Power in unity: One Tribe One Day returns April 29

On April 29, thousands of William & Mary alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends from around the world will come together for One Tribe One Day.

Two students enjoy a carnival ride in the Sunken Garden during One Tribe One Day, celebrating the annual day of giving with spirit. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

On Wednesday, April 29, thousands of William & Mary alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends from around the world will come together for One Tribe One Day (OTOD), a celebration of giving back and paying it forward. Now in its 13th year, this annual event continues to showcase the strength and unity of the W&M community while making a lasting impact on the university's future.

Since its launch in 2014, OTOD has grown into one of William & Mary's most engaging traditions. In 2025, more than 13,000 donors contributed over $4 million in support of nearly 1,000 initiatives across campus. The results reflect what can happen when the Tribe rallies around a shared purpose.

From the field to the community

For Griffin Must '25, M.P.P. '26, a public policy graduate student from New York City, OTOD represents the collective energy that defines W&M. As a member of the men's ultimate frisbee team, the Merry Men, Must experienced that energy firsthand.

Last year, the team set out to raise funds to travel beyond its usual regional tournaments, with the goal of competing against top programs across the country. After building momentum during Impact Week - a celebration of student engagement and philanthropy - the team approached OTOD in 2025 with a clear plan.

"We were intentional about coordinating when alumni would give and when we would reach out to alumni and family," he said.

For the frisbee program, OTOD's power hour and club sport giving challenges became a unifying force, rallying current players, alumni and supporters. Alumni from across decades joined in, many reconnecting with the program in real time.

"An email chain took off, with alumni jumping in to say, 'We're somehow in first place - let's keep going,'" Must said. "It was incredible to watch people I'd never met - players from years past - come back into the fold. People rallied behind us."

By coordinating outreach and timing participation, the team built momentum throughout the day, raising more than $10,000 and posting strong finishes across multiple challenges. This year, more than 40 challenges offer over $1 million in additional funding.

More than a day

OTOD's impact isn't measured by dollars alone. On campus, the Sunken Garden will host a carnival from 2-4 p.m., followed by an evening celebration from 6-8 p.m. Across the country, alumni and friends will celebrate at 14 gatherings, from Boston to Los Angeles to Paris and Tokyo.

"The message behind OTOD resonates," Must said. "It captures what makes this community special, not just within the ultimate frisbee program, but across William & Mary."

As the William & Mary community prepares for next Wednesday, OTOD continues to demonstrate the power of collective action. Each gift, no matter the size, contributes to something larger.

Join us on OTOD to show your Tribe pride. Visit otod.wm.edu for details, follow #OneTribeOneDay and explore our resources to connect with friends, amplify your impact and help make the day another overwhelming success.

Jeremy Norman, University Marketing

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