend a good deal of her time on campus with students and, in fact, did exactly that in the afternoon following her investiture. What a great thrill for those lucky students!
Springtime is also an active time for the Alumni Association and staff. The New York Auction has once again been an overwhelming success. Jennifer Hayes M.Ed. '04, director of alumni programs and special events, and the other staff members who worked so hard deserve our recognition. I would also like to thank all of you who stepped up to the plate as sponsors, those of you who attended the auction and also the members of the Student Alumni Council who traveled by bus to help set up.
The Campaign for the College also continues to move forward and is fast approaching $500 million! We welcome Sean Pieri as the new vice president for development and look forward to working with him. At the same time, we salute Susan Pettyjohn M.Ed. '95, who did a marvelous job as the interim vice president and who has been especially helpful to Karen Cottrell '66, M.Ed. '69, Ed.D. '84 and the Alumni Association's Board.
You can read on page 33 about the latest inductees into the William and Mary Athletic Hall of Fame. I am particularly happy to see my old classmate and fraternity brother Martin Morris '65 included in this group. Martin truly epitomizes the idea of the student-athlete. Not only was he captain of the basketball team and named the best player in the state, but his classmates elected him president of our class (a position he still proudly holds). Let me congratulate all six inductees as they receive this wonderful recognition.
Speaking of athletics, I invite each of you to read the Athletic Task Force Report on Intercollegiate Athletics. The report is a thorough look at how the College approaches intercollegiate athletics and was produced by a committee of alumni, faculty, students and administrators under the direction of Provost Geoff Feiss and Athletic Director Terry Driscoll.
Finally, I want to thank Karen Cottrell. She has brought new enthusiasm and wonderful ideas on how we can change the Alumni Association for the better. You will be hearing more about these as we go forward, but I know she would encourage each of you to share your ideas. Our goal is to make this the most responsive and best Alumni Association possible and we need your help to make this happen.
Congratulations to the Class of 2006! We welcome you into the ranks of Tribe alumni and encourage you to become active participants in alumni activities. You are an exceptional group!
