Grace Dho ’23 thought college her college experience was going to be filled with long, quiet hours of studying. After coming to William & Mary, she joined the Institute of Integrative Conservation and did their year-long conservation research program while double majoring in biology and integrative conservation. Her experience at William & Mary covered both the science side and human side of conservation. She gained communication and critical thinking skills that helped her become a leader in the community, where she now works in restoration at Chesapeake Bay Trust. Where will W&M take you?... ... ... William & Mary is a premier public research university, widely recognized for our outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. We produce experienced, engaged and successful graduates who lead lives of impact.Learn more at https://www.wm.edu Take a virtual campus tour, here: https://www.wm.edu/admission/virtualtourMB01QJUWRNLT2MT#WilliamandMary

At William & Mary, Andrea Coleman ’00 studied government, economics and psychology. Her professors encouraged her to be courageous and try new experiences, so she gave improv comedy a try and fell in love with embracing the unknown and unexpected. After over a decade of being a trial attorney, she pivoted her performance skills from courtroom to stage, going into full-time comedy. Where will W&M take you? ... ... ... William & Mary is a premier public research university, widely recognized for our outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. We produce experienced, engaged and successful graduates who lead lives of impact.Learn more at https://www.wm.edu Take a virtual campus tour, here: https://www.wm.edu/admission/virtualtour#williamandmaryMB01TKZJRPW3Y0T

One word best encapsulates this year’s Opening Convocation at William & Mary: transformation.Not just a physical one for campus as the Wren Building undergoes a renovation, but a life-changing one for new students as they join the Alma Mater of the Nation.Hundreds of new students gathered in the Wren Yard on Wednesday night for the Opening Convocation ceremony, which coincided with the first day of undergraduate classes. The long-held tradition serves as the official kickoff to the academic year.“You will never have more agency over your time than you do right now,” said Darpan Kapadia ’95, chief operating officer of LS Power and vice chair of the William & Mary Foundation Board of Trustees, who served as the speaker for this year’s event. “It’s likely that one of your experiences on campus will be your most formative.”Learn more about the ceremony: https://news.wm.edu/2025/08/28/brighter-than-ever-opening-convocation-brings-energetic-start-to-school-year/... ... ... William & Mary is a premier public research university, widely recognized for our outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. We produce experienced, engaged and successful graduates who lead lives of impact.Learn more at https://www.wm.edu Take a virtual campus tour, here: https://www.wm.edu/admission/virtualtourMusicBed License: MB01WRVY1HHJBYS #WilliamandMary

Darpan Kapadia ’95, chief operating officer of LS Power, welcomes new students at Opening Convocation. The ceremony marks the start of the academic year and welcomes new members of the campus community.In his role at LS Power, Kapadia helps lead one of the largest power generation, transmission and energy infrastructure companies in the United States. The company is committed to powering a sustainable future by investing in, developing and operating renewable energy projects and leading energy solution platforms.A dedicated alumnus, Kapadia has served in many capacities at William & Mary, beginning with his election as class president when he was an undergraduate.In 2023, he made a generous commitment to support career development at the university. The gift to the Career Center Student Internship Fund has had a transformative impact on internships at William & Mary, increasing the funding levels of individual internship grants while also quadrupling the number of students who can receive university funding for internships and applied learning opportunities each year.... ... ... William & Mary is a premier public research university, widely recognized for our outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. We produce experienced, engaged and successful graduates who lead lives of impact.Learn more at https://www.wm.edu Take a virtual campus tour, here: https://www.wm.edu/admission/virtualtour#WilliamandMary

“If you can see it, you can be it.” William & Mary understands the power of showing students what’s possible for their future careers — and our alumni do too. Every year at the Ampersand International Arts Festival hosted right here in Williamsburg, creative alumni (who are now musicians, authors and directors) gather to celebrate the arts. Between film screenings, workshops and inspiring talks, students have the opportunity to establish in-person, real world connections with alumni who have their dream careers. ... ... ... William & Mary is a premier public research university, widely recognized for our outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. We produce experienced, engaged and successful graduates who lead lives of impact.Learn more at https://www.wm.edu Take a virtual campus tour, here: https://www.wm.edu/admission/virtualtour#williamandmaryMusic License: MB01JF6BTMTXHGX