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| As we enter into a new fiscal year, we want to share a few updates and stories from alumni as well as a recap of our virtual Summer Send Off. We know that this time remains an extremely emotionally and financially challenging period due to the public health crisis our nation is encountering. We hope that all W&L alumni, current students, and family members continue to stay healthy during this difficult time. |
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| CHAPTER LEADERSHIP ANNOUCEMENT |
| We are thrilled to announce our new Chapter leadership for President and Vice President. Laura Hornbuckle assumed the role of Chapter President on July 1. She selected Mason Grist as the Chapter's Vice President. |
| Laura graduated from W&L in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Accounting and Business Administration. While in Lexington she played lacrosse, helped plan the 100th Fancy Dress Ball, and volunteered with Head Start. A Houston native, Laura has lived in DC since 2007. She is currently a senior Vice President in Edelman Public Relations' DC Energy Practice, where she works with a variety of corporate, non-profit, and federal clients. Laura joined the W&L DC Alumni Board as Secretary in 2016, and very much looks forward to serving as President in 2020. |
| Mason graduated from W&L in 2018 with majors in Economics and Religion and minors in Classics and Poverty Studies. He was a 3-year member of the Executive Committee, a trip leader and engaged member of the Outing Club, and involved in Greek Life. A native of Lexington, Virginia, he has lived in DC since graduation while working at the Hanover Research Council, where he is currently the Director of Community College Partnerships. Mason is also a Class Agent for W&L and is entering his third year on the DC Chapter Alumni Board. He is excited to take on a more involved role as Vice President and looks forward to bringing the Chapter together with a wide variety of events! |
| The DC Alumni Chapter thanks Tori Bell '14, our outgoing Chapter President for her excellent leadership and guidance in restructuring our Chapter Board positions, her work to re-organize our Chapter memberships dues, and her efforts to create memorable Chapter events throughout 2019 and 2020. |
| We would also like to thank Paige Hogan '15 and Kate Boe Heuck '13 for their service on the board. We hope to continue to build off of all of your hard work and accomplishments. |
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| A VIRTUAL HIGHLIGHT |
| With the help of our dedicated alumni volunteers, the Chapter hosted a memorable Summer Send Off event. |
| 2020 Summer Send Off |
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| The DC Alumni Chapter was thrilled to host a virtual Summer Send Off for W&L's latest incoming class of first-years and their families. Chapter Board members and recent alums from the area helped welcome the newest members of our community and answer questions. This incoming class is one of the most competitive classes to date and we are so excited to see where these next four years take them! |
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| We are excited to announce a new streamlined flat-rate dues structure for Chapter membership. Moving forward, memberships ($30 annually) will be tracked on a calendar year basis (January to December). With 3,000+ alumni, our Chapter is the largest in the country. Annual dues help the Chapter host engaging events that keep our community connected. |
| Chapter members receive event discounts and invitations to member-only events. These gatherings are great opportunities to meet new people, catch up with old friends, and connect with W&L faculty and staff. Chapter members have access to 30+ chapter events each year. For new graduates, membership is complimentary during their year of graduation (i.e., 2020 graduates have 2020 Chapter membership). |
| As our Chapter is 100% self-funded, your dues (while not mandatory) help us continue to host quality events at DC-based venues. Not sure if you've already paid your dues for the 2020 calendar year? Click here to see the list of current 2020 DC Alumni Chapter Members. This list is updated on a rolling basis. |
| Dues may be paid online via Colonnade Connections, via check to Robert Eckstein '16, D.C. Alumni Chapter Treasurer, 2601 16th Street N.W. Apt 626, Washington, DC 20009-6261, or via Venmo (@WLU-DCalumni). |
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| As a part of our "Share Your Stories" initiative, we were able to connect with D.C. area alumni who work in the healthcare industry, non-profits, and trade associations to learn about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their industries. We are sharing a selection below and will email another set of features in a few weeks. |
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| Not often do three Washington and Lee alumni have the opportunity to work at the same office together. They discuss the transition their OB/GYN office and staff made once COVID-19 became more widespread in DC. |
| "It's wonderful just being able to work with people that can bring that really, really great work ethic and positive energy," Blackburn said. "That keeps you going from day to day when you're working like crazy. If you have a really tough week on call, those are the people who keep you going." Click here to read more. |
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| Even prior to talking points on face masks and social distancing grabbing the public eye, Dr. Keith Steele '79 centered his career on the study of disease and vaccine research. Steele currently works as an independent consultant but spent the last ten years working as a senior pathologist at AstraZeneca (previously Medimmune). |
| "This may be, fundamentally, the biggest thing that happens in our lives," Steele said. "It is going to change our lives, politics, and social behaviors. It is already changing the way we do education. Economies clearly are going to change because of this. This outbreak is going to have a lot of different consequences and it is going to happen over a number of years. In fact, we will probably never do some things exactly the way we were doing them six months ago." Click here to read more. |
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| MedSupplyDrive, a volunteer organization founded in March 2020, is led by a coalition of Georgetown University medical students working to donate various medical supplies and PPE to numerous hospitals across the country. Monette Veral '15, a Biochemistry and East Asian Languages & Literature double major, currently serves as their Mid-Atlantic regional coordinator. |
| "This pandemic [has] really highlighted…health disparities," Veral said. "A lot of the people who are affected or dying are minorities or people who often do not have access to healthcare regularly. On a positive note, it's encouraged people to use telehealth more frequently, which can actually help bridge that gap for people who may have disabilities or other barriers to getting to hospitals. Hopefully, we can learn from this going forward." Click here to read more. |
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| First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise founded in 1992, works to address educational equity by providing brand new books to children in need. They also help provide other resources, such as classroom supplies and basic needs items, to ensure that access to these materials becomes less of a barrier in a child's educational journey. Bethlehem Dammlash '06 joined First Book in 2013 and currently works as its Director of Member Services. |
| "A lot of the kids that we serve receive their very first book through us, and the fact that it's brand new for folks who might not have everything brand new makes a difference," Dammlash said. "One of the initiatives I like the most about the organization is our Stories for All Project™, which curates new, relevant books that are written by, illustrated by, and reflect people of color. We put those books in the hands of other kids so they can have a window into another person's life but can also have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in those stories." Click here to read more. |
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| SOCIAL MEDIA |
| Stay up to date on all DC Alumni Chapter happenings via our social media pages. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for event updates. Be sure to tag @wludc at future gatherings. |
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| On behalf of the DC Alumni Chapter Board, thank you for your continued support of the Chapter. As soon as it is safe to do so, we look forward to seeing you in person. |
Stay well,
Laura Hornbuckle '07 |
| Have feedback or suggestions to improve the Chapter? Want to get involved? Please email me at hornbucklel@gmail.com. |
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