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.
Distinctly Dubyuhnell Archive (255 Stories)
Where Tradition Meets Entrepreneurship: The University Store’s Student and Alumni Connection
The University Store has become an unexpected incubator, offering a platform to launch and grow entrepreneurial ventures.
Midnight Breakfast: A Tradition Worth Staying Up For
Since 1992, the W&L community has come together to provide students with sustenance and camaraderie during finals week.
Record Attendance Marks the Sixth Washington and Lee Real Estate Forum
Washington and Lee's Real Estate Forum, held October 8–9, saw record-breaking attendance at its sixth biannual event.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
Finding Their Passions on the Podium
W&L’s choral conducting mentorship program helps students find and follow their passions through music and mentorship.
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.
Electric Mondays
Students in Jon Erickson's Electrical Circuits course are learning through teaching local elementary school students.
‘Welcome to the Rock Wall’
The Outing Club debuts two new climbing structures on campus.
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.
W&L Celebrates Another Year of Fellowship Success
Another record-setting year for nationally competitive fellowships at W&L can be attributed to forward-thinking educators, hard-working students and an encouraging fellowships director.
Art in the Right Place
Students in Elliott King’s Spring Term class, “Modern Art in Barcelona,” are being steeped in Spanish art, history and architecture during an unforgettable educational trip to Barcelona and Madrid.
W&L Celebrates Brain Awareness Week with Local Elementary School Students
Students from W&L’s Neuroscience Program hosted an event for local elementary students on March 18.
Stepping Up to the Plate
Mitchell Salvino ’23 is spearheading a fundraiser with his W&L baseball teammates to benefit the Angel Fund.
W&L Community Reacts to Invasion of Ukraine
Members of the Washington and Lee University community are responding to last month’s incursion by offering educational opportunities and raising funds for relief efforts.
W&L Presents Lifelong Learning Series on Sustainability
W&L faculty and alumni will share their efforts on creating a more sustainable future.
W&L Hosts Inaugural Greek Leadership Institute
The two-day training provided leadership development opportunities designed specifically for W&L’s Greek community leaders.
Students Encouraged to Apply for a Johnson Opportunity Grant in 2022
The grant provides funds to support W&L student projects across the United States and worldwide.
Turkeypalooza!
The annual Turkeypalooza event at Washington and Lee University's Campus Kitchen involves hours of volunteer work to help make a happy Thanksgiving for members of the local community.
W&L Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
The Latin Student Organization planned and organized the events in collaboration with the Office of Inclusion and Engagement.
The Class of 2024 Begins a More Typical Year
As the academic year began, the Class of 2024 participated in multiple in-person events that allowed them to network and learn more about the many resources available to them at W&L.
Program Spotlight: The Outing Club
For many students at Washington and Lee, the Outing Club is about more than an outdoor adventure — it's about finding a place that feels a little bit like home.
W&L Gathers to Honor Fallen in 9/11 Attacks
The Washington and Lee University community remembered the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, with a memorial ceremony and placing of 2,977 American flags on Stemmons Plaza.
Mudd Center Announces 2021-22 Lecture Series on Daily Ethics
"Daily Ethics: How Individual Choices and Habits Express Our Values and Shape Our World” kicks off Sept. 27 with a keynote address by Professor of Philosophy Cheshire Calhoun.
W&L Celebrates the Class of 2020
The official Commencement ceremony for the undergraduate and law Classes of 2020 will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on campus.
W&L Prepares to Welcome Parents and Family Members to Campus
Parents and Family Weekend 2021 is scheduled for Oct. 1-3.
W&L’s Recipe for Fellowship Success
A record-setting year for nationally competitive fellowship awards at Washington and Lee University can be attributed to forward-thinking educators, hard-working students and a persistent, encouraging fellowships director.
Appreciating Lexington’s Location
W&L's students and visitors will find lots to explore in and around Lexington this year.
Program Spotlight: First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience program is designed to familiarize new students with the people and programs that make Washington and Lee such a special place.
W&L Expands Friendship Family Program
The initiative matches participating W&L students with local host families interested in connecting.
W&L’s Myers Quoted in America Magazine
Professor Barton Myers was recently quoted in an article titled “Private and religious groups are starting to pay reparations for slavery – but it’s nowhere near enough.”
W&L Presents Faculty Lectures in Weeklong Series
W&L’s Office of Lifelong Learning presents an inside view of ongoing research from university faculty July 19-23 titled “Beyond the Classroom: Frontiers of Faculty Research.”
Campus Kitchen at W&L Receives Donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
The donation will support the Campus Kitchen Backpack Program.
W&L Names Kim Robinson University Registrar
Robinson succeeds Jamie Kipfer, who is departing the role on June 30.
Program Spotlight: Office of Community-Based Learning
Community-based learning is an educational approach that integrates learning and mentorship with community engagement.
W&L’s Miranda Honored with New Library Collection
The Miranda Collection for Native American Library Acquisitions will feature books by Native American and Indigenous authors and literature on relevant topics.
Mapping the Past
As part of a community-based learning course in collaboration with Rockbridge Regional Tourism and the Rockbridge Historical Society, Washington and Lee University students researched and mapped Black-owned businesses that thrived in Lexington during the Jim Crow era.
Immerse Yourself in Spring Term!
It's the most wonderful term of the year, so keep an eye on @wlunews social media and this post for a daily dose of W&L's deeply engaging four-week term.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor to Deliver Hoyt Lecture in Classics
Nandini Pandey’s lecture is titled "Diversity, Desire, and the Exotic in Ancient Rome (with some thoughts on Atlanta)."
W&L’s Student Activities Treats Students to Local Adventures
Reimbursable experiences include the Virginia Safari Park, Natural Bridge, Hull's Drive-in, and coffee and a pastry at Season's Yield Farm.
Washington and Lee Announces March Community Grants
Washington and Lee University’s Community Grants Committee has made 12 grants totaling $37,000 to nonprofit organizations in Lexington and Rockbridge County.
Reliving Constitutional History in the Classroom
Twelve students at W&L are creating their own version of the U.S. Constitution in Professor Lynn Uzzell’s politics course.
W&L’s University Jazz Ensemble Presents ‘Students in the Spotlight’
The W&L community is invited to an in-person concert on April 8.
The Show Must Go On Camera
The cast and crew of W&L’s upcoming Bentley Musical, “Little Women,” tackled a host of pandemic-related challenges to produce a film version of the show that will be screened for audiences March 30-April 2.
W&L’s Staniar Gallery Presents 2021 Senior Art Theses
The students’ work will be on display in Staniar Gallery starting March 29.
W&L’s Staniar Gallery Presents Renowned Artist LaToya Ruby Frazier
The April 8 talk is titled "Art as Transformation: Using Photography for Social Change."
W&L’s Weissman to Give Anne and Edgar Basse Jr. Author Talk
Jeremy Weissman will talk about his recent book, “The Crowdsourced Panopticon: Conformity and Control on Social Media,” on March 31.
Museums at W&L Present Gallery Talk
The community is invited to a virtual talk on April 7 titled "Women in the Arts: Out of the Margins, Into the Light."
W&L Hosts 15th National Symposium of Theater and Performance Arts in Academe
Highlights include live performances of works written from artists and scholars nationwide.
Harvard’s Katrina Forrester is Next Speaker in Mudd Lecture Series
Katrina Forrester will give a virtual lecture on March 25 at 5 p.m. as part of W&L’s Mudd Center for Ethics series.
W&L’s University Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Present Outdoor Concert
The W&L community is invited to an in-person outdoor concert on April 5.
Banding Together
Students and faculty in the W&L Music Department refused to let COVID-19 silence them, instead embracing creative protocols to continue making music together in person.
Record Number of W&L Students Awarded Critical Language Scholarships
Six undergraduate students received Critical Language Scholarships, which will provide them the opportunity to study language intensively during summer 2021.
Blending the Past and the Present to Produce Stimulating Art
In a recent in-class project, seven W&L students used materials found around campus to discuss a broader historical narrative and create a piece now on display in Staniar Gallery.
Community Grants Committee: Call for Proposals
The deadline for submitting a proposal for the Spring 2021 evaluation is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021.
W&L Presents a Conversation with Hank Green
On March 13, W&L’s Contact Committee and Science, Society, and the Arts will present an evening with New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur and video creator Hank Green.
W&L Presents Canciones Españolas
On March 5, nine W&L music students will present a recital of songs and arias in Spanish.
University Museums Reopen to Campus Community
On Feb. 26, W&L’s museums and art galleries reopened to current W&L students, faculty and staff for in-person visitation.
Career and Professional Development Presents ‘Foundations of Career Development’ Series
The Feb. 23 event is part of a series covering key career development topics such as professional documents, developing your story, networking, interviewing and succeeding on the job.
Set in Stone
Debris from the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing found its way to W&L’s Special Collections, where it heightened one class’s understanding of a powerful Japanese novel.
W&L Celebrates Black History Month
W&L presents a monthlong schedule of events celebrating Black History Month.
International Students Bond Over Unusual Term
At the start of the academic year, 17 first-year international students began their W&L experience in Scotland. Today, they are taking courses in Lexington as a unique group of friends.
W&L Introduces Minor in Religion
The university’s new religion minor requires completion of six courses and complements any major.
Community-Based Learning Thrives Amid COVID-19
The pandemic has presented challenges to working and learning within the community, but virtual and distanced projects have allowed those partnerships to continue to bear fruit this year.
W&L Students Partner with Project Horizon to Make Life Skills Book
Students in Professor Dayo Abah’s Principles of Public Relations class worked with a Lexington nonprofit to make a life skills book for clients who are trying to get back on their feet.
W&L Hillel Wins Election Contest
Hillel International’s civic engagement initiative challenged campuses across the country to get students engaged in the presidential election, and W&L Hillel led the way.
Minority Student-Athletes Form New Campus Group
The Perry Minority Athlete Coalition aims to boost the W&L community.
W&L Hosts Successful Virtual Entrepreneurship Summit
This year, 222 people tuned in to watch and participate in the annual summit.
W&L Faculty Embrace Hybrid Instruction
The COVID-19 pandemic has failed to hinder Washington and Lee University professors, who have adapted creatively to teach both in person and virtually this term.
AIM Summer Program Doubles in Size
Forty incoming first-year students participated in this year’s virtual Advanced Immersion and Mentoring (AIM) Scholars Summer Program, giving them an auspicious start to their W&L careers and a chance to help their peers this fall.
Language Academies Adjust to Virtual Summer
The Virginia Governor's World Language Academies this year celebrated the 10th year at W&L and adapted to virtual programming in light of the global pandemic.
Jewish Fellowship Thrives in Virtual Times
With help from Hillel International, Director of Jewish Life Maggie Shapiro Haskett has been able to successfully adapt programming to suit the new normal.
Parsing a Pandemic
Fifteen W&L faculty members and two alumnae have signed on to help teach a Fall Term course that will cover multiple aspects of the COVID-19 crisis.
Facilitating Community-Driven Communication
The ESOL program at W&L, founded in 2001 to facilitate communication in the local community, now serves dozens of non-native English speakers each year with teaching, tutoring, translation and interpretation services.
‘A Real Justice Issue’
Bridget Bartley '21 interviews Shiri Yadlin '12, director of Just Homes, a nonprofit that helps faith communities address homelessness in D.C.
Seeing Students Through Uncertain Times
Washington and Lee University’s Student Affairs staff worked tirelessly to support students through the COVID-19 pandemic and the move to virtual instruction.
Supporting Campus Online
W&L was well prepared for the switch to virtual instruction, thanks to investments made long ago and the people of its Information Technology Services office.
Spring Term Goes Virtual
Spring Term courses aim to provide innovative, one-of-a-kind educational experiences to W&L students. Online instruction during COVID-19 led to many new opportunities.
The Beat Goes On
Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, some Washington and Lee University journalism students learned that the news stops for nothing — not even a global pandemic.
Hamills Put Stamp on W&L Lacrosse Programs
Alex '13, Parker '17 and Hudson Hamill '20 have all thrived at Washington and Lee, their father's alma mater.
Career Planning During a Pandemic
Career and Professional Development Dean John Jensen '01 and his staff are busy providing career advice for Generals navigating a tricky economic landscape.
A Place to Call Home
Washington and Lee University matches incoming students to halls and roommates by hand to create communities in which students can thrive.
Roll-Up Pianos Help Seniors Graduate
Eight of the 23 students enrolled in music instructor Shuko Watanabe Petty’s Piano I and II classes had no piano at home. When instruction went online, she found a way to help.
United by Dance
When the 25 members of W&L’s Repertory Dance Company were dispersed by COVID-19, director Jenefer Davies found a creative way for them to perform together again.
Bridging the Distance
W&L’s admissions office is replacing in-person events canceled due to COVID-19 with personalized online outreach.
Stepping Up to Help Out
During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Washington and Lee University community are finding ways to lend a hand with community relief efforts.
How W&L Prepared for Online Success
Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Washington and Lee University’s CARPE and Academic Technologies offered expertise and resources to faculty preparing for online courses.
Community Projects a Win-Win for Lexington and W&L
Washington and Lee University's Office of Community-Based Learning has partnered with Lexington on projects that provide real-world learning experiences for students while also advancing the city's goals.
W&L LEAD Banquet Award Nominations Recognize Student Leadership
Nominations for W&L’s LEAD Banquet Awards allow any member of the university community to recognize a student or group’s outstanding contributions in one or more of 23 areas.
27th Mock Convention this Weekend at Washington and Lee
W&L’s Mock Con, one of the most ambitious student political research projects in the country, this year aims to predict the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
App Brings Mock Con into Digital Future
An all-student team has created a versatile app for Mock Con 2020, bringing ticketing, program information and image sharing onto attendees’ phones and eliminating thousands of pages of printed material.
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.
Timely Course Tackles Impeachment
Professor Bob Strong’s Fall Term course on presidential impeachment borrowed lessons from real events in Washington.
Getting Their Start in Art
For Darcy Olmstead '21 and Lindsey Hewitt '21, analyzing art in the Netherlands and the U.S. with Professor Erich Uffelman has been an educational 'dream come true.'
Community-Based Learning Tackles Food Insecurity
W&L courses in economics and biology used community-based learning to engage in partnerships and make an impact on food insecurity at a local level.
Rocked by Nature’s Power
After learning about natural hazards and their impact on society, students in this geology course took a mind-blowing field trip to Mount St. Helens.
Washington Spring Term at 30
One of W&L's signature programs, the Washington Spring Term Program introduces students to Capitol Hill, up close and personal.
Quick Hit: Field Herpetology
In Professor David Marsh's Spring Term class, the Blue Ridge Mountains became a living laboratory for the study of salamanders.
Drawing the Line on Gerrymandering
Special Topics in American Politics: Minority Rights and Gerrymandering challenged students to redraw the Virginia House and Senate districts to improve the election process.
A Day on the Green
As part of an immersive Spring Term sociology course, students created a campus-wide event to serve as a real-world study on inclusivity.
The Power of Change
The W&L Village PowerDown Challenge called for students to reduce electricity consumption for a month, and they came through with energy and creativity to win a grand prize that included a therapy dog visit.
Women in the Outdoors Month
For Women's History Month, the W&L Outing Club hosted a series of events to highlight and encourage female participation and leadership in outdoor adventure.
A Brave New World
In the Genetic Engineering and Society SIn the Genetic Engineering and Society Spring Term class, students focus on the intersection of science, medicine, law, agriculture, ethics and public policy.pring Term class, students focus on the intersection of science, medicine, law, agriculture and public policy.
This Class is No Snooze
Current Advances in Psychological Science: Sleep, Health and Society, a Spring Term course taught by Ryan Brindle, explores the basics of sleep, why people need it, and the impacts of sleep deprivation.
Get in on the Spring Term Action!
We asked professors to share course materials and discussion questions to offer a sneak peek at the breadth of opportunities available during the best term of the year.
W&L to Offer New Minor in Entrepreneurship
The new minor combines a liberal arts education with rigorous business training.
Drawing Inspiration from Nature
Students in the Spring Term course Drawing in Place practice observational drawing in a beautiful setting near Lexington.
Snapshots from Spring Term
Our favorite term is well underway! Here is a glimpse inside some of the many fascinating courses being taught off-campus this year.
Stage Set for W&L Mock Con 2020 Kickoff
The keynote speaker for kickoff weekend will be John Heilemann, a political journalist who hosts Showtime’s “The Circus” and serves as a political analyst for MSNBC and NBC News.
Photo Class Pictures the Past
Professor of Art Christa Bowden's Spring Term course, Antique Photo Processes, focuses entirely on 19th-century photo processes.
Entomeal Awarded First Prize in W&L’s Business Plan Competition
Six student teams, selected from 11 semi-finalist teams, participated in the annual W&L Business Plan Competition finals on Saturday, April 6. The teams took home a total of $7,000 in cash prizes.
Appalachian Trail Becomes Interdisciplinary Classroom
The Geology and Archaeology departments collaborated with W&L's Outing Club to create a fun, educational hike just a short drive from Lexington.
Building a Bridge Across the Globe
Thanks to an exchange program funded by the Japanese government, a group of W&L students spent Washington Break immersed in the culture of Japan—and welcomed Kanazawa University students to W&L one month later.
2019 LEAD Banquet Recognizes Leadership Across Campus
The event celebrated many individual and student accomplishments.
Serving Others Is Her Style
Fon Teawdatwan '19 has led three service trips to Charleston, West Virginia, for Volunteer Venture, a service-learning, pre-orientation program for incoming students.
New Aerial Dance Part of W&L Repertory Dance Co. Program
The program will include multifaceted dance works created by nationally renowned choreographers, as well as new aerial dance technology.
VIDEO: From Seed to Table
At W&L, sustainability starts with a seed and blossoms into sea change. Take a peek inside our gardening and composting effort to see how it's impacting our community — and the future.
An Interdisciplinary Carnival
The Science, Society and the Arts conference at W&L, which takes place March 15-16, brings together people of all disciplines to celebrate the good work taking place within the university community.
Postcards From Washington Break
Washington Break at W&L is about exploration, whether that discovery involves Texas mountaintops, Japanese culture or career opportunities in New York.
In Their Own Words
MaKayla Lorick '19 is collecting oral histories from African-American alumni, faculty and staff as part of a project that aims to include those missing perspectives in Washington and Lee University's history of desegregation and integration.
Exploring Corporate Responsibility
A market research project generated by W&L students is helping a Danish company to align its initiatives with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Grand Slam for Little Hands
What A Racket, a nonprofit community service organization founded by Catherine Savoca '19, teaches Rockbridge-area kids the fundamentals of tennis and fitness.
Quick Hit: Winter Wonderland
They call it Winter Wonderland, but it's more like a winter candyland — and it's one of the most popular W&L events of the year!
25 and Counting
At prestigious labs around the country, W&L students have pushed themselves and the frontiers of science in the quest to find a cure for a rare disease.
Decoding Technology, Opening Doors
Women in Technology workshops introduced Ruopeng Zhang '21 and Caroline Blackmon '19 to basic web development in a collaborative and fun environment. They urge other students to take advantage of the next round of workshops.
Radical Rebirth
Beth Staples reinvents W&L's Shenandoah magazine with a commitment to diverse voices and intensive collaboration.
No Stone Unscrubbed
Members of the W&L Outing Club spent a recent Saturday cleaning graffiti from rocks at Devil’s Marbleyard.
Bringing Everyone to the Table
Ben Capouya '20 interviews Victoria Kumpuris Brown '98 about her career in food policy and health at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Quick Hit: Friday Underground Gets Spooky for Halloween
The weekly coffeehouse event took a chilling turn to celebrate All Hallows' Eve.
W&L to Host Second DataCon Event
The event will focus on how data is shaping sports, entertainment, and healthcare.
Sustainability House Peddles Green Transportation
The house's new Bike Shop offers free and low-cost rentals, lessons on bike maintenance, and opportunities for exploring the outdoors on two wheels.
The Interaction Between Health and Poverty
James Ricks '21 interviews Dr. Jonathan Wortham '04 about his work with the Centers for Disease Control.
Filling the Gaps
In response to student demand, Washington and Lee University has added three new interdisciplinary minors to enrich its curriculum.
W&L Graduates Secure Highest Pass Rate of Any U.S. Institution on CPA Exam
Of the W&L graduates who took the exam, 89.5% passed one or more sections on their very first attempt.
Walking in Sunshine
Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center’s Lexington branch recently held a grand opening celebration for a nature trail built by Washington and Lee University engineering students through a community partnership.
Destined for Public Service
Balen Essak '20 interviews Maisie Osteen '14L about her experiences with the Shepherd Program and as an assistant public defender.
Scaling the Entrepreneurship Summit
Jesse Evans '20 spent his summer ensuring that this year's summit, which took place Sept. 21-22, would be a success.
Habitat Hotel Takes on Lexington’s Housing and Hotel Shortage
A philanthropic twist on AirBnB, W&L's Habitat Hotel raises thousands for much-needed affordable housing in Rockbridge.
Quick Hit: Students See Sustainable Farming in Action
During The Leading Edge Pre-Orientation Program on sustainability, first-year students were treated to a visit to Polyface Farms in Swoope, Virginia.
Finding Beauty Behind Bars
After taking a course at Augusta Correctional Center, two W&L juniors helped to organize an exhibition at the university featuring artwork by artists who are incarcerated. The exhibit is entitled “Unfreedom of Expression.”
Welcome Class of 2022!
Members of Washington and Lee's newest class arrive on campus and talk about why they chose W&L.
‘A Seriously Huge Operation’
W&L Campus Kitchen summer interns practice leadership development through community service.
Eastern Art Meets Western Virginia
Dr. Ling-ting Chiu, a Fulbright Scholar and assistant professor of history at Soochow University in Taiwan, spent the summer at Washington and Lee studying the works of former W&L professor and artist Professor I-Hsiung Ju.
‘Many Different Perspectives’
Students in the Cape Town Summer Internship Program gain professional experience and a better understanding of South Africa’s culture.
Alumnus Receives First ODK Endowed Scholarship in honor of Kenneth P. Ruscio
The scholarship will be the first awarded in the 2018-19 academic year.
Summertime Stints
Washington and Lee students utilize their summers through research, volunteer work and internship opportunities, both on campus and across the globe.
The Bigger Picture
Washington and Lee students partnered with Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse members to create a 32-foot community mural around the theme of recovery.
Into the Great Wide Open
The A. Paul Knight Internship Program in Conservation, named in memory of a late Washington and Lee student, turns 30 this year. It has provided internships to 132 students and is still going strong.
W&L to Host 7th Annual Entrepreneurship Summit
The summit will take place Friday and Saturday, September 21-22, 2018. Alumni registration is now open.
Sand Trackers
Professor David Harbor and his Spring Term class chased particles of sand from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Barrier Islands and the high plains of Utah.
Sifting Through the Past
Donald Gaylord's Spring Term class introduced students to archaeological lab methods through hands-on experience, readings and field trips.
Washington and Lee Graduates 441 Students at 231st Commencement
In his Commencement address, president Will Dudley encouraged the Class of 2018 to take the habits they have learned at W&L "and change the world, one small encounter at a time.”
Three W&L Students Awarded 2018 Critical Language Scholarships
Elizabeth McDonald heads to Japan, Emily Austin to Indonesia and Riley Ries to Kyrgyzstan.
Make Some Noise for Education
W&L’s University Collections of Art and History partnered with Professor Eric Moffa’s teacher education class to create a fun lesson plan for local middle school students.
Working for Unity and Change
Ayo Ehindero ’21 and Julia Habiger ’21 created an initiative to bridge the gap between Greek life and minority students.
Mission to Monterrey
Daniel Rhoades '19 joined a group that traveled to Monterrey, Mexico over Washington Break to continue a STEM program for elementary school students.
Journalism Students Win SPJ Awards
In addition, stories by two students were chosen as finalists in the SPJ Mark of Excellence national competition.
‘We Decided to Be Proactive’
Reese and two friends brought the First-Generation Low-Income Partnership to W&L, where it provides resources and a voice for students.
The Most Wonderful Term of the Year
Spring Term allows W&L students to focus intensely on one topic for four weeks, or to create an experience that is unique to their educational path.
W&L Faculty and Staff Lace Up for First-Annual 5K
In total, 89 members of the W&L community ran the race.
Two Student Teams Tie for First Place in Business Plan Competition
Students enrolled in Dr. Shay’s BUS 399 Entrepreneurship capstone course took home a total of $11,000 in cash prizes.
Meeting a Challenge
A group of five W&L students, along with Linda Hooks, Professor of Economics and Head of the Economics Department, recently attended the Annual Conference of Undergraduate Women in Economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign.
Washington Break: More than a Vacation
Washington Break gave students a chance for learning and personal development, as well as all-out fun.
Getting a Leg up on Health
W&L women track athletes teamed up with Rockbridge Area Community Services for RunJumpThrow, a national program that teaches kids about physical activity.
O’Hare Headlines 7th Annual AdLib
The VP of global brand communications for adidas delivered the keynote address at a daylong advertising and marketing conference full of networking opportunities for students.
Quick Hits: Crux Climbing Competition
Students gathered at the bouldering wall in the Outing Club Barn to reach new heights in a friendly competition.
The Shape of the Maury
Robert Humston's Aquatic Ecology class collected ecological data about the Maury River in preparation for the removal of Jordan's Point Dam.
W&L Names Garrett LeRose ’07 Head Football Coach
LeRose previously served as the program's assistant head coach and coach of tight ends and wide receivers.
The Path to Learning
A team of Washington and Lee engineering majors is designing and building a walking trail for children served by Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center’s Lexington location.
Quick Hits: Setting the Stage at Lenfest Center
Students play a key role in creating the visual styling for upcoming productions by the theater department.
Oh, the Places They Went!
Whether doing research on campus or traveling across the world for internships and projects, W&L students made the most of summer 2017. In the new year, we invite you to take a look back at everything they accomplished.
A Study of Song
A grant from the Endeavor Foundation allowed Xiaoxia Yin '20 and Sesha Carrier '20 to study traditional folk singing in China.
‘Dream Team’ Recreates 15th-Century Florence
Professor George Bent and his team of students are working on a digital recreation of Florence that Bent describes as the “project of his career.”
Past, Present and Future
Celebrating a major milestone in the Shepherd Poverty Program.
Quick Hits: Third-Annual Arabic Lunch
Students, faculty and staff gathered to sample tantalizing treats and learn some Arabic words at this year's event.
Shepherd Program Celebrates 20 Years
Here’s a look back at important milestones that shaped the program through the years. Pictured: Tom '52 and Nancy Shepherd, who made the gift that funded the Shepherd Program.
First-Year Seminars: From Poverty to the Past
Professors share the inspiration for their first-year seminars, and what they hope students will take away.
Energized by Research
A grant from the Endeavor Foundation allowed engineering students Alfred Rwagaju '18 and Kennedy Gibson-Wynn '18 to spend the summer studying hydroelectric power in Rwanda.
Down By the River
Over the summer, students worked with Professor Robert Humston to examine the potential effects of smallmouth bass on native brook trout populations in the Virginia watershed.
UVa Sociology Professor to Keynote W&L’s Shepherd Program 20th Celebration
Following the theme “Poverty, Inequality and Work Today,” the talk is titled "The Tumbleweed Society: What Happens When People Assume Job Insecurity Is Inevitable."
Students Hit the Road for Reading Days
During Reading Days, some students went on short trips that complemented the service and learning they experience on campus.
Slideshow: Backstage with ‘The Addams Family’
The show will run Thursday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Oct. 29.
‘A Beautiful and Complex Country’
A grant from the Endeavor Foundation allowed Tiffany Ko '20 and Jiwon Kim '20 to study religion in South Korea during summer 2017.
Preserving Snippets, Smidgens and Scraps of History
Mary Catherine Greenleaf '19 collected and archived artifacts revolving around the Prohibition-era murder of Franklin Crosby Bearse.
VIDEO: Appalachian Adventure 2017
Appalachian Adventure, which takes students on a four-night hike of the Appalachian Trail, is the most popular pre-orientation trip at W&L.
VIDEO: Sustainability Leadership Trip
Students on the Sustainability Leadership pre-orientation trip had a chance to meet local food producers and learn about W&L's commitment to the environment.
VIDEO: Packing for Appalachian Adventure
Check in with head sherpas as they pack for Appalachian Adventure, one of W&L's Leading Edge pre-orientation programs for first-year students.
Advanced Research Cohort Program Marks Second Successful Year
Twelve Class of 2021 students visited W&L for a five-week Advanced Research Cohort program that allowed them to dabble in STEM projects and establish quality relationships.
The Sound of Music
Professor Chris Dobbins and Ben Whedon ’18 are reviving a forgotten musical score for its 21st-century premiere by the W&L Orchestra.
Animation, Consternation and Elation
An independent-study class at W&L allowed students to put together a short animated film from start to finish in only 12 weeks, but it turned out to be much more challenging than they expected.
Loud and Proud
Receiving a thunderous standing ovation after performing in the Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall in New York was “truly one of those great life events” for the University Singers, according to Director Shane Lynch.
Art in the Open
Students in Meg Griffith’s Spring Term art class created public works of art to draw attention to important causes in the community.
Class of 2017 Video: ‘What We’ll Miss’
Diplomas have been handed out and caps have been tossed. In this video, members of the Class of 2017 discuss what they'll miss most about Washington and Lee.
Rules of Engagement
Professor Angie Smith's spring term class grapples with the question of just war theory in an age of terrorism.
Entrepreneurial Journalism
Helping the Charlotte Observer figure out what, where, when and how millennials consume news.
Class of 2017 Move-In Video: Commencement Edition
Take a look back at the Class of 2017 as they moved into W&L dorms as first-year students.
Unpacking the Resiliency of the Human Spirit
The spring term class asks: What possibilities does law offer after massive political violence has occurred, and what are the limits of law after massive political violence?
Heart and Soil
Dashiell Dericks ’18 and Jesse Evans ’20 are selling saplings grown from Colonnade oak trees in a new business that marries Dericks' love of silviculture and his fondness for W&L.
Smiles for Miles
Brett Becker '18 and the W&L Pre-Dental Club teamed up with Rockbridge Area Health Center to distribute dental supplies to more than 700 local children.
Solar-Enabled Products Win W&L’s 7th Annual Business Plan Competition
Three student teams took home a total of $7,000 in W&L's annual Business Plan Competition.
The Great Robot Race
Physics and engineering students at Washington and Lee put their creations to the test in the final week of Winter Term.
From Volunteering to Mountaineering
Whether they were doing service work in Birmingham, touring firms in NYC, or climbing an ice-encrusted mountain in New Hampshire, Washington and Lee students made the most of Washington Break.
SABU Looks Back at Eventful Black History Month
In February and early March, performances, panel discussions, film screenings and lectures put the focus on black history and the black experience at Washington and Lee.
University Singers to Perform at Carnegie Hall April 1
The group was chosen to perform, along with only three other choirs from around the nation, after a highly competitive selection process.
Ingredients for Social Change
A multi-disciplinary Community-Based Research project gave Washington and Lee University students a chance to help local organizations take a closer look at access to affordable healthy food.
Packing a Nutritious Punch
Sejal Mistry ’17, a biology major and poverty studies minor, has completed a service project that aims to improve the nutritional value of foods in the Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee’s Backpack Program.
Careers in Motion: Tara Loughery ’18
Meet Tara Loughery, a junior who was considering going pre-med, but decided to pursue a different path after the STEM Career Trip to Richmond.
Careers in Motion: Olivia Sisson ’17
Meet Olivia Sisson, a senior who has wanted to be an artist since she was little - but didn’t know how - about her experience on the Humanities Career Trip to New York.
A Passion for Fashion: Carley Sambrook ’17
Meet Carley Sambrook, a senior who has the know-how to explore her dream thanks to the Fashion Career Trip to New York.
Careers In Motion
Over Reading Days, three groups of students traveled out of Lexington - and into the “real world.” Their goal was to find alumni and recent graduates who had found success in their fields of interest - and learn from them.
Georgia On My Mind
Richard Bidlack, the Martin and Brooke Stein Professor of History, writes about reconnecting with a former student in her hometown of Tbilisi, Georgia, 27 years after she was an exchange student at W&L.
Liz Tarry ’17, AdLib Co-Chair
"It's been exciting to serve in this role and see others get interested in the advertising field, as well as having the opportunity to spend time and plan with several fabulous members of the Williams School staff."
Meet the 2017 AdLib Leadership Team
The 2017 AdLib Conference is scheduled to take place March 2-3.
Isabelle White ’17, AdLib Media and Brand Strategy
"The conference is a great way to meet and network with alumni, and a leadership role with AdLib allows more opportunity to speak with and gain valuable advice from alumni in my interested field."
Camille LeJeune ’17, AdLib Co-Chair
"When you’re involved with a large-scale project like AdLib that’s sponsored by the school, you come to learn that your work is a reflection of W&L as a whole."
W&L Researchers See Coral Decline
Geology professor Lisa Greer, who has been taking students to Belize since 2011 to monitor the health of coral reefs, said their research indicates that the latest El Niño, on top of global climate change, may be harming the Belize Barrier Reef.
Panel: Discrimination against Muslims Hurts Everyone
Members of the W&L community packed a room at Elrod Commons on Nov. 3 to hear four faculty members discuss discrimination against Muslims in America.
Catching Waves
Jamie Hayes ’17 spent two summer months in New Zealand, where he conducted research that could eventually help to improve the diagnosis of gastrointestinal ailments.
Many Shades of Green
A call for student proposals related to sustainability projects provided valuable results for the campus and community.
International Outing
James Dick, director of student activities and outdoor education, led a group of 10 students, alumni and faculty on a hike through the foothills of the Himalayas.
Net Gains
A dozen Washington and Lee University lacrosse players spent a week this summer volunteering with children in Nicaragua, sharing lessons in lacrosse and life through a nonprofit called Lacrosse the Nations.
W&L Launches Advanced Research Cohort (ARC) Pilot
12 Exceptional Students Experience a Unique Summer Program Aimed at Increasing Retention in STEM
Design/Build/Fly
Using the university's IQ Center to fabricate some of the parts, students designed an airplane for an engineering competition.
Uncommon Courses: Mad Men
Hit Show Inspires Spring Term Course on the Politics of Race and Gender.
Learning in London
Seventeen W&L students spent the summer as interns in England as part of the university's London Internship Program.
Student Sustainability Projects: Many Shades of Green
New student-sourced sustainability initiatives get the green light on campus.
A Taste of Spring: PHYS 102: The Physics and Perception of Music
Students learn how two seemingly different disciplines are intertwined together in harmony.
Talking Points: Modern Professional Presentations
Modern Professional Presentations is Not Your Average Public Speaking Class.
Trail Blazer: Gabrey Means ’92
Experiential marketing puts Gabrey Means '92 and her clients in unexpected places.
Digital Classics: Exploring the Wine-Dark Sea
Professor Michael Laughy uses digital technology in the classroom to study ancient Greece.
Sparking Creativity: The IQ Center
State-of-the-Art Facility Encourages Creative Use of Technology Across the Curriculum.
Art and Technology: Strange Attractors
W&L's IQ Center and Dalí Studio Assistant Collaborate to Create Innovative Art.
They’re Playing His Song: Brandt Wood ’88
Brandt Wood '88 sweats the details to create one-of-a-kind venues and live music events.
Defending the Herd
Biology professor Bill Hamilton and his students continue to research the effects of a growing bison population on the ecology of Yellowstone National Park.
An Affair to Research
What can today's digital tools tell us about a scandalous crime that happened in Paris more than 100 years ago? A trio of W&L researchers is working to find out.
Intro to Nanoscience
A Spring Term course helps students with little or no science background understand the scientific principles that govern our world.
Land in Lakota Culture, Economics and History
W&L professors collaborate on a Spring Term course about American Indians and land.
The History of Ghosts
A Washington and Lee Spring Term class examined the history of ghost belief and local ghost lore.
From Art to Finish
A new Spring Term class has an English professor and an art professor teaming up to guide students through writing and illustrating a comic book.
International Endeavors: Njoya and Biegel
Amirah Ndam Njoya and Jenna Biegel taught at a summer camp for rural children and researched drinking-water quality in Cameroon.
International Endeavors: Ortiz and Paniagua
Alejandro Paniagua and Kevin Ortiz participated in an internship with an organization called Fundación Quiróss Tanzi, which works to improve the public education system in Costa Rica.
International Endeavors: Wei and Howell
Spending a summer in Wuhan, China, with fellow junior Wan Wei gave Olivia Howell a taste of Chinese culture — literally.
International Endeavors: Mayol and Sheppard
Spending a summer in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Juan Cruz Mayol and Sam Sheppard worked with two engineers on product development and testing efforts for an eco-friendly snowboard.
International Endeavors: Kumar and Daichinkhuu
Rising seniors intern at a pro-democracy NGO that works on community development in Mongolia.
Study in Contrasts
W&L students partnered with Augusta Correctional Center inmates for a new class that opened eyes and challenged stereotypes
Encouraging Smiles
Sophomore Brett Becker has started the Pre-dental Club for Washington and Lee students who want to study dentistry and to volunteer in the community.
Engineering Opportunity
Angel Vela de la Garza Evia '18 and Walker Brand '18 built assistive technology to help the employees at Rockbridge Area Occupational Center do the jobs they love.
From Virginia to Germany
Four students at Washington and Lee University's Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics are participating in the U.S.-German Internship Program
Innovations: The Souper Bowl
Area restaurants come together to benefit the Campus Kitchen's backpack program on Sunday, Jan. 25.
