The Columns Weekly - Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 From the Columns Washington and Lee Welcomes the Class of 2027 The university’s first-year class represents 26 countries and 43 U.S. states and territories. Giving First-Year Students An Edge Washington and Lee's Leading Edge program welcomed the Class of 2027 to campus with dynamic programs designed to build community. W&L to Host Free Screening of the Ghana Spring Term Films The premiere event will be followed by a student-led discussion about their experiences and the creative journey in producing the films. Distinctively W&L | President Will Dudley Reflecting on Rankings Washington and Lee enjoys an outstanding reputation. We reliably fall in the top 20, and quite often in the top 10, of every reasonably credible national ranking of liberal arts colleges. But the proliferation of rankings and their incessant changes in methodology have bred confusion rather than enlightenment. What does W&L regard as most important, and how do we measure it? Employee Accolades W&L Professor Coordinates 42nd Annual National Association of Black Geoscientists Technical Conference Karena Gill handles all aspects of the event slated to be held Sept. 27-30 in Washington, D.C.   W&L Financial Aid Staff Member Selected to Participate in College Board Enrollment Leadership Academy Shanice Hardy will take part in the year-long program focused on leadership skills and enrollment management practices. Want to be recognized for your work or do you have a colleague who should be recognized for their accomplishments? Simply use the employee accolade submission form. University Sustainability Efforts Recognized The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recently featured Washington and Lee's solar array farm in its 2023 Sustainable Campus Index, highlighting W&L among five institutions supporting large-scale renewable energy transitions. W&L is featured on page 52 of the AASHE index report. Meet a Colleague Meet a Colleague: Tom Hackman Tom Hackman serves as theater technical director at the university. Learn more about Tom in our "Meet a Colleague" feature series. Meet a Colleague: Ashley Evans Ashley Evans is the head of collection services for the Law Library. Learn more about Ashley in our "Meet a Colleague" feature series. View This Week's Scene on Campus Students, faculty and staff enjoy a welcome celebration for first-generation college students. View Photos Social Media: The Impact on the Developing Brain A five-part wellness series presented by the Carilion EAP program begins on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. in Hillel 101 with a presentation by Melinda Otey, L.C.S.W., C.E.A.P. titled "Social Media: The Impact on the Developing Brain." Learn statistics regarding the impact of certain social media platforms on mental wellbeing. The impact on self-esteem, depression and anxiety will also be explored as participants learn about brain responses to social media. Sponsored by the Office of Human Resources and Live Well W&L. FUTURE PROGRAMMING • October 18 - Dealing with Difficult People • November 29 - Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace • February 20 - Emotional Intelligence • March 20 - Emotional Agility Come Support the Generals! A busy week includes six home contests! Featured Social Media Site Keep up with W&L's Office of Inclusion and Engagement through their Instagram page! Make sure to follow all the university's social media channels for more information about happenings on our campus! Twitter/X - @wlunews | @wlulex | @wlulaw Facebook - Washington and Lee University | Working at W&L Instagram - @wlunews | @wlulex | @wlulaw Upcoming Events Harvest Dinner 4:30-8 p.m. The Marketplace Dining services partners with the Office of Sustainability for the annual Harvest Dinner featuring menu items from several local purveyors. Mudd Center Keynote Speaker: Danielle Wood 5 p.m. Stackhouse Theater Danielle Wood, Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Sciences, Aeronautics and Astronautics; Director of the Space Enabled Research Group at MIT will present “Design for Sustainability on Earth and in Space.” More Info SonoKlect: Kenny Werner Trio & Reception 8 p.m. Wilson Concert Hall/Lenfest Center The Kenny Werner Trio-with Ari Hoenig on drums and Johannes Weidenmueller on bass-creates as one voice, playing music that is filled with passion, surprise and cutting edge rhythm. No tickets are required. More Info On Campus Blood Drive 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The American Red Cross needs YOU! Book an Appointment Sama Alshaibi: Coding of the Arab Female Figure 5:30-6:30 p.m. Leyburn Library Sama Alshaibi, a photographer, multimedia conceptual artist and art professor, will discuss her work and how she uses photography, video and installations to challenge Western ideas of Eastern cultures. RSVP Lecture: Does Artificial Intelligence Make Human Creativity Obsolete? 5- p.m. Northen Auditorium The Philosophy Department and the Provost's Office invites you to a lecture by Dr. Lindsay Brainard from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. More Info Artist Talk with Mohammad Omer Khalil 5:30-6:30 p.m. The Museums at W&L invite you to an evening of conversation with master printmaker and painter Mohammad Omer Khalil. The talk will be moderated by co-curators Hailey Neaman ’25 and Aislinn Niimi ’24. The event is free and open to the W&L community and the public. RSVP Honoring and Branching out from “Our Roots of Influence” 7:30-11 p.m. Keller Theatre/Lenfest Center A unique concert which honors the various early roots that influenced our noteworthy group of performing artists, and showcases how the breadth and depth of their artistry continues to branch out with their own unique styles. Tickets are required. More Info

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