A Full-Circle Summer
Four rising sophomores spent their summer cooking, gardening, delivering food and grant writing for Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee.
Featured News, Views and More from Around W&L
Washington and Lee University Expands Tuition-Free Pledge to Families Earning up to $200K
The expanded W&L Promise means new students entering W&L in fall 2027 whose families earn less than $200,000 will pay no tuition, and those whose families earn less than $75,000 will pay no tuition, room or board.
On the Map
This summer, students in W&L’s Summer Research Scholars program are taking an interdisciplinary and interactive approach to environmental studies with ArcGIS mapping software.
Q&A: What Makes ‘The Odyssey’ Timeless?
A classicist specializing in archaic Greek poetry, W&L’s Kevin Crotty explains why, if you liked Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” you will love the original epic poem.
Where Geology Meets Public Health
With a grant from the Keck Geology Consortium, W&L’s Madhumita Chakraborty and a team of students tested private wells and springs throughout Rockbridge County to determine water chemistry and quality.
Seen and Heard
View all SOC »One of the reasons I chose to come to W&L was for the flexibility to take a variety of courses to help me figure out what I wanted to do. My career plans changed a dozen times in my four years, and I think that’s the amazing thing about a liberal arts education. ~ Marshall Wilt ’26
People & News
Alex Rabar Profiled by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators
W&L’s chief public safety officer was featured in the member spotlight series “Behind the Uniform.”
Bill Hamilton Interviewed on CBS Evening News Segment
The John T. Perry Professor in Research Science discussed tourist-animal interactions following a recent Bison attack in Yellowstone National Park.
Leah Naomi Green Delivers Environmental Lecture and Poetry at the Chautauqua Institution
The writer-in-residence and visiting assistant professor of environmental studies spoke on Chautauqua’s theme “The Ethics of Enough.”
JT Torres Co-Authors Book Titled ‘Nonviolent Response’
Written with Sheri Rysdam of Eastern Oregon University, the book offers strategies for responding to writing in positive and motivating ways.
Washington and Lee Welcomes New Tenure Stream Faculty
Twelve faculty members will join new positions during the 2026-27 academic year.
W&L Announces New Fixed-Term Faculty, Fellows and Assistant Coaches
Twenty-eight new faculty and staff members are joining the university this year.
Sociology Professor Receives Distinguished Dissertation Award
Ivan Shmatko was cited by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies after receiving a nearly perfect score from the program’s eight expert judges.
Washington and Lee Receives Educating Character Initiative Capacity-Building Grant from the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University
The funds will be used to support W&L’s leadership and character education programming during the 2026-27 academic year.
Late Summer 2026 Update on Campus Construction Projects
Construction on a variety of projects continues throughout campus and the Lexington community.
Journalism Professor Headlines Discussion on First Amendment, Quoted in a Columbia Journalism Review article.
Toni Locy was among three expert panelists to discuss the First Amendment at the National Press Club and was recently quoted on her professional experiences.
Biology Faculty Member Co-Authors Paper in Global Ecology and Conservation
Jacob Kraus and his research team studied a biodiverse area of China to determine the optimal sizes for nature reserves.
Stephanie Sandberg Serves as a Guest Editor for the Critical Stages Journal
The associate professor of theater worked with Nelson Barre of Roanoke College to introduce and assess four essays about modern theater.
Faces of W&L
Meet a 1L: Griffin Polinsky ’29L
Griffin Polinsky is from Wilmington, North Carolina and received his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University.
Meet a Colleague: Colleen Drake
Colleen Drake serves as senior program coordinator in the Division of Student Affairs.
Meet a 1L: Brody El Ahmar ’29L
Brody El Ahmar is from Berwick, Maine and received his undergraduate degree from American University.
Meet a 1L: Ruthie Ross ’29L
Ruthie Ross is from Seattle, Washington and received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine.
Meet a Colleague: Rachel Rowland
Rachel Rowland serves as a project manager in University Facilities.
Meet a 1L: Ethan Yeung ’29L
Ethan Yeung is from San Francisco, California and received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Meet a 1L: Chloe Plescher ’29L
Chloe Plescher is from Holland, Michigan and received her undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University.
Meet a 1L: Jarvis Chandler ’29L
Jarvis Chandler is from Chesterfield County, Virginia, and received his undergraduate degree from the Virginia Military Institute.
