JR Herman explores campus lore regarding the College of William and Mary’s many secret societies. Continue reading to learn more about the history of these societies, presence throughout the decades, rumoured membership, secrecy levels, and objectives.

Many of us, at one time or another, have been faced with the task of explaining the history of the College of William and Mary’s buildings during visits from friends and family. Because of this, having an understanding of campus history is beneficial — none of us want to awkwardly search Wikipedia for what many would assume is campus “common knowledge.” The College’s history is, of course, also fascinating in its own right — though, admittedly, it can also at times be overwhelming. So, for those who are either too afraid to ask, too busy to research themselves, or just want the SparkNotes version, I compiled a list of what I believe to be the most important historical tidbits on campus landmarks. To compile these brief histories, I utilised multiple sources, including Encyclopedia Britannica for information regarding early Virginia history, the College’s website, Tribe Trek, and Earl Gregg Swem Library’s Digital Archives, for information specific to the College.

The Meridian Coffee House is a student-run organization that acts as a venue for the music and art scene at the College of William and Mary. Below is the account of Gavin Aquin Hernández and Carmen Honker’s first time experiencing live music at the venue during Homecoming Weekend 2019.

Walking into the Brafferton at the College of William and Mary, it is clear that President Katherine Rowe has already made her mark after just one year at the College. She points out the art that covers her walls, from an Auguste Rodin sculpture to calligraphy piece drawn by students. According to Rowe, each is equal in value. She speaks thoughtfully, clearly aware of her significance in the community.

I began this story with pretty close to an outsider’s perspective on Williamsburg’s bar scene. I enjoy going out occasionally, but large crowds of loud people often make me uncomfortable rather than helping me let loose, and I tend to stick to the fruity-mixed-drinks-and-wine section of most drinks menus. In other words, I am not used to bar crawls.

This summer, I spent 31 days volunteering with the College of William and Mary’s American-Bosnian Collaboration Project in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Project, the oldest international service trip at the College, began in 1998 when a visiting Bosnian scholar visited campus to teach a course about Yugoslavia’s political disintegration.

I didn’t get my driver’s license until halfway through my freshman year of college. Don’t gasp - I know it’s unusual for a teenager in America. To be fair, I lived right in the middle of my town, a sprawling suburban landscape just west of DC. I walked to school, I biked to work, I took the metro, and I inevitably bummed rides off my friends. Given my reliance on public transportation, when I came to Williamsburg my freshman year, I was thrilled that students ride the buses for free.