News Summary
William & Mary welcomed over 1,500 freshmen during its annual move-in weekend, signaling the start of the academic year. New students settled into dorms, including one of the two new residence halls, Poplar Hall. The university anticipates around 4,416 students will move in, with upperclassmen also accommodated in Maple Hall. Freshmen expressed excitement about their new academic journey, while upperclassmen assisted with the transition. The upcoming classes begin soon, accompanied by a traditional convocation featuring a keynote address from an esteemed alumnus.
Williamsburg, Virginia – William & Mary welcomed more than 1,500 freshmen on Thursday as part of the annual move-in weekend kicking off the 2025 academic year. The vibrant Williamsburg campus buzzed with excitement as new and transfer students settled into their dorms ahead of the start of classes next week.
In total, the university expects about 4,416 students to move into various residence halls by Saturday. Among these, approximately 120 freshmen have begun settling into Poplar Hall, one of two new residence halls opened for the fall semester. The second new residence hall, Maple, accommodates upperclassmen and is situated next to Poplar Hall.
This expansion is part of the West Woods area development project, which combines several new facilities including Pine and Oak halls, as well as a dining hall. Although some of the additional residence halls remain unfinished, Poplar Hall opened its doors on Wednesday offering various amenities such as kitchens and lounges on all four floors.
The university has made arrangements for approximately 900 students to occupy alternate housing until Pine, Oak, and Cedar Hall on Jamestown Road are completed. These facilities are anticipated to be ready by mid-to-late October, providing additional housing options for students.
Freshmen arriving on campus experienced a mix of nervousness and excitement as they began this new chapter in their lives. Students recounted positive interactions with staff and peers during the move-in process. Many shared their reasons for choosing William & Mary, highlighting the appeal of its academic programs and sense of community.
Among the new arrivals, students have declared diverse fields of study. For instance, Sophia Sutton-Ayala expressed interest in psychology or marine science, while Christopher Brady is leaning toward a focus on data science. Other freshmen, such as Amanda Leung and Izabella Reichel, who met through social media, plan to pursue public policy, finance, computer science, and mathematics.
As part of the university’s support network, sophomore resident assistants and junior orientation aides played key roles in helping freshmen acclimate to campus life. These upperclassman mentors are dedicated to guiding new students as they navigate their educational journey at William & Mary.
Students can look forward to the start of classes on Wednesday, coinciding with the university’s traditional opening convocation. This year’s ceremony will feature a keynote address by Darpan Kapadia, an esteemed alumnus and COO of LS Power, as well as vice chair of the William & Mary Foundation Board of Trustees.
William & Mary’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment and supporting its students reflects the institution’s core values as it embarks on another academic year filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and exploration.
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- Daily Press: Freshmen Welcome
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WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
