Chronicles: Peak Connections
Christopher Lion '86 and Claire Mackin '20 discovered their W&L connection in Africa, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Archive ( Stories)
Office Hours: Immersive Experience
Professor Timothy MacDonnell shares his insight into W&L Law’s one-of-a-kind Black Lung Clinic.
In Memoriam: Frances Lewis P’66, Trustee Emerita
Lewis served on W&L's Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1989.
In The Lead: Linking Community and Career
From a public health Volunteer Venture trip to alumni mentorship, the W&L network opened doors and supported dreams for Liv Ullmann ’25.
On Our Honor
In the intricate network that ties W&L graduates together in business and in friendship, the Honor System acts as a uniting thread long after the last non-proctored exam.
Refining an Industry
Eric Herrera ’20 was recently named to the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his work with chemical manufacturing startup MaverickX, which he cofounded with Jesse Evans ’20.
John Folsom ’73, P’03 Receives the Order of the Palmetto
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster bestowed Folsom with the state’s highest civilian honor.
In Memoriam: Sidney J. Williams Jr., Professor of Romance Languages Emeritus
Williams taught Spanish at Washington and Lee University for 40 years.
The Journey to ‘Jeopardy!’
TJ Fisher ’15 held a five-game winning streak in October 2025, securing a spot in the Tournament of Champions.
In Memoriam: Harlan Beckley, Former Acting University President and Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion Emeritus
Beckley worked at Washington and Lee University for 40 years and served as the founding director of the Shepherd Program for the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability.
Inaugural Cinda Rankin Trailblazer Award Honors Four Individuals
The winners were recognized at the 38th annual W&L Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony on Sept. 26.
W&L Sees All-Time Record-Breaking Attendance at Young Alumni Weekend
Alumni enjoyed reconnecting with their collegiate roots in weekend festivities featuring reunions for the classes of 2015, 2020 and 2025.
Washington and Lee University Launches New Colonnade Connections
Follow the personalized instructions on how to activate account to the new alumni directory.
Thomas Grove ’02 Wins a Pulitzer Prize with Wall Street Journal Team
The Central and Eastern European correspondent’s article was a part of a Wall Street Journal series investigating Elon Musk that won best national reporting.
Bringing Humanity Into The Conversation
Kate LeMasters ’15 cultivated a career of addressing public health inequalities with marginalized societies.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Lena Hill
The Washington and Lee University provost and professor of English speaks to serendipitous opportunities of the liberal arts.
New Washington and Lee Alumni Directory Platform to Launch in September 2025
Personalized instructions on how to access the new directory will be sent by email.
Office Hours: Tour de Force
Assistant professor of mathematics Sybil Prince Nelson ’01 finds meaning in all her endeavors.
Chronicles: Speaking Volumes
McCormick Library, located in the current Huntley Hall, was the university's main library from 1908 to 1979.
Lives of Consequence: Writing Fantasy
Terry Brooks ’69L started writing fantasy novels as a way to balance his academic studies in law school.
A Tribute to Tom Wolfe
The research and reading room for the Special Collections and Archives in Leyburn Library will be updated and renamed in honor of the literary giant.
In Memoriam: Heather Ross Miller, Thomas H. Broadus Jr. Professor of English Emerita
The famed author worked for Washington and Lee University for 11 years.
Saluting A Masterful Mentor: W. Dabney Stuart
James McLaughlin ’86, author of the novels “Panther Gap” and “Bearskin,” salutes W. Dabney Stuart, S. Blount Mason Professor of English Emeritus.
In The Lead: New Chapter
Adhip Adhikari ’27 constructed a library at a secondary school in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the help of the Washington and Lee University community.
Dubyuhnell Day: The Zine Scene
W&L’s Special Collections and Archives helps diversify materials for students and faculty.
The Life of a Book
Every book begins the same way: from a flash of inspiration. As it moves through the world of imagination, a team of creatives brings the final idea into existence. Once it takes shape, readers are allowed windows into other worlds that offer new perspectives – and leave an indelible mark on their lives.
New Washington and Lee Alumni Directory Platform to Launch By Early August 2025
Personalized instructions on how to access the new directory will be sent by email.
In Memoriam: Frederick Cooper ’64, P’94, Trustee Emeritus
Cooper served on the Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2017.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Will Dudley
The Washington and Lee University president discusses his role as an educator and the ways in which a liberal arts experience crafts an interesting mind.
Remarkable Women
At the 2025 undergraduate Commencement, Barbara Jenkins ’92L, Kate Jenkins Howard ’99 and Kylie Therrien ’25 became the first female triple generation legacy at Washington and Lee University.
New Washington and Lee Alumni Directory Platform to Launch Summer 2025
Make sure your email address is up to date in Colonnade Connections.
W&L Celebrates 463 Graduates at 238th Commencement
The ceremony included remarks by President Will Dudley and Harris Stripling ’25, president of the Executive Committee (EC) of the Student Body.
Poetry in Motion
Aby Joyner ’28 believes in the power of photography and poetry, publishing two books, with another in progress.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Jay Margalus
In this month’s episode, Margalus discusses unlearning, the richness in risks and how the Connolly Center provides experiences in chance-taking.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Brandon Chalk '00 followed his love for the outdoors all around the world, summiting the highest peaks on each of the seven continents with his wife, Kristine Chalk.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Beth Staples
In this month’s episode, Staples speaks of the power of imagination and storytelling and the continuous, and evolving, legacy of the Shenandoah literary magazine.
Ainsley Daigle ’13 Named to Billboard’s Women in Music 2025 List
The vice president at Firebird Artist Management was honored in the multisector category.
In Memoriam: Mimi Elrod, Former W&L First Lady and Associate Director of Special Programs
Elrod worked at Washington and Lee University for 22 years before becoming the first female mayor of Lexington, Virginia.
Healthy Focus
Cory Allison '94, P'26 hopes to change the way hospitals and doctors approach surgical prep.
The Grand Affair
Ahead of the 2025 edition of Fancy Dress, take a visual walk down memory lane with the beloved W&L tradition.
Brett Strohsacker ’06 Gives a Bird’s-Eye View of Super Bowl Victory
The vice president of football communications for the Philadelphia Eagles enjoys his team’s second Super Bowl victory.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Matthew Loar ’07
In this month’s episode, Loar dives into the transformative power of fellowships and student research in shaping individuals.
Meg Smith ’12 Named a ‘40 Under 40’ by The Roanoker Magazine
The chief operating officer for MKB, Realtors was recognized for her significant impact on the real estate industry and community in Southwest Virginia.
In Memoriam: Philip Archel Gibbs, Associate Professor of Business
Gibbs taught accounting, business and management at Washington and Lee University.
Appreciating the Sweetness of Life
As a radiation oncologist, Dr. Olivia Claire Ball ’09 cherishes the humanity and connection she cultivates with her patients.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Launches New Season With Episode Featuring Holly Pickett
In the podcast’s first episode of season six, Pickett, professor of English, discusses the power of humanities in a rapidly changing world and the life lessons that can be continuously unearthed in Shakespearean text.
In Memoriam: Rod Smith, Editor of Shenandoah and Adjunct Professor of English
Smith served as the literary magazine’s editor for 23 years.
Pete Abitante ’78 to Receive 2025 Award of Excellence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame
The former vice president of special projects at the NFL enjoyed a 46-year career in communications at the organization.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Gene McCabe
In this month’s episode, McCabe, head men’s lacrosse coach and assistant director of athletics for compliance, discusses how competitive sports provide those moments that feed the soul in the midst of a changing world.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Melissa Kerin
In this month’s episode, Kerin, professor of art history, discusses how following her curiosity of the ways in which people tell stories opened her to opportunities to study remote Buddhist shrines in the Himalayas and examine how we live and die as the director of the Roger Mudd Center for Ethics.
Focusing on the Man Who Captured JFK
Steele Burrow ’13 leaned into his liberal arts education to create his first documentary, “Capturing Kennedy,” which premieres this weekend at the Boston Film Festival.
From Shakespeare to Sci-Fi
While exploring the connections between “Station Eleven” and William Shakespeare, professor of English Holly Pickett and her crew of summer research students examined the foundational value of the humanities to society.
Where the Wild Things Are
Marcie Bernard ’25 explored the different avenues of veterinary medicine in the Amazon Rainforest as she worked to rehabilitate and rewild animals at Hoja Nueva.
Unearthing Answers
By enlisting guidance from the W&L science community, Emma Marvelli ’27 combined a Spring Term abroad class with summer research to better understand Virginia meta-basalts and their potential for combating climate change.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Lisa Alty
In this month’s episode, Alty discusses how a distasteful high school chemistry experience, enrolling in college as a first-generation student and seeing W&L evolve since the early years of coeducation shaped her approach to teaching.
Banking on Women
Siya ’27 married her passions for service with her economics and mathematics majors to intern this summer at Grameen Bank in Bangladesh through the Shepherd Program.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Jenefer Davies
In this month’s episode, professor Davies talks of creating and building W&L’s dance program to be a place where preconceived notions dissipate and the liberal arts education flourishes.
Live from the Paris Olympics
Alex Maragos ’13’s love of journalism started through the profession’s inside access to sports. He brings it full circle in covering the 2024 Paris Olympics for NBC 5 Chicago.
Running the World
With a goal to run a marathon on every continent, Julia Poppenberg ’19 sets her sights on Antarctica.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Mark Drumbl
In this month’s episode, Professor Drumbl examines the function and limitations of law through his experiences, research and teachings in mass violence and human rights.
Getting to the Root of the Issue
The women’s soccer team worked with the greater Lexington community to help eliminate invasive species plaguing the health of Woods Creek.
W&L Celebrates 448 Graduates at 237th Commencement
In his remarks, President Will Dudley told the Class of 2024 that their liberal arts education — which develops intellect and character and encourages leadership and service — has prepared them to make significant contributions wherever they go.
Rock Stars
After 25 years, W&L faculty member Chris Connors teaches his swan song Spring Term class, Field Methods and Regional Geology of the Appalachians.
‘The Big Picture of Life’
As one of the first Spring Term abroad classes offered at W&L, The Play’s the Thing: Shakespeare in Performance continues to impact the cohort of alumni who took that initial trip to England.
Larry Connolly’s Running for the Roses
The 1979 W&L alumnus has two horses running in the 2024 Kentucky Derby with his syndicate, West Paces Racing.
Student-Athletes Team Up for a Better Earth
The Generals Earth Action Leadership program works to combine athletics with environmental stewardship.
W&L Students Showcase Ideas of Tomorrow
All students enrolled in a Winter Term entrepreneurship class participated in the Creative Showcase on April 4.
Caleigh Wells ’17 Found Her Calling in Climate Reporting
The reporter and podcast host won a 2023 National Edward R. Murrow Award for her part in BURNED, which investigated failures by the U.S. Forest Service to protect California towns from potential high-risk wildfires.
Celebrating Spring: Outing Club’s Top Five Hikes
Spring Term and Alumni Weekend reunions are the perfect times to experience the outdoors that hug Washington and Lee.
