An early start meant some of us rushed through breakfast while others went straight for the biggest coffee cup they could find. Anything to wake up before our 8:30 a.m. departure to the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Fun fact: founded in 1693, it is the second-oldest university in the U.S. after Harvard, actually built before Harvard but recognized as a state university later on. The weather was not exactly on our side. Gray skies and light rain followed us around, but nothing could slow us down.
Our tour began at the Kaplan Arena for the WM basketball team. The arena stood out right away with its bright green and yellow colors, the official colors of the university. The Athletics Hall of Fame was in the entrance hallway, filled with photos and displays of student athletes from William & Mary year after year. From there we explored the Sunken Garden, which looked like something out of an old fairytale, and the university’s famous Crim Dell Bridge, a red wooden bridge over a quiet pond filled with ducks and turtles. According to campus legend, crossing it alone brings bad luck, but crossing it with someone else means good fortune. Along the way we saw statues and plaques honoring alumni and influential people from the university, including two U.S. Presidents, John Tyler and Thomas Jefferson. This campus felt rich with history and culture, reflected in its architecture, its students, and the statues placed all around.
After our visit at William & Mary, we went to the Jefferson Lab, a major research center where top scientists from across the U.S. collaborate on projects in nuclear science and physics. Unfortunately, we could not take a peek inside as the labs were closed, but we met Dr. Helmut Baumgart, a professor at ODU with an impressive background in semiconductor physics. He studied at Heidelberg, Purdue, and Stuttgart, and even worked at the Max Planck Institute. His talk gave us a glimpse into the cutting-edge research happening there, even if we had to imagine the experiments ourselves.
By the time we wrapped up, it was already 2:00 p.m., which meant lunch was long overdue. We made our way to Los Paisas Locos for some authentic Mexican food, where tacos, enchiladas, and good conversations quickly refueled us. After saying goodbye to Dr. Baumgart, we continued to our final stop, Christopher Newport University (CNU).
CNU is ranked as one of the top public universities in Virginia and is even called a “Public Ivy.” The campus felt grand and elegant with its white columns and Harvard-inspired design. Guiding us was Prof. Tarek M. Abdel-Fattah, Director of the Applied Research Center, who showed us around every corner. We stepped into the Diamonstein Concert Hall, a massive theater where plays, ballets, and even the famous Tina Turner Musical will take the stage next year. Just being inside gave you the feeling of a world-class performance space. One of the strangest and most interesting things about CNU’s campus was the chapel inside with beautiful stained-glass windows and the serenade of students playing piano. Weddings can actually take place inside and there’s a large ballroom, perfect to dance the night away. Add to that a sports program with football, soccer, tennis, and even sailing. It’s safe to say this campus has it all.
The real crown jewel was the Paul and Rosemary Trible Library. Inside, it felt more like a palace than a university library, with classic furniture, wood-paneled rooms, and portraits that gave off serious Bridgerton vibes. CNU is known for its high quality and prestigious programs, especially for STEM students. With paintings and quotes engraved on walls, we noticed Albert Einstein’s importance for CNU. There’s even a café inside the dining hall called Einstein Café. We ended our visit there with coffee and a quick team meeting to prepare for the days ahead.
By evening we were exhausted and overwhelmed, but buzzing from everything we had seen. From old-school style and traditions at William & Mary to the high-tech prestige of Jefferson Lab, and finally ending the day with the elegance and theatrical flair of CNU, the differences between campuses made the day especially interesting. Two universities, two professors, one lab, and countless impressions. Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and reflect on one of the most memorable and packed days of the trip so far.
