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Graduates walk
across campus on their way to William & Mary Hall on Sunday morning,
May 13, 2001. The James Blair statue is in the foreground; Blair was
the founder and first President of William & Mary. |
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During the walk,
they cross the Crim Dell Bridge. W&M tradition says that a
couple who kiss on the bridge will marry. If they kiss, but the
woman later decides it is not to be, the spell is supposed to be broken by
throwing the male into the water. If a single woman walks across the
bridge alone, according to folklore, she will remain a spinster. |
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The graduation
procession arrives at William & Mary Hall, site of the graduation
ceremony. |
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The hall's floor
is filled with 1,762 graduates, 1,255 of whom are undergraduates. |
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W&M
President, Timothy Sullivan, begins the day's proceedings. While on
campus, we toured his beautiful on-campus home and chatted briefly with
him at the President's Reception. |
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Madeline
Albright, the former Secretary of State and the highest ranking woman ever
in the US Government, is given an honorary degree. |
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John Bryan, CEO
of Media General, and another honorary degree recipient, gives the
principal commencement address. |
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Two proud
parents, Jane and Kenney Derenthal, are seen across the arena during the
proceedings. |
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The College
traditionally honors an employee during the graduation. This year,
they recognized this gentleman, a veteran of over thirty years work in
maintaining the beautiful grounds of the William & Mary campus.
When he left the stage, all 12,000 people in the arena gave him a standing
ovation--a real high for him, his proud wife and everyone present. |
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The College Mace
and the Marischal Mace are carried from the hall. These silver
objects are carried at official college convocations. One symbolizes
authority and delegation to university officials; the other commemorates
the 300th anniversary of the College. W&M is the second oldest
college in America. |
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Faculty leave
the stage at the conclusion of the graduation. |
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The Mace leave
the hall in the recessional. |
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The President of
the Class of 2001 passes authority to the President of the Class of 2002. |
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Degrees are
given separately in departmental breakout sessions about half an hour
after the larger graduation ceremony concludes. Here, David enters
the University Center room to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Economics. |
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Economics
Department officials about to confer the degrees. |
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David receiving
his degree. |
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David returning
to his seat after receiving his degree. |
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Joy and her
proud parents after the ceremony. |
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Eric came from
North Carolina via Washington for the day. |
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David and his
proud parents after the ceremony. |
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Joy and David
were all smiles after the day's proceedings. |
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Joy and David
display their sheepskins. |