President's Report 2023-2024

#1

Our students are more likely to recommend W&L to a friend, choose the same college again, and express satisfaction with the value for money their college provides than students at any other liberal arts college.*

*According to a 2023 student poll by The Wall Street Journal

Behind every number lie the stories of many people, and it is our people who make Washington and Lee special.

A Message from President Dudley

Washington and Lee has long been committed to a particular type of liberal arts education. We cultivate intellectual habits and skills, as well as core character traits, to better prepare students for lives of meaning and consequence.

How do we do it?

We are a deliberately small, residential, and diverse community.

Each year we welcome about 475 undergraduates and 120 law students from nearly 50 states and more than 20 countries. They live, work, and play together and are taught and mentored by professors, coaches, and staff who know and care for them personally.

Our curriculum is both traditional and innovative.

The liberal arts help us understand ourselves and the natural world. We complement the humanities and sciences with the undergraduate Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics and a nationally recognized School of Law. We offer journalism and engineering. We have centers for the study of ethics, entrepreneurship, and Southern race relations, culture, and politics.

We emphasize international education. W&L’s distinctive curriculum teaches students to develop creative solutions to complex problems and prepares our alumni to make significant contributions to their communities. We trust our students and give them great responsibility.

Student self-governance is foundational at Washington and Lee. The Honor System asks all students to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the community’s trust. Such universal trustworthiness is reinforced by the civility of the Speaking Tradition. W&L is an extended family, which our students don’t want to leave and to which our alumni love to return.

How do we measure success?

Our goal is to help our students develop their tremendous potential and to launch them on paths of their choosing toward impactful and satisfying lives. There are many numbers that give us a sense of how we are doing. We can quantify student interest in W&L, enthusiasm for their campus experience, and post-graduate outcomes. We can track alumni engagement and support. We can chart the value of our financial resources, which make educational excellence possible. These numbers are important, and they demonstrate great institutional strength. But they are only partial and indirect indicators of success.

Success is more than a number.

Behind every number lie the stories of many people, and it is our people who make Washington and Lee special. The stories of our students reveal why they are so eager to come to W&L, and why they love it so much. The stories of our faculty and staff illuminate the variety of ways they support our students and prepare them for success after graduation. And the lives of our alumni — their achievements, leadership, service, and citizenship — provide the true measure of our educational efforts.

Washington and Lee is not merely one good university among others.

We are proudly distinctive, serving a noble mission to the best of our ability. What we do here matters. In this report, I aim to share with you — in numbers and in stories — the ways in which W&L stands out within higher education, the exceptional value we offer today, and how we are building upon our considerable strengths toward an even brighter future.

One of my favorite things to ask our students is why they chose to come to Washington and Lee. They invariably mention a variety of distinctive themes — our Honor System, our close-knit community, our excellent teaching and expansive curriculum, and the opportunities outside the classroom — time and again.

—Will Dudley

student interest

8,140 Undergraduate applications for the Class of 2028:

The highest on record for W&L

Undergraduate Class of 2027 ACT

Medians

34

44 Countries of origin represented U.S. states/territories represented 17+

(for the 52% of enrolling students who submitted scores)

26

Meet Our Students

2,022

125 Students in the class

165 3.72

Median undergraduate LSAT and GPA score – both the highest in over a decade

Law Students by Region

n 31% Domestic students of color

21 U.S. states/territories represented

6 Countries of origin represented

Why W&L?

Emma Conover ’24

Hometown: Saint Petersburg, FL

Majors: Global Politics and Spanish

Minor: Poverty Studies

Before coming to W&L, I was convinced that attending a big city school would be the only way to accomplish my goals in college. It quickly became apparent to me upon touring that W&L was truly the place of opportunity. Academic guidance, close mentorship with faculty and staff, and robust financial aid have allowed me to take every opportunity during the past four years. I will have studied abroad three times, interned in D.C., and had the privilege of serving as president of our Campus Kitchen while completing two majors and a minor. W&L gave me opportunities not in spite of, but because of, its small size. n

Chaz Jackson ’25

Hometown: Teaneck, N.J.

Major: Accounting

Minor: Computer Science

I chose Washington and Lee because of the opportunities it provided. I was drawn to W&L’s intimate setting, welcoming campus community and strong academics. Opting for a liberal arts institution was a deliberate choice, driven by my desire to delve into diverse academic disciplines. W&L allowed me to take both computer science and accounting courses, which are not typically offered together. Also, I knew I wanted to study abroad, and the university’s extensive and flexible study abroad program helped make my decision even easier. n

Rebecca Hoffman ’26

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Major: Cognitive and Behavioral Science

Minors: Mass Communications and Poverty Studies

After researching and applying, I knew Washington and Lee was a school that I could love and from which I could gain so much. I knew that this incredible place, hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains, was where I could and would be valued and find a sense of belonging. The subjects that I have the privilege of investigating here never fail to stimulate and challenge me. The people are truly amazing, with an unmatched work ethic, but also an omnipresent desire to change the world. I’m so fortunate to be in this environment where differing ideas and discussions not only exist, but are welcomed. n

Meet Our Students

We asked six students from around the country why they were drawn to Washington and Lee. Here’s what they told us.

John Williams ’25

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Majors: American History and Business Administration

W&L has such a wide variety of opportunities with an incredible campus culture. The academics are highly regarded around the country, with teachers who make an effort to know every student in their class on a personal level. W&L’s campus is beautiful and unmatched in the quality of facilities while also sitting in the middle of the mountains, providing students abundant outdoor activities. Finally, people are driven to achieve great things outside the classroom, from sports to clubs to social life. I couldn’t think of any other school besides Washington and Lee that checked all of these boxes. n

Nick Payne ’25L

Hometown: Louisville, KY

Undergraduate Institution: University of Kentucky

I visited W&L first, and when I left, I knew this was where I wanted to go. I almost tossed my plans to visit other schools aside. My “Aha!” moment stemmed from little interactions that built up — everyone saying hello when they passed one another, shaking hands, knowing each other by name. It felt very communal, with students sharing resources rather than hoarding them to themselves, and I think that definitely impacted my decision to come here. n

Ebony Aiken ’25L

Hometown: Jackson, MS

Undergraduate Institution: University of Houston

I chose W&L Law because of the closeknit community, the student-to-faculty ratio, and the amount of support given to each student throughout their entire time at W&L. I knew that I wanted to go to a school where I could have one-onone time with professors to enhance my understanding of legal concepts. W&L has spent a lot of time thinking about the whole person by curating a positive student experience inside and outside of the classroom. W&L has recognized that in order to get the best out of students, it’s important to prioritize wellness. Essentially, W&L cares about the details. n

Sally Stone Richmond & Melanie Wilson

The Washington and Lee admissions process remains focused on recruiting individuals who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and academic excellence and make impactful contributions to their communities.

Sally Stone Richmond has served as W&L’s vice president for admissions and financial aid since 2015. She directs the university’s undergraduate recruiting efforts, as well as the Office of Financial Aid, which serves both undergraduate and law students, and the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity.

Melanie Wilson became the dean of Washington and Lee’s School of Law in 2022. She oversees all aspects of the law school, including its Office of Admissions.

Q. What draws prospective students to W&L?

MW: Students are drawn to W&L Law for a number of reasons. They are attracted to the quality of the student body, to the nationally recognized faculty who prioritize and champion students from the day they are admitted to long after graduation, and to the impressive employment opportunities that come with a law degree from W&L. We attract outstanding students because we are among the smallest of the nation’s top law schools, and our intentionally small size helps us foster a

close-knit, supportive, and inclusive community that is rare in legal education. We also prioritize honesty and integrity. Many students appreciate the freedom and trust that comes with the W&L Honor System. Of course, it helps that we are nestled in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

SSR: Prospective undergraduates gravitate to W&L for many of the reasons Melanie mentions. Our reputation for academic excellence and our distinctive curriculum, which blends a traditional liberal arts education with programs like business, accounting, education, engineering, and journalism, are strong draws. So are the tremendous opportunities available to our students to explore their academic and professional interests. And, like law students, prospective undergraduates appreciate the Honor System, the friendliness of our campus, and the sense of community here. Our prospective students are eager to be in classes with peers who challenge and inspire them and faculty and staff who take a personal interest in their success. They also appreciate the strength of our alumni network, which opens so many professional doors when they graduate.

Q. What do you look for in an applicant at W&L?

SSR: First and foremost, the strength of their academic record. Have they taken advantage of the opportunities available to them? And we look for intellectual curiosity and authenticity. What are their interests? How are those manifested, either in school, in their extracurricular life, or within their homes and neighborhoods? Are they active and engaged in their communities, and how will they contribute to the community here at Washington and Lee? Finally, we look for specific character strengths, like leadership, integrity, compassion, and perseverance.

MW: We look for people with tremendous potential who have the integrity, grit,

determination, and aptitude to succeed at W&L Law and become outstanding lawyers and leaders.

Q. How do you approach recruiting a new class each year?

SSR: Each year is different — there’s no set formula. Washington and Lee has long had a holistic admissions process, which means that we evaluate applicants on a host of factors, including their academic accomplishments, recommendations, writing, extracurricular talents, demonstrated leadership, and strength of character, all of which help us to gauge their ability to benefit from and contribute to the university. Each applicant exhibits distinctive strengths and has the capacity to make unique contributions to W&L, so we assess them as individuals with the university’s mission and overall enrollment goals in mind.

MW: Our admissions team reviews every applicant’s file holistically as well, looking for indicators of future success in law school. Factors considered include test scores and undergraduate grade point averages, as well as demonstrated writing ability, employment experience, service to the community, academic rigor, leadership experience, achievement in the face of adversity, military service, and many other factors relevant to potential law school success.

Q. This will be the first class of students admitted since the Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities could no longer consider race in the admissions process. How has that decision impacted the admissions process?

MW: Our decisions are now race and ethnicity “blind,” in accordance with the law. In other words, the admissions team no longer has access to the race and ethnicity of each applicant. But, we will continue to be ambitious and proactive about recruiting a highly talented and diverse pool of applicants. Our mission and goals are unchanged.

Student Interest

SSR: While we continue to employ a holistic review of individual applicants, race is no longer a factor. Prior to this ruling, race could be deemed a positive factor in a holistic review. That’s the major change for us.

However, it’s important to note that the court’s decision only impacts the application review and admissions decisions. It doesn’t impact our efforts to encourage students to apply and then to enroll if we admit them.

Like the law school, our commitment to diversity, which is rooted in the university’s mission, remains unchanged. We’ve made real progress in diversifying our student body over the last decade and will continue working to attract an increasingly diverse set of qualified applications through our recruiting efforts and partnership programs.

Q. How do you expect the decision will impact the diversity of the incoming classes?

MW: This is the first time in history that we are denied information about the race and ethnicity of our applicants. We don’t know what impact, if any, we will see from this change. With the information we have available, our admissions team continues to look for outstanding students who can thrive at W&L Law and become strong and engaged lawyers and alumni.

SSR: It’s still too early to tell — we have adjusted our policies and practices to be fully compliant with the newly interpreted law, and, like most other institutions, we won’t have final numbers on racial composition until the classes matriculate in the fall. But we remain hopeful that we can continue to achieve our goal, which is to enroll classes that exhibit academic excellence and diversity across all measures, including backgrounds, interests, experiences, educational access, socio-economic status, and geographic locale. n

Student Interest

At Washington and Lee, students receive an intensely personal education of the highest quality. Our 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio compares favorably with the best schools in the country and enables us to offer small classes and an innovative curriculum, taught by professors rather than graduate students.

Teaching Excellence

Teaching is our highest priority , and our faculty give their students individual attention from the day they arrive on campus to the day they graduate.

BY THE NUMBERS

8:1 Undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio

#1

Our students ranked W&L more highly than students at any other college or university for learning opportunities, including the overall quality of teaching^

#2

among top liberal arts colleges for undergraduate classes with <20 students

93% of seniors reported that the university had contributed either “very much” or “quite a bit” to their ability to think critically and analytically.*

89% of seniors indicated that they had improved their ability to write clearly and effectively.*

^ 2023 Wall Street Journal Student Survey

*2023 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

Interdisciplinary Education

Our students benefit from more than just small class sizes. Our curriculum encourages students to explore a variety of disciplines and make connections between them. More than 40% of the undergraduate Class of 2023 pursued either a major or a minor in both the College and the Williams School, and more than half of those taking advantage of our distinctive programs in journalism, engineering, business, and accounting augmented their majors with a second major or a minor in another field.

TOP MAJORS

Business Administration

Politics

Economics

Accounting

Cognitive and Behavioral Science

Biology

English

Neuroscience

Environmental Studies

TOP MINORS

Data Science

Poverty and Human Capability Studies

Law, Justice, and Society

Entrepreneurship

Creative Writing

Classics

Mathematics

Mass Communications

Philosophy

MAJORS AND MINORS BY ACADEMIC DIVISION: CLASS OF 2023 MAJORS AND MINORS: CLASS OF 2023

Student Interest

Impactful Experiences

While our distinctive curriculum gives students academic options not available at other schools, the full W&L experience extends beyond the classroom. It includes opportunities that have been proven to have significant educational impact, including internships or field experience, service-learning, research with faculty, study abroad, and senior capstone projects.

DATA DIGEST

90% of the Class of 2023 participated in two or more high-impact practices, compared to an average of 83% at peer schools*

84% of the Class of 2023 completed an internship

83% of the Class of 2023 participated in volunteer service

43% of the Class of 2023 participated in a research experience

40% of the Class of 2023 studied abroad

20% of the Class of 2023 completed an independent study

*2023 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

The School of Law

Our law students enjoy small classes, close relationships with faculty, and outstanding experiential opportunities, thanks to our innovative, practice-based curriculum.

BY THE NUMBERS

7:1

Law student-to-faculty ratio

20

Average law research and writing class size

40+

Practicum courses offered each year

60% of law students participate in externships each year

~

100% of students graduate with real practice experience, including law clinics, externships, and practicum courses.

LEGAL CLINICS

Black Lung Legal Clinic

Civil Rights and Racial Justice Clinic

Community Legal Practice Center

Criminal Justice Clinic

Immigrant Rights Clinic

Tax Clinic

LAW JOURNALS

Washington and Lee Law Review

Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice

German Law Journal

During four incomparable years in Lexington, students make lasting friendships with, and learn an extraordinary amount from, an exceptional group of peers and professors. They take classes that expand their horizons, they discover and pursue their extracurricular passions, and they revel in life in the Shenandoah Valley.

— Will Dudley

student satisfaction

97%

Our retention rate for first-year undergraduates is the highest among all liberal arts colleges.

Who Inspires You?

(W E ASKED, THEY ANSWERED.)

Trip Wright ’25

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Major: Sociology and Anthropology

Minors: Data Science and Poverty Studies

I would be lying if I said I was not here because of Professor Jon Eastwood. He was the first professor that I met at W&L and has become an important role model and mentor for me. It became evident very quickly that he prioritizes his students and wants them to succeed in all facets of one’s college experience. As my adviser, he has inspired me to “get uncomfortable” and take courses outside my comfort zone. He also preaches the idea of not chasing the “shiny stuff” — take a class because you love it, not because of what it might turn into. n

Nimisha Mikkineni ’27

Hometown: Garnet Valley, PA

Major: Economics and Politics

Professor Angela Sun is an incredible inspiration. Her presence has profoundly shaped my experience at W&L. I met her as an applicant, and she reached out to connect with me shortly thereafter. That personal touch ultimately led me to choose W&L because it exemplified how much the faculty and professors care about their students. She is remarkably intelligent, hard-working, and empathetic toward everyone around her. She facilitates engaging philosophical discussions and is beloved by students who have had the privilege to have her as their professor. n

Kam Saalfrank ’25

Hometown: North Andover, MA

Major: Accounting

Minor: Data Science – Business Analytics

As my major adviser and the faculty adviser for Washington and Lee Student Consulting, Professor Lloyd Tanlu has helped me both academically and professionally. He encourages me to challenge myself, and was ultimately one of the reasons I became an accounting major. His mentorship for each of my pro-bono projects for Student Consulting has helped me develop my leadership and critical thinking skills. And throughout the management consulting recruitment process, he has been a helping hand in preparing me for interviews and networking with W&L alumni. n

At Washington and Lee, our faculty get to know our students personally, understanding their passions, supporting their efforts, coaching them through setbacks, and celebrating their successes. We asked six students to reflect on the impact their professors have had on them.

Kaylin Jury ’24

Hometown: Lititz, PA

Majors: Art History and Spanish

Minor: Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies

I entered W&L certain of my destiny as a bacterial geneticist. I love science, but after spending hours in labs, I knew that something was missing. It wasn’t until I found myself in Dr. George Bent’s course on Leonardo da Vinci that I began to understand what it was. He recognized my interest in discovery, research, and storytelling and saw the value my scientific background brought to art history. He challenged me to combine my passions and skill sets. Without his selfless mentorship, I wouldn’t be the writer, critical thinker, presenter, or person I am today. n

Jack Kellerman ’25L

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Undergraduate Institution: Wabash College

Professor Beth Belmont inspires me. She runs a legal clinic, leads the law school’s experiential education programs, teaches doctrinal courses, and still finds time to ensure her students understand the substance of the law. For example, she welcomed me and a fellow student into her home to review a hearsay quiz and its corresponding concepts for a few hours one weekend. From learning evidence law to discussing long-term career goals, she was a source of comfort and affirmation, and we are just two of the many students she hosted that semester. n

Kaitlyn Hyun ’24L

Hometown: Fairfax, VA

Undergraduate Institution: University of Virginia

One of the many professors who inspire, encourage, and support me is Professor Brian Murchison. He taught my very first class, Torts, at 8 a.m., and it was exciting yet terrifying to see him enter in judge’s robes with a gavel and cold call two students to be the “lawyers” rearguing a case we read. Over time, my appreciation of his intellect, humor, and enthusiastic support has grown. He has incredible experiences and qualifications, yet he is so humble and generous in his praise for his students. He inspires me to be a better student, scholar, and community member. n

Liberal Arts Education

Teaching Techniques

W&L faculty are accomplished teachers but always looking for ways to hone their craft. This year, two faculty cohorts came together across disciplines to tackle contemporary challenges in the classroom.

Facilitating Constructive Dialogue

Learning to participate in respectful debates on contested issues, by genuinely listening to others and offering up one’s own views for critical examination, is the heart of a liberal arts education. It is also essential preparation for becoming an engaged citizen and a responsible leader. That makes it mission-critical at Washington and Lee.

W&L placed second among all private colleges in the country for student free speech and open inquiry in the latest ranking published by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which is based upon an assessment of campus policies and a student survey. One of our distinctive strengths is the political diversity of our student body. Other strengths, as reported by our own students, include tolerance for speakers across the political spectrum and a rejection of disruptive behavior at speaking events. But some of our students also acknowledge discomfort expressing themselves on controversial topics.

On a campus – and in a world –where there are deep political divides,

our institutional values and approach to teaching can help to foster a culture in which our students are more willing and better able to talk to each other about difficult subjects. Last summer, a cohort of W&L faculty joined colleagues from the University of Richmond and Hendrix College to develop strategies to facilitate productive dialogues in their classrooms and, in turn, help students develop the skills and desire to engage in challenging and thought-provoking conversations. W&L’s cohort, representing departments in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM, has since hosted faculty conversations and workshops on campus to share pedagogical tools and best practices with their colleagues.

Of course, this work isn’t limited to the classroom. The DeLaney Center and Mudd Center each host speakers and events throughout the year designed to help students reflect on timely and challenging issues, complementing the wide variety of speakers invited to campus by academic departments and student organizations. n

Recent Speakers on Campus

n Kwame Anthony Appiah (Philosopher and Writer)

n Bret Baier (Fox News Chief Political Anchor)

n Ruha Benjamin (Author and Professor)

n Keisha Lance Bottoms (Former Atlanta Mayor)

n Kylar W. Broadus (Attorney and Activist)

n Laura and Barbara Bush (Former First Lady and First Daughter)

n Marc Lamont Hill (Author and Professor)

n Brendan Hunt (Actor and Writer)

n Robert Kaplan (Foreign Affairs Expert and Author)

n Beth Macy (Journalist and Author)

n Bill McKibben (Environmentalist and Author)

n Mike Pence (Former Vice President)

n Karl Rove (Political Consultant and Policy Adviser)

n Carol Swain (Political Scientist and Legal Scholar)

n Matt Walsh (Activist and Author)

Annual Mudd Center Themes

n 2023-24: The Ethics of Design

n 2022-23: Beneficence: Practicing an Ethics of Care

n 2021-22: Daily Ethics: How Individual Choices and Habits Express Our Values and Shape Our World

n 2020-21: Global Ethics in the 21st Century

n 2019-20: The Ethics of Technology

n 2018-19: The Ethics of Identity

n 2017-18: Equality and Difference

n 2016-17: Markets and Morals

n 2015-16: The Ethics of Citizenship

n 2014-15: Race & Justice in America

2023-24 DeLaney Center Events

n DeLaney Center Saturdays invite community members to explore civil rights sites in Virginia with on-location experts, a shared meal, and group conversations.

n DeLaney Dialogues are exchanges about Southern race relations, culture, and politics, with presenters offering fresh ideas about a regionally resonant theme.

n The Screen to Square Film Series brings community members together to view a film tied to the theme “Turning Points in the Civil Rights Movement,” hear insights from observers and research experts, and share a meal.

n The Race and Southern-ness Symposium brought distinguished scholars to campus to discuss contemporary trends in the study of race and Southern life.

Navigating New Developments: Artificial Intelligence

The h ouston h h arte c enter for Teaching and Learning, opened in 2021, not only offers resources for students to enhance the skills necessary for their success, but also brings faculty together to explore new methods, technologies, and approaches to their teaching.

“One of the purposes of the Harte Center is to make sure our faculty are prepared to engage with students in a rapidly changing world,” said Mikki Brock, associ ate professor of history. “The reason we need centers for teaching and learning is that the questions we’re asking are always evolving. What is so important about a space like the Harte Center is that faculty can come together to engage with these questions.”

In September 2023, the Harte Center unveiled its latest initiative: the AI Hub, made up of faculty from a wide range of disciplines and staff members with expertise in technology. The goal of the hub is to aid faculty in navigating developments in artificial intelligence and their impact on classrooms and teaching — both prospective opportunities and potential concerns.

news coverage, most notably with the popularization of ChatGPT, an AI language model created by research organization OpenAI. Colleges and universities have begun to think collectively about the implications for teaching and learning as more students become familiar with AI tools. The AI Hub meets regularly to discuss faculty questions surrounding AI, brainstorm ideas for assignments or syllabi that incorporate AI tools, and compile resources for faculty as they consider how to incorporate AI into their courses.

Associate Provost Leslie Wingard Cunningham, who is serving as the Harte Center’s interim director this year, says the rapid development of AI technology will require the group to stay agile as it plans for the future.

The recent expansion of artificial intelligence has made headlines in higher education

“We anticipate running workshops, hosting speakers, and facilitating conversations as our campus community seeks to build greater technological confidence and digital dexterity as we move into the culture,” Wingard Cunningham said. “Above all, we hope that the hub will remain a flexible, open, and optimistic resource for faculty and staff seeking to learn more about AI.” n

#2

among private colleges for student free speech and open inquiry (FIRE)

#2

among colleges and universities for tolerance for controversial speakers (FIRE)

80%

of W&L first-year students reported often having discussions with people with political views other than their own – in comparison to 47% at peer institutions (NSSE)

Diego Hernandez

Portillo ’25

Hometown: Pueblo, CO

Major: Chemistry

“I am grateful to have had this lab experience, which will be useful when continuing my education after W&L.”

At the beginning of 2023, I applied to work in Dr. Fiona Watson’s lab, researching optic nerve regeneration. Last summer, with funding from a Johnson Opportunity Grant, I traveled to California to work with one of Dr. Watson’s longtime collaborators, Dr. Marsh-Armstrong, a professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science at the University of California, Davis. Both of our labs work with frogs, testing the pathways that allow them to regenerate their optic nerve after damage.

While i Was in california, Dr. Watson and the rest of her team worked on the regeneration project here in Virginia. Each of our labs is uniquely equipped, which is what makes our partnership so valuable. While our lab at W&L lacks the technical experience with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to create “knock-out” cell lines, which is integral to determining how frogs are affected by the lack of specific targeted genes, Dr. Marsh-Armstrong’s lab excels at this technique. In contrast, Dr. Watson’s lab at W&L has the capability and experience to use immunostaining to track the protein expression of the UCHL1 gene. Thanks to this summer experience, I was

able to bring important techniques back to the Watson Lab and to share our data and knowledge with Marsh-Armstrong’s lab, which will be a tremendous benefit to both labs for years to come.

During my time in California, I was able to gain significant experience with high-level techniques in both molecular biology and genetics, and I worked with graduate students at a large research university on what will hopefully be a valuable research paper to be published soon. I am grateful to have had this lab experience, which will be useful when continuing my education after W&L. n

The Full W&L Experience

Student Research

Undergraduate research is an increasingly popular way for students to explore their academic interests and prepare for graduate study. Programs like Summer Research Scholars (SRS) and Student Summer Independent Research (SSIR) encourage students to become familiar with tools, techniques, and methodology through working with faculty members on campus or doing independent work off-campus under the mentorship of a professor. These projects frequently continue throughout the academic year, fostering close student-faculty relationships and providing undergraduates with opportunities to get hands-on experience often reserved for graduate students. Many go on to present at academic conferences or co-author papers in academic journals.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Geoscience (EEG) annually sponsors trips to some of the nation’s top conferences, giving students the opportunity to present their research and network with professionals in the field. This fall, 12 students joined seven faculty members at the Geological Society of America Conference (GSA Connects 2023).

Alicia Nguyen ’23, an earth and environmental geoscience major and environmental studies minor from Hanoi, Vietnam, presented her research alongside Assistant Professor Margaret Hinkle, fellow student James Edwards ’25 and Sarah Teagle ’23, who is pursuing a master’s degree at North Carolina State University.

“I never thought I would be able to do research and present my findings at a big national conference like that,” said Nguyen. “It was a dream come true. I have found my passion thanks to this incredible opportunity.” n

Tyler Waldman ’24, an economics and Spanish major, spent a summer working with Dr. Katharine Shester, assisting in data collection, visualization, and regression analysis to study the effects of improvements in maternal health on the U.S. baby boom.

“Before working as a Summer Research Scholar, I was unsure about my post-graduation plans,” said Waldman. “However, I enjoyed working as a research assistant so much that I began to apply for fulltime research associate positions in the fall of 2023. The skills that I gained from my summer experience proved integral in demonstrating my aptitude for the Research Associate position I eventually was offered, and I am incredibly grateful to Professor Shester and the SRS program at W&L for supporting my career aspirations.” n

Biochemistry major Syd Peppe ’25 spent four weeks conducting art conservation research in the Netherlands as a Summer Research Scholar, working with Dr. Erich Uffelman and a team of fellow students to analyze paintings and objects, determining their elements to identify their pigments and date the pieces. They also looked for underdrawings and pentimenti of paintings using reflectance imaging spectroscopy and infrared imaging methods.

“This experience enabled me to dive into imaging techniques that will be valuable in my medical career and allowed me to further conceptualize physical chemistry,” said Peppe. “We spent four weeks collecting data from SRAL in Maastricht, The Mauritshuis in Den Haag, the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, the Dordrechts Museum in Dordrecht, and Studio Redivivus in Den Haag. It was truly an unforgettable experience for which I am incredibly grateful!” n

Kelly Hayes ’24

Hometown: Charleston, W.V.

Majors: Economics and Politics

Minors: Education Policy and Poverty Studies

When I am asked if I have enjoyed college, saying “I have loved it — Washington and Lee has been wonderful to me” is understating how lucky I feel. In four years, I have had the opportunities and funding to study abroad multiple times, complete a Shepherd Internship, and intern in West Virginia through a Johnson Opportunity Grant.

BY THE NUMBERS

56

422

700

i feel especially grateful for my study abroad experiences. Entering college, studying abroad seemed like something “other people” did. To me, it always felt out of reach. Coming out of Covid-19 my sophomore year, I stumbled across the Spring Term Abroad fair and met my two guiding mentors at Washington and Lee, Professor Haley Sigler and former Professor Timothy Diette. I was intrigued by their course going to Denmark to study Danish education and economics. Through their guidance and the wonders of Denmark, my life undoubtedly changed for the better. I not only found a passion for education and its effects on people and societies, but a love of discovering the nuances of communities different from my own.

and schools throughout the country while filming a documentary. This past summer, I went to the United Kingdom with the London Internship Program and Professor Elizabeth Oliver. There I interned at an education consulting company and got both office-based and in-classroom experience with British high school students. I’ll further satisfy my cultural curiosity this upcoming Spring Term by traveling to Cuba to study sustainable development with Professors Emily Landry and Jamie Casey.

Each of these experiences helped me to build skills of cultural competence and resilience. They have also allowed me to feel as if I am part of a bigger picture than I would have been had I remained solely in the United States. The lessons of studying abroad — career discernment, mentorship, and the kindness of strangers — snuck up on me and invariably changed me. My experiences have given me innumerable moments of joy, and when combined with my cherished time in Lexington, I feel fortunate to belong to the W&L community around the world. n 12

With a newfound mindset, I studied abroad for four months in Barcelona, Spain, that fall, where I was challenged linguistically while visiting 10 countries and living with the sweetest Catalonian grandparents. For Spring Term, I spent a month in Ghana with Professor Stephanie Sandberg and worked with NGOs

The Full W&L Experience

Global Education

International experiences are an integral part of a W&L education, expanding students’ knowledge of the world and its cultures as well as their opportunities for academic inquiry. The Center for International Education works with students to identify programs appropriate to their interests, including full academic term programs, faculty-led Spring Term abroad courses, summer programs, international internships, research opportunities, and service learning.

Our commitment to global education extends to coursework in 12 world languages, a variety of partnerships with international universities, and financial support both to send W&L students abroad and to bring international students and scholars to Lexington.

The John M. Gunn International Scholarship honors the late John McKenzie Gunn Jr. ’45, the Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor of Economics Emeritus at W&L. The scholarship invites international students of exceptional academic, personal, and professional promise to spend a year studying at W&L.

Liz Mira Santi, the 2023-24 Gunn Scholar, is a native of Indonesia pursuing a degree in accounting at Diponegoro University. She credits W&L’s faculty with changing her perception of education.

“My time at W&L has been life-changing,” said Mira Santi. “I used to view learning as an obligation. However, my experiences with W&L professors taught me the joy of exploring knowledge based on my passions and interests, fostered the courage to make mistakes and learn from them, and created a safe environment to discuss issues that matter to me.” n

Anika Maan ’24L was the inaugural recipient of the James Tyler Dickovick Internship in International Affairs, Global Political Economy, and the Public Interest. The scholarship supports an international summer internship for a W&L student who is interested in intellectual exploration and community service in a developing nation.

Maan spent the summer with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Suva, Fiji, where she worked on the review and implementation of anti-corruption sentencing guidelines.

“The Pacific islands are home to a diverse range of cultures and are a pivotal intersection of traditional and Western development,” said Maan. “Interning with the UNODC has given me insight into this complicated dynamic and strengthened my confidence to work in development spaces in the world’s most remote corners.” n

Will Braxton ’25 spent a semester at the University of St. Andrews, taking advantage of W&L’s exchange program with Scotland’s oldest university. Braxton, a member of the varsity golf team who is majoring in integrated engineering with computer science, credits the partnership with providing him an opportunity to study abroad that he would not have had otherwise.

“There are few universities where you can be a STEM major, a member of a competitive sports team, and study abroad, but at W&L, it’s common,” said Braxton. “Spending a semester at St. Andrews allowed me to live out every golfer’s dream. Playing the Old Course multiple times a week was an experience I will never forget. Additionally, studying at the top-ranked physics and math university in the UK was invaluable. The rigorous coursework introduced new methods that complemented my curriculum at W&L.” n

The Full W&L Experience

Spring Term Abroad

Spring Term Abroad is a distinctive part of the Washington and Lee curriculum and experience, featuring faculty-led courses that allow students to get an up-close, intensive, and personal experience of the subject matter in countries around the world. Need-based grant assistance is available to ensure that all students have the opportunity to take advantage of these courses.

2023 COURSES

2024 COURSES

IRELAND The Music, Folklore, and Literature of Ireland (MUS 238)

IRELAND Food, Culture, and Society in Ireland (SOAN 241)

CUBA Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development in Cuba (BUS 390/ECON 288)

GRAPHIC BY @MSJONESNYC

ICELAND Regional Geology of Iceland (EEG 373)

PORTUGAL Walking the Portuguese Caminho de Santiago (ROML 297)

SCANDINAVIA Social Innovation in Scandinavia (BUS 390)

FRANCE/UK

Exploring European Policy, Business, and Culture (ECON 288/FREN 285)

THE NETHERLANDS Science in Art (ARTH 356)

SWEDEN Swedish Theater (THTR 204)

DENMARK Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability (BUS 191)

DENMARK Exploring Happiness (CBSC 296)

MOROCCO

The Maghreb: History, Culture, and Politics (POL 287)

GHANA Creating Field Documentary on Human Rights in Ghana (FILM 253)

SPAIN Seville and the Foundations of Spanish Civilization (SPAN 213)

SPAIN Modern Art in Barcelona: From Gaudí to Dalí (ARTH 268)

SPAIN Contemporary Spain in Context: (Re)Searching Spanish Identity and Culture in the 21st Century (SPAN 214)

GERMANY Layered Berlin (GERM/BUS 392)

AUSTRIA Traces of Empire (GERM 305)

CZECH REPUBLIC/AUSTRIA

Haydn and Mozart: A Musical Tour of Prague and Vienna (MUS 239)

ITALY

Democratic Community in Italy: Food, Shelter, Space, Voice (POL 288)

ITALY

GREECE Landscapes and Monuments of Ancient Greece (CLAS 287)

GREECE

Advanced Field Study in Greece (GEOL 373)

FRANCE

Black Writers and the Allure of Paris (AFCA/ENGL 286)

FRANCE

Collecting Empire: Museums, Botanical Specimens, and Assembling the French Colonial Empire (FREN 285)

FRANCE The Meaning of Life (PHIL 261)

Educating for Global Citizenship: Policies, Practices, and Purposes in the U.S. and Italy (EDUC 235)

SWITZERLAND/ITALY

Big Science in Twenty-First Century Europe (PHYS 125)

JAPAN Japanese Language and Culture Study (JAPN 100-365)

SOUTH KOREA Statistics in Music (MATH/MUS 260)

TAIWAN Chinese Language (CHIN 103)

NEPAL

Caste at the Intersection of Economy, Religion, and Law (ECON/REL 246)

Perry Kramer ’24

Hometown: Roswell, GA

Major: Mathematics

Minor: Entrepreneurship

Last summer was transformative for me as I interned as a Summer Associate at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in the New York City area. I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity, which would not have been possible without the education, resources, and experiences that W&L has provided me.

“This academic variety has allowed me to learn and grow in many different areas, preparing me for the future in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.”

a s a m athematics major an D entrepreneurship minor at W&L, I have had the freedom to take a diverse range of courses, from abstract algebra to anthropology. One particularly impactful course, entrepreneurial finance, allowed me to study business cases at an MBA level, gaining insights into the dynamics behind decisions at exciting companies like Uber and Amazon. This academic variety has allowed me to learn and grow in many different areas, preparing me for the future in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. Furthermore, the Office of Career and Professional Development and the Johnson Program at W&L were

invaluable in my journey. Expert guidance from career advisers like Molly Steele, Lauren Vance, and Brooke Peccie not only helped me secure my internship, but also provided timeless lessons, such as the importance of being able to tell my story. Additionally, the Johnson Program enabled me to fund fantastic summer internship experiences, both at a venture capital firm in Miami and during my internship at BCG in New York.

In addition to these opportunities, my time on both the W&L men’s lacrosse team and in the Connolly Entrepreneurship Society (CES) has been equally enriching. Playing lacrosse as a

General, I have come to appreciate the meaning of being part of something larger than myself. This team mentality helped me as a leader of CES, where I gained valuable experience working with startups founded by W&L alumni.

During my summer at BCG, I collaborated with key technology teams in a major retail company, conducting interviews with product managers and facilitating discussions to prioritize product improvements. This effort resulted in a prioritization matrix that balanced the level of impact with resources required, providing a tool for future needs. After graduating, I am excited to move to New York and join BCG. I am eager to work alongside inspiring people from all over the world and can’t wait to learn as much as I can while I’m there.

Overall, I am very grateful for the enriching experiences and support that W&L has provided, preparing me not only for my career but also for a lifetime of learning and new experiences. n

Bridging Classroom to Career The Full W&L Experience

Summer internships are a great way to see how classroom learning applies in a real-world setting and an entry point for future careers. In addition to the professional advising provided by the Office of Career and Professional Development, W&L has a variety of internship programs that connect students with opportunities to explore their interests and gain valuable professional experience. The university also provides generous funding that makes these experiences possible.

The Johnson Opportunity Grant program provides funds to support internships and summer projects that would have otherwise been inaccessible to students. Hayden Roberts ’24 spent the summer as an intern for GSI Environmental Inc., a Houston-based engineering and environmental science consulting firm. A senior majoring in economics and earth and environmental geosciences, Roberts said his coursework in hydrology and geophysics equipped him with skills that he used and built on during his internship. He has since accepted an offer to join Jacobs as an environmental remediation geologist following his graduation this spring.

“I can’t imagine a more fitting summer program to exercise the knowledge and skills that I have learned in the classroom and in research,” said Roberts. “This was an opportunity to gain real-world exposure to a field that aligns closely with my interests, as well as a chance to gain an important professional network as I look toward my future employment.” n

The London Internship Program, designed for rising juniors and seniors, includes a politics class on contemporary Britain and an internship. Students work 20 hours a week in an unpaid internship, with Mondays set aside for coursework and excursions related to topics discussed in class.

Robert Ludwig ’02, chief operating officer for venture capital firm Hoxton Ventures, had a keen interest in offering a substantive internship for the program. He was matched with Evie Otis ’25 , a history and accounting double major who worked with his team on data migration and analysis. Otis said the program allowed her to gain valuable professional experience in her chosen field of finance while also exploring London’s rich cultural history.

“I had the opportunity to sit in on a variety of internal and investor meetings, and the team was so helpful in providing me with context as we worked together,” Otis said. n

The Shepherd Internship, a requirement for students minoring in poverty and human capability studies, places students in eight-week, full-time summer internships working with community partners engaged in anti-poverty work both domestically and abroad. Tetiana Kozachanska ’26 found her internship to be particularly meaningful, as she returned to her hometown of Kyiv, Ukraine, to intern at Brave Foundation, a volunteer-driven organization focused on the restoration of cities and villages affected by the Russian war in Ukraine.

“The field of poverty studies is exceptionally relevant due to the large-scale invasion of my country,” Kozachanska said. “After graduation, I want to join the efforts of my people to reintegrate the occupied communities. I believe that a high-quality education with an abundance of hands-on experience and support from W&L will be an invaluable resource.” n

Elizabeth Pruitt ’24L

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Undergraduate Degree: University of Georgia

I learned very quickly during my 1L year that I loved litigation. I loved all the litigation classes. I worked at the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the summer after my first year. Working in the SEC’s Enforcement Division was a perfect mix of litigation and administrative law. For my 3L year, I wanted to find a practice experience that would help bolster that combination. So, I enrolled in the Black Lung Clinic, officially known as the Advanced Administrative Litigation Clinic. It literally offers the exact combination of skills I wanted. At the same time, it’s a good way to serve the public and to serve the coal miners and their families.

I am interested in. The stars really aligned.

“I am thrilled to be going into a job that is exactly what I am interested in. The stars really aligned.”

i jumpe D right into the thick of things. For my first case, I had less than a month to write the closing argument brief in a case that had been developed over several years by others in the clinic. It was very intense but very rewarding. I was lucky to have that experience when I did because I finished around the same time that I was interviewing for a post-graduate position with the Department of Justice (DOJ). When the interviewers asked me questions, I was able to provide current, concrete examples of practical litigation experiences, from taking direct examinations of witnesses during hearings to developing evidence through discovery. I ultimately got the job with the DOJ, where I will be starting this fall as a trial attorney through the Attorney General’s Honors Program in Washington, D.C. I am thrilled to be going into a job that is exactly what

I am honored to work under the clinic’s director, Professor Timothy MacDonnell, who is an amazing professor and mentor. He is committed to serving the coal miners and their families. He runs the clinic essentially like a mini-law firm. Last month, I was the first chair on a case with a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in D.C. This means that I was on the conference call with Professor MacDonnell and my second chair, along with the ALJ, the coal miner and his family, and the coal company lawyers. In preparation for the hearing, I not only had to learn the law and facts of my case, but also the technical medical terms that doctors use to diagnose black lung disease. When other students ask me whether they should do the clinic, I tell them it’s not a walk in the park, but it’s the most rewarding thing they will do in law school. n

The Full W&L Experience

Experiential Legal Education

Practicum courses offer law students an opportunity to engage in advanced legal writing, research, and advocacy in a specific area of practice. Students have a choice of over 40 different practicum courses, in areas ranging from family law to civil litigation, estate planning to international human rights. Tom Boss ’24L participated in the Appellate Advocacy Practicum, in which students argue actual appellate cases in a moot court setting and receive critical feedback on written briefs. For their final exam, students submitted a brief and made an oral argument before current judges on the Virginia Court of Appeals.

“It’s hard to get an experience in law school that is closer to the realities of appellate practice than this course,” said Boss. “While I already hoped to make a career out of appellate advocacy, the skills I learned in this class and the passion that Professor Kyle McNew has for his own practice reinvigorated my desire to do appellate work in the future.” n

W&L Law has long been a leader in experiential education. Our curriculum combines the study of law with simulated and real-world experience in practicum classes, externships, and six legal clinics focused on a variety of litigation and business practice areas. Our faculty have developed programs that expose students to tough lessons and real-life decisions that the profession deals with every day.

Externships offer students the opportunity to work in placements off-campus, including a residential program that allows students to work anywhere in the world. Externs work to improve their legal skills while increasing their knowledge of a substantive area of law. Maxwell Hanamirian ’19, ’24L was inspired to pursue a federal court externship after taking a bankruptcy course and practicum during his second year. He worked for the Honorable Rebecca Connelly, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Virginia, researching and writing memoranda and observing judicial proceedings.

“The externship with Judge Connelly allowed me to take what I learned in the classroom and apply it to actual practice,” said Hanamirian. “It sharpened my understanding of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, exposed me to unique bankruptcy issues, and allowed me to witness how judges make decisions. Working with Judge Connelly strengthened my skills at the onset of my legal career as I join Saul Ewing LLP’s bankruptcy group this fall.” n

The Law School’s Path to Public Interest Program guarantees financial support for current students and graduates interested or serving in public interest and government careers. The program supplies over $330,000 in funds annually, helping to underwrite internships for current law students and loan repayment funds to support alumni working in public interest positions during the first 10 years following graduation.

For rising 2L students, summer employment is critical for gaining experience and developing skills that lead to future opportunities. Kendall Groza ’25L used her funding to work as a law clerk in the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Homeland Security Investigations Law Division at the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (HSILD).

“This opportunity provided valuable insight into what a career in law enforcement may look like from the standpoint of a practicing lawyer,” Groza said. n

Experiential Learning

Where Theory

Meets Practice

In addition to community-based learning courses, W&L students have a wealth of opportunities to gain hands-on experience that puts their classroom learning to work. Examples include:

Connolly Entrepreneurship Society

As a hub for budding entrepreneurs, the Connolly Entrepreneurship Society creates and nurtures startups and provides members with practical, hands-on experience in the world of business creation.

Remote Area Medical

W&L’s student-run affiliate chapter of the national nonprofit provides pre-health students with accessible, clinical engagement opportunities that connect them with healthcare providers practicing in a variety of specialties.

Washington and Lee Student Consulting

W&L’s Student Consulting group is open to all students, regardless of major. Students work in teams, each with an experienced project leader and alumni mentor, taking on projects including marketing plans, economic assessments, human resources audits, and feasibility studies. The range of work prepares participants for internships and jobs in the consulting industry and beyond.

ESOL

Students in W&L’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program

facilitate communication among the rural and increasingly diverse language communities of Rockbridge County through literacy and language learning initiatives. They support and collaborate with speakers of many languages, offering English classes, community events, and interpretation and translation services to education, health, and housing providers who serve speakers of other languages.

The Rockbridge Report

Journalism students from a variety of classes team up to report, write, and produce The Rockbridge Report, a weekly multimedia website and newscast that focuses on government, business, and community issues in Lexington and Rockbridge County.

The Williams Investment Society, Diversified Capital Group, and the Real Estate Society

Students with an interest in investments and real estate get valuable training and hands-on experience managing a portion of W&L’s endowment in equity securities through three different organizations on campus. The skills they learn leave them well-positioned for careers in financial services and real estate upon graduation.

CBL in 2022-23 DATA DIGEST

47

CBL course sections offered

17 Academic disciplines offering CBL courses

26 Faculty members offering CBL courses

33 Local community partners

632 Student participants

W&L is one of 15 private colleges and universities to receive the 2024 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The classification is the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement in U.S. higher education.

QA

A CONVERSATION WITH

Sascha Goluboff

Director of Community-Based Learning and the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty

Sascha Goluboff is a professor of cultural anthropology and serves as director for both W&L’s CommunityBased Learning program and the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty.

Q. What is Community-Based Learning? Community-Based Learning (CBL) connects faculty and students with community partners to create projects that benefit the greater good. CBL classes integrate learning and mentorship with community engagement and critical reflection, engaging undergraduate and law students in research, service-learning, project-based activities, and seminars with community partners. The CBL office also offers summer undergraduate internships with organizations in the local area.

Q. What are the benefits — to students and to the community?

CBL classes provide students with realworld applications of academic material and help them develop valuable professional competencies, including teamwork, leadership, communication, and civic responsibility. They also encourage

students to grapple with ideas, experiences, and issues that can be unfamiliar or uncomfortable and may clash with their worldviews and assumptions. Students report that the collaborations give them new perspectives, and community partners report that students make positive contributions to their organizations.

Q. What are some recent examples of CBL courses?

CBL courses have collaborated with the Rockbridge Area Relief Association (RARA) for more than a decade on many different projects: Engineering students developed a weatherization plan for the RARA building, while cognitive and behavioral science students conducted research on how to tackle stereotypes individuals may have of food pantries. Students in Spanish courses developed a video to help immigrants in the area access the food pantry and emergency services, and students in other CBL classes volunteered to distribute food at the pantry and answer calls to the emergency helpline.

At the Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden, students in an

English class created an immersive, narrative-based walking trail, while students in Environmental ServiceLearning and Student Consulting researched carbon-capture initiatives and created public relations materials for the center’s local carbon offset program. Cognitive and behavioral science students developed a user-friendly survey to capture how participating in environmentally sustainable activities like composting and recycling affects one’s understanding of climate action and sense of environmental self-efficacy. n

MOCK CON The Long, and Rewarding, Road to

With a 116-year history anD 74% accuracy rate, W&L’s Mock Convention is known as the most accurate mock convention in the country. Still, sometimes even the Mock Con executive team is surprised by its far-reaching and renowned reputation.

“We were getting lunch with Marc Short ’92, who was former Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, and he got a call from the former vice president in the middle of our meeting,” said Foster Harris ’24, Mock Con 2024’s political chair. “He answered the phone and said, ‘Hi, Mr. Vice President. I’m going to have to call you back — I’m with the Mock Con team.’ And we were like: ‘What on Earth just happened?’”

Harris is one of six students on the executive team of this year’s Mock Convention, a student-run organization that predicts the presidential nominee of the party out of power in the White House. Every four years, students are tasked with building a political operation from the ground up. From mastering the mechanics of the American electoral system, to successfully engaging with dozens of top-level political figures, the organization is a massive undertaking.

Almost immediately after one convention cycle ends, the groundwork for the next event begins. The previous executive team searches for replacements for three of the six executive chairs, known as tri-chairs: general chair, political chair,

and financial chair. It’s an intense hiring process: Applicants complete seven rounds of interviews over a seven-month period, all while navigating college life as W&L first-years.

“We look for students who have potential and can grow into the role,” said John Harashinski ’20, former political chair for Mock Con 2020. “It’s not so much looking for political or analytical acumen but finding those raw leadership qualities. It’s a big task to take the group from three people to well over 1,500.”

Once the new tri-chairs are selected, they start to grow the organization. In their second year, the tri-chairs hire the rest of executive team, filling the roles of

“Hi, Mr. Vice President. I’m going to have to call you back — I’m with the Mock Con team.”

MARC SHORT ’92 former Vice President

Mike Pence’s chief of staff

director of operations, director of communications, and general secretary.

Together, the six-person team staffs five departments: general, financial, political, communications, and operations. In year three, they select the senior leaders within each department, known as the steering committee, as well as state chairs. Throughout their time in college, the different groups work tirelessly to develop political strategy, manage a large budget, negotiate contracts, coordinate events, communicate with the press, and analyze polling results, among many other responsibilities.

“Mock Con is really building a business from scratch every four years,” Harris said.

The fall before the convention, the 50-person team expands to more than 1,500 on Delegates’ Day, where students sign up for delegation spots for 50 states, five territories, and Washington, D.C. By the time the convention takes place the following February, 95% of the W&L student body will have participated in Mock Con. Though open positions are advertised on campus through flyers and word of mouth, many students already know they want to be involved in Mock Con before they even get to W&L.

“When I was going through the college application process, Mock Con was definitely something that stood out to me. It was one of the reasons I came to W&L,” said Anna Connolly ’25, Mock Con 2024’s director of communications.

Leading up to the trademark event, Mock Con hosts fundraisers and invites guests to campus. This convention cycle launched with a visit from former First Lady Laura Bush and former First Daughter Barbara Bush, who were interviewed by General Chair Ramsay Trask ’24 and Director of Operations Carly Snyder ’24 in front of a live audience in University Chapel during Parents Weekend 2022.

“It was the first event I was in charge of planning,” Snyder said. “That process taught me how to navigate the contractual process and how important it is to work with administrators to figure out logistics — from securing a date on the university calendar, to laying out the map for Secret Service and coordinating those plans with public safety and local police. I really learned the importance of communicating effectively and how many people it takes to put on a successful event.”

Six months later, Mock Con hosted its Spring Kickoff event: a conversation with former Vice President Pence and Bret Baier, chief political anchor of Fox News. The team only had three weeks to plan the high-profile speaking engagement with Pence’s team, which garnered significant local and national media attention.

“It was so fun because we were able to see considerable coverage of it on television, plus in publications like Politico, the Wall Street Journal, and Reuters, specifically when Pence was hinting that he was going to run for president,” Connolly said.

While Mock Con is entirely studentled, two W&L faculty members serve as advisers: Brian Alexander, associate professor of politics, and Scott Hoover, A. Stevens Miles Professor of Banking and Finance. As an adviser, Alexander helps the team frame their main objectives,

Experiential Learning

discusses strategy with the group, and offers insight based on his own experience working on political campaigns, but he leaves the rest up to the students.

“By the end, they’re the experts. These students are executive-level professionals,” Alexander said. “I’m more likely to go to Foster Harris and ask him to tell me how to analyze the Republican presidential contest than I am to give him advice on how to do that. They just grow into the roles — it’s amazing.”

After four years of planning, preparation, and research, the experience culminates in Convention Weekend. Mock Con, which kicks off with a parade down Main Street Lexington, features an impressive lineup of speakers that represent the party out of power in the White House. This year’s lineup included sitting governors Glenn Youngkin and Brian Kemp, Congressman Wesley Hunt, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former governor Asa Hutchinson. The weekend concludes with Mock Con’s official presidential nominee prediction.

Mock Con — part political thought experiment, part multi-million-dollar startup — is a time-intensive commitment and high-pressure responsibility. Without a doubt, it is a college-defining experience for everyone involved.

“Hosting a convention-level activity is an incredible political learning experience that you can’t replicate in the classroom and one that very few political professionals get to engage in,” Alexander said. n

MOCK CONVENTION PREDICTED THAT

DONALD J. TRUMP WOULD BE THE 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, WITH 2,353 DELEGATES OUT OF A POSSIBLE 2,429.

Where’s Your “Home” on Campus?

We asked students about the campus spaces and extracurricular activities that have made their experience memorable.

William Joseph ’26

Hometown: Wilmette, IL

Majors: Accounting and Classics

I came to W&L for the great academics and to play soccer for one of the best nationally ranked soccer teams in DIII, and Watt Field is my home. There is nothing better than stepping on the field with packed stands, knowing everyone is rooting for us. We have arguably the best DIII fanbase in the NCAA, and it is an amazing experience to play in front of all your friends. n

Luke Fountain ’25

Hometown: Hickory, N.C.

Majors: Journalism and Politics

Minor: Education Policy

Reid Hall is undoubtedly my home. My first year on campus, I was interested in writing, but unsure exactly where it would take me. Since then, I’ve discovered a love for storytelling and have not looked back. Whether it was late nights hunched over editing software or debating story ideas and chasing down leads with my classmates in Beat Reporting, every time I go into Reid Hall, I become a better version of myself. n

Taylor Roberson ’24L

Hometown: Florence, AL

Undergraduate Institution: University of Alabama

The Kirgis Fellow Program matches small sections of 20 first-year law students with two upperclassmen mentors. After three years of involvement, I have found a home with my fellow mentors — students dedicated to helping students navigate law school, the job search process, and life in Lexington and strengthening our W&L community. n

Culture of Community

Daniel Jacobi ’24L

Hometown: Northville, MI

Undergraduate Institution: Michigan State University

The gym is my home on campus. It’s a beautiful walk over from the law school and a great place to take a healthy break from studying. Everyone knows everyone, and I always feel at home when I arrive. From greeting Patty at the front desk to seeing all of my classmates, I have a true sense of what the W&L community means at the gym. n

Jana Hulsey ’25

Hometown: Haines City, FL

Major: Economics

Minor: Poverty Studies

My home on campus is the Office of Inclusion and Engagement. Not only is the staff super kind and helpful, but the students who visit or work in the office are some of my closest friends. We all have unique personal backgrounds and academic interests, but I always feel extremely comfortable talking about whatever exciting news or difficult assignments we may have. n

Jenna Bernstein ’25

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Major: Computer Science

Minor: Philosophy

I have found a home on this campus in both Alpha Delta Pi and my field hockey team. The girls in both of these organizations make me feel at home no matter where I am. I have never felt support and true friendship like I do with the people I am surrounded by in these groups. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of both. n

The Arts

100+

Annual events in the Lenfest Center for the Arts

Visual and performing arts are essential to the culture of Washington and Lee, with hundreds of students participating annually in a variety of musical ensembles and theater and dance productions. This year’s offerings include the Bentley Opera, “Dido and Aeneas,” an adaptation of Stephen Karam’s comedic play, “Speech and Debate,” and the debut of two short documentary films produced by students who traveled to Ghana for Spring Term in 2023. The Repertory Dance Company performed in Brooklyn, N.Y., with alumni of the program, at the Center for Performance Research, while the University Singers toured the Southeastern U.S. on their annual choir tour, with stops in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Madison Lilly ’25

Hometown: Narrows, VA

Major: Neuroscience

Minor: Poverty Studies

I joined the Repertory Dance Company at the beginning of my sophomore year, and I love being able to meet and perform with so many talented people from all corners of campus. I have met so many people I never would have crossed paths with due to different class years, majors, or Greek life affiliations. n

STUDENT LIFE

Walker McPhail ’24

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Greek Life >70% Student participation in Greek life

With 11 national fraternities and eight sororities, Greek life continues to be a draw for over 70% of W&L’s students. Nine fraternities are part of the Interfraternity Council, and two are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), which is composed of historically Black Greek organizations. Five sororities are part of the National Panhellenic Conference, two are part of the NPHC, and one is a local organization.

Majors: Business Administration and History

The continued participation of the student body in Greek life is one of the binding factors that contributes to the strength of our community. Over the course of four years, I was lucky enough to be part of a brotherhood that afforded me lifelong friendships and connections across generations, developed me personally and professionally, and thoroughly enhanced my college experience. n

Club and Intramural Sports

20 Competitive club teams

Club sports and intramurals are increasingly popular on campus, with students participating on 20 club teams that compete against other schools, as well as in a variety of intramural leagues and single-day tournaments. This year’s IM offerings include flag football, volleyball, basketball, and soccer leagues, and single-day tournaments for spikeball, ping pong, dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, tennis, basketball, and squash.

Ben McClure ’24

Hometown: Pauline, S.C.

Majors: Physics and Economics

What I love about the club sports program is the way it provides passionate, ambitious students with the resources they need to pursue what they love. W&L Ski and Snowboard unites people of all backgrounds through a common love of snow sports. Anyone is welcome, regardless of experience. This year we were excited to add men’s and women’s snowboarding, bringing our total number of competitors to 24. Our men’s alpine ski team went to regionals for the first time and placed fifth overall in our conference. n

Culture of Community

The Outing Club

300+

New Outing Club members each year

W&L’s Outing Club boasts a new home in the pavilion on back campus, featuring a popular 32-foot climbing wall and bike shop. Students lead most of the activities, which include backpacking, fly fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, caving, skiing, and outdoor cooking. Trips vary in length from day hikes to 10-day trips held during Washington and Spring breaks, with excursions to places like the Florida Everglades, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Zion National Park. Equipment and trip-planning resources are available to all Outing Club members who want to plan their own trips.

Nabil Youssef ’26

Hometown: Cairo, Egypt

Major: Computer Science

Being a member of the Outing Club has enriched my life in many ways. It gives me the opportunity to explore new places, challenge myself, and have fun with like-minded people. I’m especially hooked on mountain biking. Whether I’m ripping berms on a flowy trail or tackling gnarly rocky singletracks, the rush I get zooming down those hills is next-level exhilarating, and I am grateful for the experiences and friendships I have made. n

Culture of Community

QA

A CONVERSATION WITH Women’s Basketball Coach and Men’s Lacrosse Coach

Christine Clancy & Gene McCabe

In 2023, the NCAA celebrated the 50th anniversary of Division III, which was established in August 1973 with 240 member schools and conferences. Today, Division III is the NCAA’s largest division, with 433 active schools. Washington and Lee subscribes to the Division III philosophy, which prioritizes the student-athlete’s educational experience and ensures that athletics are an integral part of a well-rounded college experience.

Washington and Lee University

Women’s basketball coach Christine Clancy and men’s lacrosse coach Gene McCabe both competed at Division III institutions — Clancy played basketball and tennis at Brandeis University; McCabe played football and lacrosse at Bates College. Both won Old Dominion Conference Coach of the Year honors in their respective sports in 2023. We asked them to reflect on their experiences in DIII.

Q. What did it mean for you to compete on the Division III level?

CC: As I thought of being a college athlete, I didn’t know much about the differences

in the NCAA divisions. I simply loved playing my sport and wanted to keep playing. Brandeis matched what I was looking for in a college, including the opportunity to continue playing basketball. I ended up playing tennis for 2 1/2 years, too, and the chance to play a second sport was a real bonus.

GM: I had been a three-sport athlete in high school and was pretty sure I wasn’t a DI scholarship athlete in any of those. But I was a good athlete and was passionate about trying to play in college. The Division III model at Bates provided

me with both an excellent educational opportunity and the chance to play two sports: football and lacrosse.

Q. What is distinctive about the Division III opportunity at W&L?

CC: What students care most about are the educational opportunities, how successful our program is, their connection with the coaches, and how many people we can connect them with. For instance, President Dudley comes to our games and knows the women on the team. That matters to them. Certainly, our Spring Term is a big plus since it allows athletes to study abroad in ways other schools do not. The W&L alumni network is also huge.

GM: The distinctions we have at W&L include the breadth of the academic experience that a student-athlete can get here, like the business program, the journalism program, the success of our students in the health professions, and the fact that you can get an engineering degree. This creates a unique combination compared to our peers.

Q. What do you most enjoy about coaching W&L student-athletes?

CC: It’s a long list. I enjoy seeing all that they accomplish, on the basketball court and throughout the university. I love attending activities they’re doing outside basketball. I enjoy the fact that our student-athletes care about the “why?” It’s enjoyable to coach them because they ask thoughtful questions.

GM: I enjoy the mentorship and the relationship building. Getting a chance to see one of your student-athletes become such a great version of himself because of the experiences he’s had across the university is a wonderful thing. I’m grateful for witnessing the moments when they are experiencing pure joy — winning a game or a tournament or excelling in the classroom.

Q. Has DIII changed since you played? If so, how?

GM: Its foundational elements are still there, with the focus on the holistic student-athlete approach, but we are seeing elements of the Division I world creeping into Division III. First, there is such emphasis on athletes specializing in a single sport, which I don’t necessarily agree with. Then, there is an overbearing societal emphasis on winning. We’re all extremely competitive; we want to win at the highest levels, and we are successful here at W&L. But for me, there is so much more to playing a sport than winning.

CC: I agree with Coach McCabe. Student-athletes are specializing earlier and earlier. Consequently, I think you see a bit more burnout in Division III than you used to see. Another major change is the visibility. When students commit to a DIII school now, their social media posts celebrating those moments are much more public. It’s an example of trying to look more like Division I, and the increased pressure on winning comes along with that.

Q. Final thoughts on your experience with DIII and at W&L?

CC: One of the things that I enjoy about Division III, and especially working at an institution like W&L, is I get to be involved in more than coaching and in the university more broadly. I value the opportunity to be more than just a coach of my sport and to be invested in the direction of the university.

GM: When I tell my peers that I’m on the Faculty Affairs Committee or that I’m an academic adviser to students who don’t even play lacrosse, they’re surprised. As coaches, we are routinely asked for our views on all parts of the university program, not just athletics. That’s unique to the DIII experience, and might even be unique to W&L. n

KEEPING SCORE

2022-23 Athletic Highlights

34%

of the student body participated in intercollegiate athletics

11 conference championships

(Men’s soccer, field hockey, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming, wrestling, women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis)

75% overall winning percentage

37 individual ODAC titles

11 teams and 13 individuals advanced

NCAA competition.

23

10

10

6

21 consecutive ODAC Commissioner’s Cups

#17

Final standing in 2023 DIII Director’s Cup, which measures success in NCAA championships.

A CONVERSATION WITH

Martha Ernest ’24 Culture of Community

The President of the Executive Committee and discuss the ways that Washington and Lee

Martha Ernest is a member of the Class of 2024 from Montgomery, Alabama. A double major in politics and cognitive and behavioral science with a minor in data science, Ernest served as president of the student body in 2023-24 and as director of community outreach for the 2024 Mock Convention.

Q. How does the Honor System contribute to the sense of community on campus?

In my opinion, it’s critical, and it’s what sets W&L apart from other institutions.

Our community is built on the concepts of honor, civility, and integrity, and there is a shared notion of respect among students, faculty, and staff. For students, the Honor System helps foster a deep sense of care and intentionality toward how we treat our peers and our spaces.

Q. Are there other ways that the Executive Committee helps to foster community among students?

While the EC has the responsibility of adjudicating the Honor System, we also oversee and fund 80-plus student organizations on campus. As president, I have seen how student organizations create programming and opportunities for the student body that encourage us to interact with and learn from each other outside of the classroom and impact students’ lives and sense of belonging. Some organizations are smaller and meet regularly to create a community among members, and other organizations involve the entire student body. For example, Fancy Dress is an organization that brings our whole campus together. The EC appoints the tri-chairs of Fancy Dress, funds the event, and oversees the planning process.

Q. Do you think the Honor System has benefits beyond a student’s four years at W&L?

Students experience many benefits and freedoms because of the Honor System, and those can be seen just by walking around campus. However, the Honor System is much more than being able to leave possessions in the library without worrying that they’ll be taken. After graduating from W&L, alums are seen as honorable people by virtue of having been part of this community. The values we internalize here — representing ourselves truthfully and seeking no unfair advantage over our peers — will stay with us no matter where our lives and careers may take us.

Q. How has the Honor System changed over time?

W&L has a long history of honor, but since our Honor System is not codified, each new generation defines its own community of trust. As students, we get to determine what the Honor System means to us today. In effect, the Honor System is a living, changing thing, and we are the beneficiaries of those who have kept the tradition alive before us and get to pass the tradition along to succeeding generations. n

& John Jensen ’01

the Executive Director of Alumni and Career Services builds and sustains community across generations.

John Jensen is a 2001 graduate of W&L who returned to the university in 2011 as assistant dean in the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, where he coordinated co-curricular programs, internships, alumni outreach, and international opportunities. He was named dean of career and professional development in 2014, and executive director of alumni and career services in 2022, with oversight of the offices of both Career and Professional Development and Alumni Engagement.

Q. Community is such a fundamental part of the W&L experience. How have alumni events evolved in recent years to help maintain that sense of connection among W&L graduates?

We know that our alumni’s sense of connection back to W&L goes far beyond their class year. During a student’s time here, their individual interests and experiences add layers to what makes their W&L experience uniquely meaningful and impactful to them. We have begun to focus more intentionally on providing opportunities for alumni to engage and connect through affinity programming that brings them together in meaningful ways. This could be a shared career or

industry, academic path, athletic team, student organization.

As we plan our annual reunions, the Alumni Engagement team approaches their work with this mindset, incorporating creative ways to bring alumni together. On campus this fall, we staged the popular career-focused Entrepreneurship Summit in partnership with the Connolly Center, and the Hillel Bayit Mitzvah Celebration, a special weekend hosted in partnership with W&L Hillel to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the Hillel House on campus. Off-campus events have also been a priority this year, from the large-scale Real Estate Forum in Washington, D.C., to the W&L Pride Alumni Network gathering in New York City, which brought together alumni in the LGBTQ+ community. We are excited to continue expanding the ways alumni can connect, both in-person and virtually.

Q. How has the merger of Alumni Engagement and Career and Professional Development impacted your ability to support both current students and alumni?

Bringing together the alumni and career offices under the combined Office of Alumni and Career Services has enabled us to more organically and seamlessly support students and alumni along

their entire career journey. We now have a combined team working in tandem to provide career-related support and engagement from those initial career exploration conversations to finding a summer internship, landing that first postgrad job, navigating a career pivot, recruiting students and alumni, networking with fellow alumni in a shared industry, and beyond. It has expanded the already strong alumni interest in connecting with, supporting, and recruiting W&L students and alumni, and enabled us to share expertise from both sides and partner more closely on events and programs. n

During their years on campus, our students develop their intellect and conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility, which prepares them for lives of learning, achievement, leadership, and service. This formative period of personal growth has tremendous value to themselves and their communities. We are all better off because of the kind of people they become.

— Will Dudley

student success

95% of the undergraduate Class of 2023 was employed or attending grad school within six months of graduation.

98% of the Law Class of 2023 was employed within 10 months of graduation.

Prepared for

Nathan Unger ’24

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA

Major: Business Administration

Minor: Environmental Studies

I’ve come to learn that the skills developed outside of the classroom are some of the most valuable for life after college. W&L has provided many opportunities to build soft skills crucial for professional success. Whether it is opportunities to interact with a keynote speaker or with alums during an alumni weekend, learning how to speak to people and develop relationships is so advantageous for W&L students. Honing these skills so early in college sets us up for success later in life. n

Barbara Ann Merryman ’24L

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Undergraduate Institution: The Johns Hopkins University

Having come to law school from my teaching career, I knew well that the best way to carve out a fitting path would be to lean on those who have navigated such ventures in the past. W&L’s Office of Career Strategy has helped me tackle grueling interviews and tough decisions, but, more than that, they have encouraged me to prioritize joy and purpose as I choose my path. I know that I am well-prepared for my career ahead as a public defender, and that I will also be able to sustain such a career, because of the kindness, support, and patience extended to me from our advisers at W&L. n

We asked six students to share how their W&L education prepared

Nathan

Barbara Posi Lane Diwesh

Walker

Student Success

Launch

Walker McKnight ’24

Hometown: Nashville, TN

Major: Cognitive and Behavioral Science

Minor: Studio Art

The liberal arts framework of W&L makes me feel prepared for post-graduate success in so many ways. I once heard an alum say that W&L students graduate with the ability to read, write, and listen. I feel like I have gained all three of these skills because of being challenged academically in classes across a broad range of disciplines, from my geology lab to a religion class. I also have learned from my amazing professors the importance of surrounding yourself with smart and encouraging mentors who want you to succeed. My entire W&L experience has made me a more wellrounded individual, and I find comfort in knowing that the W&L community will continue to provide a strong support network outside of Lexington. n

Lane David ’24L

Hometown: Lynchburg, VA

Undergraduate Institution: Villanova University

Posi Oluwakuyide ’24

Hometown: Union, N.J.

Major: Economics

Minor: Poverty Studies and Law, Justice, and Society

W&L is preparing me for life after college in so many ways. My freshman internship was through the Shepherd Program and introduced me to nonprofit work and research. I secured my second internship after various rounds of preparation with Career and Professional Development, and Washington Term gave me the opportunity to explore my interest in public policy. Not to mention that I have gained invaluable life skills by just being involved in organizations on campus, and I have learned so much in the classroom as well. n

Diwesh Kumar ’24

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan

Majors: Mathematics and Economics

I would not be where I am today had it not been for the kindness of the W&L community and the generosity of its alumni. The classes I took, the firsthand experience I got through the Williams Investment Society, the help I received from my professors and the career office, and the mentorship I got from different alums all played such an important role in preparing me for my finance internship in junior year, which led to a job offer for next year. I could not be more grateful to W&L for that. Truly, it has been life-changing, and it’s all because of this community. n

The professors here are extremely helpful and always willing to speak with students. W&L Law has given me all the tools I need to succeed in my career –excellent classroom instruction, engaging practical experience, and an exceptional group of peers (soonto-be colleagues) to support me. The law school community embraces you from the moment you arrive on campus, cheering you on in your academic and extracurricular endeavors. Here you are not viewed as a number, but as a person. n prepared them for post-graduate success — here are their stories.

Fellowship Success

Q. Do students naturally match with a particular fellowship?

Matthew Loar ’07 is Director of Fellowships and Student Research at Washington and Lee, and also serves as director of The Beinecke Scholarship Program, a program of the Sperry Fund that provides scholarships to fund graduate education in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. A 2006 Beinecke Scholar himself, Matthew holds a BA in Classics (with honors) from Washington and Lee, an MSt in Women’s Studies (with distinction) from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in Classics from Stanford University.

Q. How do you identify promising fellowship students?

While I still do a lot of active recruiting, I also benefit from faculty and staff referrals and student word of mouth. And with the arrival of our new assistant director of fellowships, Dallas Tatman, the students seem to be flocking even more.

There are certainly a number of fellowships where there is a clear pipeline of potential applicants: Any student who wants to pursue a research career in STEM is on my radar for the Goldwater Scholarship, any student who wants to work for the federal government is on my radar for the Boren Scholarship, and any student who has studied a world language at or beyond the intermediate level will definitely be hearing from me about the Fulbright program. However, more often the case is that our students are still working to identify their passions and articulate their goals, and so I frequently encourage students to use the fellowship application process itself as an opportunity to think through who they are, what they want, and how to get from point A to point B. In a perfect world, that first fellowship application helps a student begin to narrow their interests, and then it really is a matter of matching students with fellowships that will enable them to pursue their goals.

Q. Is there a benefit to the application process even if students don’t win? I believe strongly that there is intrinsic value in applying for fellowships, and I certainly hope the students feel that way! I sometimes joke with students that, if they get nothing else out of the application process, I hope they at least come away

with a better understanding of when and how to use a semicolon. That’s because I think of myself as a writing teacher first and foremost, and so I want to use the application process as a chance to help students sharpen their writing and become better at telling their story. At the same time, I want students to be able to adapt and repurpose the documents they generate for fellowship applications as job cover letters, graduate school essays, and ideally even future fellowship applications. I never want time spent on an application to feel like time wasted.

Q. What’s the secret to Washington and Lee’s recent fellowship success? That’s a no-brainer: It’s our students! It’s their ambition, their energy, and their creativity. It’s their fearlessness in pursuing every opportunity available to them, and their willingness to put in the hours (and I mean hours) of work necessary to draft and revise compelling applications. The fellowship process requires a lot of time and emotional energy, and, statistically speaking, students are more likely not to receive the fellowships that they apply for. Even with that knowledge, each year I have more and more students applying for fellowships. It’s no wonder that Washington and Lee continues to excel in major fellowship competitions, and there is every reason to believe that the success we have seen in recent years is just the beginning. n 3

Student Success

W&L’s First Marshall Scholar

Kathryn (Katie) Yurechko ’24, a computer science and philosophy double major, was named Washington and Lee University’s first Marshall Scholar in December 2023. A native of Havre de Grace, Maryland, Yurechko was one of 51 scholars chosen this year for the prestigious scholarship, which is awarded based on academic merit, leadership potential, and ambassadorial potential. She will receive full funding for one to three years of study at the University of Oxford and University College London.

At Oxford, Yurechko plans to pursue a master’s degree in social science of the internet, followed by a master’s degree in computer science at University College London. She is interested in how to eradicate the unjust, algorithmic silencing of marginalized voices on social media while increasing the moderation of hateful content that often targets marginalized groups.

Boren Scholars

Yurechko’s extensive research experience will lend itself well to her future studies. During summer 2022, she served as a research intern in Carnegie Mellon University’s Media, Interaction and Technology Lab, where she investigated “algospeak,” an emerging phenomenon in which social media creators alter

Five Washington and Lee University students received a David L. Boren Scholarship to support intensive language study around the world, earning Washington and Lee the title of a top-performing institution for Boren Scholarships. The awards support intensive language study in 43 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East, allowing students to study in and learn the language and culture of a country with the goal of applying this experience to their professional careers.

This year’s W&L recipients include:

n Sandor Franch ’25 to study Swahili in Tanzania

n Xavier Raymondson ’25 to study Russian in Armenia

n Tara Trinley ’25 to study Russian in Armenia

n Tyler Bernard ’23 to study Portuguese in Brazil

n Ellie Penner ’23 to study Hindi in India

This opportunity will help me take huge steps toward a career in the federal government, as well as give me first-hand experience in connecting with civilians from another country and representing the United States and its values.

– SANDOR FRANCH ’25

their language to avoid the algorithmic suppression of their content. This experience inspired her to investigate how social media algorithms can be used to empower users rather than exploit them. While conducting research in the University of Washington’s Social Futures Lab this past summer, she worked with her research team to develop an interactive machine learning tool to help address marginalized social media creators’ experience with online harassment.

Yurechko’s research has been published online in Sage Journal’s Social Media and Society , and she has presented at numerous national and international conferences. n

Gilman Scholars

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients, announced its first round of recipients for the academic year in December 2023. Six W&L students were named recipients, adding to the 10 who were awarded Gilman Scholarships last year. Gilman Scholars may study and intern abroad during the spring, summer, fall, or winter term or academic year. This year’s recipients are:

n Celeste Alvarez ’26 to study Latin American migration in Mexico

n Kaden Buss ’27 to complete an internship in the Czech Republic

n Juyoung Kim ’26 to study Mandarin in Taiwan

n Hailey Neaman ’25 to study Indonesian language, art, and culture in Indonesia

n Joel Sotelo Flores ’27 to study at Yonsei University in South Korea

n Augusta Weaver ’26 to study marine ecology in Panama

Receiving the Gilman Scholarship is an immense honor and privilege. As a low-income, first-generation student, studying abroad seemed out of reach. This scholarship has expanded my horizons without financial worry.

– HAILEY NEAMAN ’25

Student Success

Career advising at Washington and Lee is as personalized as our education.

UNDERGRADUATE CAREER OUTCOMES

95% #1

W&L ranked #1 among all colleges and universities for career preparation, according to a 2023 Wall Street Journal poll.

A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT

92% 5-Year Medical School Acceptance Rate

89% 5-Year Law School Acceptance Rate

#3 Net Present Value of a W&L Education ($1.83M)*

25% Increase in net present value for graduates of liberal arts colleges over the span of a 40year career vs. graduates from other types of institutions.*

*2022 Report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

TOP EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRIES 2023

of the Class of 2023 is employed or attending graduate school six months after graduation

16% ATTENDED A GRADUATE PROGRAM AFTER W&L

Masters: 45%

Law School: 32%

Health: 11%

Medical School: 6%

PhD Program: 6%

Personalized Advising

n 5,119 individual student appointments

n 71% of students had an individual appointment or attended a CPD Program

n 520 individual alumni appointments

n 100+ students participate annually in career exploration trips

Career Exploration

CPD offers regular trips for students to meet with alumni in a variety of industries and explore career options in major job markets, including:

n Washington, D.C. (Fall 2023): Accounting, Economic and Social Impact, Real Estate

n New York, N.Y. (Winter 2024): Finance, Healthcare, Law, Explore

n New York, N.Y. (Spring 2024): Life After Investment Banking, Advertising/ Marketing/Communications

n Washington, D.C. (Fall 2024): Accounting, Public Policy, Consulting

Recent Notable Employers

n Amazon, American Express, Bloomberg, Booz Allen Hamilton, CBS, Citi, Deloitte, Fulbright Association, Goldman Sachs, Intuit, Jackson Spaulding, JLL, Lockheed Martin, McKinsey & Company, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Congress

LAW CAREER OUTCOMES

7 ABA Presidents (the third most of any law school)

From the moment our students arrive on campus, our offices of Career and Professional Development (CPD) and Career Strategy (OCS) aim to engage undergraduate and law students, respectively, through one-on-one advising appointments, career exploration programs, and skill development workshops — all with an eye toward student success. And the results speak for themselves. 59%

#24 in Big Law placement (Source: ALM Law.com)

98% of the Class of 2023 were employed in bar passage required or JD advantage jobs after 10 months

#

nationally in Federal Clerkships (Source: Reuters)

CLASS OF 2023L EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR

35 states in which W&L Law grads have secured jobs in the last three years

Recent Notable Employers

n Law Firms: Alston & Bird; Bradley; Jones Day; K&L Gates; Kirkland & Ellis; Ropes & Gray; Sidley Austin; Troutman Pepper; Weil Gotshal & Manges; WilmerHale

n Clerkships: Court of Appeals of Virginia; 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Atlanta; New York Supreme Court, Bronx County; U.S. District Court, District of Columbia; Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

n Public Interest/Government: Army JAG Corps, Attorney General of Virginia, Seattle City Attorney’s Office, Texas Office of the Attorney General, Virginia Indigent Defense Commission

n Business and Industry: Fidelity

Employers share what makes W&L graduates stand out among their peers

hire education

Gettin G a job after their time at Washington and Lee University is the feather in the graduation cap for most students. The totality of the W&L experience — rigorous academics, relationship-building activities, involvement in clubs and organizations, leadership opportunities, athletic pursuits, and ongoing mentorships — leads to success in what comes next. Over 95% of our 2023 graduates are already employed or attending graduate school. Whether they enter directly into the workforce or opt to enhance their skill set through further studies, W&L students are undoubtedly ready for the next chapter.

Hiring is a risky undertaking for employers. Beyond the resources it requires of employees’ time and company money, it’s impossible to truly gauge how a prospective employee will perform until they’re on the payroll. However, employers who consistently hire W&L graduates say risk mitigation is one of the reasons they keep returning to our candidate pool year after year.

Economics major Howard Smith ’80, retired president of Walker & Dunlop commercial real estate finance and advisory services firm, says there are a few key ingredients in the “secret sauce” of what makes W&L graduates

stand out from their peers. First is the rigorous, team-based college curriculum, which provides a strong academic foundation as well as necessary interpersonal skills. Second is the Honor System that serves as an undercurrent in students’ approach to everyday life.

“As an employer, if you start eliminating some of the hiring risks such as ‘Are they an honorable person?,’ and ‘Can they write?,’ then you can really focus on career development for the employee,” Smith said. Over the years, Walker & Dunlop has hired more than 100 W&L alumni and currently has approximately 30 graduates on staff.

“You can’t get through school at W&L and not understand the difference between right and wrong,” Smith continued. “I can teach them math and modeling and tricks of the trade in the commercial real estate business, but I can’t teach them how to get along with others.”

Courtney Berry ’05 opened her own creative agency, Bandits & Friends, in Summer 2023, after spending her career working at advertising agencies in the U.S. and Paris. As a W&L journalism and mass communications graduate entering the workforce, she felt confident in her skills and says she sees that same strong sense of self in fellow W&L graduates she’s hired over the years. She notes that a W&L education prepares students to be excellent communicators who can lead presentations and liaise with campaign partners and clients.

“W&L shapes you in a way that I’m still finding out myself, in terms of the positive impact it’s had,” Berry said. “In relation to hiring: Hard skills can be taught; soft skills cannot. And I think W&L is where those soft skills can really be nurtured.”

Smaller class size equates to deep relationships with professors and fellow students, and a liberal arts tradition focused on global citizenry translates into strong business acumen, according to Berry.

“Being able to go into a business situation, talk to someone from any background, and relate to different people from various industries … that goes so far in the world of business because it’s all about relationships,” she said.

John Oliver ’87, P’21, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) who co-leads the company’s fintech trust services practice, believes that the Speaking Tradition prepares students well for any career. An accounting major, Oliver’s career path became clear his junior year, and he’s spent his entire career at one of the largest accounting firms in the country. He says strong interpersonal skills are at the core of his business, which is also built on the integrity and ethical values that

are hallmarks of the W&L experience. About 2% of applicants receive job offers from PwC; that number is over 50% for W&L applicants.

“When hiring, I’m looking for integrity, relationship-development skills, and smarts. The caliber of students at W&L is among the best,” Oliver said. “You can see it in their academics and their worldly skills. The breadth of knowledge that they have and their ability to go in-depth on topics is shocking.”

The Hon. Mary Miller Johnston ’84L, a judge on the Delaware Superior Court for 20 years, says the backbone of being a good lawyer is having a strong foundation in writing. She says opportunities to write for the Washington and Lee Law Review and participate in Moot Court and law clinics provide ample ways for law students to develop their craft, particularly persuasive writing.

Johnston hires one law clerk a year and says 75% of her clerks have been W&L grads. The difference in W&L graduates is their confidence in their abilities; they’re not afraid to offer suggestions on her pre-trial and posttrial opinions. She attributes this to small class sizes, where analytical thinking and sharing of different perspectives are encouraged during discussions.

“I’m so proud of the school, and it just keeps getting better and better,” she says. “I’m very proud of the fact that I’m a W&L grad, and I never take for granted the opportunities it gave me.”

History major Jeff Hamill ’81, executive vice president and chief media officer with Hearst Magazines, says the Honor System, Speaking Tradition, and opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds result in graduates who are superb communicators who are just as comfortable meeting with colleagues as senior leaders in a company. A current member of the Williams School Board of Advisors, he says the importance of face-to-face interaction can’t be underscored enough in an increasingly digital world.

Student Success

He’s also witnessed the W&L experience through the lens of a parent, as his children are 2013, 2017 and 2020 graduates. He says his children benefited from the same level of real-world preparedness as he did and says W&L’s loyal alumni network is happy to provide mentorships, internships, and job opportunities as a way of paying it forward to the next generation.

“I think our students are really happy to be at W&L and that creates a culture of inclusivity and civility that we’re known for,” Hamill said. “They support each other in ways I just don’t see at other places. That culture — and the success that comes from that — leads to connection. The end result is that our graduates are really well prepared for the next stage.” n

CHAPTER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO ATLANTA CAREER OPTIONS

A new partnership between W&L’s Career and Professional Development (CPD) office and the Atlanta Alumni Chapter kicked off with a pilot internship program in Summer 2023. In addition to encouraging local alumni to sponsor internships, the chapter hosts networking events to help students build their professional networks in the city. Matt Bartini ’12, who created two internships at his company, Mayor Clothing, found the program to be mutually beneficial. “I had an excellent experience working with two W&L sophomores at Mayor,” he said. “They made valuable and lasting contributions to my company, and both went on to secure internships for their junior year summer in their desired field.” The program is expanding to more than 20 opportunities in a wide range of industries in 2024, and CPD hopes to expand the program to other chapters in the future.

Sending children to college is a significant expense. At Washington and Lee, thanks to our resources, it is also a fabulous investment. The endowment and current gifts pay 50% of our bills, enhancing the quality of our educational offerings for all students. The financial return on four years of tuition payments is among the very best in the country. And, as our students and alumni will attest, the experience and lifelong personal impact of attending W&L are priceless.

— Will Dudley

#8

Endowment per student among liberal arts colleges

Financial Fundamentals

Access and Affordability

Higher education is a significant expense, and we are committed to making it affordable. At Washington and Lee, no student pays the full cost of their education, thanks to the support provided by our endowment and annual giving. Even students paying full tuition receive a substantial subsidy each year. More than half of our undergraduate students receive additional financial aid, scaled to their ability to pay. W&L is one of only about 30 institutions in the nation to meet 100 percent of demonstrated need in the form of grants and work-study jobs, rather than loans. And almost all of our law students receive scholarship support.

Average Family Contribution Toward

BY THE NUMBERS

20% ($19,283) subsidy for all undergraduate families, including those not receiving financial aid

Note: The amount that families are asked to contribute is scaled to their income. Families with complex financial situations sometimes have contributions that fall above or below the average for their income range. Total cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, room, board, books and materials, travel, and personal expenses.

59% Students receiving grant assistance in the undergraduate Class of 2027

BY THE NUMBERS

$0

Families with incomes less than $150,000 and typical assets pay no tuition, thanks to THE W&L PROMISE

100% of demonstrated need is met for every admitted student

$0

W&L financial aid packages do not include loans

~40

Johnson Scholars in each class at W&L

One of the nation’s premier merit scholarship programs, the Johnson Scholarship rewards students on the basis of extraordinary academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and integrity, and their potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the W&L campus and the world. The Johnson Scholarship covers tuition and fees, room and board, and $10,000 in funding for summer experiences.

20 QuestBridge Scholars in each class at W&L

QuestBridge connects exceptional low-income students with 52 of the nation’s leading colleges and universities. W&L also partners with a variety of other national nonprofit organizations to expand opportunity and access for talented students with financial need.

Published Prices Can Be Deceiving

W&L is often surprisingly more affordable than in-state public institutions and less selective private colleges that offer merit awards.

Consider these actual options for a family with an income of $150,000 and typical assets:

In this scenario, Washington and Lee has the highest published cost of attendance, but the family pays the lowest actual cost and has no debt, thanks to our generous need-based aid.

The private college with a competitive honors program has a lower published cost of attendance, and offers merit scholarships to strong students, but has a much smaller financial aid award, resulting in a higher net price for the family than at W&L.

The public flagship institution has the lowest published cost of attendance, but offers the least financial aid, resulting in the highest net price and debt at graduation.

Financial Fundamentals

in the first W&l magazine, publisheD in November 1924, Paul M. Penick, university treasurer, gave an upbeat report of the finances. He revealed that the university’s endowment had grown 33% over the past decade and stood at $1,310,017 for an endowment per student figure of $1,585.

One hundred years later, those figures are considerably larger.

The total market value of Washington and Lee’s endowment was $1.972 billion as of June 30, 2023. The endowment per full-time student was $882,121 — a figure that has grown by over 550 percent over the last 30 years. In 1993, our endowment per student

Endowment: The Gift That Keeps On Giving Planning for Predictability

i n or D er to preserve the purchasing power of the endowment for future generations, the university has a payout policy that avoids overspending in a year while trying to provide a mechanism for stable and predictable growth and payout over time. Thanks to careful stewardship, endowment gifts can actually do more today than when they were given – even though we spend from them every year. Bottom line? A gift to the endowment is a good investment. ( FIGURE 1 )

For the past seven years, income generated by the university’s endowment has surpassed tuition revenue in

was the 20th highest among liberal arts colleges. Today, it is the eighth highest among that group.

Even though the numbers have changed, the essential purpose of the endowment is the same today as it was when Treasurer Penick made his report in 1924. Simply put, the endowment exists to allow W&L to offer an exceptional education every year, in perpetuity.

“It’s our responsibility to draw as much as possible from the endowment in support of current students, without cheating future students by diminishing its real value,” said Steve McAllister, treasurer and vice president for finance.

In 1993, our endowment per student was the 20th highest among liberal arts colleges. Today, it is the eighth highest among that group.

the annual budget, accounting for 41% of annual operating costs compared with 35% from tuition revenue, 12% from gifts and grants, 11% from auxiliary enterprises, and 1% from other sources in 2023. Thirty years ago, the endowment accounted for only 20% of operating costs.

Consequently, philanthropy — the combination of endowment revenue and annual giving — pays for more than half of everything the university does, placing W&L in a stronger position than ever before to make a high-quality education accessible to talented students across the income spectrum. (FIGURE 2)

According to McAllister, three factors influence the change in value of the endowment:

• investment return, which is intended to exceed payout plus inflation over the long-term;

• annual payout to support the designated purposes of each endowed fund; and

• new gifts, which either increase an existing fund or create a new fund that supports the university’s mission.

▲ Figure 1

The return on the university’s endowment has significantly outpaced inflation over time, even after annual payouts to support operations.

▲ Figure 2

As the endowment has grown over time, the income it generates has accounted for an increased percentage of the operating budget. It now surpasses tuition revenue as the university’s largest source of income.

Many Pieces, One Whole

$1.972 billion is certainly a lot of money, but it’s not an institutional piggy bank that the university can simply shake, or even break, whenever it wants. Nor can it use that money however it wishes.

W&L’s total endowment is composed of two separate pieces — the internally controlled endowment and Trusts Held by Others. Of the $1.972 billion total, the internally controlled portion comprises $1.34 billion. The Trusts Held by Others, composed of funds not under the university’s control, amount to $632 million of the total.

“Though they are separate, the two components have the same underlying principles behind them,” said McAllister. “Both represent the generosity of the university’s loyal supporters over hundreds of years. And both are perpetual funds that distribute a

defined income stream to underwrite specific functions and operations within the university.”

A primary misconception about the university’s endowment is that it is a single fund. It’s not.

“While the internal endowment has an underlying common group of comingled assets that back it up, there are more than 1,500 individual endowment accounts,” said McAllister. “Each one has its own restrictions and purpose of support that is designated by the donor.”

Thousands of donors have created endowed funds over generations to provide access and opportunities for students and faculty, to support specific programs and activities, and to maintain the quality and beauty of the historic campus. The largest portion of endowment support, 45%, goes to student financial aid. That is followed

by 21% in support of university operations, 12.5% for professorships, and 12% for departmental support. The remaining 10% supports faculty research, student research, and facilities, among other things.

As for the Trusts Held by Others, 95% of the value is from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation, which has distributed more than $250 million in unrestricted support to W&L since 1954-55. Like donations to the Annual Fund, distributions from the foundation underwrite the university’s operating budget, providing critical flexibility to address the areas of greatest need.

McAllister noted that while the university does not have a say in these trusts’ investment model or payout policies, there is enough information to be able to estimate what we will receive from year to year and to plan accordingly.

Financial Fundamentals

The Real Cost of a W&L Education

real cost and published price amounts to a discount for every family — even those not receiving financial aid — that is covered by income from the endowment and gifts.

Meanwhile, less than half of W&L students pay full price. Our net price per student — the average cost for families — is $46,141. The $32,529 gap between the net cost and the published price is covered by financial aid, which Washington and Lee awards in grants and work study, rather than loans.

▲ Figure 3

Thanks to a subsidy from endowment and gifts, no undergraduate family pays more than 80% of the true cost of a W&L education. Families receiving financial aid pay, on average, just under half the true cost, with financial aid awards scaled to their ability to pay.

OutstanDing liberal arts eDucation is expensive primarily because it depends upon surrounding students with a large number of dedicated teachers and mentors. Sixty-eight percent of the cost of a W&L education is attributable to compensating the people who teach and support our students. Twenty-two percent covers equipment, supplies, and operating expenses, and 11% pays for the facilities in which our students live and learn. We rely on a highly educated and dedicated workforce to deliver a high-quality education and have adapted to meet the changing needs and expectations of today’s students and families, including the expansion of international programs, internships, information technology, and enhanced health and counseling services.

As alumnus and W&L benefactor Gerry Lenfest ’53, ’55L once noted, “No

matter how much one loves teaching or a particular university, it is important to be adequately compensated for that dedication.” While people are the heart of W&L, we work hard to deliver the highest-quality education as efficiently as possible.

In fact, Washington and Lee has the third-lowest ratio of administrative costs to educational expenditures among the top 25 liberal arts colleges (p. 63).

Income from the endowment is a critical factor in our ability to make our distinctive education affordable for all families, including those who receive no financial aid. W&L spends about $97,953 in educational expenses and services for each student while its tuition and fees total $78,670. The $19,283 gap between

The endowment plays a central role not just in the affordability of the university, but in its long-term stability, and the generosity of supporters remains strong. New gifts and pledge payments to the endowment totaled $23.6 million during 2022-23 and represented the second-largest level of annual gift additions to the endowment in the last decade.

Such exceptional support for the endowment is nothing new for Washington and Lee. The March 1925 edition of the Alumni Magazine included a letter from an alumnus who apologized for not getting his gift to the endowment fund on time. “To show my interest in the matter,” he wrote, “I have just sold my old automobile and for the time being will do without a car.” He enclosed his $50 pledge. n

Marks of Strength

W&L’s financial strength — we have the eighth-largest endowment per student among liberal arts colleges and had the second-highest fundraising total in the history of the university last year — supports every aspect of the educational experience. We steward our resources carefully, delivering the highest-quality education more efficiently than other top-tier colleges, while also advancing the initiatives in our Strategic Plan for the benefit of current and future students.

FUNDRAISING

TOTAL ANNUAL FUND DOLLARS, 2002-2023

$300 + MILLION

Received to date in support of the priorities outlined in our 2018 Strategic Plan

The second-highest annual fundraising total in the university’s history

$73.9 MILLION

Total giving to all areas reached an impressive $73.9 million in 2022-23, a 70.35% increase over the previous fiscal year. The area receiving the highest level of support was the Williams School expansion project, a top priority identified from the Strategic Plan. Contributions supporting the full W&L experience — access for every student to all of the programs and opportunities that make a W&L education exceptional — were the next highest category within the overall total.

Through the generosity of undergraduate and law alumni, parents, students, and friends, Washington and Lee’s 2022-2023 Annual Fund surpassed its $10.25 million goal to support all areas of the university’s Strategic Plan, including student opportunities, educational excellence, and leadership and inclusion programs. The Annual Fund has exceeded $10 million for eight of the last nine years.

Financial Fundamentals

$1.3 BILLION

Cumulative endowment payout over the last 30 years ($1.01 billion from the internal endowment and $275 million from Trusts Held by Others (THBO). As our endowment grows, it pays a larger share of our operating budget, improving both the quality and affordability of a W&L education.

TOP 25 #8

Endowment per student among liberal arts colleges

Endowment per student among all colleges and universities

Even families who receive no financial aid receive a substantial subsidy from the endowment. Families eligible for financial aid receive additional discounts.

Sustained by Philanthropy: Endowment distributions and annual gifts account for 53% of our annual operating revenue, while tuition and fees provide 35%.

EXPENDITURES PER STUDENT

For the fiscal year 2023, W&L spent over $5,354 more per student on educational expenditures while spending $8,175 less per student in total expenditures than other top 25 liberal arts colleges.

W&L Educational Expenditures per Student

Top 25 Educational Expenditures per Student

Top

We are justifiably proud of our distinctions, but never complacent. One of our most enduring strengths is the spirit encapsulated in our motto: non incautus futuri — not unmindful of the future — which reflects our commitment to selfexamination, to asking how we can be true to ourselves while also getting better.

— Will Dudley

strategic priorities

$300+ million received to date to advance the priorities outlined in the university’s Strategic Plan

Building on Our Strengths

Recent Accomplishments

The university’s Strategic Plan outlines ambitious initiatives to build on our distinctive strengths, advance our mission, and position Washington and Lee as a national model for liberal arts education in the 21st century. In the past year, the university has completed several key projects while making progress on many others.

Universal Leading Edge

Since 1997, when 32 students embarked into the wilderness on the first Appalachian Adventure trips, Washington and Lee has offered pre-orientation programs that provide first-year students with an introduction to W&L and an opportunity to meet new friends before classes begin. These programs, known as The Leading Edge, have since expanded to include 11 different experiences that allow students to bond with classmates, learn about themselves, and begin building the necessary skills to thrive in college. This year, thanks to generous funding from the Class of 1997 Endowment for Pre-Orientation Programs and the Rogowski Endowment for Pre-Orientation Programs, W&L made these foundational experiences available to all incoming undergraduate students at no additional cost.

Elrod Commons Dining Renovations

With demand for on-campus dining at an all-time high, renovations to the university’s main dining venues in the John W. Elrod Commons began in early 2023. Both the Marketplace and Café 77 were updated to enhance the overall dining experience. Once the venues reopened for the Fall 2023 semester, the second phase of work began, expanding the indoor and outdoor seating areas to create an additional 150 seats within the Marketplace and 100 more in two outdoor dining areas. The new spaces will be open for use this fall.

New Solar Array

Washington and Lee officially dedicated its new offsite solar array in September 2023 on the grounds of a 17-megawatt offsite solar farm in Hertford County, North Carolina. The power generated from the new array goes into the university’s regional electricity grid, which feeds the W&L campus, along with homes and businesses across the broad geographic area. W&L purchases the power produced from 11 megawatts, an annual total of 22,000 MWh — enough to match annual campus electricity use.

Prior to the activation of this array, the university had already reduced greenhouse gases from campus electricity and natural gas consumption by more than 48% since 2007. With production from the new solar array offsetting electricity-associated emissions completely, we are on track to end the 2023-24 fiscal year with a 75% reduction. The solar project, projected to generate a net present value gain of $1.8 million over the next two decades, was highlighted in the Trends and Innovations section of the 2023 Sustainable Campus Index. n

Projects Underway

Student Financial Aid

The Strategic Plan prioritizes admitting the most gifted undergraduate students without regard to their financial circumstances – a practice known as “need-blind admissions.” By raising additional endowment for scholarships, Washington and Lee will become one of a select group of universities in the country that are need-blind and meet 100% of demonstrated need without loans. Bolstering scholarship support for law students will allow us to continue to attract top-caliber students and cultivate broad-minded, highly skilled, and honorable practitioners of law in today’s highly competitive market for legal education.

The Full W&L Experience

The wealth of opportunities Washington and Lee provides its students, including internships, research experiences, study abroad, and clinical experience in the School of Law, are among the university’s most distinctive strengths. Experiential education powerfully bridges the gap between classroom learning and post-graduate employment, positioning our students for professional success. Additional support will guarantee that each student has access to the full W&L experience.

A New Facility for The Williams School

The Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics is the only internationally accredited undergraduate business program among top liberal arts institutions. That distinction, along with the proven success of its graduates, has created a need for facilities that meet the demand for its courses and co-curricular programs. The construction of a new building on Washington Street — which broke ground in 2023 and will open in Fall 2025 — will allow for smaller class sizes, provide enhanced spaces for hands-on learning, and facilitate networking and professional development opportunities for students. Dedicated community spaces will foster faculty-student collaboration and conversation.

The Lindley Center for Student Wellness

The Lindley Center for Student Wellness, located on East Denny Circle between the Woods Creek Apartments and Sydney Lewis Hall, will integrate and support health and counseling services for all Washington and Lee students. The state-of-the-art facility will feature outpatient exam rooms, treatment spaces, and inpatient rooms with enhanced ventilation. The facility will also include counseling offices designed to ensure maximum privacy. Construction breaks ground this spring, with an anticipated opening date of Fall 2025. n

Building on Our Strengths

Coming Attractions

As we bring current projects to fruition, we prepare to implement initiatives that will benefit our campus and community in the coming years. Our near-term aspirations include renovations and enhancements to Huntley Hall; the construction of a new admissions, financial aid, and conference facility; updates to Sydney Lewis Hall; and the creation of a museum devoted to Washington and Lee’s history.

Admissions, Financial Aid, and Conference Center

The Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid are the front door to the university and critical to our goal of attracting the most talented students to Washington and Lee. A new center, strategically located on the corner of Washington Street and Lee Avenue, will showcase the extraordinary opportunities we offer students, help families understand how they can afford a W&L education, and host interviews, campus tours, and information sessions. A dedicated conference center will support campus and alumni events.

Huntley Hall Renovations

Improvements to Huntley Hall will complement the new Williams School building, facilitating the school’s continued growth and aligning its physical spaces with the ways in which faculty teach and interact with students. The renovation will create a three-story, multi-use hub for formal and informal gatherings and special events. The classrooms, offices, and the Larry and Fran Peppers Room will be enhanced by new technology and natural light, providing a more appealing setting for teaching and learning.

Sydney Lewis Hall Renovations

When Lewis Hall was completed in 1976, it was considered one of the finest law school buildings in the country. Nearly a half-century later, the facility needs updating to support Washington and Lee’s ongoing legacy of excellence in legal education. Refurbished interior spaces and new technology will improve the working environment for student organizations and professional staff, while collaborative areas will foster community throughout the law school.

Institutional History Museum

A modern campus museum located close to Lexington’s historic downtown will share Washington and Lee’s many stories and their connections to American history for the university community, alumni, and the public. The museum will be an important educational center, enabling faculty and students to incorporate original artifacts, works of art, and texts into classroom discussions, research projects, and public talks. n

Funding for this report provided by the Class of 1942 Endowment.

We can quantify student interest in W&L, enthusiasm for their campus experience, and post-graduate outcomes. We can track alumni engagement and support. We can chart the value of our financial resources, which make educational excellence possible. But what makes Washington and Lee special is more than a number.

a report from president will dudley