October 24, 2025
Beacon of Light
New Endowment Expands Mental Health Support at W&L Gambrill Corckran Robinson ’97 Establishes Endowment for Mental Health Wellness
“I hope students know that they’re not alone and that there are people there who can help them,” she says. “If this endowment helps even one student get the care they need, then it’s worth it.” – Gambrill Corckran Robinson ’97
For Washington and Lee University alumna Gambrill Corckran Robinson ’97, giving back is both a reflection of gratitude and a deeply personal commitment to helping students navigate some of their most formative years.
She recently established the Gambrill Robinson ’97 Endowment for Mental Health Wellness, a fund that will provide resources to enhance staff training, expand programming and address critical needs related to student well-being. With a particular focus on eating disorders and substance misuse, the endowment advances the university’s ongoing efforts to foster a healthier, more resilient campus community.
Robinson’s connection to Washington and Lee began, like so many alumni stories, with an immediate sense of belonging. She recalls her years on campus as both rigorous and energizing.
“From my first visit, I fell in love with W&L. I loved the campus and that the school was both academic and fun,” Robinson says. “I was drawn to the Speaking Tradition and the Honor System — those values, which are woven into the fabric of the community, resonated with me, and it felt like a natural fit.”
An economics and art history double major, Robinson’s experience on campus was marked by close relationships with faculty and friends. Today, those connections remain a meaningful part of her life, reinforcing her desire to give back to the place that shaped her.
“I’ve made lifelong friends with whom I’m still in touch,” she says. “It’s a fabulous school, and I feel really grateful for the education and experiences I had there.”
Robinson has witnessed firsthand the challenges that can accompany struggles with mental health, including eating disorders and addiction. Those experiences have dually shaped her perspective and her commitment to ensuring students have access to meaningful, timely support.
“Mental health is something that has affected me personally,” she says. “I’m so glad that it’s part of the conversation these days and that there are resources and trained professionals available to help when students are struggling. Access can provide a sense of empowerment.”
Her decision to focus the endowment on eating disorders and substance misuse responds to a national increase in these health crises on college campuses over the last decade and the need for continued attention. While awareness has grown in recent years, Robinson believes there is still important work to be done.
“When I was in college, we didn’t really talk about these things,” she says. “There was a stigma, and I don’t know that people would have felt comfortable seeking help. It’s encouraging to see that changing, but it’s still critical to make sure the right programs and systems are in place to support students and the professionals who work with them.”
W&L Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist Kelsey Brown explains that the transition to college can disrupt patterns of eating for many students, leading to increased vulnerability for potential disorders.
“In my work, I see how easily disordered eating patterns can arise,” Brown says. “Having accessible, compassionate support is critical, and gifts like this endowment play an important role in helping students develop a more stable relationship with food.”
Jan Kaufman, director of health promotion, adds, “Gifts like the one from Gambrill are essential in allowing W&L to proactively build programs that educate and strengthen a culture of wellness for all students.”
Washington and Lee opened the new Lindley Center for Student Wellness in fall 2025, bringing together counseling and health services under one roof for an integrated wellness experience. Closely partnering with the departments of Health Promotion and Student Engagement and Leadership, the Lindley Center’s model reflects an understanding that student well-being is multifaceted, requiring both clinical help and proactive education.
“It’s amazing that W&L has this beautiful and welcoming space, and I’m proud to support programs within it that will, in turn, benefit students,” Robinson says. “It feels really meaningful to be able to support something that aligns with my values and also gives back to a place that has given me so much.”
Ultimately, Robinson hopes her gift will uplift students — not only in moments of crisis — but throughout their time at Washington and Lee and beyond.
“I hope students know that they’re not alone and that there are people there who can help them,” she says. “If this endowment helps even one student get the care they need, then it’s worth it.”
