| Family Connection: April 2026 |
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Lexey Knoll ’28 studies on the Colonnade.
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| Every week during the academic year, university photographers Shelby Hamelman and Kevin Remington capture the scene on campus through their lenses. In the most recent edition: Washington and Lee students study for Winter Term exams, law alumni return for Law Alumni Weekend, Hillel hosts its first Matzah Ball to benefit RARA and more. |
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| Dear parents and family members, |
| Happy April and spring break! Winter Term and final exams have officially concluded, and we are wishing students a restful and safe spring break. This issue of Family Connection features important information about Commencement and other relevant dates as we begin to wrap up the 2025-26 academic year. As we look forward to next year, we encourage you to save the date for our Parents and Family Weekend from Oct. 2-4. If you haven't booked your lodging accommodations yet, consider taking advantage of Habitat Hotel, a fundraising effort supported by the W&L Habitat for Humanity campus chapter. More information can be found on our website. As always, the Division of Student Affairs is here to support your student's journey at W&L and are grateful for your partnership in doing so. Please always feel free reach out to me with questions or concerns. |
| Kindly, |
Leah Beard
Assistant Dean of Student Leadership |
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| Washington and Lee University is more than a top-ranked, private liberal arts school – it's a place where connections are made, bonds are forged and paths are discovered. To showcase W&L's sense of community and distinctive culture, we are creating a series of videos, each highlighting a different aspect of what makes our university so unique. |
| Our newest video focuses on the Speaking Tradition, an unmistakable part of W&L's cultural DNA that creates a campus where personal engagement is second nature. |
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| Follow us on YouTube (@washingtonandlee) to see future videos in this series, as well as additional video content about the university. |
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| It is almost time for the graduation caps to go flying for the Class of 2026! The 239th Undergraduate Commencement at Washington and Lee University will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, on the Front Lawn. |
| As your family makes final plans in preparation to celebrate your student, be sure to visit the Commencement info webpage that details parking, dress recommendations, rain plans, W&L traditions and more. |
| Important Dates |
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 25: Regalia pickup at Elrod Commons, Career and Professional Development Office
- 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 25: Senior class photo taken at Liberty Hall Ruins
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 26: Senior Seersucker Soiree at Cannan Green. RSVP is required.
- 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 27: Baccalaureate Service (graduates line up at 9:30 a.m. at Stemmons Plaza)
- 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 27: Luncheon for families, faculty and staff at Cannan Green
- 10 a.m. Thursday, May 28: Undergraduate Commencement (graduates line up at 9:15 a.m. at Stemmons Plaza) |
| Read through all the events surrounding Commencement, including specific receptions and more. |
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Brooks Fischer ’97: The Value of the Humanities in Business
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Fischer returned to campus on March 18 to share how he used his English major as a building block to his successful career as managing partner at Yates Insurance and to impart to students the benefit of exploring the humanities and the arts. |
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To the Moon and Back with Andy Scott ’99
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Scott, systems analysis integration lead for the Orion program at Lockheed Martin and a physics-engineering major at W&L, shares about his role in the Artemis II mission. |
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| Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee |
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Where Passion Meets Purpose
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Allison Young ’28 is turning her interests in economics and politics into leadership, service and lasting impact. |
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Motivated by Gratitude
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Will Knight ’26 encourages his peers to pay it forward and sustain the opportunities that made their W&L experiences meaningful. |
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| Washington and Lee Athletics |
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 Washington and Lee Athletics has had a busy but strong spring season thus far, highlighted by junior Jonathan McEwen winning the individual ODAC Championship to lead the W&L men's golf team to a second-place team finish. Both tennis teams and women's lacrosse have rolled through ODAC play over the last month, each finishing conference play undefeated to clinch their respective tournament No. 1 seeds. Women's tennis is 16-1 overall, and a 10-game win streak for women's lacrosse puts them at 13-3. Men's lacrosse closes out the regular season on Saturday, April 25, at No. 3 Lynchburg with the ODAC Tournament No. 1 seed on the line, while the riding team closed out its season at the IHSA Zone 4 Championships. Women's golf, baseball and men's and women's track & field have all performed well over the last month, too, to pick up momentum for postseason competition. |
| Stay connected with the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com, signing up for Generals Sports emails and following social media channels at @WLUGenerals. |
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W&L Celebrates Earth Month
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| The campus community will promote sustainability and environmental advocacy with various events throughout the month of April. |
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| Lifelong Learning for W&L Parents |
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Polar Bears and Beluga Whales: Animals of the Arctic
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The whales are beckoning us north to the wildlife-rich mouth of the Churchill River on the Hudson Bay. There, tripgoers will partake in one of the most unique nature and wildlife experiences in North America, where polar bears search the shores and the belugas show off within feet of boaters and kayakers. |
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Summer College III: Family Adventure in Theater: Puppetry & Performance
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Join us June 21-24 for a W&L theater experience that will bring to life performance, craft and creativity. Created for the whole family to work together, this theater experience will teach the basics of puppetry, acting and directing through games and exercises that build confidence and performance skills. |
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Spring Term Begins |
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Spring Term classes start Monday, April 27. Add/drop ends Tuesday, April 28. |
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Spring Term Examinations |
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Friday, May 22, marks the last day of Spring Term classes. Examinations will be held at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. |
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Housing Closes for Undergraduates |
All students, except for graduating seniors and approved extended stays, must vacate by no later than 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Graduating seniors or approved extended stays not transitioning to summer housing will need to vacate spring housing by no later than Sunday, May 31. Students will receive closing information at the beginning of May. Avoid item removal, cleaning and unreturned key fees by following the “Closing Checklist."
Learn more
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Commencement |
The 239th undergraduate Commencement is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, May 28, on the Front Lawn of the main campus. The Baccalaureate service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, also on the Front Lawn.
Learn more
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| Follow @wlusustainability on Instagram |
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The Office of Sustainability and Energy Education (OSEE) oversees W&L's environmental sustainability and campus carbon reduction efforts.
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| Additional Social Media Accounts to Follow |
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| Be sure to add families@wlu.edu to your address book or safe senders list so our emails get to your inbox. |
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