Farewell to Commons

Summary

Video originally posted on @WMAuxiliaries.

Full Description

On Friday, October 17, 2025 the university community came together to commemorate Commons Dining Hall in advance of the transition to West Woods in the Spring. Modeled after a rock band farewell tour, students and alumni were treated to decades trivia, free t-shirt giveaways, decades decor and a patch press which featured William & Mary themed patches to be added to tote bags or event shirts. 

Banners hung in the entryway with photos of the facility and student life from every decade starting with the 1960s when Commons was built and opened to the public. The building, dubbed "Caf" by students, was designed by Architect Hubert L. Jones, and opened to students in September 1967. The dining facility underwent large-scale renovations in 1987 and 2005. During the 2005 renovation, William & Mary pitched a temporary dining tent on Yates Field and called it the “UnCommons.” Students quickly dubbed it “deCaf” (Library Special Collections.)

Service will shift from Commons to west Woods Dining Hall upon completion, and this event - held at the beginning of Homecoming weekend - gave alumni, current students and staff an opportunity to celebrate it's legacy.