A Quarter-Century of Service
W&L’s experiential service-learning program celebrates 25 years of making significant impact in the community.
Experiential Learning Archive (159 Stories)
Vital Volunteer
Leon Tong ’28 has incorporated community engagement into every aspect of his W&L experience.
Campus Kitchen Looks Back on 20 Years of Growth
Over the past two decades, Washington and Lee's Campus Kitchen has expanded opportunities for the surrounding community and W&L students to address food insecurity.
Laying the Groundwork
Alexis Thompson ’27 and Maria Eduarda Gomes Saff Ferreira ’27 have contributed to foundational research under the guidance of assistant professor of cognitive and behavioral science Nikki Lee.
Choosing Chile
Grace Rustay '27 explored her career aspirations and the Chilean landscape while studying abroad at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
W&L Joins the Project Pericles National Consortium for Civic Learning
Membership in the consortium gives the university access to grants and fellowships that support civic learning for students and the local community.
Welcoming New Students to W&L
Washington and Lee’s approach to orientation helps new students find community and begin classes with confidence.
Enjoying the Ride
Jay Margalus, Johnson Professor of Entrepreneurship and Leadership, discusses his summer experience on a bike tour across Iowa and its parallels in pedagogy.
Zanita Akinkugbe ’27: Summer in Pictures
Zanita Akinkugbe '27 shares snapshots from her summer internship with Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center.
Local Impact
Community-Based Learning interns leave their mark on Rockbridge County.
W&L’s DART Fellowship Participants Gain Valuable Experience in Lab Research and Patient Care
Maren Barclay ’27, Beamlak Abebe ’28 and Martha Afoakwa ’27 spent their summer in research labs across the country through the DART Fellowship program.
A Full-Circle Summer
Four rising sophomores spent their summer cooking, gardening, delivering food and grant writing for Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee.
What’s Next for Joyce Yoo ’26
Yoo, a chemistry major, will be attending Rice University to pursue a doctorate in chemistry.
Exploring the World
Johnson Enhancement Funds Open up Opportunities for W&L Johnson Scholars.
Malachi Zarahn ’28 Becomes First W&L Student Selected for UVA’s Roadmap Scholars Initiative
The two-year program is designed to help students chart their path into the legal profession.
Campus Kitchen and the Connolly Center Cook Up New Ideas
A new partnership between the Campus Kitchen and the Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship is giving student food businesses a commercial home on campus.
Interdisciplinary Innovation
Three new Spring Term Abroad courses allow the liberal arts ethos to shine as professors in different disciplines combine forces.
Going Global
Since its inception in 1971, Washington and Lee’s Spring Term Abroad program has taken countless students around the world with unique classes focused on immersive learning.
Four Years in Focus
Senior Ryan Doty reflects on his time at Washington and Lee and the experiences he’ll carry with him into his next chapter.
W&L Introduces New Language Partner Program
A new student-initiated program at Washington and Lee invites the campus and wider Rockbridge area communities into informal world language practice.
Celebrating Two Decades of Dance
Alumni returned to campus March 25-28 to celebrate 20 years of dance at W&L with current students and faculty.
Making Civic Magic
Shepherd Program students spent their Winter Term imagining how to create healthy spaces for civic discourse in the Rockbridge area.
W&L Holds 2026 Leadership Excellence Awards
The annual banquet recognizes the many individual and group accomplishments of W&L students within the past year.
W&L’s University Libraries Celebrate a Milestone Birthday
Washington and Lee’s university library system held its 250th anniversary celebration March 11-12 with events and programs that highlighted the library’s past and present.
250 Years of Learning
Washington and Lee University’s library system celebrates a quarter millennium of scholarship.
Behind the Lens
DeLaney Filmmaker-in-Residence Nich Perez invites W&L students into the world of documentary film with two new film projects screening in Stackhouse Theater this spring.
Educational Odyssey
Ashton Evans ’26 reflects on a W&L experience full of mentorship, global learning and skills she will carry with her for life.
W&L Adds New Creative Writing Major
Washington and Lee's new creative writing major helps students hone their craft.
Winter Reading Recs
Washington and Lee University’s library staff recommend their current favorite winter reads.
W&L’s DART Internship Program Places Students in Cutting-Edge Research Labs
At prestigious labs around the country, W&L students have pushed themselves and the frontiers of science to help those with a rare disease.
Making Space for Makerspaces
W&L students have access to cutting-edge tools and technology through W&L’s commitment to hands-on pedagogy.
Students Encouraged to Apply for a Johnson Opportunity Grant in 2026
The grant provides funds to support W&L student projects worldwide.
W&L Without Borders
Brandon Bishop ’26's journey shows how W&L’s global opportunities, language instruction and fellowships can transform a student’s path.
New MESA and Arabic Minors Broaden W&L Students’ Horizons
Washington and Lee’s new Arabic minor grew out of its innovative, interdisciplinary Middle East and Southeast Asian Studies program.
The Perfect Match
Washington and Lee students connect with local schools through the Burish Program.
Finding Her Voice
Isabel Duarte ’26 found a path at W&L that blends music and science in perfect harmony.
The Language of Humanity
Professor of French Mohamed Kamara describes his interconnected teaching, scholarship and service.
Cosmic Connections
W&L students studied samples of moon rocks from NASA to better understand the geological history of Earth, discovering new ways to view the world around them.
2025 Ball Award Winners Make an Impact in Students’ Lives
Alina de Zoysa ’25 and Henry Chen ’25 are applying lessons learned at W&L to their work helping K-12 students succeed.
Shepherd’s Summer Interns Make an Impact Around the World
The Shepherd Program offers undergraduates three distinct pathways to complete its eight-week, full-time summer internship, each designed to deepen students’ understanding of poverty.
Rare Student Research Opportunity
The W&L Art Museum has released a new digital catalog of the Groke Mickey collection of rare Chinese fan paintings.
Washington and Lee’s Community-Based Learning’s Summer Internship Program Reaches New Heights
W&L’s Office of Community-Based Learning sent its largest-ever internship cohort into the local community this summer.
Bringing W&L to Santiago
Four Washington and Lee University students traveled to Santiago, Chile, this summer through the CIEE Summer Global Internship program.
W&L Student Empowers Her Community through Davis Projects for Peace
Anshika Patel ’26 spent her summer scaling up an initiative offering public health education and vocational training in her community.
Studying Salamanders
Summer Research Scholars Brian Kim ’26 and Ansley Stotts ’27 have spent their summer conducting field research in a unique outdoor classroom.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Stu Gray
Stu Gray, associate professor of politics, discusses philosophy, teaching collaboratively with students and being mindful in a technological world.
A Model of Sustainability
Students explored real-world applications of sustainable business practices in the Social Innovation in Scandinavia Spring Term Abroad course.
Shepherding Curiosity
Two innovative sociology research projects conducted in collaboration with professor of sociology Jonathan Eastwood give “networking” a whole new meaning.
Entrepreneurship Summit Connects Students and Alumni With Shared Interests
The 2025 Entrepreneurship Summit brought students together for networking, honing their pitch skills and sharing ideas with alumni.
Following the Money
The Follow the Money workshop and Spring Term course bring W&L students together with business journalists from across the nation.
Student Organization Spotlight: International Student Mentors
W&L’s International Student Mentors Program pairs new international students with upper-division students to help them navigate life on campus.
Office Space: Jay Margalus
Jay Margalus, Johnson Professor of Entrepreneurship and Leadership and director of the Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship, offers us an office tour.
Connecting a Global Movement
Students in W&L’s Bonner Program spent the last year creating a digital map of health care networks for people experiencing homelessness worldwide.
Inside SSA
A group of students passionate about research has been working tirelessly to make this year’s Science, Society and the Arts 2025 conference an event to remember.
Innovation and Collaboration
Mackenzie Brooks, associate professor and digital humanities librarian, has made an impact on campus through her innovative and collaborative approach to teaching and scholarship.
Positivity Meets Personal Connections
Mariam Drammeh ’25 has approached research, internships and campus involvement with an eye toward a future rooted in service to others.
On Our Honor
Past presidents of Washington and Lee University’s Executive Committee reflect on how it prepared them for a life of values-driven leadership.
Student Organization Spotlight: WLUR
At WLUR-FM, Washington and Lee University's radio voice since 1967, students get an introduction to audio production, podcasting and more.
Living Lab
This fall, W&L students learned environmental field methods at a six-acre site in Rockbridge County set aside for experiential learning.
The Science of Sleep
Associate professor Ryan Brindle’s sleep lab gives students unparalleled opportunities to conduct hands-on research at the undergraduate level.
Students Share Entrepreneurial Ideas in Video Pitch Competition
Students polished their pitching skills at a video pitch competition on Dec. 6 in the Harte Center for Teaching and Learning.
Florence As It Was Chosen for National Competition
The interdisciplinary research project has been selected to participate in an open competition among medieval digital humanities projects for K-12 students.
‘To Be Where Your Feet Are’
The Kendrick Award, established in memory of Bryant Kendrick ’67, encourages W&L students to experience the natural world.
Student Organization Spotlight: Native American Student Organization
W&L’s Native American Student Organization (NASO) connects the campus to educational programming, events and resources celebrating Indigenous history, culture and community.
Minor Focus: Law, Justice and Society
W&L's Law, Justice and Society minor examines legal concepts from an interdisciplinary lens.
Project Uplift
Three W&L students partnered with an NGO in Ghana this summer to create a training program for aspiring female entrepreneurs.
Spider Sense
Nadia Ayoub, professor of biology, loves sharing her passion for open-ended scientific exploration with colleagues and students.
Spooky Action on Campus
W&L’s quantum computing program is among the first in the nation offered at a small liberal arts institution.
Opportunity to Thrive
Adhip Adhikari ’27 spent much of his summer creating a library at a secondary school near his family's home in Katmandu, Nepal.
Impacting Lives Through Words
Veronika Kolosova ’25 has explored the liberal arts experience at W&L through campus involvement and an interdisciplinary approach to her studies.
Hands-On Experience
Students participating in two new Leading Edge programs during this year’s first-year orientation were able to complete tactile projects while building community on campus.
Compassion in Action
This summer, students working with associate professor of theater Stephanie Sandberg explored the practice of compassion through the eyes of documentarians.
Snapshots of Summer
W&L students share their experiences getting to know the larger Lexington and Rockbridge community during the summer months.
Cultivating a Community of Care
Through the Davis Projects for Peace Grant and a Fulbright ETA, Allie Stankewich ’23 is building relationships with the communities she serves in East Africa.
Summer School
Elka Prechel ’26 was inspired by a Spring Term Abroad to explore her passion for teaching in France and Italy this summer.
Business in Barcelona
Eliza Spaht ’26 took a course on the economics of winemaking with the Council on International Educational Exchange’s Business and Culture program in Barcelona, Spain.
Student Organization Spotlight: First-Year Orientation Committee
The First-Year Orientation Committee has been planning since last fall to offer programming to welcome the Class of 2028 to W&L’s campus later this month.
Summer Knights
The A. Paul Knight Internship Program in Conservation, named in memory of a late Washington and Lee student, allows students to pursue their passion for environmental conservation.
Reconstructing the Past
Summer Research Scholars are spending their summer helping to bring one of the world's oldest cities to life through modern technology.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Jenefer Davies
In this month’s episode, professor Davies talks of creating and building W&L’s dance program to be a place where preconceived notions dissipate and the liberal arts education flourishes.
Summer of Growth
Addie-Grace Cook ’25, a politics major with a double minor in Middle East and South Asia studies and poverty and human capability studies, is spending her summer making an impact in the greater Rockbridge community through a Shepherd Program internship with Project Horizon.
Roots Pilgrimage
Ryan Doty’s summer passion project explored his family lineage through poetry and photography.
Summer Research Record
The Summer Research Scholars program at W&L is welcoming a record number of undergraduate students and supervising faculty and staff from a variety of academic disciplines.
Running Up the Hill
Students in Washington and Lee's six-week Washington Term program learn the pace of Washington, D.C. during their Spring Term.
W&L Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Paul Youngman
“W&L After Class” invites listeners to join W&L faculty to discuss their teaching, research and passion projects.
Leading By Example
Ben Bankston ’25 is finding opportunities at W&L to challenge himself in and out of the classroom.
Shared Language
Anthony Edwards, professor of Arabic, brings his boundless energy to his teaching, research and mentorship of students.
CBL Faculty Collaborative Generates New Community Connections
The 2023-2024 academic year at W&L saw the proliferation of several new course offerings for students through a new faculty development initiative offered by the Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL).
Unearthing History
Students, faculty and alumni gathered April 12-13 to recognize the archaeological evolution of W&L’s back campus.
W&L Student Performs at Havana Jazz Festival
A meeting with a Broadway legend allowed engineering major Zaria Daniels ’26 to take her vocal talents to Cuba.
Voices from the Generals
The Harte Center for Teaching and Learning is bringing student voices to a new podcast designed to share perspectives on transitioning to college life.
An Extraordinary Combination
Laura Murambadoro ’26 brings varied interests, a collaborative leadership style and a passion for community engagement to W&L’s campus.
Alumni and Students Connect Through Choreography
The W&L Repertory Dance Company’s alumni-student dance performance in New York City’s Center for Performance Research returned after a four-year hiatus.
VITA Program Returns
Washington and Lee students are applying their accounting skills in the community as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Student Organization Spotlight: Remote Area Medical
Washington and Lee’s chapter of Remote Area Medical takes students to remote rural areas to provide medical services and gain valuable practical experience along the way.
Special Collections Exhibit Showcases Mock Convention Memories
Washington and Lee University’s Special Collections and Archives has been working with the 2024 Mock Convention to debut an exhibit showcasing extraordinary items from past conventions.
W&L Student Consulting Group Makes Connections on Campus and in the Community
Students in the Williams School consulted on a number of projects including marketing, research and social media strategy for businesses and organizations.
Mock Con’s Presidential Gala Creates Convention Buzz
The 28th Mock Convention’s Presidential Gala on Nov. 12 offered the campus a glimpse of the upcoming excitement for the 2024 mock presidential convention.
The Space to Be Brave
W&L’s recent staging of ‘Speech & Debate’ brought its cast, crew and audience an opportunity to engage with an innovative, collaborative approach to theater.
W&L Students Curate Fall Art Exhibition
“Mohammad Omer Khalil: Musings,” co-curated by four Washington and Lee students as part of a seminar course in museum studies, will be on display in the Watson Galleries Sept. 28, 2023 through June 1, 2024.
Giving First-Year Students An Edge
Washington and Lee's Leading Edge program welcomed the Class of 2027 to campus with dynamic programs designed to build community.
Lending a Helping Hand
Washington and Lee students gain new perspectives after internships through the Shepherd Program.
W&L Around the World
Washington and Lee students explored the world this summer thanks to grant funding opportunities through the Center for International Education.
Across the Pond
This summer, Washington and Lee students experienced life in London as part of an immersive program offered through the Williams School.
Collection Connections
Washington and Lee’s Museum Artist-in-Residence Program welcomed photographer Stephanie Shih to campus in May to create new work based on the Museums’ art collection.
Live from Sweden
W&L students in this Spring Term’s “Swedish Theater” course were immersed in culture during their three weeks in Stockholm, Sweden.
The Road Less Traveled
Washington and Lee’s Class of 2023 includes nine recipients of the Certificate of International Immersion awarded by W&L’s Center for International Education.
W&L’s DeLaney Center Launches Research Project on Black Women and Desegregation
The DeLaney Center’s latest research project connects current students with a rich legacy.
Opening Minds Through Art
W&L neuroscience students recently partnered with an innovative art-making program offered at Kendal at Lexington.
Future by Design
Sharon Mendieta Ramirez ’23 has designed her W&L experience to prepare her for her career as an educator.
W&L Recognizes Student Leaders in Annual Leadership Excellence Awards
The Leadership Excellence Awards give recognition and thanks to nominated students and organizations for their many efforts on W&L’s campus.
W&L Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Michael Hill
"W&L After Class" invites listeners to join conversations with W&L's expert faculty about their teaching, research and passion projects.
Bishop ’26 and Gibbons ’26 Awarded CIE Arabic Summer Scholarship
Washington and Lee's Center for International Education awarded two students funding to study Arabic at the University of Jordan this summer.
CBL’s Faculty Collaborative Creates Connection Across Campus
CBL’s new initiative is an opportunity for faculty development, student collaboration and deepening partnerships with the surrounding community.
Student Organization Spotlight: Mock Convention
Mock Convention is gathering steam as the organization prepares for its Spring Kickoff event on March 21.
Community Voices
Students in Professor Marisa Charley’s POV102 course helped local elementary school children tell stories this fall through photovoice research.
Maximizing Her Network
Avalon Pernell ’23 credits the mentorship she received on campus as she launches her career in business journalism.
Student Organization Spotlight: English for Speakers of Other Languages
For more than 20 years, ESOL volunteers have participated in language and literacy work in the Lexington-Rockbridge area and beyond.
Finding Their Passions on the Podium
W&L’s choral conducting mentorship program helps students find and follow their passions through music and mentorship.
W&L After Class Podcast Begins Its Fourth Season
The monthly podcast explores Washington and Lee faculty's research, teaching and passion projects.
W&L’s Greek Leadership Institute Returns for Its Second Year
Washington and Lee’s second annual Greek Leadership Institute provides students with foundational leadership skills and a chance to connect before formal recruitment begins.
Community-Based Learning’s Fall Term Collaborations
Community-Based Learning’s collaborations this fall offered students an opportunity to deepen community connections.
Helping a Local Business Bloom
This fall, Washington and Lee Student Consulting tackled a new project for a local business with a sustainability focus.
Building Her W&L Experience
Sadie Charles Calame ’23 has built a well-rounded college experience through campus and community involvement.
Electric Mondays
Students in Jon Erickson's Electrical Circuits course are learning through teaching local elementary school students.
W&L Presents DeLaney Center’s Film Series
The first From Screen to Square event will take place on Monday, Nov. 7.
The FYE 100 Advantage
Students in FYE 100 benefit from collaboration from faculty, staff and students.
‘To Learn and Serve’
Ahmad Ohmid Arman ’23 arrived on campus as a Gunn Scholar in 2021 and is making the most of his long-awaited W&L experience.
W&L’s Bonner Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Alumni and friends of the Bonner Program are invited to a reception in Mattingly House during Young Alumni Weekend.
W&L Choral Program to Hold Parents and Family Weekend Concert
Join members of the W&L choral program for a Parents and Family Weekend choral concert on Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. in Wilson Concert Hall.
Author Malika Booker to Give Glasgow Endowment Reading at W&L
Booker will give a lecture on Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. in in Leyburn Library’s Northen Auditorium.
Summer Opportunities: Off the Beaten Path
Washington and Lee students blazed their own trails this summer to pursue their passions.
Summer Opportunities: The Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty Internship
SHECP internships provide work experiences that are impactful for both the students and the communities they serve.
Stepping Stones in STEM
Bonner Kirkland '23 conducted biomedical research this summer in the Children’s National Hospital’s Department of Genetic Medicine.
Pursuing Her Passions
Aishwarya Vemagiri '25 hopes her summer research experience on diet-induced obesity will lead to a career in the medical field.
Rooted in Justice
Kiera Stankewich ’25 tackled food justice in Louisville, Kentucky this summer through the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty.
Moving Fast with Meta
Collin Frazey ’23 spent his summer working for Meta's intellectual property team in the heart of Silicon Valley.
AIMing High
Washington and Lee University’s Advanced Immersion and Mentoring (AIM) Scholars Summer Program offers a residential and virtual format to meet students’ needs.
Levelling Up in London
Brendan Smith ’24 worked in the British House of Commons as a parliamentary research intern in London.
Finding Her Calling
Kristina Ayers '25 is interning at a medical clinic for the homeless in Washington, D.C. through the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty.
Summer in the City
Margaret Witkofsky '24 is researching grants for the city of Lexington, Virginia through her internship with the Office of Community-Based Learning.
Becoming a Better Scientist
Lucy Worthy ’24 is conducting clinical research and shadowing a physician at the Mayo Clinic.
‘Digging’ into a Summer Opportunity
Marcus Payne '25 is spending his summer doing geology research with Professor of Earth and Environmental Geoscience Jeffrey Rahl.
Classically Liberal Arts
Kayla Monaghan ’24 is collaborating on a Summer Research Scholars (SRS) project to enhance resources available through Leyburn Library.
Adding Value
Diwesh Kumar ’24 is developing investment banking expertise at his summer internship at Boxwood Partners in Richmond, Virginia.
Exploring the Media Landscape
Lily Mott '23 is interning this summer at News Over Audio in Dublin, Ireland, where she is finding fulfillment at the intersection of politics and journalism.
‘One Step Closer’
Sarah Burd ’24 is spending her summer working for a medical technology company in Vienna, Austria, that specializes in prosthetic limbs.
Making Meaningful Impact
Eric Bazile '25 is interning with the Austin Greater Chamber of Commerce through the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty (SHECP).
Finding the Allure of Paris
Students in Michael and Lena Hill’s Spring Term course are discovering what inspired writers of past generations.
Life on Two Legs
In this Spring Term course, Washington and Lee students are making data science look like a walk in the park.
Spring Term Course Brings CSI To Life
CSI: W&L students are learning forensic science with the help of a real FBI evidence response team.
Community Cupboards Collaboration Addresses Food Insecurity
The recent Community Cupboards collaboration with the Virginia Cooperative Extension offered students the opportunity to tackle food insecurity from a cross-disciplinary perspective.
The Flow of Influence
After receiving a great deal of support from upperclassmen at Washington and Lee University, Hannah Puckett ’23 pays it forward by dedicating her time to mentoring and counseling first-year students.
A World of Possibility
Between the classroom and her community volunteer work, Katherine Ho '23 has built a W&L experience that is already paying off in the career world.
Students Create Positive Sexual Culture Workshop
As part of a community-based learning class in the Sociology and Anthropology Department, students worked with community partners to create a workshop about positive sexual culture for first-year students.
Success Off (and On) the Field
Nick Mosher '22 always finds support at W&L, whether he's writing a thesis on Russian politics, starting an online human rights newspaper or helping the football team win ODACs.
‘What I Love About the Liberal Arts’
Amelia Lancaster '22 has used her W&L experience to explore a number of interests, ultimately finding a passion in museum studies and Chinese that has allowed her to co-curate a museum exhibition on campus.
Jules Seay ’24 Wins Fall Student Pitch Competition
Seay's business, GOES, involves using specialized greenhouses as a form of carbon capture technology.
From Lexington to Capitol Hill
Want to work for the U.S. Congress? Judging by past successes, earning a degree from Washington and Lee University is a pretty good start.
