The Order of the White Jacket was established in 1972 to honor and bring together alumni who worked their way through college in the food service establishments at the College and in the surrounding community. The organization's goals and objectives include fostering and strengthening the fraternal bond between alumni who served in food service, promoting the honor and dignity of the work ethic through manual labor to finance a college education, supporting current students working their way through college in food service through scholarship opportunities and advancing the interests of the Alumni Association and the College. OWJ's historic roots are unique among William & Mary's alumni constituent groups and members' pride is shown by the wearing of the traditional white jackets with a blazer patch reminiscent of what waiters wore in the old College Dining Hall. The Board of Directors meets twice a year to plan annual activities such as the OWJ Banquet at Homecoming and the Spring Reception.