Students Celebrate a Culture of Generosity During Philanthropy Education Week Student leadership, hands-on activities, trivia and campus conversations highlighted the role philanthropy plays in shaping the Washington and Lee experience.

Emily King
March 18, 2026

“I hope students have learned how philanthropy is ingrained in everything we get to do at W&L and how people who’ve paid it forward impact us every day.” – Libby DeVooght ’26

From answering philanthropy-themed trivia aboard a golf cart to searching campus landmarks in a scavenger hunt, Washington and Lee University students explored how generosity shapes their campus experience during the annual Philanthropy Education Week (PEW), March 9–12.

Organized by the Office of Annual Giving, this year’s activities were co-created and led by the Student Advancement Officers (SAOs), a student leadership initiative launched this year. Working closely with Development staff, the SAOs planned events, engaged fellow students and highlighted the impact of philanthropy across campus.

“Philanthropy Education Week offers a dynamic and engaging opportunity for students to learn not only what philanthropy is, but why it matters and how it continues to shape the Washington and Lee experience,” said Emily Pogue, senior associate director of annual giving.

Daily tabling activities in Elrod Commons highlighted areas supported by philanthropy, including “Guess the Professor,” athletics-themed games and a mapping activity featuring internships, career trips, research experiences and study abroad opportunities supported by donors.

“It felt very rewarding to see fellow students engage with tabling each day,” said Alli Badeaux ’28, a student advancement officer who also worked on PEW last year. “Annual Giving and the team of SAOs worked incredibly hard to innovate fun and creative activities for each day. Students seemed to really enjoy our activities, and we saw engagement skyrocket from last year.”

A campus-wide scavenger hunt encouraged students to explore physical spaces made possible through philanthropy. W&L-branded stuffed animals were hidden at locations connected to that day’s theme, with daily clues shared through social media, offering a chance to win a campus photo by Kevin Remington, manager of photography.

Trivia Taxi featured “celebrity drivers,” including President Will Dudley and deans Paul Youngman ’87, P’27 and Rob Straughan, who offered students rides across campus while asking philanthropy-themed trivia questions, such as, “By what amount does the W&L Fund reduce the cost of tuition for each student?” (Answer: $5,000 per year.)

At the Culture of Generosity dinner in Evans Dining Hall, Susan Wood, vice president for university advancement, encouraged guests to reflect on the role generosity plays at W&L, pointing to initiatives such as the Lettie Pate Evans Society — a women-led philanthropic group — and the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign.

Senior Gift Committee co-chairs Reagan Radocesky ’26 and Will Knight ’26 hosted philanthropy bingo during the dinner and encouraged senior class members to support the W&L Fund before becoming alumni.

Libby DeVooght ’26 and Daniel Lu ’26, both student advancement officers and members of the Senior Gift Committee, moderated a panel discussion that included Elizabeth Burdette ’04, partner and philanthropic advisor at SignatureFD and founder of Bloom, a women-powered, community-centered giving circle; Megan Hess ’97, the Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics and Accounting; and Karla Murdock, the Jo M. and James M. Ballengee Professor of Cognitive and Behavioral Science.

“My philanthropy is based on the simple belief that we’re on this Earth to give back and help people.” – Elizabeth Burdette ‘04

“Moderating the Culture of Generosity panel, I was inspired by the stories our panelists shared about people and experiences that encouraged them to care deeply about philanthropy,” said DeVooght. “There is a legacy of generosity they’re each now part of passing down. This Philanthropy Education Week, I hope students have learned how philanthropy is ingrained in everything we get to do at W&L and how people who’ve paid it forward impact us every day.”

Philanthropy Education Week concluded with a themed dinner in the Marketplace, offering another opportunity for students to reflect on how philanthropy supports programs, spaces and experiences across campus.

“I will always cherish seeing my friends and fellow students engage with the activities that I helped plan during PEW,” said Trey Custodio ’26, a student advancement officer who previously served as a phonathon caller for the W&L Fund. “Memories like this make it easier to graduate knowing I’ll be able to reflect on these times fondly and return as an alumnus for many more.”

See more photos from the Philanthropy Education Week events.