Thursday, Sept. 4, the College of William and Mary’s Division of Student Affairs hosted the Student Life Neighborhood Block Party. Now in its third year, this annual event encourages students to connect with each other while simultaneously becoming more familiar with the many resources offered within the Sadler Center’s Student Life Walk. In order to create a welcoming and entertaining environment, students not only had the opportunity to explore various Student Life offices but also to grab food and prizes, play games and hop on amusement rides strewn throughout Sadler. The building transformed into a lively carnival-like hub of activity for the night.
For many students, the culinary perks were what led them into the main attraction, with walking tacos, hot dogs, candy and snacks providing an entry point into the larger event and sparking both curiosity and excitement.
“There were a bunch of snacks outside, so we just walked through all of the little stands where you could get different foods and candy,” Kat Blackwood ’27 said.
That food-first approach was deliberate, Director of Student Transition and Engagement Programs Lauren Garrett ’02, M.A. explained.
“Food, food variety, food options, food exploration is usually something that I hone in on for the Block Party,” Garrett said. “I think it is a draw for students who are looking for something that might feel a little bit more like home or maybe feel a bit more unique compared to what they can find in Williamsburg or at the university.”
Alongside the food, amusement rides gave students a chance to unwind. Rock climbing, bumper cars and a spinning carnival ride proved especially popular. Assistant Director of Programming for Student Unions and Engagement Jenna Venable’s goal with such attractions was to allow students to let loose and forget about the stress that comes with starting a new semester.
“I tend to focus on the amusement rides, because I like to focus on what’s interesting to students and will get them out of their rooms,” Venable said. “Especially this year with the Block Party being while classes have already started, it seems that students have gotten into the grind already. I was hoping this would be a great way to get them out and about and just having fun.”
While the Block Party is an excellent way to have fun with current friends, for many students, it serves to create new connections as well.
“It’s great because it brings everyone together in one place with a lot to see and explore,” Blackwood said. “It’s a good thing to have early on in the fall semester, especially for all the freshmen who are still meeting each other. It gives you something to do with your friends, even if you don’t already necessarily know each other super well yet.”
Inside Sadler, Student Life offices offered hands-on activities tied to their respective missions. Students painted rocks with Student Accountability and Restorative Practices, decorated tote bags with Student Accessibility Services and adopted small plush animals complete with “birth certificates” at the safari-themed Student Success office.
“The offices coordinate the themes themselves, and they’re always so creative,” Venable said.
Sophia Stanley ’29 especially enjoyed crafting with Student Leadership Development.
“They basically had a bunch of succulents in plastic pots along with little stickers that say ‘Depth over Breath,’” Stanley said. “It’s supposed to remind you to take breaks and not go too crazy.”
As a first-year student, the event gave Stanley her first impression of Student Life and its offerings.
“It was cool seeing that they actually care for the students,” Stanley said. “I really enjoyed just in general having the chance to learn about William and Mary and see that they care about us and our mental health.
Participation also came with incentives. Students who checked in at multiple offices could enter a raffle for prizes such as hammocks, Lego sets, Hydro Flasks and even a group dinner with Vice President for Student Affairs Virginia M. Ambler ’88 Ph.D. ’06. Ambler also opened her office to students during the event.
“To hear a student walk away and say, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s such a fun office and such a cool person!’ gives a recognition that there’s more than just a title, more than just a faculty, but an authentic being,” Garrett said. “This is an event where I really do feel like students and staff come together and we’re really just members of one community.”
Stanley elaborated on her experience with this firsthand.
“We’re already trying to build community, but this gives us an opportunity to meet new people and hang out with each other,” Stanley said. “It also helps us explore the campus a little more, see Sadler and acclimate a little bit to the new school.
This year, the Block Party was placed under the wider “Weeks of Welcome” umbrella, a brand-new campus-wide initiative that aims to promote the College’s Statement of Values. These values include curiosity, excellence, flourishing, integrity, respect and service — principles designed to shape not only academics but everyday campus culture.
“Overarchingly, I think the Block Party is really about a little bit of the variety of the values that we have,” Garrett said. “There’s a smidge of both excellence and belonging. Who can support you when times are tough to make sure you are living and authentically being your best self, and what does it mean to live with integrity and show respect for each other in our community?”
Ultimately, the Block Party provided both new and returning students a chance to step into the semester feeling connected and supported with positive expectations for the year to come. As Venable sees it, this optimism is the best thing to come out of the event.
“I really like hearing students say things like, ‘This is so fun! I didn’t realize I’d get to do something like this in college,’” Venable said. “It’s something along those lines that helps them see the potential, especially in the first two weeks, of what’s to come.”
