New MESA and Arabic Minors Broaden W&L Students’ Horizons
Washington and Lee’s new Arabic minor grew out of its innovative, interdisciplinary Middle East and Southeast Asian Studies program.
Archive ( Stories)
Joey Barretta Published in American Political Thought
The visiting assistant professor of politics authored a paper titled “Frederick Douglass's Five-Decade Fight Against Colonization.”
Brian Alexander Publishes New Book
The associate professor of politics brings Thomas Jefferson’s definitive word on the rules for Congress to print.
Martha Greer Walker ’27 Publishes Book
The junior shared her research on how to build an AI-ready career.
W&L Students Win Second Place in Undergraduate Geoscience Poster Competition
The group presented their research at the 2025 GSA Connects Annual Meeting.
Midnight Breakfast: A Tradition Worth Staying Up For
Since 1992, the W&L community has come together to provide students with sustenance and camaraderie during finals week.
Dinner and Discussion Featuring Brandon Hasbrouck ’11L and Blake D. Morant to Headline W&L’s 2026 MLK Celebration
The discussion will explore Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and his impact on democracy.
The Perfect Match
Washington and Lee students connect with local schools through the Burish Program.
William C. Dudley Named President of Claremont McKenna College
He will complete the current academic year at W&L and begin his new role on July 1, 2026.
Meet a Colleague: Billy Chase
Billy Chase is the senior graphic designer in the Office of Communication and Public Affairs.
Meet W&L’s AI Fellow: Your Guide to Navigating Artificial Intelligence
Sybil Prince Nelson ’01 helps faculty, staff and students discover how to use AI responsibly and effectively — from designing assignments to understanding when human creativity should take the lead.
Gabriella Passidomo Smith ’19L Elected Chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission
Passidomo Smith will lead the commission's efforts to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective utility service for Floridians.
Maureen Edobor Appears on “Law and Democracy” Podcast
The podcast, hosted by the Ohio State College of Law, focuses on developments in election law.
Meet Ella Moser ’26
A Spring Term Abroad class in Spain connected Moser with a piece of home.
Betty Boatwright ’26 Named to NFHCA Senior Team
Boatwright, co-captain of the field hockey team, is one of just 60 student-athletes nationwide to earn the honor.
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.
Shannon Fyfe Examines Off-label Vaccine Use in ‘The Conversation’
Shannon Fyfe, along with coauthor Elizabeth Lanphier, explores the evolving landscape of off-label usage of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.
DeLaney Center to Host Third Annual Race and Southern-ness Symposium
The Dec. 4 event will feature prominent military leaders and scholars conversing about how racial and regional identity impact service in the armed forces.
Tiffany Pins Earns Old Dominion Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year Award
The Generals’ mentor received the award for the third time in her four seasons.
Sarah Powell ‘93L Appointed General Counsel for Planet Fitness
Powell will advise one of the largest and fastest growing fitness center operators.
Meet a Colleague: Brea Moore
Brea Moore is an AmeriCorps VISTA working with the Office of Community-Based Learning.
Mark Drumbl Publishes New Book “The Character of International Law”
The book serves as a Festschrift—a collection of writings published in honor of a scholar—for Professor Rob Cryer.
A First-Generation Leader
Allison Glover ’28 did not have a high school counselor to help her research colleges.
Paul Youngman Named Dean of the College at Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University has named Paul Youngman as dean of the College following a competitive national search. Youngman, associate provost for academic development and operations and professor of German at W&L, has been serving as interim dean of the College since July 1, 2025.
Hannah Phillips Appointed as a Small School Representative for the Virginia Association of College and University Housing Officers
The associate director of housing and residence life will advocate for small school residential needs.
In Memoriam: Delos D. Hughes, Professor of Politics Emeritus
Hughes served as professor at Washington and Lee University for 33 years.
W&L Presents Student Production of ‘These Shining Lives’
The play runs Dec. 2-5 in Johnson Theatre in the Lenfest Center for the Arts.
Enjoy a Festive 2025 Holiday Season
The W&L community celebrates the 2025 holiday season with a wide variety of campus and local events.
Faculty Profile: Maureen Edobor
Maureen Edobor is an assistant professor of law and a fellow in the DeLaney Center.
Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 11/12/25
The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.
Student Organization Spotlight: Pro Bono Board
The Pro Bono Board’s mission is to provide opportunities for law students to begin integrating service into their legal careers from the beginning.
Meet a Colleague: Laura Ulmer
Laura Ulmer serves as associate dean of student engagement.
Washington and Lee Commemorates Veterans Day
The W&L community gathered to honor the military service of current and retired members of the staff, faculty and student body.
Soo Yon Ryu Presents at the Association of Consumer Research Conference
The assistant professor of business administration shared her paper on the materialization of experiences.
W&L Hosts Annual Holiday Candlelight Service
The lessons and carols program will be held Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. at Lexington’s Grace Episcopal Church.
Leading by Example
For Captain Michael Holifield ’89, being a career public servant is about lifting and supporting the people around him to the best of his ability.
W&L Presents Holiday Pops Concert 2025
Tickets to the Dec. 2 performance can be obtained with a non-perishable food donation to benefit Campus Kitchen at W&L.
Alumni Spotlight: David Thompson ’19L
David Thompson is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army and currently serves as an instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Dominique Lamb ’08 to Deliver Lecture on Housing Equity
The Nov. 13 lecture on W&L’s campus is free and open to the public.
In Memoriam: Sidney J. Williams Jr., Professor of Romance Languages Emeritus
Williams taught Spanish at Washington and Lee University for 40 years.
Mengying Liu receives The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society Early Career Leaders Professional Development Award
The assistant professor of engineering is one of three recipients recognized globally.
Student Organization Spotlight: BLSA
BLSA is a student organization committed to advancing the status of Black individuals under the law and within the legal profession.
W&L’s Mudd Center Announces Next Leadership Lab
Judge Michael Luttig ’76, P’14 and Lewis Powell III ’74, P’18, P’20 will lead a discussion on power and accountability on Nov. 13.
W&L Expands Parental Leave Benefits for Faculty and Staff
New policy takes effect January 2026.
Finding Her Voice
Isabel Duarte ’26 found a path at W&L that blends music and science in perfect harmony.
Two W&L Staff Members Awarded Paid Professional Leave
The program offers staff a 30-day leave, with full pay, to advance some aspect of their career and work at the university.
Meet a Colleague: Jacque Bruce
Jacque Bruce is an administrative assistant for the German Department.
Washington and Lee Presents ‘W&L Dancers Create…’
The W&L Repertory Dance Company’s performances will run Nov. 13-15.
Meet Gabriela Gino ’26L
Gabriela Gino volunteers at The Community Table, learning how meals foster connection, understanding, and community resilience.
Meet Luis Chong ’28
Chong loves spending time in nature, especially visiting the gazebo on campus.
The Language of Humanity
Professor of French Mohamed Kamara describes his interconnected teaching, scholarship and service.
Mikki Brock Named to the Shortlist for Research Book of the Year in Scotland
The history professor’s book “Plagues of the Heart” was published last year.
Antonio Reyes Publishes New Book
The professor of Spanish co-authored a book titled “Understanding the Language of Virtual Interaction,” that was released in August 2025.
W&L Bluegrass Ensemble Presents Fall Concert
The Nov. 15 performance is free and open to the public.
W&L Presents Senior Recital with Colin Looby ’26
Looby’s voice recital will be held on Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. in Wilson Concert Hall.
Jane Harrington is the Next Speaker in the Anne and Edgar Basse Jr. Author Talk Series
Harrington will talk about her new book, “Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance,” on Nov. 13.
W&L’s University Orchestra Presents ‘Stories, Songs and Dances’
The performance will take place on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. in the Lenfest Center’s Wilson Concert Hall.
Interdisciplinary Investment
The new building that serves the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics provides expanded space for state-of-the-art classrooms and collaborative gathering areas.
The Journey to ‘Jeopardy!’
TJ Fisher ’15 held a five-game winning streak in October 2025, securing a spot in the Tournament of Champions.
Summer Experience: Julia Lanning ’26L
Julia Lanning spent the summer as a student case worker in the Black Lung Clinic.
Faculty Spotlight: Alan Trammell
A member of the law faculty since 2020, Professor Alan Trammell is recognized as one of the leading authorities on nationwide injunctions.
Meet Reagan Reiferson ’26
Reiferson has found her "homes" on campus in her sorority and the Outing Club.
Meet a Colleague: Elizabeth Oliver
Elizabeth Oliver is the associate dean of the Williams School and the Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor of Accounting.
A Grand Reopening
The Tom Wolfe ’51 Reading Room in Special Collections and Archives received several modern upgrades to better serve the research needs of students, faculty and the community.
Seth Michelson to Discuss His New Book, ‘Hope on the Border: Immigration, Incarceration, and the Power of Poetry’
Michelson’s discussion will be held Thursday, Nov. 6 in Northen Auditorium.
W&L Presents a Masterclass with Pianist J.Y. Song
The Nov. 9 event is sponsored by the university’s Concert Guild.
Record Attendance Marks the Sixth Washington and Lee Real Estate Forum
Washington and Lee's Real Estate Forum, held October 8–9, saw record-breaking attendance at its sixth biannual event.
W&L Presents an Evening with Renowned Afghan Musician Humayan Khan
Khan will be joined by musicians from across the country in the Nov. 7 concert.
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.
