NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release on October 18, 2024

The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. held a ceremonial groundbreaking for Robert M. Gates Hall

WILLIAMSBURG Va. October 18, 2024 – As part of "Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024", the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. held a ceremonial groundbreaking for Robert M. Gates Hall on its campus at the building previously known as Brown Hall.

This is the first academic building in the nation named in honor of Robert M. Gates, who graduated from W&M with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1965 and completed a Doctorate in Russian and Soviet history at Georgetown University in 1974. Gates is the current W&M Chancellor and he served as U.S. Secretary of Defense under presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2006-2011. He is also the founder and Chairman of the Robert M. Gates Global Policy Center.

“Whatever roles I have been privileged to play in the life of our country, the roots are here, at William & Mary,” said Gates. “This new building, and those who work and study and learn and collaborate here, will provide current and future generations of William & Mary students a place to continue this university’s centuries-long leadership in searching for solutions to the significant problems of our country and our world.”

William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe and Secretary Robert M. Gates.

W&M President Katherine A. Rowe, Ph.D., praised Chancellor Gates' leadership, recognized his many decades of service to our nation and thanked the anonymous alumna for her $30 million gift to make the project possible. She also discussed how Gates Hall will help illuminate the history of the Bray School, which was originally located on the same site, and will expand W&M’s reach through interdisciplinary innovation.

"This space, named in honor of Chancellor Robert M. Gates—one of our most distinguished and revered alumni—will serve as a beacon of leadership, integrity and service," said Matthew T. Lambert, W&M's Senior Vice President of University Advancement. "His life’s work exemplifies the courage and resolve that will inspire every action taken in the building and beyond. Gates Hall will be a place where leaders are forged and solutions are born, where the seemingly impossible is met with conviction and determination."

Once completed, the renovated building will house the Global Research Institute (GRI), Institute for Integrative Conservation and Whole of Government Center of Excellence.

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For Media Inquiries Contact:

Mike Galloucis, Mike@Gatesglobalpolicy.org