Wednesday, Aug. 27, the College of William and Mary celebrated the beginning of a new academic year with the traditional Opening Convocation ceremony. The College hosted sustainability and energy business leader Darpan Kapadia ’95 as the keynote speaker.
President of the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance Dakota Kinsel ’26 delivered the land acknowledgement, paying respect to past and present tribal members. College President Katherine Rowe then delivered opening remarks.
“You are here at the alma mater of the nation,” Rowe said. “You came from across the country and around the world. Each of you brings different opinions, different ideas, different stories, different interests.”
The Sir Christopher Wren Building is undergoing renovations, leaving the building with a different appearance due to the temporary scaffolding. Rowe referenced the ongoing construction in her speech.
“The fencing and scaffolding remind us that institutions do not sustain themselves,” Rowe said. “They are built, they are maintained, they are imagined for the future, no matter how iconic they may be.”
Rowe then quoted Virginia Statesman Judge John Charles Thomas.
“‘It is up to us to be magnificent builders of this future together,’” she said.
Rowe continued her long-standing tradition of launching frisbee disks to the new students as a playful way to remind them that teamwork and joy are fundamental values of the College’s academic experience.
“At William and Mary, we believe positive changes can be cultivated when we make new knowledge together, and that those are changes that will last,” Rowe said. “They will last for us; they will last for those around us.”
College Provost Peggy Agouris then stepped up to the podium to deliver remarks.
“We are all here to witness the start of your William and Mary story,” Agouris said. “We are very proud and honored that you have chosen William and Mary to help shape your future. When you start a new adventure, it is tempting to quickly focus on the finish line — the degree, the job, the what’s next. My advice: don’t fast forward through the story.”
Agouris then quoted Ted Lasso for her next piece of advice to incoming students of the class of 2029.
“‘Be curious, not judgmental,’” she said. “It’s a simple line, and I think that this is exactly the spirit that I hope you carry through your years at William and Mary. Ask questions. Try things you’ve never considered. Let curiosity, not checklists, guide you.”
Class of 2026 President Debbie Ho ’26 ceremonially welcomed the class of 2029 with the help of class presidents Nico Giro-Martin ’27 and Devaughn Henry ’28. From the roof, the three presidents released the 2029 class banner to Rowe, who accepted it on behalf of the class of 2029 and officially declared the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year.
Rowe then invited Kapadia to the podium to deliver his speech to the incoming students.
Kapadia opened his remarks by explaining the main reason he decided to enroll at the College over three decades ago.
“34 years ago, I made the same decision you all did to make this campus my next home,” Kapadia said. “I chose William and Mary because it was a place where big ideas met deep roots. A place where important people came to think and went off to change the world. People like Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Marshall.”
Kapadia emphasized that the application process is behind students and that it is now time to explore the wide range of opportunities they can experience at the College.
“Own your time here,” Kapadia said. “I’d encourage all of you to take ownership of your education and your experience at William and Mary. That starts with a clean slate. Leave behind the application narrative you crafted to get here. Use this time to explore anything and everything that sparks your interest. You will never have more agency over your time than you do right now.”
Kapadia encouraged students not to approach their education linearly, but rather to approach their time at the College with an open mind and open heart.
“Don’t get on the treadmill,” Kapadia said. “What I’m talking about is the treadmill of life. The belief that one step must lead to the next and then to the next. Classes, clubs, grades, internships — they matter a lot, but only if you’re pursuing them for the right reasons. Curiosity, discovery, growth — not just to check boxes.”
Kapadia reassured the incoming students that the College is a campus built on mutual support and that their classmates are likely their greatest resources.
“Learn from each other,” Kapadia said. “Today, you can accumulate more information than you’ll ever need without leaving your kitchen table. Instead, you came here to learn from your community. Some of the biggest ideas you’ll encounter may come from those sitting around you.”
Kapadia concluded with a celebratory send-off for the class of 2029.
“None of us do this alone,” he said. “That’s why I’m here today, I’m committed to supporting the institution that built the pieces of who I am. Lifting William and Mary up will lift all of you up, and you all will make the difference. Every moment. You are now an essential part of William and Mary’s 333-year legacy. Make us proud.”
Rowe then presented the President’s Award for Service to the Community to Hannah Wolfe ’26 and Associate Professor of ESL/Bilingual Education and Co-Director of the W&M Scholars Undergraduate Research Experience Katherine Barko-Alva.
Rowe officially announced the start of the 333rd academic year. Following the alma mater, the class of 2029 and new students donned their class year pins and made their way through the Wren Building as a ceremonial welcome to the College.
Transfer student Simon Young ’28 highlighted moments of the ceremony that stood out to him the most.
“I’m a new transfer student, and so being a part of that big procession was a really cool moment,” Young said. “I think it showed just how much William and Mary cares about making sure that we feel like we belong. Seeing all the students showing out and supporting the new students, myself included, as well as the freshmen, felt amazing, and it felt like I’m in an environment where people really care.”
Kapadia’s remarks advising students not to simply go through the motions during their four years at the College particularly resonated with Young as he embarks on his personal journey.
“His discussion about making sure you’re not on the ‘treadmill of life,’ that you’re taking steps that you want to take, that you’re doing things you want to do and that you’re not getting worried about living for your resume instead of living for your life, your graduation, your eulogy, that really resonated,” Young said.
