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New President of William and Mary Letter sent by GALA President Wayne Curtis to William and Mary Interim President Taylor Reveley, on the occasion of his appointment to a three-year term as College President: President Reveley, As President of William and Mary Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae, Inc., and on behalf of the more than five hundred former students, friends, and faculty on our mailing lists, I'd like to congratulate you on your new, non-interim role as the head of our beloved university. GALA has been working for the good of our Alma Mater for more than twenty years, and we look forward to partnering with you in the future. As far as our members are concerned, your predecessor left big shoes to fill. He was the first William and Mary President to speak to a gathering of our members, where he not only acknowledged our contributions over the last two decades, but challenged us to become more of an integral part of the university then we had been in the past. He went so far as to say that William and Mary could not realize its full potential in the 21st century without our active participation. This was the most open, the most cooperative, the most supportive position that any President of the College had taken since we were founded in 1986. It is our sincere hope that your administration, and future administrations, do not backtrack from this inclusive, affirming position. We stand ready to be a full partner in the future of this institution and work for the security and prosperity of William and Mary. Nothing would please us more than to know that you also stand ready to partner with us in this endeavor. Sincerely, Wayne Curtis, President William and Mary GALA Class of 1982

W&M GALA Oral History Project
"The Stephen Project"

Established in Loving Memory of
Stephen E. Patrick ’90 (MA) and Stephen H. Snell ‘66

Documenting history was a passion for Stephen Patrick. The director of the Bowie (Md.) Museums, Stephen was a dedicated professional who sought to educate others about preserving and understanding history; Stephen was a long-time board member of William & Mary GALA.

Creating and enriching community for others was a lifelong desire of Stephen Snell. The founder of William & Mary GALA, Stephen was a tireless champion and organizer in his efforts to serve both gay and lesbian students and alumni.

These two gentlemen are forever linked by their love and dedication to the College of William & Mary, an institution permanently changed by their devotion and commitment to leaving a legacy for the generations of students that will grace its sacred grounds.

The Stephen Project seeks to document the stories of the lives of William & Mary gay and lesbian alumni, faculty, staff, and students. It is a long range (multi-year) gay and lesbian oral history project which will record the personal experiences of individuals while concentrating on their college years. The project will focus on recalling what gay and lesbian life was like at that time at William & Mary, coming out stories during the college years, the impact of being gay or lesbian at William & Mary on one’s post college life, experiences related to William & Mary GALA, Inc., and other memories relative to William & Mary life.

The Stephens leave a legacy of documenting the history and the community that is W & M GALA, and the College of William & Mary. Consequently, many generations of students and scholars may learn from, and be enriched by, the experiences of others. The Stephen Project is that legacy which ties the past with the present in order to transform the future.

It was Stephen Snell’s wish to establish the W&M GALA Oral History Project in conjunction with Swem Library at his beloved College of William & Mary. Contributions may be made in the Stephens’ memory to the W&M GALA Oral History Project (Allocation #3168) at The College of William & Mary Foundation, PO Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8779.