Publisher's Notebook

Whenever we have written a story on law school placement or new associate hiring, for the past 26 years, we’ve always called Rob Kaplan, dean of career services, at the William & Mary law school to find out the scoop there. He’s always returned our calls, given us straight info and been a pleasure to work with.

Kaplan has made a move, reports the school. As of May 10, he is now Associate Dean for Externships, Judicial Clerkships, and Public Service Initiatives and Legal Writing Instructor.

Dean Davison Douglas reported that Kaplan now will be a writing instructor W&M’s new Legal Skills program, which will be headed by Meredith Aden, a new member of the faculty. Kaplan also will work to place students in externships, clerkships and public service programs.

Let me say two things: Thanks, Rob, for all your help over the years. And best of luck in the new program. We’ll be calling sometime in the future to find out how it’s going.

The College of Knowledge down in Williamsburg has many traditions — the Yule Log ceremony at Christmas and Charter Day in February, among others.

But for sheer joy, you can’t match the day that William & Mary seniors get to ring the Wren Bell.

Here’s how it works: After completing the very last class on the last day of classes, seniors make their way to the Wren Building, the original, iconic building at the front of campus.

There is a little door in the wall on the second floor that looks like it serves a dumbwaiter. But no, it is historic (like most things at W&M) — it was used in days past by the little guy who rang the bell at the top of Wren. Each senior gets to give the rope a good yank and that joyful clanging up high is his or her statement that school’s out, forever. (Apologies to Alice Cooper).

Today is the day. It’s the last day of classes for the Class of 2012, so if you’re down in the ‘Burg, you’ll know why there are bells in the air.

Check out the YouTube video supplied by the school and you’ll get the idea.

It’s finals week down at the College of Knowledge in Williamsburg.

And William & Mary’s main library, Earl Gregg Swem Library, has announced that it will remain open for 125 straight hours this week.

So what are the stressed-out students doing? A number of them have, well, moved into Swem. “Campus Overload,” a blog from the Washington Post, quotes a student-run publication that said some students have set up make-shift tents and have cots in the library. There was a small stampede last Sunday afternoon when the library opened for the duration; students were loaded down with bedding, clothes, and, oh yes, books and study materials.

Ever clever, some of the new Swem residents have set up a Twitter feed called #OccupySwem, detailing life in the stacks.

Tourists visiting Colonial Williamsburg got an unexpected treat on Tuesday.

After a historical reenactment from revolutionary days, an apparent tourist at the back of the audience broke out in song. Then another tourist joined him. Then another.

Before you knew it, there was an entire choir singing a patriotic ditty.

Actually it was an entire choir…the Mormon Tabernacle Choir staged the performance, flash-mob style.

They are on an East Coast swing and including a stop in the Colonial Capitol.

The crowd was asked to join in and sing “Yankee Doodle,” unaware they were singing with the world-famour choir.

Colonial Williamsburg filmed it all and posted the performance on YouTube. The choir gets going at about 3:30 during the clip.

The Daily Press also has a report.