2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards
Washington and Lee University is proud to announce this year's Distinguished Alumni Award winners
Politics Archive (460 Stories)
W&L Alumna Lane Johansen ’22 Selected for Fulbright to Poland
Johansen has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English to students in Poland.
Meet Emma Scott ‘26
Scott’s passion for the environment carries over from the classroom to opportunities on campus and beyond.
Washington and Lee Names Four Faculty Members to Endowed Professorships
These faculty have been recognized for their outstanding teaching, scholarship and service to the university.
Meet Emma Conover ’24
Leading Campus Kitchen, a student-run organization focused on addressing food insecurity, has been a rewarding experience.
Record Number of W&L Students Awarded Critical Language Scholarship
The Critical Language Scholarship Program funds a summer of overseas language and cultural immersion.
W&L’s Leslie Frederick to Present at the 2024 AACSB Assessment and AoL Conference in New York City
Frederick will serve as co-presenter for a session that demonstrates the beneficial uses of technology in the curriculum mapping process.
Lucas Morel to Deliver Endowed Professorship Lecture
Morel’s talk “Lincoln, the 1860 Election & The Future of Slavery in America” will be held March 12 in Northen Auditorium.
Meet Leif Smith ’24
Smith’s W&L experience includes finding a family in his lacrosse teammates and helping other students discover their career paths as a career fellow.
An Extraordinary Combination
Laura Murambadoro ’26 brings varied interests, a collaborative leadership style and a passion for community engagement to W&L’s campus.
Constitutional Law Expert Kermit Roosevelt III to Deliver Lecture on his Book “The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America’s Story”
The March 7 talk in University Chapel was made possible by a $5,000 grant from the Virginia Society of the Cincinnati.
Robin LeBlanc to Present Nobel Prize Symposium Talk
The W&L professor of politics will present on this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, Narges Mohammadi, on March 8 in Leyburn 128.
Pablo Abufom to Deliver Lecture on Latin American Politics
The Chilean activist’s talk will be held Feb. 12 at 5 p.m.
Meet William Dantini ’24
A global politics and economics double major, Dantini found his ‘home’ on campus with the University Singers.
2024 Five-Star Distinguished Alumni Awards
Washington and Lee University is proud to announce this year's Five-Star Distinguished Alumni Award winners
W&L Professor Quoted in Wall Street Journal Article
Politics professor Clyde Wang offers perspective on government intervention to combat declining birth rates in China.
Six W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.
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.
Carissima Mathen of the University of Ottawa School of Law to Deliver Lecture on Court Curbing
Mathen’s talk “Dilemmas of Democracy” will be held Nov. 13.
Author and Journalist Robert Kaplan to Deliver Lecture on “Empire and Anarchy”
Kaplan’s talk “Between Empire and Anarchy from the Mediterranean to China” will be held Nov. 8.
2023 Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
Washington and Lee University is proud to announce this year's Distinguished Young Alumni Award winners
W&L Outcomes: Andrew Tartakovsky ’23
Andrew Tartakovsky ’23 received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Azerbaijan.
W&L Professors Selected by the Associated Colleges of the South (ACS) for their Summer Grants for Teaching Pedagogies
Denny Garvis and Zoila Ponce de León presented a two-day online workshop on applying adaptive and interactive learning practices in undergraduate statistics courses.
W&L Outcomes: Caroline Wise ’23
Caroline Wise ’23 is working as a backcountry guide for St. Elias Alpine Guides in Alaska.
W&L Outcomes: Ellie Penner ’23
Ellie Penner ’23 received a Boren Scholarship to study Hindi in India.
‘Democracy Is Worth Defending’
The 2023 Spring Term course "Threats to Democracy" examined the form of government and explored the current challenges it faces.
W&L Politics Professor Publishes Chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Governance and Public Management for Social Policy
Zoila Ponce de León’s chapter is titled “Health Care and the Public-Private Mix in Mexico, Chile, and Peru” and appears in the Latin American section of the publication.
W&L’s Andrea Rojas ’23 Earns Fulbright to Mexico
Rojas has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Mexico.
W&L Spring Term Course to Host Former Federal Appellate Judge
The Honorable J. Michael Luttig ’76 will visit campus May 8-9 to reflect on his career and discuss his views on recent challenges to democracy and the rule of law.
Office Hours with Rebecca Harris
As well as operating her own farm, Professor Harris teaches American politics, public policy and food policy.
W&L’s Andrew Tartakovsky ’23 Earns Fulbright to Azerbaijan
Tartakovsky has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Azerbaijan, his parents’ homeland.
W&L’s James Dixon ’23 Awarded Fulbright to Taiwan
Dixon has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Taiwan.
W&L Student Presents Paper at the Greater Philadelphia Philosophy Consortium
Dylan Santella ’25 presented “Gender and The Face: Expanding Upon the Butlerian Model of Ethics” at the undergraduate conference held March 31 at Swarthmore College.
W&L’s Lily Mott ’23 Awarded Fulbright to the United Kingdom
Mott will pursue a master’s degree in digital media and society at Cardiff University.
2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards
Washington and Lee University is proud to announce this year's Distinguished Alumni Award winners
Mock Convention’s Spring Kickoff Features Former Vice President
Mock Convention made its Spring Kickoff event an informative preview of upcoming convention conversations.
The Art of: Cutting the Cord
Nancy Reinhart '00 is a midwife and health care practitioner who empowers women and families during their pregnancy.
Federal Reserve Board of Governors Member to Give H. Parker Willis Lecture
Philip Jefferson’s talk in Stackhouse Theater on March 27 is free and open to the public.
W&L Professors Publish New Edition of Politics Textbook
The fourth edition of “Comparative Politics” is a collaboration between faculty in W&L’s Department of Politics and Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Mock Convention Presents Spring Kickoff with Mike Pence and Bret Baier
The W&L community event will be held on Tuesday, March 21, at 6 p.m. in W&L’s University Chapel.
Meet Georgia Bernbaum ’25
Bernbaum is inspired by W&L’s emphasis on community-based learning.
Student Organization Spotlight: Mock Convention
Mock Convention is gathering steam as the organization prepares for its Spring Kickoff event on March 21.
2023 Five-Star Distinguished Alumni Awards
Washington and Lee University is proud to announce this year's Five-Star Distinguished Alumni Awards winners
Meet Estrella Burks-Parra ’23
W&L’s distinctive summer programming helped Burks-Parra develop her personal and professional interests.
W&L Williams School Welcomes Five Additions to its Board of Advisors
New members will serve a six-year term supporting Dean Rob Straughan and the school’s faculty members.
Two W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate student recipients.
W&L Politics Professor Publishes Journal Article and is Interviewed by Several Media Outlets
Professor Lynn Uzzell shared her expertise on the disputed document known as the Pinckney Plan.
W&L’s Kristina Lozinskaya ’22 Among 2024 Class of Schwarzman Scholars
Lozinskaya, a 2022 graduate, will receive a master’s degree in global affairs from Tsinghua University in China.
Congressman H. Morgan Griffith ‘83L Addresses Politics Class at W&L
W&L Law graduate met with professor Brian Alexander’s Congress and the Legislative Process class to discuss Thomas Jefferson’s Manual of Parliamentary Practice.
Washington and Lee To Hold 2022 Election Results Discussion
The panel will discuss "What Happened Last Night?” on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in Newcomb Hall.
Seth Cantey
Seth Cantey is an associate professor of politics and a core faculty member for the Middle East and South Asian Studies program.
W&L Center for International Education Presents Public Lecture
Kim Stanley Robinson, an award-winning author, will give a public lecture on Nov. 10 at 6:15 p.m. in the University Chapel.
‘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 Politics Professor Receives Best Article Prize
Zoila Ponce de León recognized by the Journal for Latin American Studies.
2022 Distinguished Young Alumni Awards
Washington and Lee University is proud to announce this year's Distinguished Young Alumni Award winners
W&L Center for International Education Presents Public Lecture
Professor Ayse Zarakol will give a public lecture on Nov. 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium.
W&L Politics Professor Receives Research Grant
Zoila Ponce de León will utilize the grant to study immigration and deportation in the U.S. and Brazil.
‘Save the Whales’
A passionate conservationist, Niquole Esters ’04 has crafted complex approaches encompassing multiple countries to improve ocean health and benefit local communities.
Levelling Up in London
Brendan Smith ’24 worked in the British House of Commons as a parliamentary research intern in London.
Mock Convention Welcomes Former First Lady and Daughter for Parents and Family Weekend Event
Hosted during Parents and Family Weekend, the Sept. 30 event will kick off the 28th Mock Convention.
W&L Outcomes: Jin Ni ’22
This fall, Jin Ni ’22 will pursue her master’s degree in human rights at University College London in the United Kingdom.
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.
Into the Wild
Caroline Wise '23 is spending her second summer working as an alpine guide in Alaska.
W&L Outcomes: Jackson Sharman ’22
Sharman will put his degrees to use in a position on Capitol Hill.
The Williams School Congratulates Class of 2022 Award Winners
The Williams School congratulates the Class of 2022 graduates who received awards and honors for academic excellence during their time at W&L.
W&L’s Nick Mosher ’22 Awarded Fulbright to Kazakhstan
Mosher has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Kazakhstan. He will also spend this summer receiving intensive Russian language training in Tbilisi, Georgia.
W&L’s DJ Johnston ’22 Awarded Fellowship for Arabic Studies in Egypt
Johnston was recently awarded a fellowship to the Center for Arabic Study Abroad at the American University in Cairo.
W&L’s Samantha Carley ’22 Awarded Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Georgia
Carley will serve as an English language teaching assistant in a school in the former Soviet republic.
Faces of W&L: Taylor Garcia ’22
Meet Taylor Garcia, a politics major and Law, Justice, and Society minor who plays varsity tennis at W&L.
Alex Wilkerson ’22 Wins All-American Attorney Award
Wilkerson received an All-American Attorney Award from the American Mock Trial Association.
Summer Experience: Lane Johansen ’22
Lane Johansen was inspired by an unforgettable summer in Ukraine.
Etsy’s Thomas Hughes to Speak at W&L
Hughes' public lecture, titled "Ethical Considerations for the Application of Machine Learning at Scale" will be delivered on May 2 at 4 p.m.
W&L’s Mansi Tripathi ’22 Awarded Fulbright to Colombia
Tripathi will teach English to students in Colombia for 10 months.
W&L’s Sydney Lee ’22 Awarded Fulbright to Costa Rica
Lee has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Costa Rica starting in early 2023.
W&L’s Brian Alexander and Madison Williams ’23 Featured in Fine Books & Collections Magazine
Research by Alexander and Williams on Thomas Jefferson’s “Manual and the Modern Rules of the U.S. Congress” is featured in the spring 2022 edition of Fine Books & Collections magazine.
Meet a W&L Scholar: Lane Johansen ’22
Johansen plans to head to Eastern Europe after graduation to serve Ukrainian refugees.
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.
Meet the Professor: Lynn Uzzell
Lynn Uzzell is a visiting assistant professor of politics at Washington and Lee University.
Registration Is Now Open for W&L’s 10th Annual Entrepreneurship Summit
The spring event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 29-30 on campus.
W&L’s Harris Publishes New Book on Food Policy
Professor of Politics Rebecca Harris recently published "Party Food: A Partisan History of Food & Farming in America."
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.
‘Last Best Hope’ Author George Packer to Speak at W&L
Packer offers fresh insights into how Americans can use an underlying passion for equality to lead us toward a more unified, progressive nation.
W&L’s Ponce de León Presents Research to Health Ministry Officials in Peru
Among different research findings, this study shows that there are still enormous barriers to healthcare access in Peru.
W&L’s Ponce de León Publishes Journal Article on Healthcare Reform
Ponce de León's peer-reviewed journal article focuses on the impact of political parties on healthcare reform in Peru.
Meet the Professor: Caleb Miller
Caleb Miller joined the Washington and Lee University Politics Department as a visiting assistant professor in fall 2021.
W&L Hosts Constitution Day Panel
The panel’s reenactment is titled “Reliving the Constitutional Convention."
W&L’s Morel to Participate in National Constitution Center Event
The America’s Town Hall program will explore how to understand the legacy of the American Revolution and the founders in the 21st century.
An Advocate for Recovery Resources
Katana Evans '22 used summer enhancement funds to intern with Rep. Julia Brownley's office and Recovery Organization Resources.
W&L’s Rush Pens Article in The Hill
Professor Mark Rush published an opinion piece in The Hill titled, "Partisan bias in the Constitution? Check the data."
Smarter, Faster
In a shifting media landscape, Ted Williams ’07 and Mike Allen ’86 are focused on reigniting local journalism through a new business venture.
W&L’s Morel Featured in Podcast about Juneteenth
Politics Professor Lucas Morel was interviewed for the “We the People” podcast.
W&L’s Rush Talks Election Reform in Virginia Capitol Connections
Mark Rush’s recent article titled “Is Virginia Now a Beacon of Electoral Reform? Yes, but…” appeared in the Spring 2021 publication.
W&L’s Julia Foxen ’21 Awarded U.S. Teaching Assistantship in Austria
Foxen’s USTA position with Fulbright Austria starts in October 2021.
W&L’s Ponce de León Featured Ahead of Presidential Debate in Peru
Zoila Ponce de León was featured in the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru Research Center's series "Public Policies and Debates."
Williams School Congratulates Class of 2021 Award Winners
The faculty and staff of the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics congratulate our 2021 graduates who have received awards and honors for academic excellence during their time at W&L.
W&L’s DJ Johnston ’22 Awarded Gilman Scholarship
Johnston has won a Gilman Scholarship to study abroad with Middlebury Abroad at Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco.
W&L’s Ana Estrada Hamm ’22 Awarded a Boren Scholarship
Estrada Hamm recently received a David L. Boren Scholarship from the National Security Education Program to study abroad in Jordan.
W&L’s Alexander Publishes Book on U.S. Congress
“A Social Theory of Congress: Legislative Norms in the Twenty-First Century” is the newest book on the topic of the U.S. Congress in more than 15 years.
W&L’s Ponce de León Featured in Brazilian Newspaper Brasil de Fato
The article is titled “Lava Jato deepened political chaos in Peru and splashes the 18 presidential candidates.”
W&L’s Alexander Publishes Article in Roll Call Ahead of Upcoming Book
Brian Alexander will also moderate a panel discussion, "Congressional Norms in an Era of Conflict," via Zoom on April 8, at 12 p.m.
W&L’s Strong Featured in Upcoming Documentary ‘Carterland’
Bob Strong will also participate in a panel discussion about the film and the Carter presidency on April 13 at 7 p.m.
W&L’s Morel Talks Free Speech in Persuasion Article
Politics professor Lucas Morel recently published an article in Persuasion titled “Speaking the Truth.”
W&L’s Uzzell Publishes Article about James Madison
Lynn Uzzell, who teaches in the Politics Department, recently published an article in RealClearPublicAffairs titled "Madison's Five Lessons for Overcoming Polarization."
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 Bob Strong Talks Trump Impeachment Trial in The Roanoke Times
Professor Strong’s op-ed is titled “Donald Trump and the Stress Test of American Democracy.”
‘Abundantly Thankful’ in Austria
Despite COVID-19, Jared Nickodem '20 was able to make it to Austria, where he is teaching English to students as part of the U.S. Teaching Assistant Program.
W&L’s Bob Strong Talks Student Voters in The Conversation
Strong co-authored an article in The Conversation titled “America’s newest voters look back at the 2020 election – and forward to politics in 2021.”
Africana Studies Continues Activism and Black Life Series in 2021
The series will present two events, "Looking at Blackness" and "Legislative Leverage: Democratic Processes as Activism,” in late January.
W&L’s Morel Discusses Shakespeare’s Influence on National Constitution Center’s Podcast
Lucas Morel joined other panelists in explaining how William Shakespeare’s work relates to American constitutional values.
W&L’s Alexander Discusses New Discovery about Thomas Jefferson’s Parliamentary Manual
Brian Alexander recently contributed to the Monticello blog, where he discussed Thomas Jefferson’s “Manual of Parliamentary Practice” and the impact it has on modern rules of the U.S. Congress.
W&L’s Rush Pens Two Opinion Pieces
Politics professor Mark Rush published opinion pieces in the Jurist and The Virginian-Pilot in November.
W&L’s Rush Discusses the 2020 Election
Mark Rush was interviewed on Brian Frydenborg's '04 “Real Context News” podcast.
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.
Washington and Lee To Hold Post-Election Panel
W&L will present “What Happened Last Night?” virtually on Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.
W&L’s Zoila Ponce de León Talks Women Politicians in The Conversation
Ponce de León is an assistant professor of politics at Washington and Lee University.
W&L Contact Committee Hosts Virtual Visits with Former Presidential Candidates
W&L’s Contact Committee presents two separate evenings with former presidential candidates Jeb Bush and Andrew Yang as part of a virtual speaker series leading up to the presidential election.
Mark Rush Talks Congress and the Supreme Court in Recent Opinion Pieces
Rush published op-eds in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Fulcrum in September.
W&L Student Interviewed on BBC ‘World News’
Anna Bosking, a first-year student at W&L, appeared on a BBC interview panel to discuss her perspective as a voter after last week's vice presidential debate.
Washington and Lee Hosts 9th Annual Entrepreneurship Summit in Virtual Format
The Entrepreneurship Summit will take place online on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2–3.
‘Committed to Supporting and Listening’
As Executive Committee president for the 2020-21 school year, Chase Calhoun '21 hopes to protect the Honor System and make a positive impact in areas of racial inequality and systemic racism.
Ponce de Leon Co-Authors Article on Elected Officials and Gender Bias
The article, published in the Journal of Experimental Political Science, questions whether elected officials are more responsive to men than women inquiring about access to government services.
Strong, Settle Write Piece About Nuclear Age
The commentary was published this week in The Roanoke Times.
Morel Argues for Retention of Lee Name
In a recent op-ed, W&L Professor of Politics Lucas Morel argues that in agreeing to lead Washington College after the Civil War, Lee set an example of how to accept defeat and move on.
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.
Tracking Patterns in the Pandemic
Jennifer Beam Dowd ’96 is co-managing a Facebook page, “Dear Pandemic,” to provide evidence-based advice about COVID-19 to a general audience.
Rush Addresses Electoral Reform in Virginia Capitol Connections
In the magazine piece, politics professor Mark Rush outlines steps that could end partisan gerrymandering and rid Virginia of the “antiquated” winner-take-all electoral system.
W&L Politics Professor Lucas Morel Releases New Book, ‘Lincoln and the American Founding’
In his latest book, Morel explores how Lincoln’s most vital ideas are traced back to the country’s founders.
W&L’s Zoila Ponce de Leon Talks About Peru’s Finance Minister with Global Finance
Ponce de Leon was interviewed for a story on "Peru's Rock Star Finance Minister."
W&L’s Lucas Morel Discusses Juneteenth on “The Daily Signal” Podcast
In the discussion, Morel explains why Juneteenth is a uniquely American holiday.
W&L Student Appears on “Meet the Press”
Avalon Pernell, a rising sophomore from Alabama, appeared on a “College Roundtable” segment that featured college journalists interviewing the mayor of Pittsburgh.
Jared Nickodem ’20 Awarded U.S. Teaching Assistantship in Austria
Nickodem’s USTA position with Fulbright Austria starts in September 2020.
Internship Honors Dickovick’s Profound Legacy at W&L
A group of his former students and colleagues established the James Tyler Dickovick Internship in International Affairs, Global Political Economy and the Public Interest Endowment in his memory.
‘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.
W&L’s Caroline Rivers ’20 Awarded Fulbright-García Robles Grant to Mexico
Rivers has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Mexico starting January 2021.
W&L’s Morel Featured in Podcast by The American Mind
Morel’s recent interview was included in “The 1619 Project Exposed: A Special Edition of the American Mind Podcast.”
The Right Fit
At W&L, Gareth Minson '20 has been able to forge his own educational path at the intersection of political philosophy, education policy and women, gender and sexuality studies.
W&L’s Rush Pens Op-Ed on Election Reform
Rush’s article is entitled “Saving the Voting Rights Act: Virginia as a case study for reform.”
Will Power
Will Bolton '20 has made the most of his college years by serving as president of the Executive Committee, doing ROTC training at VMI, traveling to Germany and interning for a U.S. Senator.
Canceled – W&L’s Mudd Center for Ethics Hosts Half-Day Conference
The conference is titled Ethics and Technology: Surveillance, Civil Rights, and Cyber-Security.
W&L’s Bob Strong Gives Talk at Church of the Presidents
Strong spoke on President Jimmy Carter’s pre-White House days and his complicated relations with the civil rights movement in Georgia.
W&L to Host Reception Honoring Rhodes Scholar Rossella Gabriele
The Rhodes Scholarship, which averages $70,000 per year and up to as much as $250,000, fully funds two to four years of study at the University of Oxford in England.
Behind the Image of Mock Con
As director of communications for Mock Con 2020, Annie Lentz '20 applies her love of mass communications and politics to promote and protect a 112-year-old legacy.
W&L’s Rush Discusses the Electoral College in The Fulcrum
The title of Rush’s piece is “If the electors can be faithless, why have an Electoral College?”
A Passion for Politics
Mock Con Political Chair John Harashinski '20 hopes to carry on the event's legacy of accurate predictions using lessons from courses in political analysis and leadership.
‘Studying on the Other Side of the World’
Foster Friedman '21 discusses the highlights of his experience with the Internship and Study Semester in Asia Pacific Program.
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.
Mock Con’s ‘Chief Memory Maker’
As director of operations for Mock Con 2020, Kylie Piotte '21 puts her event-planning skills to the test and finds her fit at W&L.
W&L’s Ponce de Leon Interviewed in Recent Al-Jazeera Article
The article highlights Latin American stories to look out for in 2020.
‘The Value of Multiple Perspectives’
Emma Ernst '20 attended the Student Conference on U.S. Affairs at West Point and challenged herself to explore unfamiliar aspects of policy.
‘Join the Team, Whatever It Takes’
Whether he's on the football field or in the Mock Con war room, Kyle Perel '20 never forgets about the importance of teamwork and adaptable leadership.
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.
‘No Small Task’
Luke Basham '20 parlays a passion for politics into the challenging role of Democratic Party analyst for Mock Con 2020.
Life in the Fast Lane
How Mock Con General Secretary Layne Smith '20 stays sane under the pressure of academics, Mock Con 2020 and acting as head hearing advisor for the W&L Honor System.
W&L’s Alexander Awarded Fellowship at Monticello
Brian Alexander has been awarded a domestic fellowship at the International Center for Jefferson Studies (ICJS) at Monticello.
Building on a Legacy
As general chair for Mock Con 2020, Jimmy Fleck '20 uses his political knowledge and business skills to lead a team of stand-out students toward a historic moment.
W&L’s Rossella Gabriele Among 2020 Class of Rhodes Scholars
Gabriele, a 2019 graduate, is the university’s 17th Rhodes Scholar.
Mock Con 2020 Political Team Update
With the home stretch to Mock Con 2020 just around the corner, the political team watches an increasingly contentious primary race.
W&L’s Morel Publishes Essay in The American Mind
Morel’s piece is titled “America Wasn’t Founded on White Supremacy: A Rebuttal to the ‘1619 Project.’”
Virginia Eubanks is the Fifth Speaker in W&L’s Mudd Lecture Series
Eubanks' talk is titled "The Shakedown State: Digital Debt, Economic Inequality and Automation in Public Services."
Bob Strong Discusses Impeachment in Recent Op-Ed
The title of Strong’s piece is “Impeachment and Democracy.”
W&L’s Ponce de León Publishes New Journal Article
The article presents an analysis of the main political events of 2018 in Peru.
W&L’s Rush Discusses the Electoral College in Recent Article
The Conversation recently published an article written by Mark Rush titled “The Electoral College will never make everyone happy.”
W&L Continues ‘Conversations in the Age of Trump’ Series with Peter Baker
Baker has covered four presidents for the New York Times and Washington Post: Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
W&L’s Morel Talks Ellison’s ‘Invisible Man’ in Recent Podcast Interview
The episode aired on “The Great Books” podcast series.
W&L Commemorates Constitution Day with Panel Discussion
The focus will be the "1619 Project" and the U.S. Constitution.
W&L’s Lucas Morel Talks Lincoln-Douglas Debates in New Podcast Interview
In the discussion, Morel explains the history behind the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
W&L’s Robert Strong to Address Students at Opening Convocation
Strong’s talk is titled “George Washington and Education.”
A World of Difference
The Cape Town Program, a partnership between the Williams School and the Shepherd Program, provides students with an interdisciplinary experience they'll never forget.
‘The Capacity to Pivot’
Bebe Goodrich '07 discusses her entrepreneurial journey and how it was shaped by W&L's Entrepreneurship Summit.
London Calling
For students like Lourdes Arana '21, the London Internship Program combines course work, internships and alumni support to create an unforgettable educational experience.
W&L’s Brian Alexander Talks Congress in Recent Article
The article is a part of his forthcoming book, “A Social Theory of Congress: Legislative Norms in the Twenty-First Century.”
W&L’s Ponce De León Talks Latin American Politics in New Article
The article is titled “The Changing Shapes of Latin American Welfare States."
J. Tyler Dickovick, Grigsby Term Professor of Politics, Dies at 45
Dickovick, who taught at W&L for 14 years, made a lasting impact on communities around the world.
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.
W&L’s Rush Appointed to Fulbright Specialist Roster
As a candidate on the Fulbright Specialist Roster, Rush is now eligible to be matched with projects designed by host institutions in over 150 countries globally.
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.
Find Me Shelter
Krista Camp ’13 is on the front lines of one of America’s most contentious issues — immigration.
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.
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.
W&L Hosts Executive Director of American Civil Liberties Union
Gastañaga's lecture, which is free and open to the public, is titled "Racial Justice at the Ballot Box: Moving Beyond Restoration of Rights."
W&L’s Kathryn McEvoy ’19 Earns Fulbright Award
Washington and Lee University senior Kathryn McEvoy ’19 has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Spain for summer 2019.
W&L’s Jackson Ellis ’19 Awarded Fulbright
Washington and Lee University senior Jackson Ellis ’19 has won a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Germany for summer 2019.
Learning to Lead
Garrett Clinton '20 says attending W&L is "like being dropped into a pool of opportunities.''
Gareth Minson ’20 Awarded Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship
Minson is a politics major, with a minor in women’s gender and sexuality studies.
‘You Won’t Want to Leave’
At W&L, a combination of incredible courses, extracurricular opportunities and a warm community made for an experience Will Shannon '19 calls "uniquely mine."
Tolu Olubunmi ’02, One of “15 Women Changing the World,” to Speak at W&L
Olubunmi is an entrepreneur and global advocate for migrants, refugees, and internally displaced people. Her talk, free and open to the public, is entitled “When Lions Write: Innovations in Advocacy.”
Mark Rush Talks ‘American Politics 101: James Madison and Cuba’
Mark Rush's piece was published Feb. 13 in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Marrying Research and Public Service
Zainab Abiza '19 interviews Morten Wendelbo '12 about his research focusing on economic development, humanitarian aid and food security.
Bob Strong Talks Trump’s Approach to the State of the Union
In the Feb 5. op-ed, Strong examines Trump's "norm-shattering presidential behaviors."
Former Trump Aide to Kick Off Washington Term Speaker Series
Short's lecture is part of the broader Washington Term Speaker Series, “From the Colonnade to the Capitol… and Back.”
Rachel Mourao to Give Public Lecture on News Organizations
In her speech, which is free and open to the public, Mourao will discuss the role news organizations play, not only in spinning news, but also in legitimizing topics and people.
W&L’s Zainab Abiza Among 2020 Class of Schwarzman Scholars
Abiza will receive a master’s degree in global affairs from Tsinghua University in China.
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.
Beyond One Summer
Zainab Abiza ’19 studied at Princeton and spent time in Rabat, Morocco, with a Davis Projects for Peace grant. This semester, she's working to expand her Davis project.
‘Fight for Change and Progress’
Dannick Kenon '19, who plans to attend law school and devote his career to positive social change, has co-founded a new student publication at W&L called The Vigil.
W&L Presents Five-Star Festival Midterm Election Preview
The talk is free and open to the public and the discussion will also be streamed live.
Eye on the Ball
Washington Term, study abroad opportunities and internships—including one with the Philadelphia Eagles—have helped to shape Jason Renner's plans for the future.
Salena Zito, Co-Author of “The Great Revolt,” to Speak at W&L
She will speak on the electoral shift that supported Donald Trump’s victory in 2016 and reflect upon the 2018 elections.
Polish Ambassador, Senator to Talk at W&L
In their discussion, the duo will address "Transatlantic relations between Poland and the United States."
Alexander Provides Commentary in Recent London School of Economics Blog Post
Alexander explains why we should expect to see more rule-breaking in Congress from now on.
Author of ‘Weapons of Math Destruction’ to Speak at Washington and Lee
O’Neil’s talk, which is free and open to the public, is titled, “How Big Data Promotes Inequality and Threatens Democracy.”
Ancient Text, Modern Strife
Professor Stuart Gray examines the Mahabharata with fresh eyes.
Strong Addresses George Washington’s Words in Richmond Times-Dispatch
In the article Strong argues that "Now, more than ever, we need to take George Washington’s warnings to heart."
W&L to Host Talk with ‘One of the World’s Principal Observers of Democracy’
In his talk, which is free and open to the public, Mounk will discuss the rise of populism around the world.
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.
Michael Anton to Give Constitution Day Lecture
Anton's talk about constitutional self-government and the Trump presidency will be held in Northen Auditorium on Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.
Summer in Kyrgyzstan
The Critical Language Scholarship Program has allowed Riley Ries '19 to strengthen his Russian and learn more about politics and culture in Kyrgyzstan.
Growing in German
Jackson Ellis '19 is working with a German consulting agency to help international student-athletes navigate the college application process.
Strong Op-Ed Discusses the Term ‘Tabloid Presidency’
In the Roanoke Times piece, Strong investigates the meaning behind the term "tabloid presidency."
‘Many Different Perspectives’
Students in the Cape Town Summer Internship Program gain professional experience and a better understanding of South Africa’s culture.
Rush Commentaries Featured in Multiple Media Outlets
Mark Rush, Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law at W&L, has recently discussed constitutional amendments, 3D-printed guns and electoral maps.
Making Space for Women
Ali Greenberg ’13 has opened a flexible workspace and social club in Richmond that emphasizes community for women and gender minorities.
Strong Talks Presidential Scandals in the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Strong is the William Lyne Wilson Professor in Political Economy at Washington and Lee.
Washington and Lee Names New Associate Dean of the Williams School
Elizabeth Oliver will assume the role of associate dean beginning July 1.
Three W&L Students Awarded 2018 Critical Language Scholarships
Elizabeth McDonald heads to Japan, Emily Austin to Indonesia and Riley Ries to Kyrgyzstan.
Breaking Through Financial Barriers
Senior Stephanie Williams '18 says W&L's First-Generation Low-Income Partnership (FLIP) gave her support to overcome obstacles and mentor other low-income students.
W&L’s Rush on Gerrymandering
Rush's piece was published in The Virginian-Pilot
Straughan Addresses Alumni Opening Assembly, ODK Holds Spring Initiation
ODK inducted four honorary and seven student initiates
Falchuk ’18 Awarded Fulbright to Teach in Slovak Republic
Hannah Falchuk '18 hopes to improve her cultural understanding and language proficiency in the country.
Zainab Abiza ’19 Awarded Summer Fellowship to Princeton and Davis Projects for Peace Grant
She will attend the PPIA Junior Summer Institute at Princeton followed by a service project in Morocco.
‘A Good Place to Grow’
From Lexington to London, Faith E. Pinho '18 has had a vast array of experiences.
W&L’s Strong on Trump’s Twitter Habit
Strong's opinion piece was published by NBC News THINK.
Boss of Her World
Harleigh Bean ’18 studied in Paris, spent a summer at one of Middlebury's competitive language schools and attended the Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute at Princeton University.
‘Freely and Unapologetically Myself’
Jordan Goldstein's Washington and Lee journey can be followed through her love of music, her adventures on the stage — and the length of her hair.
Connecting the Dots of the Liberal Arts
Monica Musgrave '18 is already double-majoring, but that didn't stop her from spending six-weeks in England studying two completely different subjects.
In the Belly of the Beast
Skyler T. Zunk ’19 was an intern at the White House's Office of Political Affairs.
Kiki Spiezio ’18 Awarded Clinton Scholarship
The William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship will allow Spiezio to attend the American University in Dubai during Winter Term 2018.
Women in Charge
Laura Stagno '18 saw the faces of America's future leaders, including her own, through an internship on Capitol Hill.
Legacy
Written on the occasion of the passing of Lew John
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.
W&L’s Strong On Washington’s Quest for His Stepson’s Education
Strong's piece was published in The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Jonathan Rauch Continues the “Conversations in the Age of Trump” Series
Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution will give a lecture titled “Unpresidented: Governing in the Age of Chaos.”
Former W&L Professor John R. Handelman Dies at 69
At W&L, Handelman taught popular courses in comparative politics, Chinese politics, Japanese politics, and U.S. foreign policy.
Designing Economic Policies to Reduce Inequality
John Bovay ’07, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Connecticut, focuses on the economics of food and agricultural policy
W&L Alums Missal and Sharman Discuss Public Corruption and Special Investigations
Both speakers have extensive experience as special investigators in high profile investigations involving both public and private sector work.
W&L to Host Pulitzer Prize-Winning Washington Post Reporter David A. Fahrenthold
Fahrenthold’s talk, titled "Journalism in the Time of Trump,” is free and open to the public.
Analyzing Islamic State Messaging
Zainab Abiza '19 spent the summer analyzing two Islamic State magazines in a timely project with Professor Seth Cantey.
W&L’s Alexander Discusses Chance Conversation with Dick Gregory on WCPO.com
Op-ed: What Dick Gregory taught me in a chance conversation
There’s No Place Like (a New) Home
After spending Spring Term in Ethiopia, Jack Kaelin '19 is in Austin, Texas, helping refugees find a place to call home.
W&L’s Strong Offers Historical Perspective On Presidential Approval Rating
Approval numbers rise and fall, but a few patterns persist, explains Strong.
Learning to Lobby
Jason Renner ’19 interned this summer for two lobbying firms in Washington, D.C.
W&L’s Rush Weighs in On Russia Sanctions
W&L's Mark Rush talks to USA Today about Russia sanctions.
Alumni College Livestream: The Presidency of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
This lecture is part of the Alumni College's summer program, "Camelot Reconsidered: The Presidency of John Fitzgerald Kennedy."
‘These Spaces They Imagined’
Joelle Simeu '20 is working this summer on "The Politics and Poetics of Space in the Works of Martin Luther King Jr. and Leopold Senghor," a project with Professor Mohamed Kamara.
W&L’s Strong Compares JFK to Trump on 100th Anniversary of JFK’s Birth
The following opinion piece by politics professor Bob Strong appeared in Newsweek.
W&L’s Morel on Teaching Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad”
TeachingAmericanHistory.org interviewed Morel about teaching Colson Whitehead’s award-winning novel The Underground Railroad.
W&L’s Rush Offers Opinion on Why Less Democracy is Better Democracy
Rush's piece on legislative terms appeared in The Hill.
Relationships Are the Best Prize
Participating in Mock Trial required loads of time for Avery Field '17, but he wouldn't trade the experience and relationships for a whole case of trophies.
From Global Scholar to Global Citizen: Steven Yeung ’17
Steven Yeung '17 has been in classrooms from Lexington to Ghana to Shanghai and back — and now plans to run a classroom in Japan.
Ethics in Leadership: Zachary Taylor ’17 and Austin Piatt ’17
Zachary Taylor '17 and Austin Piatt '17 believe leadership, collaboration and responsibility are the keys to a successful conference.
Leadership Through Experience: Amirah S. Ndam Njoya ’17
Amirah S. Ndam Njoya ‘17 believes leadership, travelling, service, and scholarship are all vital parts of the W&L experience.
Taking Care of (Music) Business: Austin Frank ’17
What can you do in four years at W&L? How about manage a radio show, start a service organization, found a club, or publish an EP? Austin Frank ’17 has done them all.
Global Scholar, Global Perspectives: Alora Martin ’18
Alora Martin, who is participating in an intensive language program for Arabic in Amman, Jordan, sees studying abroad as a necessary part of a modern education.
U.Va. Prof. James W. Ceaser to Speak at W&L on the First 100 Days of the Trump Presidency
James W. Ceaser, the Harry F. Byrd Professor of Politics at U.Va. and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, will speak on “The First 100 Days: Reflections on the Trump Presidency.”
Civility and Opinion in a Polarized America
Tyler Grant ’12, a graduate of Washington and Lee University and the University of Virginia School of Law, is a regular editorial contributor to several national publications.
A genuine General: Jordan LaPointe ‘17
LaPointe, who says his personal motto is "being genuine goes a long way," is a world traveler, professional debater, and Johnson Scholar.
W&L’s Connelly Writes About the Presidential Selection Process
An opinion piece about the presidential selection process by W&L's Bill Connelly appeared in The Hill.
Hannah Falchuk and ‘the Power of Conversation’
Hannah Falchuk's passion for journalism has her reporting both in New York City and local Rockbridge.
Science, Society and the Arts Presents: Yolanda Yang ‘18
Meet Yolanda Yang ‘18, who has traveled to China and back to discover the true purpose of cinematic censorship. Yang and study partner Savannah Kimble ’18 conducted research on this project in 2017 under the auspices of a grant from the Endeavor Foundation.
Bren Flanigan, World Ambassador
Bren Flanigan ’16 shares his economic skills and American culture as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Spreading the Love of W&L: Ashley Faulkner ‘18
Meet Ashley Faulkner ‘18, a University Ambassador with a passion for showing others why she loves W&L
U.Va. Philosophy Professor to Give Keynote for Mudd Undergraduate Ethics Conference
Sahar Akhtar, assistant professor in the department of philosophy at U.Va., will speak on "Why Religious and Racial Immigration Bans are Wrong."
Northwestern University Professor to Speak on the Causes and Consequences of Food Insecurity
Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, associate professor of education and social policy at Northwestern University and director of The Hamilton Project, will speak on “The Causes and Consequences of Food Insecurity.”
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.
W&L’s Morel on American Political Thought As a Resource for Improving U.S. Race Relations
Lucas Morel, professor of politics at Washington and Lee, recently participated in a scholarly exchange with UCLA professor Melvin L. Rogers, on Starting Points, an online journal of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy at the University of Missouri.
W&L’s Conner and Morel to present the John Chavis Lecture in African-American Studies
Professors Marc Conner and Lucas Morel will present the John Chavis Lecture in African-American Studies, titled "The New Territory: Ralph Ellison and the 21st Century."
W&L Goes to the Inauguration
Students were motivated to travel to the presidential inauguration in D.C. to observe democracy in action.
‘A Better World’
Kara Karcher '11 is parlaying her studies in poverty and women's and gender studies into a law career dedicated to helping women and children.
Witt Hawkins ’18 Receives Clinton Scholarship
Witt Hawkins ’18, a global politics major and mass communications minor from Memphis, Tennessee, received a William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship to attend the American University in Dubai.
W&L’s Strong Reflects on Somalia’s 1992 Thanksgiving
Bob Strong's reflection on Somalia's 1992 Thanksgiving appeared in Newsweek on November 23.
W&L’s Rush Shares a Thanksgiving Prayer
Mark Rush's "A Thanksgiving Prayer" was published in The Roanoke Times on Thanksgiving day.
“The Election and Its Meanings: An Interpretive Panel”
Washington and Lee faculty participated in a panel discussion on Thursday, Nov. 17, discussing the 2016 election from a variety of perspectives.
W&L’s Rush on Sea Change in American Politics
The following opinion piece by Mark Rush, Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law and director of international education at Washington and Lee, appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on November 6, 2016.
W&L’s Cantey Discusses Iraq’s New Museum in BBC Travel Story
Seth Cantey, assistant professor of politics at W&L, talks about Iraq's historical significance in a story for BBC Travel
Students Studying the Presidential Election Weigh In On the Issues
What do college students think about the very unusual 2016 presidential election? Read on to find out.
W&L’s Strong Weighs In on the Topic of Rigged Elections
The following opinion piece by Bob Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on October 29, 2016.
“Brexit and the Crisis of Democracy in Europe”
The Center for International Education at Washington and Lee University will present a panel discussion on “Brexit and the Crisis of Democracy in Europe” on Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Stackhouse Theater in Elrod Commons at W&L. The discussion is free and open to the public.
German Ambassador to U.S. Headlines Institute for Honor Symposium
Peter Wittig, German Ambassador to the U.S., will speak on “German Policy Toward the European Refugee Crisis” at W&L's Institute for Honor Symposium.
On the Convention Floor
Steven Yeung, who turned 21 in June, was one of the youngest members of the Virginia delegation — and one of the youngest delegates nationwide — at the Democratic National Convention in July.
Bebe Goodrich ’07
Bebe Goodrich '07 doesn't own a drip coffee maker, but she has built a fast-growing business cold brewing coffee in the tradition of her native New Orleans.
Dr. Gregory Kulacki, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, to Lecture Oct. 10 at Washington and Lee
Dr. Gregory Kulacki, the China project manager and senior analyst in the Global Security Program of the Union of Concerned Scientists, will lecture at Washington and Lee on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. in Elrod Commons 345. The title of the talk, which is free and open to the public, is “The Risk of Nuclear War between the United States and China.”
Public Policy
Denis “Pepe” Estrada Hamm and Jason Renner, both sophomores at Washington and Lee University, spent Sept. 13-15 at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
Public Policy: Pepe Estrada ’19 and Jason Renner ’19
Sophomores Pepe Estrada and Jason Renner participate in public policy discussions at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
Changing Perspectives: Hannah Falchuk ’18
Shepherd Intern Hannah Falchuk '18 works for the Bowery Residents' Committee in New York City.
W&L's Bragaw Interviewed on VA Talk Radio Network
Steve Bragaw, visiting professor of politics at Washington and Lee, was interviewed on VA Talk Radio's "Mari and Brian in the Morning" about what to expect from the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
W&L's Cantey Interviewed on VA Talk Radio
Seth Cantey, assistant professor of politics at Washington and Lee, was interviewed on VA Talk Radio's "The Weekend Show With Pattie Martin" on the 2016 presidential election.
W&L Students Will Hold Lexington Mayoral Debate
The Departments of Journalism and Mass Communications and Politics at Washington and Lee University will host a mayoral debate on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Millhiser Moot Court Room of Lewis Hall, W&L’s Law School. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
W&L's Strong Composes “The Trumpsburg Address”
The following opinion piece by Bob Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, appeared in The Roanoke Times on September 23, 2016, and is reprinted here by permission.
Student Leaders: Edward Stroud ’17 and Carley Sambrook ’17
Co-directors of W&L Student Consulting keep their teams organized to deliver for the client.
Marine Corps to CEO: John Warren ’03
Lessons learned from W&L and the Marine Corps helped John Warren ’03 create Lima One Capital to make positive impact on neighborhoods.
Uncommon Courses: Mad Men
Hit Show Inspires Spring Term Course on the Politics of Race and Gender.
William B. Allen to Give Constitution Day Lecture on Sept. 16
The Constitution Day lecture at Washington and Lee University, featuring Dr. William B. Allen, emeritus professor of political philosophy at Michigan State University, will be Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
My W&L: Joe Yankelowitz ’15
"W&L has allowed me to satisfy my need to wander."
In Depth: International Immersion
Recipients of W&L's Certificate of International Immersion reflect on their experiences abroad.
Summer Abroad: Connor Chess ’17
Connor Chess '17 spends a summer studying, working and teaching in Costa Rica, thanks to a Wooley Fellowship.
A Day in the Life: Kayla Sylvester ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Kayla Sylvester '17 Volunteers with a Local Literacy Council in South Dakota.
Interns at Work: Noelle Rutland ’17
Politics and Spanish major Noelle Rutland '17 interns for the Department of Defense.
Advocating for Opportunity: Cynthia Cheatham ’07
Cynthia Cheatham '07 finds purpose in a variety of settings as she advocates for underrepresented communities.
Faculty Focus: Mark Rush
Director of International Education .
My W&L: Anna Russell Thornton ’16
"I have been challenged to step outside my comfort zone, encouraged to pursue my passions, and nurtured as a student, a leader and an individual."
On the Convention Floor: Steven Yeung ’17
Rising senior Steven Yeung was one of the youngest members of the Virginia delegation — and one of the youngest delegates nationwide — at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
A Documentary: Mock Con
An excerpt from "Mock Con," a documentary funded by W&L's Class of 1953 and narrated by author and former CBS newsman Roger Mudd '50, on the drama and inspiration of the first 25 Mock Conventions at Washington and Lee University.
Inspired by Creativity: Amber Cooper ’12
Amber Cooper '12 brings her passion for creativity and communications to her marketing career.
My W&L: Lauren Mosely ’15
"I will always remember my time at Washington and Lee because it has helped me to grow and realize my interests."
A Day in the Life: Cole Schott ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner dives into local politics in Nashville.
Paying it Forward: Katie Baird ’10
Katie Baird '10 connects with students interested in consulting careers.
Watch: Mock Con: A Lasting Impact
Politics Professor Bob Strong reflects on the educational experience of Mock Convention.
We the People: Conversations About the Constitution
A Spring Term course helps students grasp the separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution.
A Day in the Life: Mary Ciera Wilson ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner gets a taste of state politics the Tennessee State Capitol.
My W&L: Austin Piatt ’17
"This university can open many doors for its students, most of them unexpected."
My W&L: Ferrell Carter ’16
"Both my academic and extracurricular involvement have fostered an interest in entrepreneurship, which has led me to work for a startup through Venture for America next year."
Around the World: Kate LeMasters ’15
Kate LeMasters is a politics and economics major with a minor in poverty and human capability studies from Abilene, Texas. She studied global health and development policy in Geneva, Switzerland and Rabat, Morocco, with SIT Study Abroad.
Ambassador Theodore Kattouf to Speak on Syria and the Middle East
Ambassador Theodore Kattouf, the first speaker of Washington and Lee’s 2016-18 Center for International Educational Colloquium on “Borders and Their Human Impact,” will give a lecture on Sept. 14 at 5:15 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
Fall Renewal
The return of students in the fall elicits mixed emotions. We feel the absence of those who have moved on even as we welcome the fresh and eager, first-year (FY) students.
Colin Wallace '17 Awarded Rotary District 7570 Skelton/Jones Scholarship
Colin Wallace, from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, a senior at Washington and Lee University, has been awarded the Rotary District 7570 Skelton/Jones Scholarship, previously the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship.
W&L's Strong Considers Trump Tipping Point
The following opinion piece by Bob Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, appeared on USA Today's website on August 6, 2016, and is reprinted here by permission.
Working the National Conventions
W&L was well represented by five alumni and one current undergraduate working at the Republican National Convention, held July 18-21, in Cleveland. One week later, Jake Barr ’16 worked the Democratic National Convention, held July 25 -28 in Philadelphia.
W&L's Cantey Examines U.S. Policy Toward Syria
The following opinion piece by Seth Cantey, Assistant Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, appeared on USA Today's website on July 21, 2016, and is reprinted here by permission.
W&L's Strong Quoted on MSN
Bob Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, was quoted in a recent MSN article on Why Presidential Candidates Keep Dumbing it Down.
Bren Flanigan ’16 to Serve in the Peace Corps
Bren Flanigan, a 2016 graduate of Washington and Lee University, will be putting his B.A. in economics and global politics to work with the United Nations over the summer before he departs for his posting with the Peace Corps, as a community economic development advisor in Benin.
Strong: Examining the Political Commentary on the Presidential Race
The following opinion piece by Robert Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, appeared in the May 1, 2016, edition of the Roanoke Times and is reprinted here by permission. A Catalog of Commentary on the 2016 Presidential Race by Robert A. Strong Remember when commentators thought the 2016 presidential election cycle would […]
Mellon Seminar on Human Rights in Africa Presents Next Lecture by Professor S. N. Nyeck
S. N. Nyeck, assistant professor of political science at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, will lecture at Washington and Lee University as part of the Mellon Seminar on Human Rights in Africa. The event will be April 1 at 5 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
W&L's Rush Discusses the Supreme Court Nomination on WRVA
Mark Rush, Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law and director of international education at Washington and Lee, discussed President Obama's Supreme Court nominee on The Jimmy Barrett Morning Show on Thursday, March 17, at 7:05 a.m.
The Intersection of Poverty and Health
Kate LeMasters '15 forged an educational path that took her from Lexington to the Southwest United States, Western Africa and Romania to tackle issues of poverty and public health.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Carl Bernstein Headlines W&L’s Institute for Honor Symposium
Carl Bernstein, investigative journalist and author, will deliver the keynote address at Washington and Lee University’s Institute for Honor Symposium “The Press and the Presidency: The Battle for Public Opinion in War, Peace and the Digital Age” on March 18 at 4:15 p.m. in Lee Chapel.
W&L's Rush Discusses Primary Results on WRVA
Mark Rush, Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law and director of international education at Washington and Lee, will discuss Tuesday's Virginia presidential primary results on The Jimmy Barrett Morning Show on Wednesday, March 3, at 6:35 a.m.
Matt Simpson’s Road to Rio
When Matt Simpson '12 rang in the new year of 2016, he knew it was going to be one that would change his life.
Follow Me
With the 2016 presidential campaign well underway, we’ve found several Washington and Lee University alumni on social media who are either covering the campaign or part of it. If you’re a campaign staff member or a journalist covering a candidate, please let us know, and we’ll add you to the list.
A Conversation with Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Congressman and Mock Convention Speaker Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) Reflects on the Experience of Mock Convention
W&L's Mock Convention Featured on WMRA
Mock Convention leaders Andrew McCaffery '16, Randy Karlson '16, John Crum '17 and Kevin Ortiz '16 sat down with WMRA's Jessie Knadler to discuss the convention's history, the research process, and the challenges facing this year's students in making their nomination.
W&L Alumni Named to Birmingham’s Top 40 Under 40
The Birmingham Business Journal has named Bill Fox '05 and Bebe Goodrich '07 to its 40 Under 40 list for 2016.
Analyzing Presidential Elections
Scott Thomas, who double majored in history and journalism from Washington and Lee University in 1977, has been analyzing numbers for a long time.
Faces of Mock Con: Madison Smith
An economics major who is minoring in poverty and education policy, Madison Smith is Mock Con's event planner-in-chief.
W&L’s Mudd Center Presents the Mock Con Debate: The Ethics of Citizenship
To kick off Washington and Lee University’s 2016 Mock Convention, The Roger Mudd Center for Ethics at W&L will host a debate on “The Ethics of Citizenship” on Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. in Lee Chapel. Mock Con will be Feb. 12–13.
W&L Mock Convention: At Its Core, a Research Project
The Washington and Lee University Mock Convention is a mock presidential nominating process with over 100 years of success. Every four years, Mock Convention attempts to predict who the party currently out of power in the White House will nominate to run for president of the United States.
Professor Nico Prucha to Lecture at W&L as Part of Global Fellows Seminar
Nico Prucha, a Violent Online Political Extremism (VOX-Pol) Research Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) at the Department for War Studies, King’s College London, will lecture at Washington and Lee as part of the Winter 2016 Global Fellows Seminar: Tradition and Change in the Middle East and South Asia.
Strong: A Trump Triumph Runs Against All Odds
For most of the 2016 presidential election cycle, the conventional wisdom about the Republican Party Convention has been that Donald Trump could never win the party’s nomination. He was too brash, too crude, too rude, too divisive, too inexperienced, too liberal, too strangely coiffed to win a major party nomination for the presidency.
Mellon Seminar on Human Rights in Africa Presents Next Lecture by James J. Hentz
James J. Hentz, professor and chair of the Department of International Studies and Political Science at Virginia Military Institute, will lecture at Washington and Lee University as part of the Mellon Seminar on Human Rights in Africa. The event will be Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
Professor Najeeb Shafiq to Lecture at W&L as Part of Global Fellows Seminar
Najeeb Shafiq, an associate professor of education, economics and international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, will lecture at Washington and Lee University as part of the Winter 2016 Global Fellows Seminar: Tradition and Change in the Middle East and South Asia. His talk will be Jan. 20, 2016, at 5 p.m. in Hillel 101.
Changing Perspectives: Josh White ’16, George Park ’17 and Corey Guen ’17 in San Pedro, Belize
"Our hope is that Ambergris Caye becomes a yearly destination for Shepherd Interns and our respective communities can maintain a mutually beneficial relationship."
W&L's Strong on Donald Trump and Ross Perot in the Roanoke Times
The following opinion piece by Robert Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, appeared in the Oct. 1, 2015, edition of the Roanoke Times
CAJEF Global Fellows Program Announces Four-Week Seminar
The Center for International Education at Washington and Lee University will hold a Winter 2016 Global Fellows Seminar: Tradition and Change in the Middle East and South Asia. The seminar is supported by the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation.
Williams School Launches Cincinnatus Book Club
The Williams School has launched a campus-wide book club for students, faculty and staff who want to bridge business, science and the liberal arts by coming together to read books on some of today’s most urgent topics. Discussion groups meet twice during the winter term, and the program culminates with a public lecture by the […]
Combating Childhood Hunger
Christy Felling '93 puts her communications skills to work for a good cause.
In praise of judicial activism
The following opinion piece by Mark Rush, director of International Education and Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law at Washington and Lee, appeared in the Nov. 4, 2015, edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Changing Perspectives: Arianna Nastoff ’16
Shepherd Intern at Centro Latino in Danville, Ky.
Professor Rosaan Krüger of Rhodes University, South Africa, to Speak as Part of “Human Rights in Africa” Seminar
Rosaan Krüger, dean of the faculty of law at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, will deliver a lecture at Washington and Lee University on Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.
My W&L: Nicky Peacher ’15
"I have learned that service in one's community can take on many forms."
Interns at Work: Yashna Naidu ’15
Politics major and poverty studies minor Yashna Naidu '15 interns for the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers in New Jersey.
My W&L: Jillian Katterhagen ’15
"Pursuing my passions in and outside of the classroom gave me an amazing opportunity to fuse those passions into an incredibly interconnected liberal arts education."
My W&L: Katie Strickland ’15
"W&L has prepared me to bridge the gap between policy makers and engineers and help lead our nation in a technology-driven world."
W&L “Mock Con” Documentary to Air on Virginia Public TV Stations
Narrated by author and former CBS newsman Roger Mudd '50 and funded by W&L’s Class of 1953, “Mock Con” will air on public television stations in Virginia beginning Oct. 22.
Ambassador David Shinn to Lecture on China and Africa at W&L on Oct. 22
David Shinn, professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University and former U.S. ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, will give two public lectures at Washington and Lee University.
Professor Joseph Carens to Give Keynote Address at the Ethics of Immigration Conference on Nov. 6
Joseph Carens, professor of political science at the University of Toronto, will lecture at Washington and Lee University on Nov. 6 at 4:30 p.m. in the Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons.
Professor Winnifred Sullivan Will Speak on the Politics of Religious Freedom on Oct. 26
Winnifred F. Sullivan, professor and chair in the department of religious studies at the University of Indiana at Bloomington, will lecture at Washington and Lee University on Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library, with a reception at 5 p.m. prior to the lecture.
Author Taylor Branch to Speak about “Scalawags and Big Government” at W&L on Nov. 3
American author and public speaker Taylor Branch will give a talk at Washington and Lee University on Nov. 3, at 5 p.m. in Lee Chapel. Branch will speak about “Scalawags and Big Government: How Racial History Warps Politics.” It is free and open to the public.
W&L's Strong on Jimmy Carter in the Roanoke Times
The following opinion piece by Robert Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, appeared in the Oct. 1, 2015, edition of the Roanoke Times and is reprinted here by permission. Jimmy Carter at 91 by Robert Strong Today is Jimmy Carter’s 91st birthday, a day made more poignant by the news […]
Melissa Lane to Lecture at Washington and Lee University for The Ethics for Citizenship Series
Melissa S. Lane, the Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton University, will lecture at Washington and Lee University on Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library. The event is free and open to the public.
W&L's Strong Comments on Republican Debate in Richmond Times-Dispatch
The following opinion piece by Robert Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, appeared in the Sept. 25, 2015, edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and is reprinted here by permission. Donald and the Dictionary by Robert Strong It began with twaddle. I was watching the CNN Republican presidential debate last week […]
A Students-Eye View of Higher Education Issues
by Robert Strong, Hal Higginbotham and W&L's Politics 294 Class The pages of higher education journals and newsletters are filled with commentary by faculty and administrators, higher education experts and the journalists who cover the college beat. Given the opportunity, what would students — the people who matter most in discussions of higher education — […]
Applications for Public Policy and Government Trip Due Sept. 18
The Williams School, in partnership with the Office of Career Development, will again run its public policy and government trip to Washington, D.C. over Reading Days. The trip runs from Oct. 14-16, and applications are due Friday, Sept. 18. While in the District, students will visit the offices of approximately a dozen alumni who work […]
Williams School Welcomes Nine New Faculty Members
The Williams School announces five new tenure-track faculty and four visiting appointments for the 2015-16 academic year. The following faculty members have been appointed to tenure-track roles: Elicia Cowins, Assistant Professor of Accounting Cowins received her Ph.D. from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was previously a […]
First Global Issues Seminars Will Focus on Middle East and South East Asia in 2015-16 and Brazil in 2016-17
The Center for International Education at Washington and Lee University has announced that two groups of faculty will receive support to establish Global Issues Seminars under the Global Fellows Program, which is funded with support from the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation.
Author and NYT Columnist David Brooks to speak at W&L on Oct. 1
David Brooks, an author and a bi-weekly op-ed columnist for The New York Times, will give a talk at Washington and Lee University on Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. in Lee Chapel on W&L’s campus. It is free and open to the public.
H. Jefferson Powell to Give the Constitution Day Lecture at Washington and Lee University
The Constitution Day lecture at Washington and Lee University featuring H. Jefferson Powell, a professor of law at Duke University, will be Sept. 17, at 5 p.m. in the Moot Court Room, Lewis Hall.
Jessica Hopper ’08: ABC News Digital Journalist
Presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz will be covered from all angles this campaign cycle by two Washington and Lee University alumnae. He’s got Rachael Slobodien (’06) (blogged about here) leading his communications staff, and Jessica Hopper (W&L ’08) covering his campaign as a digital journalist with ABC News.
Washington and Lee Graduate Receives ODK Leader of the Year in Athletics Award
Jillian Katterhagen, a 2015 graduate of Washington and Lee University from The Woodlands, Texas, has been named Omicron Delta Kappa’s (ODK) Leader of the Year in Athletics.
Rachael Slobodien Joins Sen. Ted Cruz’s Staff
Rachael Slobodien, who graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2006 with a degree in politics and religion, has joined the staff of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) as his communications director.
Kaylee Hartung '07: Sports Beat
The Roanoke Times caught up with Kaylee Hartung to ask her how her liberal arts education at Washington and Lee prepared her for her job as a sports broadcaster.
Kaylee Hartung ’07: Live From the College World Series
If you've been watching the College World Series on ESPN, you might have spotted Kaylee Hartung, who graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2007 with a double major in politics and journalism. This week she's in Omaha, Nebraska, reporting on the 2015 Division I baseball championships.
Hu and Katterhagen Earn Top ODAC Awards
The Old Dominion Athletic Conference announced on Monday that Washington and Lee University has swept the conference’s top scholar-athlete awards for the first time since the 2010-11 school year.
Mock Convention Spring Kickoff on May 6-9
A procession of the country’s political stars, including presidents, governors, cabinet officials and campaign strategists, has traveled to Lexington, Virginia, every four years since 1908 to participate in Washington and Lee University’s presidential Mock Convention.
W&L to Host Screening of Film “1913: Seeds of Conflict” on April 28
Director Ben Loeterman will visit Washington and Lee University to screen his new documentary film, "1913: Seeds of Conflict," on Tuesday, April 28, at 5 p.m. in the Hillel House multipurpose room. The event is free and open to the public.
First Mellon Faculty Seminar to Focus on Human Rights in Africa
The first Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Faculty Seminar, titled "Human Rights in Africa: A Transdisciplinary Approach," will take place during the 2015-16 academic year at Washington and Lee University.
Raquel Alexander Named Next Associate Dean of the Williams School
Raquel Alexander, associate professor of accounting at Washington and Lee University's Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, has been named the next associate dean of the Williams School.
Kiki Spiezio Receives Gilman Scholarship to Study in China
Katrina Spiezio of Taunton, Massachusetts, a sophomore at Washington and Lee University, has been awarded a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Spiezio will be studying abroad in China during W&L's Spring Term.
W&L to host screening of film “1913: Seeds of Conflict” on April 28
Director Ben Loeterman will visit Washington and Lee University to screen his new documentary film, "1913: Seeds of Conflict," on April 28, at 5 p.m. in the Hillel House multipurpose room. The event is free and open to the public. Loeterman uses previously unavailable documents to shed light on pre-World War I Palestine and the […]
Jonathan Berkey to Give Lecture on “Jihad, Crusade and the New World Order”
Jonathan Berkey, the James B. Duke Professor of International Studies and chair of the History Department at Davidson College, will give a lecture at Washington and Lee University on March 25, at 5 p.m. in the Hillel House.
Judge James E. Baker to Give Talk on Intelligence, Law and Ethics at W&L
James E. Baker, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, will give a talk at Washington and Lee University at 4 p.m. on March 31. The talk will take place in Classroom A at W&L's School of Law.
Ambassador Chun Yungwoo of South Korea will Give a Lecture at VMI
Ambassador Chun Yungwoo (千英宇 천영우), of South Korea, will give a lecture sponsored by Washington and Lee University on March 25 at 8 p.m. in JM Hall (the chapel) at Virginia Military Institute. The talk is free and open to the public.
Jennifer Agiesta ’00 to Give Talk on Changing Nature of Polling
Jennifer Agiesta, director of polling and election analytics at CNN, will give a talk at Washington and Lee University, on Thursday, March 19, at 6 p.m. in the Hillel House multipurpose room.
Thoughts on Lincoln
This past Saturday, Lucas Morel, the Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics and Politics at Washington and Lee University, was part of the 150th celebration of President Lincoln's Second Inaugural Speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Washington and Lee Politics Professor to Speak at Lincoln Memorial on March 7
Lucas Morel, the Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics and Politics at Washington and Lee University, will make remarks at the Lincoln Memorial as part of the sesquicentennial of President Lincoln's Second Inaugural Speech.
W&L to Premiere Documentary on Its Presidential Mock Convention Feb. 12
A procession of the country's political stars, including presidents, cabinet officials and campaign strategists, has traveled to Lexington, Virginia, every four years since 1908 to participate in Washington and Lee University's presidential Mock Convention.
W&L’s Robert Strong to Lecture on Jimmy Carter in the Civil Rights Era
Robert A. Strong, the William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University, will give a lecture at W&L on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5:00 p.m. in Huntley 327. The title of the talk, which is free and open to the public, is "Politics and Principle: Jimmy Carter in the Civil Rights Era." Strong's talk is part of the 2014-2015: Race and Justice in America and is sponsored by W&L's Roger Mudd Center for Ethics. F
Duke University Professor to Give Talk about Feminism in Islam
miriam cooke (sic), the Braxton Craven Professor of Arab Cultures and director of the Middle East Studies Center at Duke University, will give a talk at Washington and Lee University on Monday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m. in the Hillel House.
Who will run for president in 2016?
Mark Rush, Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law, writes about potential presidential candidates in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Lincoln Scholar and W&L Politics Professor Releases New Book
Abraham Lincoln scholar and Washington and Lee University professor Lucas Morel's new book, Lincoln and Liberty: Wisdom for the Ages, will be released Jan. 2, 2015.
Mark Rush, Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law, to Direct Center for Global Learning
Mark Rush, the Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law at Washington and Lee University, has been appointed the next director of W&L's Center for Global Learning.
Alex Yacoubian '16 Receives William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship to Study Abroad
Alex Yacoubian ’16, a politics and French double major from Metairie, Louisiana, received a prestigious William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship to attend the American University in Dubai (AUD) during the winter term of 2015.
Talking about Lincoln
Washington and Lee University's preeminent Abraham Lincoln scholar, Lucas Morel, the Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics and Politics, is in demand these days during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Making History
Bob Strong, the William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University and an expert on the American presidency, was in Little Rock, Arkansas, this past weekend during the 10th anniversary celebration of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center.
W&L's Rush Co-Authors Opinion Column on Opportunities for Innovation in Higher Education
Mark Rush, the Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law in W&L's Williams School of Commerce, co-wrote a guest opinion column, "Higher Ed Is an Opportunity for Innovation," published in the Oct. 14 edition of Virginia's the (Norfolk-Virginia Beach) Virginian-Pilot.
Trip to Washington, D.C., Offers Students Glimpse at Careers in Public Policy and Government
Twenty Washington and Lee students got a crash course in public policy and government when they spent Reading Days in Washington, D.C. Over the course of two days, the group visited the offices of alumni working for federal agencies, non-profits, lobbying groups, think tanks, congressional offices, corporations, and trade associations.
West Wing Reports' Paul Brandus to Serve as Executive-in-Residence Nov. 17-19
In partnership with the Department of Journalism, the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics will host West Wing Reports' Paul Brandus as its fall 2014 Executive-in-Residence.
W&L's Connelly Quoted on Anniversary of “Contract with America” in CQ Roll Call
Bill Connelly, the John K. Boardman Professor of Politics, was quoted in the Oct. 6 edition of CQ Roll Call about the 20th anniversary of the Republican 'Contract with America' election.
Nathaniel Deutsch, Co-director of Center for Jewish Studies, to Lecture at W&L
Nathaniel Deutsch, professor of history at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he is also co-director of the Center for Jewish Studies, will give a lecture at Washington and Lee University on Monday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m. in Sydney Lewis Hall, classroom B.
Muddying Waters of Religious Protection
Mark Rush, the Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law at W&L's Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics, published an op-ed about the U.S. Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision in the July 1 edition of The Virginian-Pilot, Virgnia's largest newspaper.
W&L Professors Lead Ellison Seminar at the Library of Congress
In the Ellison Reading Room of the Library of Congress on May 22, W&L professors Marc Conner and Lucas Morel led the library's second Ralph Ellison Seminar for an international cohort of Ellison experts talking about the importance of his writing to 21st-century America.
A Moderate's Manifesto
Bob Strong discusses the challenges of political moderation in the May 22, 2014, edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Annelise Madison and Alvin Thomas Awarded Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion
Annelise Madison of Roca, Neb., and Alvin Thomas of Skokie, Ill., seniors at Washington and Lee University, have been awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion, the university's highest student honor.
On Prayer, Court Abandons Practicality
Mark Rush discusses the Supreme Court's recent decision on prayer at local government meetings in the May 13, 2014, edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Two Kemper Scholars Selected from W&L This Year
Christopher Curfman, of Altoona, Pa., and Edward Stroud of Shreveport, La., first-year students at Washington and Lee University, have been selected from a group of finalists for the incoming class of the prestigious Kemper Scholars Program.
W&L Announces Final Winners of 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants
Washington and Lee University has announced the final round of students who will receive 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants. The grants cover living, travel and other costs associated with the students' proposed activities, which are designed to help them with their future careers and fields of study.
W&L Politics Professor on the Supreme Court's Recent Affirmative Action Ruling (video)
Professor Mark Rush comments the recent Supreme Court ruling which upheld Michigan's ban on the use of race as a factor in admissions to state universities. Rush is the Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law at Washington and Lee University's Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics.
W&L Senior Eric Shuman Receives Fulbright Research Grant
Washington and Lee University senior Eric Shuman of Black Mountain, N.C., has received a Fulbright research grant to Israel. His project is "Can Anger Lead to Conflict Resolution? Redirecting Anger Responses to Promote Peace."
W&L Announces Winners of 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants
Washington and Lee University has announced the first round of students selected to receive 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants, and the second round of selections is underway.
Transnational Law Institute Hosts Lecture on Post-Genocide Rwanda
On Tuesday, April 1, Washington and Lee School of Law will host Notre Dame professor Luc Reydams, who will speak on his paper "Let's be Friends: The United States, Post-Genocide Rwanda, and Victor's Justice in Arusha.
W&L’s Vincent Kim Wins Scholarship to Cambridge University
Vincent Kim of Grand Blanc, Mich., a senior at Washington and Lee University, has been awarded a Gates Cambridge Scholarship for a Ph.D. program in physics at Cambridge University in England. The three-year scholarship provides tuition and a stipend.
Panel at W&L to Examine the State of Contemplative Education
A gathering of W&L faculty and students will be joined by the directors of the Association for the Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACHME) and the Contemplative Science Center at the University of Virginia for a panel discussion on Thursday, Feb. 27, "Contemplative Practices in Higher Education."
Washington and Lee Elects Two New Trustees
Washington and Lee University added two members to its Board of Trustees on Friday, Feb. 7, during the winter meeting of the board: Dana J. Bolden, of Atlanta, the group communications director, finance, for the Coca-Cola Co.; and Todd L. Sutherland, of Lawrence, Kan., the president and CEO of University National Bank.
Noted Lincoln Scholar Leads W&L's Commemoration of Emancipation Proclamation
Allen C. Guelzo, one of the nation's most distinguished scholars of Abraham Lincoln, will deliver the keynote address for Washington and Lee University's observance of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. in Lee Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.
W&L’s Morel Reflects on Honor, Leadership and History at Founders’ Day/ODK Convocation
At the Founders' Day/Omicron Delta Kappa Convocation at Washington and Lee University on Jan. 20, keynote speaker Lucas Morel wove together observations about Martin Luther King Jr., Robert E. Lee and Abraham Lincoln in his speech, "Ever Mindful of the Past: Building an Honorable Community."
Donna Brazile, Political Strategist, Headlines W&L’s King Birthday Celebration
Donna Brazile, the veteran political strategist, will deliver the keynote speech of Washington and Lee University's celebration of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 5:30 p.m. in Lee Chapel on the W&L campus. Her talk is free and open to the public. There will be a reception and book signing in Evans Hall following the address.
Morel to Address Founders' Day/ODK Convocation at W&L
Lucas Morel, the Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics at Washington and Lee University, will address the University's annual Founders' Day/Omicron Delta Kappa Convocation on Monday, Jan. 20, at 11:45 a.m. in Lee Chapel.
Robert D. Kaplan to Lecture at W&L on What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts
Robert D. Kaplan, chief geopolitical analyst for Stratfor, a private global intelligence firm, will lecture at Washington and Lee University on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. in Lee Chapel.
W&L's Strong on the Tea Party Spirit in Irish Times
Remembering the courage of Revolutionary Bostonians on the 240th anniversary of the Tea Party.
W&L Professor Reflects on Mandela's Legacy (Audio)
As soon as he heard about Nelson Mandela's Dec. 5 death, Washington and Lee University politics professor Tyler Dickovick thought back to the moment in 2002 when he had a chance to introduce himself to the revered South African leader — and couldn't.
W&L Politics Professor on Change to Senate Filibuster Rule (video)
Professor Mark Rush comments on the change to the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate, why it was considered necessary and the political ramifications for the Senate.
Eric Shuman Wins Elmes Pathfinder Prize in Psychology
Eric Shuman, a Washington and Lee University senior, from Black Mountain, N.C., has received the 2013 David G. Elmes Pathfinder Prize in Psychology.
W&L Politics Professor Evaluates Gubernatorial Election Results (Audio)
Mark Rush, the Waxburg Professor of Politics and Law at Washington and Lee, thinks pundits need to be cautious in drawing connections between the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia
W&L's Strong on Kennedy and Frost in Irish Times
Robert Strong, William Lynne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University, published an essay in The Irish Times about John F. Kennedy's speech about Robert Frost.
What Day Is It?
September 17 is Constitution Day, and Washington and Lee is observing the 226th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution with a variety of activities.
W&L Professor Weighs Winners, Losers in Syria Crisis (Audio)
Mark Rush, Waxberg Professor of Politics and Law at Washington and Lee, examines the current state of affairs in light of Russia's proposal for international monitors to take over and destroy Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons.
Back to the Beltway for W&L Alumna
Sarah Feinberg '99 leaves Facebook to become chief of staff at Department of Transportation
Lucas Morel Named Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics
Lucas Morel, a politics professor and a preeminent Abraham Lincoln scholar, has been named the first Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics at Washington and Lee University.
W&L's Wayde Marsh Named ODK National Leader of the Year
Wayde Marsh, who graduated from Washington and Lee University in May, has been named the national leader of the year by Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society.
Kendre Barnes and Wayde Marsh Awarded 2013 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion
Kendré Barnes and Wayde Marsh, 2013 graduates of Washington and Lee University, have been named this year's winners of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion.
W&L Junior Wins VFIC/Norfolk Southern Scholarship
Washington and Lee junior Christian Martine has been award a VFIC/Norfolk Southern Scholarship.
W&L’s Strong Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant to Ireland
Robert Strong, interim provost and William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant to serve as the Mary Ball Washington Professor of American History at University College Dublin during the 2013–14 academic year.
W&L in the News: William Connelly on NPR
William F. Connelly Jr., the John K. Boardman Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, was quoted in the story, "Why Obama (And Any President) Fails To Meet Expectations," by Alan Greenblatt on the National Public Radio's "It's All Politics" blog on March 12, 2013.
W&L Seniors Megan Bock, Wayde Marsh Are Generals of the Month for March
Washington and Lee University seniors Megan Bock and Wayde Marsh will be recognized at the Generals of the Month presentation for March on Thursday, March 7, at 11:45 a.m. in the Marketplace in Elrod Commons.
W&L Expert Analyzes Upcoming Kenyan Election
Along with observers around the world, Tyler Dickovick, a Washington and Lee University politics professor, will be watching Kenya's election on Monday with a mixture of apprehension and hopefulness.
Ray Suarez to Speak on “Media, Politics and Washington”
Ray Suarez, Washington-based senior correspondent for “The News Hour” on PBS, is the Fishback Visiting Writer at Washington and Lee University for 2013 and will present a public lecture on March 11, at 5 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater of Elrod Commons.
W&L Students Ponder Social-Media Dilemmas at Ethics Bowl
Washington and Lee's 2013 VFIC Ethics Bowl team finished second in the 14th annual event this week.
W&L's ODK Circle Honors Four Honorary Initiates, Inducts Undergraduate and Law Students
Washington and Lee University's Alpha Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa will recognize its new initiaties at the University's Founders Day/Omicron Delta Kappa Convocation on January 18.
W&L Professors Combine on Comparative Politics Textbook
Collaboration between a professor of politics and a professor of sociology at Washington and Lee University has produced an innovative new textbook on comparative politics.
Lincoln Scholar at Washington and Lee Praises New Lincoln Movie
Lucas Morel, the Lewis G. John Term Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University and a Lincoln Scholar, thinks the new movie, "Lincoln," by Steven Spielberg gets it right.
W&L Law Alums Win Elections in Virginia, Indiana
Several W&L law alumni were running for congressional office or up for reelection this year.
W&L's Dickovick Advises Kenya on Transition to Decentralized Government
Tyler Dickovick, associate professor of politics at Washington and Lee University and an expert on the decentralization of government, spent part of this summer working with the Kenya Transition Authority as the country plans for decentralization.
Generals of the Month for September Named
Washington and Lee University students Rachel Pityk, Joni Deutsch and Taylor Gilfillan will be recognized as Generals of the Month for September.
Robert Strong: Advice on Lighting Fires
Robert Strong, Washington and Lee interim provost, told the University's Class of 2016 not to believe everything they read or hear.
Rhodes College Professor to be W&L's Constitution Day Speaker
Michael Nelson, professor of political science at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., will be Washington and Lee University’s Constitutional Day speaker on Monday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater.
W&L Professor LeBlanc to Study in Italy Under Fulbright
Robin LeBlanc, professor of politics at Washington and Lee University, has received a Fulbright Research Grant for Italy to investigate how communities in Japan and Italy prepare themselves for decline.
W&L Student Research Projects for Area Non-Profits Highlighted
Washington and Lee University’s Community-Academic Research Alliance (CARA) hosted its first annual celebration in May, which showcased the work that student researchers completed for area non-profits over the past academic year.
W&L 2012 Graduates Win Fellowships
Two members of Washington and Lee University's 2012 graduating class, Tyler Grant of Suwanee, Ga., and Ryan Hartman of Yorktown, Va., have received grants for postgraduate study from the prestigious Fulbright Program while a third, Shiri Yadlin of Irvine, Calif., received a U.S. teaching assistantship to Austria.
Jeremy Adams '98 Wins Teaching Award
Jeremy Adams, a member of Washington and Lee’s Class of 1998, has been named Kern County (Calif.) Teacher of the Year.
Former Diplomat Gives W&L Students Real-World Lessons
Retired U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz is teaching Washington and Lee students about diplomacy as he practiced it during 36 years as a career diplomat and a member of the Senior Foreign Service.
Rudy Giuliani to Speak at W&L on April 9
Rudy Giuliani, mayor of New York City when the Sept. 11 attacks hit the World Trade Tower, will speak at Washington and Lee University on Monday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Chapel.
W&L Law School Student Groups Set Gay Marriage Debate
Outlaw and the Federalist Society, two Washington and Lee University School of Law student groups, will sponsor a public debate, presenting the conservative cases for and against gay marriage on Wednesday, April 4, at 6 p.m. in Lee Chapel. The debate is free and open to the public. Andrew Sullivan, a nationally renowned journalist and […]
W&L Seniors Ashna Sharan, Joey Brown Are Generals of the Month for March
Washington and Lee University seniors Ashna Sharan and Joey Brown will be recognized at the Generals of the Month presentation on Wednesday, March 21, at 12 noon in the Marketplace in Elrod Commons.
W&L's Zarakol Wins International Fellowship from Council on Foreign Relations
Ayşe Zarakol, assistant professor of politics at Washington and Lee University, has been awarded a Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) International Affairs Fellowship for the 2012-2013 academic year.
David Shambaugh to Give Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Lecture at W&L
George Washington University professor David Shambaugh to give Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar lecture at W&L on March 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium of Leyburn Library.
W&L's Strong Discusses Carter Foreign Policy (Audio)
Robert Strong, interim provost and Wilson Professor of Politics at W&L, discussed Jimmy Carter's foreign policy on WGAU radio in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.
W&L Junior Attends N.Y. State of State Address
Tom Sanford, a Washington and Lee University junior from New York City, was a special guest at New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2012 State of the State address, in Albany, on Jan. 4, 2012. Sanford, a politics major, was the guest of Assemblyman Daniel P. Losquadro, a Republican from Long Island and the brother of […]
W&L's Morel Lectures at Roanoke College
Lucas Morel, the Lewis G. John Term Professor of Politics and acting chair of the Politics Department at Washington and Lee, will lecture on “Lincoln and Race" at Roanoke College on Nov. 2 at the Wortmann Ballroom of Roanoke College. Morel has written extensively on Lincoln and civil rights and is author of Lincoln’s Sacred […]
W&L's Lucas Morel Lectures on Lincoln
Lucas Morel, the Lewis G. John Term Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee, was a featured lecturer for the Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series in Springfield, Ill., on Oct. 13. the theme of the series, held at the University of Illinois at Springfield, was "Lincoln and the Civil War." Morel's speech was titled "War and […]
Former U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz to Speak at W&L
Former U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz, currently the The Norman E. McCulloch Jr. Director of the John S. Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College, will give a lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leybury Library. The talk is open to the public. Before his time at Dartmouth, where he […]
W&L Professor Sees Parallels to Libyan Rebellion in Congolese Wars of 1990s
As the world waits to see what might transpire in Libya over the days ahead, a Washington and Lee University politics professor believes there is a huge risk for chaos and infighting and points to the Congolese wars as a comparable situation. Ayşe Zarakol, who studies political transformations and is the author of "After Defeat: […]
