William & Mary will celebrate its 333rd birthday with notable guests, including Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger and acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns, during the Charter Day ceremony on February 6, 2024. The event will take place at 3:30 p.m. in Kaplan Arena and marks the beginning of the university’s Year of Civic Leadership, aimed at reinforcing its commitment to developing civic leaders.
The Charter Day ceremony is free and open to the public, with an online streaming option available for those unable to attend in person. Both Spanberger and Burns will deliver speeches and receive honorary degrees in recognition of their contributions to society. Robert M. Gates, the university’s chancellor and former U.S. Secretary of Defense, will also be reinvested as chancellor for a third term, solidifying his place as the longest-serving chancellor in the institution’s history.
Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership
Charter Day commemorates the founding of William & Mary through a British royal charter issued on February 8, 1693. Originally called Founder’s Day, the celebration was first instituted by John Stewart Bryan, the university’s 19th president, in 1937. Today, it stands as a testament to the university’s role in shaping civic leaders throughout American history.
William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe stated, “It is fitting we recognize a trio of leaders who have dedicated themselves to this work at Charter Day.” The university has earned the title “The Alma Mater of the Nation,” emphasizing its historical significance in fostering democratic values.
Profiles of Honor
Abigail Spanberger, who previously attended William & Mary before transferring to the University of Virginia, has made history as Virginia’s first woman governor after her election in November. She has a robust background in law enforcement and public service and is set to be inaugurated on February 10, 2024.
Ken Burns is renowned for his extensive work in documentary filmmaking over the past five decades, having produced influential films that resonate with American history. A graduate of Hampshire College, Burns co-founded Florentine Films and has garnered numerous accolades, including 17 Emmy awards, two Grammy awards, and two Oscar nominations. His latest documentary, “The American Revolution,” premiered last spring in Colonial Williamsburg.
For more information about Charter Day, interested individuals can visit wm.edu/sites/charterday.
