Class of 2016 Breaks Class Gift Participation Record With 93 Percent
Class Gift Triumph Dean Douglas offered to sing with members of Law Cappella once the Class of 2016's 93 percent class participation goal was met. Photo by David F. Morrill
Class Gift Triumph The rendition of Toto's "Africa" was energetic. Photo by David F. Morrill
Class Gift Triumph Students took a break from studying to enjoy the harmonizing. Photo by David F. Morrill
Class Gift Triumph The Dean and Law Cappella filled the lobby with music. Photo by David F. Morrill
Class Gift Triumph Besides the song, students celebrated an amazing class gift effort. Photo by David F. Morrill
When William & Mary Law School’s Class of 2014 reached a 90 percent participation rate for their 3L Class Gift two years ago, many said it would be impossible to beat. Once the Class of 2015 did just that and reached 92 percent, the skeptics were sure it couldn’t happen a third time.
And now the Class of 2016 has done it again, winding up its Class Gift efforts on April 25 with a record-breaking 93 percent participation of the class contributing to the class gift.
“I want to congratulate the 3L class for reaching 93 percent in their giving,” said Davison M. Douglas, Dean of the Law School. “No class in the history of this law school has ever hit that level, so this is an amazing result, and shows how much this school means to them.”
According to university advancement leaders, it is rare for graduating classes to reach, much less surpass, 75 percent. The last three classes at William & Mary Law School are therefore proving exceptional.
“The class of 2016 will be the largest class ever to graduate from William & Mary Law School, so the goal of the committee was to leave a corresponding legacy,” said class gift co-chair Allison Davis. “We're thrilled that so many of our classmates joined us in support of the Class Gift.”
Like those before them, Davis and fellow co-chairs Leonard Simmons and Brett Tensfeldt knew they had to come up with something special to celebrate reaching their goal. As usual, that something special involved Dean Douglas.
Two years ago, the Dean proved a good sport when he sacrificed his mustache after the Class of 2014 reached 75 percent. Last year, he sat in a dunk tank and got drenched on a cool April afternoon when the Class of 2015 reached 91 percent.
This year, the dean offered to sing with members of Law Cappella once the goal was met.
“I would much rather be in a dunk tank at 40 degrees than singing in public,” Douglas joked before joining Law Cappella in a rousing rendition of Toto’s 1982 hit “Africa.”
Fortunately, the singers and the Class of 2016 ended on a high note.
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.