Summer 2023

Director’s Message

A summer of research can shape a lifetime

Perhaps the greatest joy of teaching is the opportunity to mentor curious, passionate, and purpose-driven undergraduate students throughout their William & Mary journeys.

While I may encounter a student in one of their first chemistry courses on campus, we will likely meet again later, as they seek mentoring in a scholars program, complete an Honors thesis, present upon their Summer Research, or pursue an applied learning experience supported by our new Charles Center Internship Fund.

The relationships we forge with our students, especially during intense periods of collaborative summer research, foster a vibrant community of scholars on campus and frequently continue long after graduation.

We are thrilled to support the summer projects of more than 300 students, whose research has the potential to affirm their commitment to a chosen discipline, alter their academic plans, or even inspire a change in major or the pursuit of a new career path.

One summer research experience can change a student’s life forever.

Charles Center Community News

Woody interns make mark

on museum field

This summer, an unprecedented 11 students received Woody Internships in Museum Studies to gain research experience in regional museums and those farther afield.

More than half of the 26 Woody internship alums since 2015 are now working in museums or pursuing graduate studies in a related field!

City Scholars think globally,

research locally

Seven W&M students are pursuing unique applied learning opportunities this summer to hone their research and communication skills while furthering the mission of community-based organizations and local government.

Two students are working with the City of Williamsburg, while five others are working with local nonprofit organizations in the areas of program development, data collection and analysis, and organizational leadership.

Grimsley Journalism Fellow

on Fire in Falls Church

Just days into her Grimsley Journalism Fellowship with the Falls Church News-Press, Phebe Fahmy '26 is demonstrating why she is considered one of W&M's most creative and prolific writers.

Freeman Fellows pursue internships across Asia

Thanks to an innovative program funded by the Freeman Foundation, 22 W&M undergraduates are gaining real-world experience in internships at 18 different sites in 10 Asian countries this summer.

Sharp Journalism student stories published by Pulitzer Center

Through an innovative partnership with the Pulitzer Center, Sharp Journalism Seminar students gain valuable mentoring and hands-on experience as investigative reporters.

After a semester of workshops, research, on-site investigation, and editorial review, student stories are published by the Pulitzer Center.

Berg '24, Gourdie '24

named Goldwater Scholars

Two 1693 Scholars, Justin Berg ’24 and Robby Gourdie ’24, were recognized for their potential to join the ranks of "this country’s leading scientists, engineers and mathematicians.”

Hoy '23 named NSF Graduate Research Fellow

Grayson Hoy '23 started working with Prof. Kristin Wustholz soon after he arrived at William & Mary and has never stopped pushing the boundaries of chemistry and machine learning. Hoy secured an award from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which will support his graduate research in computational chemistry at Yale University.

Noell '23 awarded prestigious

Lord Botetourt Medal

William Carlos Noel II '23, a Murray 1693 Scholar, Monroe Scholar, and WMSURE Scholar received the 2023 Lord Botetourt Medal in recognition of his scholarship, as well as his humility, character, empathy, and commitment to inclusion.

In the words of an advisor, “Carlos is a rare gem who the academy or the world only has the chance to engage with once in a lifetime.”

Lay '23 receives Fulbright

Stamps 1693 Scholar Aubrey Lay '23 joined 9 other recent W&M graduates in receiving an award from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which funds American citizens to study, research, or teach English abroad.

Lay will travel to Estonia, where he will examine online communication and marginalized communities.

Student-led lab researches LGBTQI Ukrainian refugees' needs

1693 Scholars Zoha Siddiqui ’23 and Aubrey Lay ’23 served as co-directors of The Exodus Project, which seeks to create solutions to challenges faced by vulnerable groups during displacement crises.

Charles Center Happenings

Summer research gatherings

foster campus community

Dozens of students took a break from the rigors of summer research to participate in our first two summer research events--a meet-and-greet over ice cream June 7th and a lunchtime graduate-student panel discussion of pathways to graduate research June 14th.

Future events will highlight faculty tips for research, approaches to community-based research, and career-readiness.

Thank you to all who have attended!

Spring Symposium sparks new graduate, undergraduate synergy

The inaugural Graduate & Honors Research Symposium brought together more than 160 emerging scholars at W&M with students representing Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Virginia on March 30-31.

“Transformation is at the heart of the symposium,” said Elizabeth Harbron, Director of the Charles Center.

Learn more

WMSURE Conference highlights health, structural racial discrimination

The 3rd annual student-led William & Mary Scholars Undergraduate Research Experience (WMSURE) conference held April 7 featured the work of dozens of W&M scholars.

Learn more

Catron Scholars showcase

creative inquiry

The six recipients of this year's Catron Scholarship for Artistic Development presented their remarkable work in a thought-provoking program to an audience of 50 held in Andrews Gallery March 31.

Learn more

Your Support Makes a Difference

Giving to the Charles Center Fund ensures your gift will support the areas of greatest need and student impact. We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of innovative and experimental programming that fosters student and faculty creativity.

Many of our signature programs were established as a direct result of gifts to the Charles Center.