The Flat Hat, Williamsburg, VA (2024)

10/29/2024

At the right time of year, someone walking through the campus of the College of William and Mary may be lucky enough to notice a certain buzz in the air. This atmosphere may be reflected by groups of students huddled around laptops, debating animatedly over some survey questions. Or it may be radiating from pairs of cluelessly reciprocated crushes, blushing at their email inboxes. Whatever the telling signs may look like, chances are that the excitement is a symptom of none other than the arrival of Marriage Pact season.

According to its website, the Marriage Pact is a national organization with branches at 88 American colleges, made up almost entirely of full-time students, that uses an algorithm backed by Nobel Prize-winning economics to match the most romantically compatible couples on campus. According to the Stanford Daily, it was founded by Liam McGregor and Sophia Sterling-Angus at Stanford University in 2017 to provide students with backup spouses as a means of saving them from the prospect of dying alone.

At the right time of year, someone walking through the campus of the College of William and Mary may be lucky enough to notice a certain buzz in the air. This atmosphere may be reflected by groups of students huddled around laptops, debating animatedly over some survey questions. Or it may be radiat...

10/28/2024

Cord Jefferson ’04 has won both an Emmy and Oscar. He has written for shows like “Master of None,” “The Good Place” and “Watchmen.” His directorial debut, “American Fiction,” was nominated for five Academy Awards and named a top 10 film of 2023 by the American Film Institute. Jefferson has also streaked across the Sunken Garden approximately 10 times.

A journalist and a filmmaker, Jefferson is no stranger to the entertainment scene. While serving as an editor for the entertainment blog Gawker, he wrote a column in 2013 satirizing “Black on Black” violence. That column would lead to him appearing on Chris Hayes’s “All In” on MSNBC, which helped propel his TV writing career.

Cord Jefferson ’04 has won both an Emmy and Oscar. He has written for shows like “Master of None,” “The Good Place” and “Watchmen.” His directorial debut, “American Fiction,” was nominated for five Academy Awards and named a top 10 film of 2023 by the American Film Institute. Jeffe...

10/27/2024

Friday, Oct. 18, the College of William and Mary’s student-run spoken word poetry organization Inside Out Theatre hosted its first ever guest speaker, Breeze the Poet, for a slam poetry masterclass in Washington Hall.

Frederick Eberhardt, who writes under the pseudonym Breeze the Poet, is a spoken-word performer from Richmond, Va, and his accolades include numerous national and regional poetry slam championships. In addition to writing and performing his poetry, Eberhardt offers coaching and workshops on the craft through his “Dojo” program.

Friday, Oct. 18, the College of William and Mary’s student-run spoken word poetry organization Inside Out Theatre hosted its first ever guest speaker, Breeze the Poet, for a slam poetry masterclass in Washington Hall. Frederick Eberhardt, who writes under the pseudonym Breeze the Poet, is a spoken...

10/23/2024

Three seats are up-for-grabs on the city of Williamsburg’s City Council. There are five candidates running for office: Lindsay Barna, Pat Dent, Barbara Ramsey, Fraser Hudgins, and Ayanna Williams. This video will highlight each of their policies, outlooks, and plans for the future of Williamsburg so that residents may make an informed vote this November.

Three seats are up-for-grabs on the city of Williamsburg's City Council. There are five candidates running for office: Lindsay Barna, Pat Dent, Barbara Ramse...

10/17/2024

Thursday, Oct. 17, at around 3:10 p.m. the Williamsburg Police Department published a release reporting the death of Evan Way ’25, a student at the College. Way was found at 1:40 p.m. on the same day in a forested area near Rolfe Road, which surrounds the Ludwell Apartments. Police do not suspect foul play.

Earlier Thursday afternoon, Chief of the William and Mary Police Department Don Butler and Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Public Safety Ginger Ambler ’88, Ph.D. ’06 sent an email to the College community reporting an ongoing search for Way. They were last seen on Ukrop Way at around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Thursday, Oct. 17, at around 3:10 p.m. the Williamsburg Police Department published a release reporting the death of Evan Way ’25, a student at the College. Way was found at 1:40 p.m. on the same day in a forested area near Rolfe Road, which surrounds the Ludwell Apartments. Police do not suspect ...

10/17/2024

After receiving both federal and state grants, the College of William and Mary is set to renovate the Sir Christopher Wren Building for preservation.

Beginning in December, this project will result in the installation of scaffolding and temporary fencing surrounding the College’s most historic building.

After receiving both federal and state grants, the College of William and Mary is set to renovate the Sir Christopher Wren Building for preservation. Beginning in December, this project will result in the installation of scaffolding and temporary fencing surrounding the College’s most historic bu...

10/16/2024

Friday, Oct. 4, the lights in the Sadler Center’s Chesapeake rooms were dimmed and the smell of paneer began wafting into the Atrium. The College of William and Mary’s Afsana dance team came together in collaboration with South Asian Interfaith Organization to host their annual Garba Night celebration. The festivities featured performances from Afsana, dance lessons for attendees, presentations about South Asian culture and a spread of foods from the region.

Friday, Oct. 4, the lights in the Sadler Center’s Chesapeake rooms were dimmed and the smell of paneer began wafting into the Atrium. The College of William and Mary’s Afsana dance team came together in collaboration with South Asian Interfaith Organization to host their annual Garba Night celeb...

10/15/2024

OPINION | WANG: Crystal Wang ‘25 argues against voting third party or abstaining in the 2024 Presidential Election as an act of protest over the Biden-Harris administration’s funding of Israel, highlighting the necessity of voting for candidates who protect marginalized communities in the United States.

Crystal Wang ’25 is an English major and history major. In addition to being Copy Chief for The Flat Hat, she is part of William & Mary archery. Contact her at [email protected] views expressed in this article are the author’s own.Now that I’ve pi**ed off half of campus, I figured I had enoug...

10/14/2024

Wednesday, Feb. 14, College of William and Mary Associate Provost and University Registrar Alana Davis sent out a campus-wide email announcing the implementation of PATH as a new registration software replacing the previous Banner 9 System.

In PATH, students have a period of time to submit a cart of desired classes and alternatives and the system processes these preferences to automatically create schedules. The system also implemented a waitlisting model, allowing students to enroll in a limited list to join classes if spaces became available.

Wednesday, Feb. 14, College of William and Mary Associate Provost and University Registrar Alana Davis sent out a campus-wide email announcing the implementation of PATH as a new registration software replacing the previous Banner 9 System.In PATH, students have a period of time to submit a cart of....

10/13/2024

Oct. 3 – 6, the College of William and Mary’s theater department put on its first production of the semester, “Men on Boats,” in the Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall Studio Theatre.

This approximately 110-minute performance is about the exploration and mapping of the Colorado River into the Grand Canyon, based on the journals of John Wesley Powell. The story follows 10 explorers, serving as a commentary on masculinity and gender roles, as well as colonization and how Americans have claimed this land in the American West as their own.

Oct. 3 – 6, the College of William and Mary’s theater department put on its first production of the semester, “Men on Boats,” in the Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall Studio Theatre. This approximately 110-minute performance is about the exploration and mapping of the Colorado River into the Gran...

10/13/2024

OPINION | JABER: Eva Jaber ‘28 reflects on responses from her peers regarding escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon, stressing the importance of improved media literacy, diverse news sources, and productive conversations with impacted classmates.

Eva Jaber ‘28 (she/her) is a prospective English or international relations major. She is a member of the Cleftomaniacs a ca****la group, an ESL tutor and hopes to encourage peace-minded advocacy on campus. Contact her at [email protected] views expressed in this article are the author’s own.On...

10/10/2024

Monday, Aug. 26, the College of William and Mary’s website updated policies related to use of campus facilities and freedom of expression. College administrators did not announce these changes to the student body.

Similar to changes implemented at other Virginia schools, the new policies prohibit encampments for student groups.

Monday, Aug. 26, the College of William and Mary’s website updated policies related to use of campus facilities and freedom of expression. College administrators did not announce these changes to the student body.Similar to changes implemented at other Virginia schools, the new policies prohibit e...

10/10/2024

Saturday, Sept. 28, William and Mary football (4-2, 1-1 CAA) dominated Hampton (3-3, 0-2 CAA) 49-7 at Walter J. Zable Stadium in Williamsburg, Va.

Eager to see the 3-1 team continue its winning streak, parents visiting for William and Mary’s Family Weekend packed the stands.

Saturday, Sept. 28, William and Mary football (4-2, 1-1 CAA) dominated Hampton (3-3, 0-2 CAA) 49-7 at Walter J. Zable Stadium in Williamsburg, Va.Eager to see the 3-1 team continue its winning streak, parents visiting for William and Mary’s Family Weekend packed the stands.After losing nine of its...

10/09/2024

Thursday, Sept. 26, the College of William and Mary hosted Chinese dissident Wang Dan for his talk titled, “Understanding Today’s China.” A central figure in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, Wang has recently come under fire for multiple allegations of sexual assault.

Wang is an active participant of the Chinese democracy movement and formerly taught at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. In 2023, at least six individuals accused Wang of sexual assault.

Thursday, Sept. 26, the College of William and Mary hosted Chinese dissident Wang Dan for his talk titled, “Understanding Today’s China.” A central figure in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, Wang has recently come under fire for multiple allegations of sexual assault. Wang is an active par...

10/02/2024

Sunday, Sept. 22, William and Mary field hockey (0-8, 0-0 CAA) lost to Villanova (5-3, 1-0 Big East) 2-1 in double-overtime at Busch Field in Williamsburg, Va.

The Tribe, who entered Sunday’s matchup without a win in 2024, hoped to get its first win just before conference play starts this Friday. Villanova came to Busch Field on a two game winning streak, including a 6-1 rout of conference foes Georgetown (2-5, 0-1 Big East) on Friday. William and Mary held the advantage in the two teams’ matchup history, having beaten Villanova six times against two losses.

Sunday, Sept. 22, William and Mary field hockey (0-8, 0-0 CAA) lost to Villanova (5-3, 1-0 Big East) 2-1 in double-overtime at Busch Field in Williamsburg, Va.The Tribe, who entered Sunday’s matchup without a win in 2024, hoped to get its first win just before conference play starts this Friday. V...

09/30/2024

Thursday, Sept. 26, Devaughn Henry ’28 won the election for Class of 2028 president, defeating Carsten Chow ’28 and MeSharlia Fountain ’28.

Thursday, Sept. 26, Devaughn Henry ’28 won the election for Class of 2028 president, defeating Carsten Chow ’28 and MeSharlia Fountain ’28. Henry emerged victorious after receiving 349 votes in the second round of ranked choice voting. “I’m actually really surprised,” Henry said. “I ...

09/30/2024

Ranking No. 2 nationally in saves per game, graduate student goalkeeper Maddie George is entering her final season of eligibility with big goals in 2024.

Posting a career-high 16 saves against North Carolina Chapel Hill and helping the Green and Gold to a Coastal Athletic Association title last season, George serves as a leader on William and Mary’s field hockey team.

Ranking No. 2 nationally in saves per game, graduate student goalkeeper Maddie George is entering her final season of eligibility with big goals in 2024.Posting a career-high 16 saves against North Carolina Chapel Hill and helping the Green and Gold to a Coastal Athletic Association title last seaso...

09/25/2024

Thursday, Sept. 26, the College of William and Mary Student Assembly will hold elections for the Class of 2028 president and four Class of 2028 senators. SA will also hold an additional special election to fill a vacant Class of 2025 senate seat.

Currently, three candidates are running for Class of 2028 president: Carsten Chow ’28, MeSharlia Fountain ’28 and Devaughn Henry ’28.

Thursday, Sept. 26, the College of William and Mary Student Assembly will hold elections for the Class of 2028 president and four Class of 2028 senators. SA will also hold an additional special election to fill a vacant Class of 2025 senate seat.Currently, three candidates are running for Class of 2...

09/18/2024

In Hebrew, the word “kesem” means magic, and magic is precisely what Camp Kesem counselors in college chapters nationwide aim to create at their annual summer camps. These camps are made specifically for children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer, as not just a lighthearted retreat in the midst of a serious situation, but also as a way for these impacted kids to connect with those going through similar experiences.

This August, the College of William and Mary’s chapter of Camp Kesem hosted 71 campers, aged 6-18, from the Williamsburg area at Camp Crossroads in Lowesville, Va. Unit leader and Make the Magic Coordinator Roshan Patel ’25 described the goal of the week-long experience.

In Hebrew, the word “kesem” means magic, and magic is precisely what Camp Kesem counselors in college chapters nationwide aim to create at their annual summer camps. These camps are made specifically for children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer, as not just a lighthearted retreat i...

09/17/2024

Adam Jutt '25 is back with a new edition of Adam's Apple! This week, Adam tackles the question of how to manage time this semester with all of one's responsibilities. If you have a question you want to ask Adam, submit it to the survey in our bio!

Adam Jutt ’25 is a math and economics major from Cincinnati, Ohio who writes articles sometimes. Contact him at [email protected] views expressed in this article are the author’s own. A new year of Adam’s Apple has arrived. For those who aren’t familiar — e.g. freshmen, almost all non-fres...

09/01/2024

Following an impressive spring 2024 season, William and Mary baseball’s seemingly endless successes carried right into July’s Major League Baseball Draft.

For the second consecutive year, multiple Green and Gold players received the call to begin their professional careers in the MLB. Pitchers Nate Knowles and Travis Garnett and outfielder Joe Delossantos became the 46th, 47th and 48th players in Tribe program history to be drafted.

Following an impressive spring 2024 season, William and Mary baseball’s seemingly endless successes carried right into July’s Major League Baseball Draft.For the second consecutive year, multiple Green and Gold players received the call to begin their professional careers in the MLB. Pitchers Na...

08/29/2024

Monday, Aug. 21, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine LL.D. ’06 and Mark Warner LL.D. ’02 of Virginia announced that the National Park Service will be awarding $416,207 to the College of William and Mary for the restoration of the Sir Christopher Wren Building’s west steps.

Monday, Aug. 21, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine LL.D. ’06 and Mark Warner LL.D. ’02 of Virginia announced that the National Park Service will be awarding $416,207 to the College of William and Mary for the restoration of the Sir Christopher Wren Building’s west steps. The grant comes from the Nation...

05/01/2024

Nov. 15, 2023, representatives from the College of William and Mary Student Assembly and William and Mary Fighting for Immigrant Rights and Equity met to discuss improving information for special immigration status students on the College’s website. While not the first student-led initiative to increase resources for students without permanent status, the Online Resource Committee’s work over the past six months is a recent effort to highlight this underrepresented community on campus.

Editor’s Notes: The Flat Hat has decided to honor the requests of several sources and keep their identities anonymous out of protection of their identities. The umbrella term “special immigration s…

04/24/2024

Wednesday, April 10, the first Celebration of the Book reception at the College of William and Mary was held by William and Mary Libraries in the Read and Relax section of Earl Gregg Swem Library. The event was hosted to acknowledge the accomplishments of faculty and staff at the College who have recently published a book or book chapter.

Wednesday, April 10, the first Celebration of the Book reception at the College of William and Mary was held by William and Mary Libraries in the Read and Relax section of Earl Gregg Swem Library. …

04/23/2024

Senior Alek Kuzmenchuk exemplifies what it means to be a true scholar-athlete. As the men’s gymnastics captain, the editor-in-chief of The Monitor — the College of William and Mary’s journal of international studies — and a recent Fulbright scholarship recipient, Kuzmenchuk remains dedicated to his athletic and academic commitments.

Senior Alek Kuzmenchuk exemplifies what it means to be a true scholar-athlete. As the men’s gymnastics captain, the editor-in-chief of The Monitor — the College of William and Mary’s journal o…