Plumeri and Linaughs to lead William & Mary Weekend in New York City

William & Mary alumni, parents and friends will have the opportunity to reconnect miles away from the majestic Sunken Garden during William & Mary Weekend in New York City.

The William & Mary Alumni Association’s newest signature event will be held May 18-21, 2017, and will offer attendees four exciting days of cultural, intellectual, professional and social events in the Big Apple.

“William & Mary Weekend is about engaging with alumni, parents and friends and providing them with the finest opportunities that bring the best of the university to the city and the best of the city to the Tribe family,” said Cindy Satterwhite Jarboe ’77, president of the William & Mary Alumni Association.

Joe Plumeri ’66, D.P.S. ’11 is the honorary chair of William & Mary Weekend in New York City, and Mark Linaugh ’84 and Janice Linaugh are the Weekend co-chairs.

“New York City will provide a grand stage for William & Mary Weekend,” Plumeri said. “All who attend the Weekend, whether they are local New Yorkers or out-of-town guests will experience spectacular and unique events because they are members of the Tribe.”

The Linaughs lead the Weekend Steering Committee of more than 25 New York City alumni — as well as the Young Guarde Committee comprised of 20 young alumni — who are all collaborating and brainstorming on ways to create exclusive programming and events in iconic settings throughout the city. Their goal is to provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for attendees.

William & Mary Weekend in New York City will include the annual gala auction, followed by an after party jazz revue written and produced by Bill Schermerhorn ’82, former vice president and creative director for the Macy’s Parade and Entertainment Group and an Emmy-Award winning songwriter. Other events will include tours and discussions throughout New York City with William & Mary faculty and notable alumni, as well as private tours inside some of the world’s finest museums, historic venues and Broadway productions.

Plumeri and the Linaughs have dedicated much of their time and talents to the university, making it fitting for them to lead the Weekend.

Plumeri is a New Yorker, business leader, philanthropist and passionate member of the Tribe. He spent 32 years as an executive with Citigroup and its predecessors, leading several of its business units, before becoming chairman and CEO of Willis Group in 2000. Plumeri led Willis for 13 years and skyrocketed growth before his retirement in 2013 and now serves as vice chairman of the First Data Board of Directors. He has served on his 50th Reunion Committee, the Board of Visitors and the W&M Business School Foundation, among others.

Mark Linaugh is the chief talent officer at WPP Group in New York City. He is a board member of the William & Mary Alumni Association and served on the New York Auction Committee as well as the 30th Reunion Committee. Janice Linaugh, a social worker, is a graduate of Harvard University and a former Marine captain. She is a dedicated friend of the university who has worked alongside her husband to support alumni engagement.

Strengthening alumni ties to their alma mater is one of the key goals of the For the Bold campaign and William & Mary Weekend does just that in a special way — against the backdrop of an extraordinary American city.

“This campaign is not just about raising money,” Mark Linaugh said. “It is much more than a financial goal. It’s also about alumni engagement, and William & Mary Weekend provides world-class programming that our alumni, parents, students and friends want and need.”

Results from a 2016 William & Mary Alumni Association survey found that alumni are interested in an increased focus on alumni networking and more opportunities to connect with students and faculty.

“William & Mary Weekend brings these desired engagement opportunities directly to our alumni in an exciting and unique way,” said Marilyn Ward Midyette ’75, executive director of the William & Mary Alumni Association. “The Weekend provides innovative opportunities for attendees to connect, discover and celebrate like never before.”

Online registration for William & Mary Weekend in New York City will open in February.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the William & Mary Weekend, contact Richard Long at rnlong@wm.edu or 757-221-1016.