Snow blankets Lee House.
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| I am writing this from cold, snowy and slushy New York City. Most of the Alumni and Career Services team are here for the annual Career and Professional Development Washington Break career trips. I always find myself reinvigorated this week because we highlight everything that is amazing about Washington and Lee: our incredible students eager to learn about all the amazing professional paths they can pursue; our alumni and parents always willing to give their time toward that pursuit; and the amazing energy that is our alumni network, which is one of the best, if not the best, in the country. This year, there was an added bonus: Yesterday we hosted the first-ever Williams Investment Society reunion. The WIS reunion is another affinity event where we are creating experiences for alumni to connect with one another, learn about W&L and hear from our esteemed alumni experts in a given field – in this case, the public and private investment markets. |
| This newsletter issue is jam-packed, so be sure to read everything. Of note: a profile on Kaylee Hartung '07; the accomplishments of our students as Fulbright Scholars; and the new Williams School building becoming W&L's first LEED Gold certified structure. That sounds like leading lives of consequence to me! Also, please follow all of our student-athletes, but pay special attention to women's basketball; they just completed the first undefeated regular season in program history and look to make noise in postseason play. |
| March is the start of Alumni Engagement's version of the playoffs. We have so many events on and off campus. Be sure to follow @wlualum for all the latest information. And if you have not done so yet, please sign up for Colonnade Connections. The alumni trustee election vote will take place in early April, and you will need to have activated your account in order to vote. |
John Jensen '01
Executive Director
Alumni and Career Services |
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Path to Professorship: Troy Larsen '22
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| For Larsen, the dream to become a professor began as an undergraduate and became a reality thanks to opportunities made possible by W&L’s Office of Fellowships. |
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| Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee |
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Finding the Why
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Phil Marella '81 is the founder of Dana's Angels Research Trust, an organization dedicated to funding research on Niemann-Pick disease type C. |
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| A Tale of Two Love Stories |
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| In the fall of 1991, Sarah Horn Thiessen '93 met Doug Thiessen '95 at a party. They started dating, fell in love, married in University Chapel and welcomed five children. Then Doug died tragically in a skiing accident at 35. But read how their love story continues 30 years later, with their daughter, Heidi Thiessen McLaughlin '25, and Michael McLaughlin '23. |
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Alumni in Healthcare Industry Event
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Join fellow alumni in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 26 for an evening of conversation and connection with peers working across the healthcare industry. The event will feature a fireside chat with alumni healthcare leaders, followed by networking over refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Alumni working in healthcare delivery, policy, innovation and related fields are encouraged to attend. |
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Institute for Honor Symposium
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The 2026 IFH Symposium will consider how business can be a force for good for society. Symposium participants will learn about the key principles of the conscious capitalism movement, what it takes to do well while doing good and how entrepreneurs and leaders are using markets to bring positive social impact to scale. Our keynote speaker will be Jay Coen Gilbert, entrepreneur and co-founder of B Lab, a nonprofit network that seeks to transform the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet. |
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| More from W&L: The Washington and Lee Magazine - The W&L Network Issue |
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In The Lead: Linking Community and Career
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| From a public health Volunteer Venture trip to an alumni mentorship with Dr. Jonathan Wortham ’04, the W&L network opened doors and supported dreams for Liv Ullmann ’25. |
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Chronicles: Peak Connections
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| Christopher Lion '86 and Claire Mackin '20 discovered their W&L connection in Africa, while summiting Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research. |
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Transformative Thinkers Webinar Showcase
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Explore the origins of some of history’s most influential ideas. Next up in the series: Angela Sun, assistant professor of philosophy, will make sense of Karl Marx’s life, career and ideas on March 10. |
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The Arts are Everywhere at W&L
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A gift to the W&L Fund, directed to the arts, supports students as they pursue their creativity in a strong liberal arts environment. |
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Transformative Thinkers Webinar Showcase |
Explore the origins of some of history’s most influential ideas. Rather than focusing on the outcomes of world-changing insights, this series turns to their beginnings, the individuals whose lives and questions shaped them. Next up: Angela Sun, assistant professor of philosophy, will make sense of Karl Marx’s life, career and ideas on Tuesday, March 10.
Learn more and register
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Entrepreneurship Summit |
Join alumni and guests for two days of learning, networking and inspiration at the W&L Entrepreneurship Summit. This event is designed to encourage innovative business ideas and strategies, perfect for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey. It is a special opportunity to connect, learn and grow in the world of entrepreneurship.
Learn more
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Institute for Honor Symposium |
The 2026 Institute for Honor Symposium, sponsored by the Class of 1960, will host several speakers, workshops and conversations that promote the understanding and practice of honor as an indispensable element of society March 20-21. Our keynote speaker will be Jay Coen Gilbert, entrepreneur and co-founder of B Lab, a nonprofit network that seeks to transform the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet.
Learn more
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Alumni in Healthcare Industry Event |
Join fellow alumni in Nashville, Tennessee, for an evening of conversation and connection with peers working across the healthcare industry.
Learn more
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Tom Wolfe Weekend Seminar |
The 2026 Tom Wolfe Weekend Seminar, sponsored by the Class of 1951, will highlight "Vigil," featuring author George Saunders, for its 21st annual event April 17-18. This year, the program, speaker and book will be presented in collaboration with the Roger Mudd Center for Ethics.
Learn more
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Alumni Weekend |
Calling all Washington and Lee alumni from the classes ending in 1 and 6! Get ready to reconnect and relive your cherished moments at Alumni Weekend 2026.
Learn more
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