Celebrate and Commemorate at W&L Alumni Weekend 2026
Alumni from the classes ending in 1 and 6 are invited to return to campus April 30-May 3 for a weekend of celebration and support of Washington and Lee.
Campaign Initiative News Archive (53 Stories)
Closing Statement
“Of the many memories that have been with me since my days at W&L, perhaps the most striking and valuable are connected with the Honor System and our Speaking Tradition… I am grateful to W&L for this training and so much more.”
Students Celebrate a Culture of Generosity During Philanthropy Education Week
From answering philanthropy-themed trivia aboard a golf cart to searching campus landmarks in a scavenger hunt, Washington and Lee University students explored how generosity shapes their campus experience during the annual Philanthropy Education Week (PEW), March 9–12.
Shining Light
Light’s recent $100,000 commitment to establish the Henry D. and Angelica Didier Light Law Scholarship, along with her planned gift and decades-long support of the university, reflects what she describes as a lifelong responsibility to give back.
Preserving a Tradition
Tom Millhiser ’81L and his wife Shelly have established an endowment to fund the purchase of the W&L Law walking sticks.
Kreitler Scholarship Honors a Life Well-Lived Through a Legacy of Opportunity
“There was never any question that Dick’s legacy would go to W&L,” said Robin Kreitler. “He loved W&L and began giving back at an early age.”
A Year of Extraordinary Momentum
Together, we are ensuring that Washington and Lee University continues to educate young women and men who truly lead lives of consequence.
Interdisciplinary Investment
The new building that serves the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics provides expanded space for state-of-the-art classrooms and collaborative gathering areas.
A Grand Reopening
The Tom Wolfe ’51 Reading Room in Special Collections and Archives received several modern upgrades to better serve the research needs of students, faculty and the community.
Beacon of Light
Over 200 people gathered Oct. 18 for the official dedication of the Lindley Center for Student Wellness, which honors the legacy of Dr. Lindley Spaht Dodson ’99.
Gratitude Through Giving
Nick Peacher ’15 and Elizabeth Bucklee Peacher ’13 strive to give back through volunteering and philanthropy to ensure others have access to the formative W&L experience they cherish.
The Gift That Changed Everything
I know I would not have had the richness in my life and the opportunities without Washington and Lee. So, it only made sense that I paid that back.
A Marriage of Minds Continues a Legacy of Giving
I feel very fortunate and honored that my parents found a way to go more than the extra mile to give back to a place so special to our family and to make this gift in a way that celebrates different pieces of our W&L experience.
W&L Class Agents Demonstrate School Spirit in Action
For nearly 100 years, W&L has benefited from engaged alumni volunteering to connect with their classmates.
W&L Celebrates Return of Five-Star Generals to Campus
The weekend marked a near record-breaking celebration for the classes of 1975 and earlier.
A Natural Segue
"Ralph commented when he made his gift that he hopes it will inspire others to follow suit."
Late Summer Update on Campus Construction Projects
Several campus projects have been completed in time for Fall Term.
W&L Law Welcomes Impressive Law Class of 2028
The class includes 131 students from 28 states and D.C. and four countries, representing 96 undergraduate institutions.
Team Player
When Jackson Stokes ’25 walked across the stage in May to accept his Washington and Lee University diploma, he was certain that while he was leaving the campus behind, the community would travel with him for the rest of his life.
Fundraising Records Shattered as Campaign Momentum Builds
The W&L Fund, the university’s annual giving program, reached new heights, surpassing its $10.65 million goal with $10,891,247 — the largest amount in W&L’s history and marks a 4.4% increase over last year.
Tackling the Bucket List
Students in the Outing Club’s new pilot Spring Term program had the chance to step outside their comfort zones one more time before Commencement.
Best Practice
Dr. Charles Frankum ’90 lays claim to being one of the few surgeons in the country who flies himself to appointments at rural hospitals.
Remarkable Women
At the 2025 undergraduate Commencement, Barbara Jenkins ’92L, Kate Jenkins Howard ’99 and Kylie Therrien ’25 became the first female triple generation legacy at Washington and Lee University.
Teeing Up for the Next Shot
Washington and Lee University and Lexington Golf and Country Club (LGCC) are collaborating to undertake a complete renovation of the club’s golf course and ancillary facilities, which will support W&L’s top-performing golf teams and revitalize LGCC — Virginia’s second-oldest country club — to benefit the Lexington-Rockbridge community.
Williams Investment Society Grows Dividends for Long-Term Success
Founding alumni launch challenge gift and campaign to support Huntley Hall and student experience.
A Renaissance Man Remembered
When David Peterson, professor of history emeritus, died in 2023, he left a bequest to Washington and Lee University’s History Department. The unrestricted gift allowed the department to utilize the funds as it determined would best serve today’s students.
A Courageous Step
As Yuchen Qian ’25 prepares to graduate with degrees in politics and philosophy and a minor in German, he reflects on the many facets that shaped his Washington and Lee University experience and on his less-than-linear path to get here.
$30 Million Gift will Create New Admissions, Financial Aid and Conference Center at Washington and Lee
Washington and Lee University has announced a $30 million anonymous gift to create Founders Hall, a new state-of-the-art building that will bring together the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid and the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity.
W&L Celebrates Record-Setting Reunion Attendance and Giving
Alumni returned to campus to celebrate W&L’s annual spring Alumni Weekend.
American Dream
Tolu Olubunmi ’02 has made her journey to citizenship an opportunity to inspire and serve others.
W&L Law Increases Campaign Goal After Record-Breaking Fundraising Year
Following Washington and Lee University School of Law’s record-breaking fundraising year, the Board of Trustees approved a new goal of $55 million for the school last October for Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee.
Preserving the Future
Robert Balentine '79 and his wife, Betty, are recipients of the 2025 Cynthia Pratt Laughlin Medal from the Garden Club of America for their preservation work at the Southern Highlands Reserve.
Looking Forward and Giving Back
The Class of 2025’s Senior Gift Committee co-chairs have already sailed past their monetary goal as they look toward Commencement.
Bridging College and Career
As Andrew Barnett ’02 and his wife, Tori, contemplated how they could play a role in the lives of future Washington and Lee University students, they knew they wanted to make a gift that exemplified their values.
Spring 2025 Update on Campus Construction Projects
The Williams School and Lindley Center remain on schedule for completion before Fall Term 2025, while several campus improvement projects will begin this summer.
Celebrate and Give Back at W&L Alumni Weekend 2025
Alumni from the classes of 1975-2010 are invited to return to campus May 1-4 for a weekend of celebration and the presentation of the 25th and 50th reunion gifts.
Washington and Lee University to Renovate Special Collections Space
The research and reading room for the Special Collections and Archives will be updated and renamed in honor of Tom Wolfe ’51.
W&L Celebrates Third Annual Philanthropy Education Week
Washington and Lee University celebrated its third annual Philanthropy Education Week (PEW), March 10-13, highlighting the transformative impact of philanthropic contributions on the student experience.
The Right Direction
Stephen Welker ’05 honors his past by shaping the future.
Philanthropy Education Week Kicks Off March 10
The four-day event emphasizes the vital role of philanthropic contributions in enhancing the student experience at W&L.
Bill and Wendy Payne Champion W&L’s Institutional History Museum with $3.5M Gift
Trustee issues challenge for support of the project.
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.
Nathan Urquhart ’01: Investing in the Future
When Nathan Urquhart ’01 visited with some W&L professors on campus, he saw the need for the Williams School facilities expansion firsthand.
Generations of Generosity
The importance of philanthropy is a value that Billy Webster ’79 instilled in his children from a young age.
W&L Launches $650 Million Capital Campaign
Washington and Lee University announced on Friday, Oct. 25, the launch of a $650 million comprehensive capital campaign, Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee.
Historic Gift Allows Washington and Lee University to Adopt Need-Blind Admissions Policy
Alumnus Bill Miller donates $132 million to expand access and affordability.
Celebrating an Extraordinary Legacy
Pat and Marshall Nuckols’ estate gift supports scholarships and student opportunities.
Catalyst for Change
The Jeffrey G. Lawson ’68 Endowment funds leadership roles in the DeLaney Center.
Agents for Success
The enduring legacy of W&L's Class Agent volunteers.
Trust in W&L
Continued support from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation demonstrates the power of endowed giving.
Legacy of Outdoor Exploration
The Matelich Endowment enhances Outing Club experiences.
Lindley’s Legacy Lives On
Washington and Lee's new student wellness center has inspired generous support.
A Fortunate Obligation
Billy Webster ’79 has worn many hats at Washington and Lee throughout the years: student, alumnus, parent, supporter, Trustee and volunteer, to name a few. The stalwart graduate is now taking on, arguably, his most significant role to date — chair of Leading Lives of Consequence, the university’s comprehensive capital campaign.
