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
Watch the Broadcast
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.
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 Johnson Scholar’s Next Steps
Courtney Hauck '18 looks forward to continuing her debt-free education with a fellowship to Columbia Law School.
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.
Bryant Awarded Fulbright Grant to Germany
Carson Bryant '18 has been awarded a Fulbright grant for an English Teaching Assistantship in Germany.
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.
‘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.
Class of '18 Stories
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.
Marketing in Motion Pictures
Daisy Norwood-Kelly '18 worked in marketing research for Paramount Pictures over the summer.
‘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.
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.
Open for Business
A grant from the Endeavor Foundation allowed Yoko Koyama '19 and Maren Lundgren '18 to open a store in Cameroon that will fund transportation for local children to go to middle school in a neighboring town.
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.
Meet the Johnsons: Shlomo Honig ’18
Meet Shlomo Honig ‘18, whose day consists of analyzing rocks, protecting the environment, and ultimate frisbee
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.
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.
The Art of Movement
A three-month internship with New York-based artist Taryn Simon presented Sara Dotterer '18 with myriad possibilities for her future career.
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.
Notes from Lenfest
Hermione Wang '18 has spent so much time in Lenfest that people jokingly ask her if she lives there. Her job? Making sure that the show always goes on.
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.
