Pamela Harriman was a member of the Board of Visitors of William & Mary. Harriman was awarded an honorary degree and spoke at the 1996 Charter Day ceremony. The Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships are awarded in her honor.
Speaking about international relations/the Reves Center at the 2001 Commencement ceremony Harriman said: "I feel especially privileged to participate in a commencement at this college, the second oldest in our land. Tradition is honored here, and yet, William & Mary is also clearly focused on the future. As evidence, you have perhaps the finest undergraduate international relations program in the country and this is reflected in the courses you offer, the students you attract, the exchanges you conduct and even the chancellors you appoint."