Red Hot Law Reunions Commit to Excellence Through Class Gifts
Red Hot Class Participation The Class of 1970 took home the second annual Red-Hot Reveley Award with more than 42 percent participation in their class reunion gift.
Red Hot Class Participation Alumni from 10 reunion classes enjoyed the Dean's Reception on Friday evening. Photo by David F. Morrill
Red Hot Class Participation Members of Law Cappella chatted with Dean Douglas after wowing alumni with their singing talents on the portico of the Wren Building. Photo by David F. Morrill
Red Hot Class Participation Professor Emeritus John Levy led alumni and their family members on a guided tour of the woods around Lake Matoaka on Saturday afternoon. Photo by David F. Morrill
Red Hot Class Participation Alumni were able to bone up on American history at the source during guided tours of Colonial Williamsburg on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Photo by Ashley Gilkerson J.D. '17
The William & Mary law community knows what it means when all the balloons and welcome signs come out in mid April. It means alumni are about to return to campus for Reunion Weekend.
And return they did. Members of the classes of 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 came back to share memories, visit the old classrooms, meet current students and former faculty, and reacquaint themselves with Williamsburg.
They also came to celebrate class gifts in honor of their milestone reunions.
As of the evening of April 18, the 10 reunion classes had raised a total of $1.975 million in gifts and multi-year pledges. That number will continue to increase until the fiscal year ends on June 30, and will be reported in a press release this summer.
Adding to the festivities was the announcement of the second annual Red-Hot Reveley Award for Outstanding Class Participation. The Class of 1970 took the honors, with 42.1 percent of the class making a commitment.
The award is a portrait of “The King” (looking suspiciously like William & Mary President Taylor Reveley in Elvis attire, and painted as if on black velvet). The theme hearkens back to an Elvis shrine that graced the student lounge through the 1980s and ’90s.
In addition to class gifts, the whirlwind weekend had something for everyone. On Friday evening, guests attended the Dean’s Wine and Cheese Reception in the Law School lobby and then headed off for dinner with classmates at a number of local restaurants.
Saturday saw early birds play a round of golf at Kingsmill Resort, and members of the classes of 1965 through 1980 enjoyed a reception and brunch at the historic Wren Building, including a stunning musical performance by Law Cappella on the Wren portico and an opportunity to ring the Wren Bell.
There were also walking tours of Colonial Williamsburg, a yoga class, a guided tour around Lake Matoaka with Professor Emeritus John Levy, and a family picnic at the Law School, complete with face painting and balloon sculptures for the children. Alumni also got to engage in the annual “Conversation With Dean Douglas” on Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday night, the festivities moved over to the James River Grand Ballroom at Kingsmill Resort, where alumni enjoyed wonderful food, dancing, and socializing after announcing their class gifts.
Who will win the Red-Hot Reveley Award next year? Find out when reunions for the classes of 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011 are held on April 15-16, 2016. Please mark your calendars now. The Saturday evening celebration will again be held at Kingsmill Resort.
About William & Mary Law School
Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.