President Archive (24 Stories)

In the NewsDecember 4, 2025William C. Dudley Named President of Claremont McKenna College

He will complete the current academic year at W&L and begin his new role on July 1, 2026.

On CampusDecember 16, 20242024: The Year in Review

2024 was exceptional by any measure. Here are some of the notable achievements of our students, faculty and staff over the past 12 months, all of which were possible thanks to the generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends.

In the NewsFebruary 11, 2024Wangdali C. “Wali” Bacdayan ’92 Sworn in as Rector of Washington and Lee University

The board elected Bacdayan as the university’s 32nd rector during its October 2023 meeting.

On CampusDecember 12, 20232023: A Year in Review

Washington and Lee is a remarkable place, and 2023 gave us many reasons to celebrate. We continue to attract exceptionally talented students, our faculty provide them with an outstanding education, and they enjoy excellent post-graduate opportunities. Here are just a few highlights:

In the NewsOctober 21, 2023Wangdali C. “Wali” Bacdayan ’92 Named Next Rector of Washington and Lee

Wangdali C. "Wali" Bacdayan '92, a current trustee of Washington and Lee University, will be the next rector of W&L’s Board of Trustees. The board unanimously elected Bacdayan as the university's 32nd rector during its meeting in Lexington on Oct. 21, 2023. He will assume his duties at the conclusion of the February 2024 meeting, succeeding Michael R. McAlevey '86, who has been rector since 2020.

NewsJuly 16, 2023Statement Regarding the Relocation of Plaques to a New Exhibit in University Chapel

Four historical plaques relocated on campus are being installed in a new exhibit in University Chapel.

AccoladesJanuary 10, 2023Melanie Wilson to Serve as President-Elect of AALS

The AALS House of Representatives voted to accept Wilson’s nomination as the 2023 President-elect. Wilson has served the AALS in numerous capacities, including membership on its Executive Committee since 2020.

On CampusDecember 14, 20222022: A Year in Review

2022 was a remarkable one for Washington and Lee by any measure. In addition to the full program of academic and extracurricular activities and campus events that we enjoyed this year, we have many reasons to celebrate this remarkable institution and give thanks for the tremendous community that makes our success possible:

In the NewsApril 13, 2022Michael Hill Named Inaugural Director of the DeLaney Center at Washington and Lee

Michael Hill, professor and chair of the Africana Studies program at Washington and Lee University, has been named the inaugural director of the University’s new DeLaney Center, an interdisciplinary academic center for teaching and research on Southern race relations, culture, and politics.

In the NewsMarch 25, 2022Melanie D. Wilson Named Next Dean of Washington and Lee University School of Law

Melanie D. Wilson has been named the next dean of Washington and Lee University’s School of Law. She will also hold the Roy L. Steinheimer Jr. Professorship in Law.

In the NewsOctober 15, 2021W&L Welcomes New Trustees Betsy Pakenas ’94 and Jonathan Wortham ’04

Pakenas and Wortham joined the W&L Board of Trustees on October 15.

In the NewsOctober 13, 2021Cassie Hunt Named Executive Director of Strategic Analysis at Washington and Lee University

Cassie Ritter Hunt, executive director of advancement operations at Washington and Lee University, has been named executive director of strategic analysis, effective October 18. She succeeds Tim Diette, who will join the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty as its executive director this month.

In the NewsOctober 12, 2021Washington and Lee University Selected as SHECP Academic Home

Washington and Lee has been selected as the new academic home of the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty (SHECP) following a competitive application process. Tim Diette has been named executive director of the consortium.

In the NewsJuly 27, 2021W&L to Name New Center of Southern Race Relations, Culture, and Politics in Honor of Ted DeLaney

Washington and Lee University will name a new interdisciplinary academic center for teaching and research on Southern race relations, culture, and politics in honor of late professor of history emeritus Theodore “Ted” Carter DeLaney Jr. '85.

In the NewsJune 2, 2021Maria Feeley Named Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Washington and Lee University

Maria A. Feeley '97L, vice president, general counsel, secretary and interim director of athletics at the University of Hartford, has been named chief legal officer and general counsel at Washington and Lee University.

In the NewsMay 5, 2021Chawne Kimber Named Dean of the College at Washington and Lee University

Chawne Kimber, Thomas Roy and Lura Forrest Jones Professor of Mathematics, head of the Mathematics Department, and co-director of the Hanson Center for Inclusive STEM Education at Lafayette College, has been named dean of the College at Washington and Lee University.

On CampusApril 14, 2021Secretary of the University Jim Farrar to Retire

James D. Farrar Jr., secretary of the university and senior advisor to the president at Washington and Lee, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2021.

In the NewsNovember 11, 2020W&L Joins Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance

Washington and Lee University is among the 51 inaugural member institutions* of the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance, a new initiative from the University of Southern California's Race and Equity Center.

In the NewsNovember 10, 2020Lena Hill Named Provost at Washington and Lee University

Lena Hill, dean of the College and professor of English and Africana studies at Washington and Lee, has been appointed to be the university’s next provost, beginning July 1, 2021.

In the NewsOctober 5, 2020Michelle Lyon Drumbl Appointed Interim Dean of the Washington and Lee School of Law

Michelle Lyon Drumbl, Robert O. Bentley Professor of Law and director of the Tax Clinic at the Washington and Lee University School of Law, has been appointed to a one-year term as interim dean of the law school effective July 1, 2021.

Public Lecture January 7, 2020W&L’s Director of Institutional History Presents 2020 Founders Day Address

The title of Lynn Rainville’s talk is “Untold Stories of Founders, Leaders and Other Visionaries at W&L.”

In the NewsJanuary 7, 2020Elizabeth Oliver Appointed Interim Provost at Washington and Lee University

Elizabeth Goad Oliver, associate dean of the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics and Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor of Accounting, has been appointed to a one-year term as interim provost at Washington and Lee University, effective July 1, 2020. She will return to her position as associate dean in July 2021.

SustainabilitySeptember 9, 2019W&L Updates Climate Action Plan

Washington and Lee University has already exceeded carbon-reduction goals for 2013 and 2020. The latest updates keep the university on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

In the NewsMarch 18, 2019Lynn Rainville Named Director of Institutional History at Washington and Lee

Lynn Rainville, community initiatives fellow at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities and former dean of Sweet Briar College, will be the inaugural Director of Institutional History at Washington and Lee University.