| The Columns Weekly - Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 |
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W&L Without Borders
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| Brandon Bishop’s ’26 journey shows how W&L’s global opportunities, language instruction and fellowships can transform a student’s path. |
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Meet a Colleague: Megan Hess |
| Megan Hess serves as the Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics and Accounting. Learn more about Megan in our "Meet a Colleague" feature series. |
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| Lee-Jackson Parade Advisory |
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| Lee-Jackson Day was formally an annual state holiday in Virginia that is still observed by some. Beginning on Friday, Jan. 16, Lexington will be the site of several events commemorating the Confederacy, including a parade along Main Street at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17. Many of the participants will wear Confederate Civil War regalia and will carry various flags and symbols. The university does not have any connection with these events. Still, they will likely be happening along N. Jefferson Street in front of the Memorial Gate near University Chapel, as well as elsewhere in the city, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. |
| W&L's Department of Public Safety works closely on behalf of our community with local and state law enforcement and emergency planning partners to prepare for these events. There will be an increased local and state law enforcement presence downtown, with some street closures during the parade. If you have concerns, contact 911 or public safety at 540-458-8999. |
| SABU and SEAL are hosting a breakfast for students on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 9 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Sankofa House — faculty and staff are welcome to attend. On Sunday, Jan. 18, at 4:00 p.m., there will be an MLK Community Worship Service at the First Baptist Church of Lexington (103 N. Main Street). Additionally, the CARE Rockbridge MLK Community Parade is on Monday, Jan. 19, at 10:30 a.m. Check out the complete schedule of university events honoring Dr. King's legacy. |
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| Get to Know Your Newest Co-Workers |
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New Employee Q&A |
| Get to know the newest members of the Washington and Lee employee workforce through our new employee feature page! This week, we feature five new employees who have joined the W&L community in recent weeks. |
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Check out a game in the week ahead!
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| Featured Social Media Site |
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Keep up on what's happening with the W&L swimming teams by giving them a follow on Instagram!
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Lenfest Series: Bette Smith
7:30 p.m. Lenfest Center/Keller Theater
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The Lenfest Center at Washington and Lee University presents a performance by blues singer Bette Smith on Jan. 15 in the Keller Theatre. Tickets are required and available online or in person at the Lenfest Center box office.
More Info
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MLK Children's Birthday Party Celebration
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Evans Dining Hall
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Children of the Lexington and Rockbridge County community are invited to attend a birthday celebration in honor of Dr. King. There will be games, face painting, and arts and crafts. CARE will also be hosting Reading in Color, 30-minute periods of reading for younger children. Cake, snacks and punch will be provided. |
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MLK Tea Ceremonies
1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Senshin’an Tearoom in Watson Galleries
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Join the W&L Chanoyu Tea Society in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a tea ceremony demonstration. RSVP is required.
RSVP
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Dinner with Blake Morant and Brandon Hasbrouck: MLK and Democracy
6 p.m. Evans Dining Hall
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Professors Blake Morant and Brandon Hasbrouck will share thoughts and conversation on Dr. King’s legacy and impact on democracy. The event is free and open to the public and a meal will be provided. Seating is limited so advance registration is required.
More Info
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Liberating Ideas Community Debate
4:30 p.m. Northen Auditorium
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W&L will host a debate by Braver Angels that will consider the following resolution: “The future of civil rights should shift from identity politics to economic justice.” |
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National Theatre Live: “Dr. Strangelove”
7:30-10 p.m. Stackhouse Theater
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The Lenfest Center for the Arts at Washington and Lee University continues its National Theatre Live series with a screening of “Dr. Strangelove.” Seven-time BAFTA Award winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premier stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 film. Tickets are required and can be purchased online or in person at the Lenfest Center box Office.
More Info
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DeLaney Center's Screen to Square - “Rising Hope”
5:30 p.m. Stackhouse Theater
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The DeLaney Center continues its Screen to Square film series with a showing of the film “Rising Hope,” a 2024 award-winning documentary about a small Mississippi Delta town where locals fight to break free from generational poverty and systemic racism. The screening is free and open to the public and includes drinks, pizza and dessert.
More Info
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Live Well W&L Cooking Class: The Art of Tea
4-5 p.m. Evans Dining Hall
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Join Catering Executive Sous Chef, Sam Wallace, for a hands-on introduction to the art of tea — from proper brewing techniques and understanding tea varieties to pairing flavors and exploring foods from different cultures alongside their traditional teas.
RSVP
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Mudd Center Speaker: Benjamin Lee
5:10-6:10 p.m. Stackhouse Theater
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Benjamin Lee, professor of electrical and systems engineering and professor of computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania, will deliver a lecture titled “Toward Sustainable Data Centers for Artificial Intelligence.” The event is free and open to the public.
More Info
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MLK Shabbat
6 p.m. Hillel House
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W&L Hillel and Student Engagement and Leadership invite all members of the W&L and Lexington community to join us for a Shabbat dinner and service honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Advance registration is required.
RSVP
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African Society Fashion Show
6:30-8:30 p.m. Evans Dining Hall
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W&L’s African Society will be hosting their annual African Society Fashion Show and Dance. Come see fashion from all around the continent of Africa and enjoy African inspired dances. |
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Concert Guild and Lenfest Series: Jack Quartet
7-10 p.m. Lenfest Center/Wilson Concert Hall
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The quartet's program, "Modern Medieval" explores the connections of musicality and thought between European composers of the past and the voices of music today. Tickets are required and can be purchased online or in person at the Lenfest Center box office.
More Info
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Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Concert
7 p.m. Lenfest Center/Wilson Concert Hall
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Join with us as we honor Dr. King’s contributions to America. Readings of speeches and poems by Dr. King, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and many others become interspersed with musical reflections performed by the W&L University Singers, Cantatrici, and the Glee Club. No tickets are required.
More Info
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Slices of Research
5:30 p.m. Salerno Wood Fired Pizza and Taphouse
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Recently promoted faculty will share their research and creative work in a stimulating PechaKucha format. The program’s first hour will be devoted to socializing, with presentations starting between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m.
More Info
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Film Screening: “The Played for Their Lives”
6-8 p.m. Hillel House
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In commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, W&L HIllel will present a screening of the documentary “The Played for Their Lives.” The film follows the lives of eight Holocaust survivors and will be followed by a Q&A with the film's director. Admission is free, but faculty and staff should email hillel@wlu.edu if interested in attending. |
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