Together, we're creating a world informed & inspired by research | | |
Director's Message
Connecting students & the world
Each day brings its own surprises at the Charles Center, but one thing remains constant: our focus on connecting William & Mary students with diverse research opportunities, vital mentorship, and essential resources.
A big part of our work is identifying—and breaking down—barriers between students and the world.
Our Research in Motion program supports student travel for research or conference presentations. Students enrolled in the Sharp Journalism Seminar report from across the nation and the globe.
Our interns are engaged in our community, making a difference. And this week’s Honors Research Symposium gives over 100 students a platform for honing their communication skills and sharing their findings with fellow scholars and the world.
Thank you for making a direct and lasting impact on our students!
| | Charles Center Community News | | | |
Honors Research Symposium to feature 100+ seniors
More than 100 W&M students will present their honors research during this two-day signature event in Sadler Center April 3-4.
Interested in seeing the impact of your support for a Charles Center summer research grant or Honors Fellowship? Join us!
Learn more
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Barr Fellows compete for $1,000 public speaking prize
Barr Fellows are honors Arts & Sciences seniors who will have just five minutes to effectively explain their research and its importance to a general audience.
The competition takes place at 7pm April 3 in Sadler Center's Commonwealth Auditorium.
Learn more
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Page '26 makes history at Surry's Smith's Fort
As a Woody museum intern last summer, Faith Page developed a groundbreaking Black History tour that she continues to lead at Surry’s Smith Fort, a historic site located across the James River from Jamestown operated by Preservation Virginia.
Read more
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Journalist Korona '03 shares "truthslaying" secrets
Former NBC News senior vice president Betsy Korona ’03 returned to campus March 24 to reveal truths gleaned from her two decades of national news-making.
“Journalists need to know about a range of topics – something William & Mary first taught me,” Korona told students.
Read more
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Sharpe Scholars program earns national recognition
The National Residence Hall Honorary has recognized William & Mary’s Sharpe Community Scholars program as one of the nation's leading living-learning campus communities.
Fall '25 marks Sharpe’s 25th anniversary and some big changes in the program!
Read more
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W&M Students featured in first Capitol research showcase
Six William & Mary students joined researchers from across Virginia for the inaugural Undergraduate Research Showcase at the Capitol hosted by the Network of Undergraduate Research in Virginia Feb. 6 in Richmond’s General Assembly Building.
Read more
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Mission impossible: seniors juggle multiple honors theses
Seniors Liam Staker, Adam Jutt, Maryclaire O’Brien, and Sarah Sakly have undertaken the seemingly impossible task of completing two honors theses each during the 2024-25 academic year, all focused on topics within mathematics and scientific fields.
Read more
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Sharp Journalism students
travel world for reporting
A joint initiative between William & Mary’s Charles Center and the Pulitzer Center, the year-long Sharp Seminar program gives 12 students the unique opportunity to research, report, and write their own stories for publication on the Pulitzer Center’s website.
Read more
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Wilson and Cables masterclass explores art of jazz
World-renowned musicians Steve Wilson and George Cables led a masterclass Jan. 25 in the William & Mary Music Arts Center Concert Hall where they provided mentorship to members of the university’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, performing alongside them for a public audience.
Read more
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Renowned photojournalist Katz caps masterclass series
“Being a photojournalist is having a front-row seat to life," award-winning Virginian-Pilot staff photographer Stephen M. Katz told students in the final journalism masterclass of the year. “The camera isn’t a barrier, but an invitation to someone else—or other people—to participate in photography with you.”
Read more
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WMSURE expands reach through scholarship, community
Weaving through the vibrant displays of the Ruth E. Carter exhibit on Afrofuturist costume design at Jamestown Settlement museum, students in the W&M Scholars Undergraduate Research Experience (WMSURE) marveled at the harmonious combination of scholarship and storytelling told through fabrics and colors.
Read more
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Barr Prize in Public Speaking!
April 3, 2025
The Barr Fellows are honors Arts & Sciences seniors who will have just five minutes to effectively explain their research and its importance to a general audience. Five finalists will compete on the evening of April 3 for the $1,000 first prize!
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Honors Research Symposium
April 3-4, 2025
The Spring Honors Research Symposium will feature the research of 100+ undergraduate honors seniors in a variety of presentation formats, reflecting a wide range of majors across Arts & Sciences disciplines.
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WMSURE Research Conference
April 11, 2025
The 5th Annual WMSURE Undergraduate Research Conference will take place in Sadler Center. More than 20 students will discuss their research through digital poster sessions or panel presentations. All are welcome!
| | Charles Center Staff Spotlights | |
Welcome Caroline Semmelmeier '18!
Caroline joins the Charles Center as our new Program & Events Coordinator.
Originally hailing from Long Island, Caroline is so excited to be back in the ‘Burg and working with the Monroe Scholars.
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As an undergraduate, Caroline earned a B.A. in English and discovered her passion for higher education through her on-campus involvement with Residence Life. Following graduation, she worked as a Residence Hall Director at SUNY Potsdam before transitioning into an administrative role at a plastic medical components company closer to her family with the goal of one day returning to working with students.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Caroline is an avid follower of the USWNT. She enjoys reading, playing her clarinet, and spending time with her dog, Cassie. In the next few years, she hopes to publish the novel she’s currently writing and compete on Jeopardy.
Meet the rest of the Charles Center team here!
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Congratulations!
Congratulations to Judith Slack on her 5th anniversary at the Charles Center!
Thank you, Judy, for your breadth of knowledge, depth of experience, and contagious warmth and humor! We appreciate your expert administrative and fiscal support for the center, and all you do to coordinate the departmental honors program!
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Giving to the Charles Center Fund ensures your gift will support the areas of greatest need and student impact. In all we do, we seek to put our values in action: inclusivity & accessibility, collaboration & connection, and inquiry & innovation.
Thank you for your generosity.
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