Lindley Center for Student Wellness Becomes W&L’s Second LEED Gold Certified Building The building, which opened in August 2025, joins Childress Hall to earn the global sustainability certification.

Lindley Center for Student Wellness

The Lindley Center for Student Wellness recently became the second building on the Washington and Lee University campus to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The center, which serves as the primary facility for student health and counseling at W&L, opened at the start of the 2025-26 academic year and joins the newly named Childress Hall as a LEED Gold Certified building. The 14,600-square-foot center, named in remembrance of alumna and pediatrician Dr. Lindley Spaht Dodson ’99, plays a central role in the health and wellness of W&L students.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely recognized green building rating system in the world. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability leadership and offers a framework for healthy, efficient and cost-effective green buildings, providing environmental and social benefits. The Gold certification level represents a significant achievement in energy efficiency, environmental impact and overall building performance. To earn it, a building must demonstrate excellence across a range of criteria, including energy and water efficiency, sustainable materials, indoor air quality and innovation in design.

“Every construction project at W&L is held to a LEED standard, so reaching Gold status on the Lindley Center reflects deliberate choices made at every stage of design and construction,” said Steve McAllister, vice president for finance and treasurer at W&L. “Certification is a useful measure, but the real value shows up in daily use. Students walking into the Lindley Center encounter enhanced indoor air quality, healthier materials and natural light, and those conditions matter in a building whose entire purpose is supporting how students feel and function.”

Achieving LEED Gold Certification
“There was a plan from the very beginning to introduce building features that could eventually result in LEED certification,” said Brian Connolly, project manager for University Facilities. “Our project team worked very closely with several vendors to ensure we were mindful of every detail during the planning and construction phases. This type of certification requires a certain type of commitment, and it is gratifying to know these efforts resulted in Gold status.”

Like Childress Hall, the Lindley Center was designed using a lifecycle assessment approach that evaluated operational impact and material costs during construction and throughout the building’s lifespan, prioritizing environmental sustainability and long-term value.

The building’s exterior features rainwater management systems and natural brick facing that requires minimal maintenance over time. The Lindley Center’s proximity to street access and a reduced need for parking also earned points on the LEED certification scale. However, the building truly shines in its interior environmental quality features. These include a focus on energy-efficient water, electrical and HVAC systems, abundant natural light and enhanced air circulation and filtration systems similar to those found in many hospitals.

“The design features and functionality provide our students with a warm, welcoming environment where they feel comfortable coming for their health care,” said Dr. Allen Blackwood, university physician and director of student health. “The waiting room is open and well-ventilated with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing abundant light and vista views. The hallways are spacious, allowing for efficient workflows. Last academic year, 80% of first-year students visited the Lindley Center for their health care needs.”

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