The Story
Tribe Vibe: Tribe Traditions
This article is the latest in The DoG Street Journal's weekly series of opinions pieces, "Tribe Vibe." Tribe Vibe discusses the most important aspects of William and Mary, the Tribe and life in Williamsburg.
Every student on William and Mary’s campus can claim a place amongst tradition. In Colonial Williamsburg, every student discovers his or her own place in a family. Maybe you already come from a background full of tradition. Perhaps you grew up without a cultural bone in your body. Or maybe the real truth is that you’re just curious about the customs of your new campus.
Believe it or not, the individuals at the College make its traditions thrive. William and Mary is nothing more than an oversized family. Without its participants, the campus traditions would suffer greatly. Everyone, including students, staff and professors, are timeless witnesses to the background of campus customs. In short, these people make traditions less corny and more natural. It is the memory of being with special people in a particular environment - especially for first years - that brings a particular spark to the moment.
Now, what are some of these traditions? Three major events take place at William and Mary every year, and these are just a few of the traditions that embrace all students into the Tribe’s family.
Starting Out: Convocation
Every academic year starts with the Opening Convocation, where new students officially become a part of the William and Mary family. Students, faculty and staff wait eagerly to welcome the incoming freshman class. The event always starts with a series of speakers in the Wren courtyard. After the speeches, the students are led by the President of the College to the front of the Wren building.
On the other side, the new students are bombarded with cheers and inspiring greetings from the rest of the college. The veteran students’ interest in Convocation is in no degree small: several adorn themselves with buttons from their respective class and dress themselves in Tribe attire. For the rest of the ceremony, the Wren yard is full of live music and a great picnic.
A Winter Tradition: Yule Log
The Yule Log Ceremony occurs right before Winter Break. On a cold evening in the middle of finals, the student body packs itself into the Wren courtyard. Various student groups present different winter traditions, and afterward, Santa Claus (also known as the President of the College) makes his annual appearance for a dramatic retelling of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Vice President of Student Affairs then reads the famed “’Twas the Night before Finals,” adapted each year to poke fun at the previous semester.
At the end of the event, students pile into the Wren Great Hall and throw a sprig of holly into the fire. Symbolically, all of their worries from the old year are given away before the new year - and the rest of finals.
Saying Goodbye: Commencement
The last main tradition is William and Mary’s Commencement, the time where all of the seniors of the College get to shine. After four years at William and Mary, this day completes the cycle. The reverse of Convocation, the seniors return to proceed through the Wren building in the opposite direction of when they first arrived during Convocation.
They reemerge on the Wren portico fully garbed in their graduation attire. From there, they complete the traditional walk across campus - from history Wren, across the Crim Dell Bridge, and up to William and Mary Hall - for their Commencement ceremony.
Deidra Denson is the Assistant Executive Editor for The DSJ. Her views do not necessarily represent those of the entire staff.