‘Write your story’: Francis encourages W&M’s new students to find their calling

Service & Community

Dr. Cleveland "Cleve" Francis Jr. M.A. '69 addresses William & Mary's new students at Opening Convocation. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas)

As a William & Mary student, Dr. Cleveland "Cleve" Francis Jr. M.A. '69 spent many an evening searching for "ghosts."

What he found instead was inspiration from history and a calling to improve the lives of others.

"Just as I did on the steps of this great building, find a moment to look far beyond where you are right now, and allow your creative imagination to place your life and your calling within the context of history," Francis told the university's newest students.

"Among the ghosts of the past, you may be able to see that true essence of a life well-lived to give your life a personal sense of meaning. What makes you you? Why are you here? Not here in the courtyard of this grand building, but in this wonderful world of ours."

Francis, a celebrated cardiologist and accomplished musician, spoke to hundreds of new transfer, graduate and first-year students gathered in the Wren Yard Wednesday night for the Opening Convocation ceremony. The event coincides with the first day of undergraduate classes and serves as the official kickoff to the academic year.

The William & Mary community welcomes new students to campus at Opening Convocation on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Karena Richmond '26)The William & Mary community welcomes new students to campus at Opening Convocation on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Karena Richmond '26)The university's newest students are greeted with cheers and smiles as they exit the Wren Building. (Photo by Karena Richmond '26)Members of the campus community embrace new students. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas)The William & Mary community welcomes new students to campus at Opening Convocation on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas)The William & Mary community welcomes new students to campus at Opening Convocation on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Karena Richmond '26)The William & Mary community welcomes new students to campus at Opening Convocation on Aug. 28, 2024. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas)W&M President Katherine A. Rowe (center) takes a photo with this year's recipients of the President's Award for Service to the Community: Michelle Indelicato '25 (left) and Debbie Ramer. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas)

This semester marks the culmination of W&M's Year of the Arts and a continuation of the university's Vision 2026 efforts, including its democracy initiative that promotes constructive civil discourse.

President Katherine A. Rowe encouraged the campus community to adopt a principle from Ultimate Frisbee and "call each other into the spirit of the game," embracing competition without sacrificing mutual respect.

"That is what we are about. Calling ourselves into the moment," said Rowe. "Anybody think it could be a hot fall? It could be. But at William & Mary, we do things differently. We follow the spirit of our commitments to each other. We are here for the basic joy of play and study, the delight of a community teaching and learning together. We are committed to being intentional about that every day."

Continuing to write

Francis, who studied biology as a graduate student at the university, said that his William & Mary story is a coming-of-age tale.

"It is also, as we will see, something of a ghost story," he said.

Francis was born with a caul on his face, which Louisiana folklore said meant he would be able to see ghosts. While at William & Mary, he spent some time looking for "ghosts" from the steps on the Wren Building and thinking about the many historical figures who trod here.

"It was here, inspired by all the great ghosts I just told you about, that I would continue to write my own story and dedicate my life to learning, healing, teaching and music," he said. "I would also forever champion the principles of equality that Thomas Jefferson espoused so many years ago.

"You could say that I have spent my life not with a caul but with a calling."

Francis said he found his place at the university through science and music.

"For me, finding my place was no small thing," he said. "Maybe some of you today have some of the same worries as I did back then. You might wonder about whether you belong here and how you will perform as a student next to all these other very smart people. Don't worry. Here at William & Mary, you will have every opportunity to thrive."

Attending William & Mary was one of the best decisions of Francis' life, he noted.

"Had I not attended this university, I would not have been able to pursue my dream of becoming a medical doctor," he said. "I would not have established my own multicultural cardiology practice and would not have been able to help save hundreds of lives over the years."

Francis encouraged William & Mary's students to consider how they made add to America's story and improve the lives of those who will follow, he said. He also asked students to not think about what the university might give them, but what they might bring to William & Mary.

"To answer that question, I challenge each of you to use your own talents, skills and experiences and things you will learn here at William & Mary to venture forward and write your own stories in art, science, law, government, business, technology, entertainment, sports - or fields and possibilities not yet imagined," he said.

"Add your story as a chapter in the book still being written about yourself, about America and about the whole human community."

Calling each other in

Democracy is in William & Mary's DNA, Rowe said.

"We build on this legacy together," she said. "All of us have the chance to leave our university better than we found it by doing this together. That's how we win together. That's our spirit of the game."

That can be accomplished by "thinking about what we are doing," Rowe said, borrowing from philosopher Hannah Arendt. In practice, that phrase means, being able to be "second-day responders" while considering issues and debating fiercely while recognizing that people may disagree.

"At William & Mary, we do not dox each other. At William & Mary, we do not cancel each other. At William & Mary, we think for ourselves and we take incredibly seriously the charge to be curious and come to our own conclusions based on evidence.

"William & Mary students do not like to be told what to think, and that is something that we honor and are deeply proud of."

William & Mary students also vote, Rowe said, noting that 90% of registered students in the 2020 general election voted. She encouraged the student body to top that this fall - a challenge that was met with thunderous applause.

"That is an action that exercises that thinking process, not necessarily agreement," Rowe said. "I don't expect this campus to vote the same way, but it is an action that exercises the right to liberty."

Provost Peggy Agouris echoed Rowe's sentiments in her remarks, sharing a quote about democracy from Aristotle that says liberty and equality will be obtained "when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost."

"To me, there's an obvious connection to being present, to participating, to voting," Agouris said. "And as you heard from President Rowe, we're very proud of our student voting record here - and I think she's right, we can make it even higher this semester.

"But beyond elections, I encourage you to 'share in the utmost' when it comes to your education at William & Mary."

That means getting involved in the university's myriad opportunities in and outside of the classroom.

"Get involved. Share in the utmost. See what sparks your interest, and don't be afraid to encounter new experiences," she said. "There's a wealth of knowledge and collaboration here that you're now a part of. Share in the utmost because our ability to effect change begins on campus."

Welcome home

In addition to remarks from Francis, the ceremony included the unfurling of the Class of 2028 banner, recognition of this year's winners of the President's Award for Service to the Community and the traditional walk through the Wren Building.

Zoe Wang '26 and Nico Giro-Martin '27, presidents of the junior and sophomore classes, unfurled the Class of 2028 banner from the balcony of the Wren Building. It will hang there for a week and then be transferred to the Sadler Center until the class graduates.

Zoe Wang '26 and Nico Giro-Martin '27 unfurl the Class of 2028 banner. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas)

The President's Award for Service to the Community went to Michelle Indelicato '25 and Debbie Ramer, clinical faculty in special education and director of the special education program at the William & Mary School of Education. The award is presented annually to two individuals who demonstrate "sustained commitment to service and made a significant and measurable impact on our community.'' Service is one of William & Mary's core values.

Following the presentation of the awards, Rowe told the new students that it was their moment.

"You join generations of William & Mary alumni who crossed through these doors," she said.

Moments later, the Class of 2028 along with new transfer and graduate students, processed through the Wren Building to be welcomed by the campus community on the other side in enthusiastic fashion.

In a reception line leading well into the Sunken Garden, current students cheered, clapped, held signs and danced along with the W&M Pep Band as the new student streamed through.

"It was amazing," said Blair Dickens '28. "I love seeing all of the traditions."

Morgan Johnson '27 was among the current students who braved the unusually warm weather to greet new students. But she was looking for two new students in particular: friends Aubry Johnson '28 and Madagan Athey '28. The three soon reunited in the Sunken Garden, amidst the cheering throngs.

"It was so nice to be welcomed by everybody like this - just feels like home," said Athey. "It feels perfect to be here."

Aubry Johnson said that despite the heat, she enjoyed the ceremony.

"The speaker was really cool, and I loved hearing the choir sing," she said. "I think the vibes are here, so I'm living it."

Erin Jay, Senior Associate Director of University News

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