College of William & Mary

College of William & Mary
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Name	College of William & Mary
Caption	The Wren Building, the oldest academic building in continuous use in the United States.
Established	1693
Type	Public research university
Endowment	$1.3 billion (2023)
President	Katherine A. Rowe
City	Williamsburg, Virginia
Country	United States
Campus	College town, 1,200 acres
Students	9,654 (Fall 2023)
Faculty	729
Affiliations	URA, ORAU

College of William & Mary. Chartered in 1693 by a Royal Charter from King William III of England and Queen Mary II of England, it is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and a cornerstone of the American colonial intellectual tradition. Often called a "Public Ivy," it is renowned for its rigorous undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and its historic role in educating key figures of the American Revolution. The university consistently ranks among the top public universities in national publications like U.S. News & World Report.

History

The institution's founding followed a campaign by the Virginia Company and local colonists, with the charter secured by Reverend James Blair, who became its first president. Key early supporters included the General Assembly of Virginia and the British Crown, which provided funds from a tax on tobacco exports. The Wren Building, constructed beginning in 1695, survived three fires and served as a hospital for French soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Notable historical connections include alumnus Thomas Jefferson, who reformed its curriculum, and the founding of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society there in 1776. The university closed during the American Civil War and later became coeducational, admitting women in 1918. It was instrumental in establishing the Colonial Williamsburg restoration.

Academics

The university is organized into several schools, including the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, the William & Mary Law School, and the School of Education. It offers a distinctive undergraduate curriculum centered on the Collegiate experience, with a high emphasis on student-faculty research collaboration. Graduate and professional programs are highly regarded, particularly in areas like admiralty law at the law school and public policy through the Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy. The university is a member of the Universities Research Association and maintains strong ties with research facilities like Jefferson Lab and NASA.

Campus

The main campus is located in the historic district of Williamsburg, Virginia, adjacent to the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg. Its core is the Ancient Campus, anchored by the Wren Building, the Brafferton (originally an Indian School), and the President's House. Modern expansions include the Integrated Science Center and the Muscarelle Museum of Art. The university also manages the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point, Virginia, and a satellite campus in Washington, D.C., used for study-away programs. The campus landscape features the Sunken Garden and is bordered by College Creek and Lake Matoaka.

Student life

Student life is dominated by a strong tradition of honor, governed by the student-run Honor Council. A wide array of student organizations exists, from the long-running student newspaper, The Flat Hat, to performing groups like the William & Mary Choir. Athletics are a significant part of campus culture, with teams known as the William & Mary Tribe competing in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association. Major annual events include Yule Log and Charter Day. A large percentage of students participate in Greek life or community service through the Office of Community Engagement.

Notable alumni and faculty

Alumni include three U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler, as well as key figures like Chief Justice John Marshall and Speaker Henry Clay. Other distinguished graduates are television host Jon Stewart, actress Glenn Close, and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Notable faculty have included economist James M. Buchanan, a recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, and literary scholar Terry Meyers. Former U.S. President George Washington served as its first American chancellor.

Category:Universities and colleges in Virginia Category:Public universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in the 1690s