Class Reunions Make a Difference for Law School through Class Gifts
Alumni Weekend The Class of 1966 took home the third annual Red-Hot Reveley Award with nearly 46 percent participation in their class reunion gift. Photo by Wendy Bardrof
Alumni Weekend As always, John Marshall and George Wythe prove to be able greeters as alumni return to the Law School for a fun weekend. Photo by David F. Morrill
Alumni Weekend Members of the Class of 1986 get together during the Dean's reception on Friday evening. Photo by David F. Morrill
Alumni Weekend Alumni, as well as their children, enjoyed getting to meet the College's mascot, the Griffin. Photo by David F. Morrill
Alumni Weekend The classes of 1966 through 1981 enjoyed brunch in the basement kitchen of the historic Wren Building--where law classes used to be held! Photo by David F. Morrill
Law grads bring thousands of memories back to the Law School each year during Alumni Weekend. And a lot of financial love as well.
As of the evening of Saturday, April 16, the Classes of 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011 had raised a record-breaking total of $5.8 million in gifts and multi-year pledges in support of William & Mary Law School. That number will increase until the fiscal year ends on June 30, and will be reported this summer.
With that great news came the announcement of the winner of the third annual Red-Hot Reveley Award for Outstanding Class Participation. Taking the honors was the Class of 1966, with 45.7 percent of the class making a commitment in honor of their 50th reunion. The Class set a record for reunions with gifts totaling more than $2.7 million.
The Red-Hot Reveley Award is a black velvet portrait of William & Mary President, and former Law Dean, Taylor Reveley dressed like Elvis. The theme refers to a popular Elvis shrine located in the student lounge in the 1980s-90s.
The Dean’s Wine and Cheese Reception in the Law School lobby kicked off the weekend on Friday, after which the various classes met for dinner at a number of local restaurants.
The next morning featured a wide array of events, including golf at Kingsmill Resort and a reception and brunch for members of the classes of 1966 through 1981 at the historic Wren Building. On hand at the latter event were students of Law Cappella, who performed a stunning rendition of the College’s Alma Mater on the Wren portico.
Also keeping alumni busy were walking tours of Colonial Williamsburg, a guided tour around Lake Matoaka with Professor Emeritus John Levy, and a family picnic at the Law School. During the picnic, the College’s Griffin made a surprise appearance, and children enjoyed getting their faces painted by Bubbles the Clown and playing with balloon animals.
There was also a “Conversation With Dean Douglas” on Saturday afternoon, during which alumni could learn about the latest happenings at the Law School and about the state of law education in general.
On Saturday night, the festivities capped off with classes getting together at Kingsmill Resort for a cocktail reception, dinner, after-dinner reception, dancing, and announcements of class gifts.
Private gifts through class reunions support generous scholarships and summer public service fellowships that directly impact students, as well as clinics and innovative programs as the Center for Legal and Court Technology. Private support helps the country’s oldest law school thrive.
Which class will take home the Red-Hot Reveley Award next year? Find out when reunions for the classes of 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012 are held on April 7-8, 2017. 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.