Admitted students experience life at W&M
Day for Admitted Students Thousands of admitted students and families visited the College this past weekend to see what it is really like to be a member of the Tribe. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Pep rally Opening events for the 2010 DFAS began in the Kaplan Arena of William & Mary Hall with a pep rally featuring the Griffin, the new Tribe mascot. Photo by Maral Noori '10
Meeting and greeting Sessions throughout the day focused on everything from academic advising, residence life, international opportunities to discussions of the College’s sustainability initiatives. William & Mary students sat on panels throughout the day for question and answer sessions with admitted students. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Campus life Various student groups and organizations -- such as Ebony Expressions (seen here) represented the College during the weekend. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
Escape weekend Held in conjunction with the 2010 DFAS was the William & Mary Escape weekend sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity. This year, some activities included a diversity forum, performances from the William & Mary Bhangra Dance team (shown here), a step show sponsored by the College's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a multicultural activities fair in the Sunken Garden. Photo by Maral Noori '10
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"Their stories, backgrounds, experiences, talents, intellects, and perspectives will really add to the dynamic community that already exists on campus," said Wendy Livingston '03, senior assistant dean of admission.
A Day for Admitted Students (DFAS) took place on Saturday, April 17. It was an all-day experience, packed with a series of information sessions, campus tours and social networking events.
Opening events for the 2010 DFAS began in the Kaplan Arena of William & Mary Hall with a pep rally featuring the Griffin, the new Tribe mascot. There were remarks from President Taylor Reveley, Dean of Admission Henry Broaddus, Associate Provost for Enrollment Earl Granger '92, M.Ed. '98, and campus leader and Tribe ambassador Lamar Shambley '10.
Broaddus told admitted students, "All of you have the chance to join what potentially will be the brightest, most accomplished, most diverse class in the College's history. And that is a long, proud history."
Granger told students that their time on campus "should be more than a blink."
"I want you to gaze, not stare, and to think about the ways in which you plan to contribute to your own campus experience," he said. "Moreover, your time here on campus needs to be broadly thought of as a lifetime connection."
Sessions throughout the day focused on everything from academic advising, residence life, international opportunities to discussions of the College's sustainability initiatives. William & Mary students sat on panels throughout the day for question and answer sessions with admitted students.
A break from the informational workshops was the spring football game. Students and families were able to get a taste of Tribe pride with the football team, pep band and the new mascot on the sidelines.
"I enjoyed so many of the campus activities this weekend," said Quentin Jefferies, an admitted student in the Class of 2014. "I enjoyed going to the game because there's so much school spirit. I feel so welcome here."
Matt Jefferies, who is a sophomore at the College, is happy that his brother has decided to come to join the Tribe.
"There are many great students in the class of 2014. I know that my brother will bring so much to the College," he said.
Held in conjunction with the 2010 DFAS was the William & Mary Escape weekend sponsored by the Center for Student Diversity. Escape is an annual program held each year for admitted multicultural students.
Participants and their families had opportunity to see presentations by various multicultural groups, network with current students and meet multicultural faculty and administrators. This year, some activities included a diversity forum, performances from the William & Mary Bhangra Dance team, a step show sponsored by the College's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a multicultural activities fair in the Sunken Garden.
During the weekend's festivities, many current students began to reminisce on their own DFAS and the feeling of being new to the Tribe.
"It was amazing to see all of the bright and talented admitted students on Saturday," remarked Tildi Sharp '10, an admission intern. "The campus is a blank slate to them, but this has been my home for the last four years. Yet I am comforted, because I know that even after I graduate, the College will carry on just fine."
