Commencement Address 2018
President William C. Dudley addressed the Class of 2018 at the commencement exercises on the Front Lawn.
Commencement 2018May 23 & 24, 10:00 AM, Front Lawn
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Headlines
Washington and Lee Graduates 441 Students at 231st Commencement
In his Commencement address, president Will Dudley encouraged the Class of 2018 to take the habits they have learned at W&L "and change the world, one small encounter at a time.”
Washington and Lee University to Celebrate 231st Commencement, Baccalaureate
W&L celebrates its 231st undergraduate commencement Thursday, May 25. LIVESTREAM: 10 a.m.
W&L to Award Two Honorary Degrees at 2018 Commencement
W&L will recognize the outstanding contributions of professors Marjorie Agosín and Harlan Beckley at its 231st commencement.
Scene on Campus
In Case You Missed It
The Class of 2018 Reminisces ...
Four Short Years Ago ...
Post Graduate Awards
Prepared for the Game of Life
With the support of teammates, professors and friends, Nicholas George '18 was able to balance two majors and a spot on the basketball team.
Falchuk ’18 Awarded Fulbright to Teach in Slovak Republic
Hannah Falchuk '18 hopes to improve her cultural understanding and language proficiency in the country.
W&L Journalism Students Win SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards
Students took first place in three categories in the Society of Professional Journalists’ regional college journalism competition.
Faith Pinho Awarded ODK Leader of the Year for Journalism
Pinho’s award is part of ODK’s 2018 General Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year competition.
‘A Good Place to Grow’
From Lexington to London, Faith E. Pinho '18 has had a vast array of experiences.
Three W&L Students Awarded 2018 Critical Language Scholarships
Elizabeth McDonald heads to Japan, Emily Austin to Indonesia and Riley Ries to Kyrgyzstan.
Loughery ’18 Awarded ORISE Research Fellowship
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) research fellowship will allow her to conduct research at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense.
Bryant Awarded Fulbright Grant to Germany
Carson Bryant '18 has been awarded a Fulbright grant for an English Teaching Assistantship in Germany.
Class of '18 Stories
‘Leaders Like Me’
Lex McGriff '18 has grown into a leader in W&L's Student Association for Black Unity. As she prepares for graduation, she hopes more underclassmen will become leaders like her.
Visiting George at Home
Anna Milewski '18 has spent time in fields, labs, carpenter shops and seminar rooms - and it was all part of one internship at the home of George Washington.
Science, Society and the Arts Presents: Dana Gary ‘18
Dana Gary, whose first EP is recorded, produced and publicized by a student-run record label, will present songs at SSA.
Don’t Mess With Little Texas
Lee Sommerfeldt '18 found a home away from home in a honky-tonk in the heart of Tokyo.
Thriving at Home and Abroad: Karishma Patel ’18
Karishma Patel '18 loves finding the intersections of technology and business - while studying abroad in Madrid.
Interns at Work: Gray Rixey ’18
Gray Rixey '18 spent part of his summer interning for a member of the British Parliament as part of the London Internship Program. He had no idea it would happen during one of the most tumultuous periods in British history.
Language and Life Lessons in Chile
Alex Meilech '18 spent the summer in Santiago, Chile, learning the language, exploring the culture, and caring for the people of the country.
Science, Society and the Arts Presents: Matthew Rickert ‘18
Matthew Rickert ‘18: avid outdoorsman by day, corporate fraud analyst by night
Stepping Back into the Spotlight
Coralie Chu '18 has always been a performer, but W&L helped her discover confidence both on and off the stage.
A Leader Forged by Fire
As a first-year student at W&L, Jane Chiavelli '18 had no idea that she would face a huge challenge — and come out of it with strong leadership skills.
Adventures in the Alaskan Wilderness
As a summer counselor with the nonprofit Camp Fire Alaska, Chase Wonderlic '18 got in touch with his inner child and his adventurous spirit.
‘The Quality of the People’
Swimmer, computer coder, and Speaking Tradition advocate Will McMurtry '18 chose W&L over nine other schools, in large part because of its community.
Graduate Statistics
447new alumni
Total Graduates
On May 24, 2018, 441 members of the Class of 2018 will recieve their degrees. Six members of the class graduated after Fall Term.
3.528avg. GPA
A New Record GPA
Members of the Class of 2018 will graduate with an average cumulative GPA of 3.528, far surpassing the previous record of 3.444, set in 2015.
Valedictorian
Mallory Stephenson of Fincastle, VA, graduates with a 4.00 grade point average.
Move-in Day, Sep. 7, 2014
240B.A.230B.S.
Degrees Earned
22 members of the Class of 2018 will receive both a B.A. and a B.S. degree, equaling the record set in 2015.
38majors34%double-major
Major Course Work
Degrees awarded to the Class of 2018 represent 38 majors from across campus, with 34 percent of graduates completing two majors.
Two graduates completed three majors!
26citizenships
A Global Class
Graduates of the Class of 2018 represent 18 countries around the world, with five from the U.K. and three from Argentina.
34states
From Across the U.S.
Graduates of the Class of 2018 represent 34 states, with VA, MD, NJ, NC, TX, CA, NY and PA claiming the most graduates.
Scholar-Athletes
36 percent of the graduating class participated on a varsity team.
