| This publication is designed to communicate the latest news for Washington and Lee University parents and families. The W&L Family Connection is distributed each month and complements other university channels to help keep parents and families informed about life on campus. Please send your suggestions for future issues and any questions to families@wlu.edu |
|
| Family Connection: August 2025 |
|
|
|
The Outing Club took summer AIM students on a kayak adventure.
|
|
|
|
|
| Greetings, W&L parents and family members! |
| My name is Leah Beard, and I serve as the assistant dean of student leadership in the Office of Student Affairs. An aspect of my job is supporting and crafting parent and family communications and programming — therefore, each month, you will see a featured spotlight from Student Affairs in this newsletter. We will share important information that our parents and families need to know about, including upcoming deadlines and events, as well as tips and tricks to best support your students. |
| I look forward to getting to know you all and partnering together over the next few years to empower your student(s) to make the most of their experience here at Washington and Lee University! You may reach me by emailing me at families@wlu.edu. |
Leah Beard
Assistant Dean of Student Leadership |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| As the daily countdown to move-in day dwindles, the mental and physical check list continues to multiply, as well as the questions. Have the various chargers been accounted for? Is a MicroFridge rented? Have numerous twin XL sheets been purchased? Do I have the right date and time for move-in? How long is my student's Leading Edge trip again? Make life a little easier on yourself by reviewing our "What to Bring" page as well as reading some quick important information below. |
Aug. 15-16: International Move-In
The Center for International Education and the International Student Orientation leaders will assist with arrival for all students. Students should make sure they have joined the WhatsApp group. International Orientation will run from Sunday, Aug. 17, to Saturday, Aug. 23. Visit the Center for International Education website for details on the full schedule, what to pack and helpful handouts. |
Aug. 23: Class of 2029 Move-In Day
All first-year students must move in by this date during their assigned 30-minute arrival time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please continue to check your WLU email for updates regarding move-in preparations and instructions. Fall athletes may be pre-approved to arrive earlier than this date – please check with your coach and/or adviser if you have an earlier move-in date approved by the Office of Housing & Residence Life. |
3 - 4 p.m. – Leading Edge Student Check-in on Cannan Green
Students will meet their Leading Edge leaders and fellow first-year students. |
Aug. 24-29: Leading Edge Trips
First-year students have the opportunity to participate in one Leading Edge program that emphasizes the community aspect of college life. New student orientation continues on campus upon their return until Wednesday, Sept. 3. Continue to check the Class of 2029 Orientation Schedule page for more details. |
Aug. 29-30: Upper-Division Student Move-In
Housing reopens for all upper-division students (beginning as early as midnight on Aug. 29). There will be a check-in table at the Office of Public Safety Aug. 29-30. Students will receive an email in August with more information about check-in. All undergraduate students are required to check in and receive a room key. Students arriving after the check-in station is closed, or after Aug. 30, must check in with and retrieve their key from Public Safety dispatch. For more information on university housing dates and details, visit the Office of Housing & Residence Life website. |
| Questions about housing dates, early arrival or extended-stay requests? Email housing@wlu.edu. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W&L Students Thrive in Oxford
|
| W&L students spent their summer immersed in history, literature and the time-honored British tutorial system through the Virginia Program at Oxford. |
|
|
|
|
A Tribute to Tom Wolfe
|
| The research and reading room for the Special Collections and Archives in Leyburn Library will be updated and renamed in honor of the literary giant. |
|
|
|
|
In The Lead: New Chapter
|
| Adhip Adhikari ’27 constructed a library at a secondary school in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the help of the Washington and Lee University community. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Advice from the Office of Student Affairs |
|
For Families of First-Year Students |
| "Check in with your student. If they're living with a roommate, ask how it's going. Do they have a concern? Encourage them to reach out to their Resident Advisor or to their first-year dean. Also, encourage them to register for FYE 100. This course will prepare them with the tools they need to thrive at W&L." – Leah Beard, assistant dean of student leadership |
| "If you notice that your student is indicating they feel homesick, encourage them to get involved. Joining a student organization can help them find a sense of belonging, meet new people and increase their enjoyment of being at college." – Laura Ulmer, associate dean of student engagement |
| "Discuss: Share your observation about how they fostered friendships prior to arriving at W&L. Ask: How do you think you might make friends? What are some ways you can get to know other students who share similar interests? Resources: Residence hall community, attending student club and organization meetings, participating in campus events, sitting with someone new in the dining hall, reconnecting with someone from their Leading Edge trip, cheering on classmates at an athletic event and forming a study group with people from a class." – Nathan Graves, assistant dean of first-year experience |
 |
For Families of Upper-Division Students |
| "Ask your student strategic questions. For sophomores, those questions could center around their plans for declaring a major/minor (which occurs during the second term of sophomore year) or for getting more involved on campus. For juniors, consider asking general questions about their post-college plans, such as whether they're considering graduate school or have visited the Career and Professional Development Office for additional support. These questions can signal to them that they are 'in the driver's seat' and you are supportive of their plans. Empower your student to act for themselves; don't try to 'take back the wheel.' And I encourage you to review the academic calendar to keep up with important dates that impact the academic year and to check out the Office of Housing & Residence Life page." – Kyle McCoil, associate dean of student affairs |
|
|
|
| Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defining Success Through Values
|
|
Jaeya Taxali ’26 credits a course — Sociology of Conflict — with helping her realize the importance of understanding the ways societies interact, “especially in the face of inequality and change.” |
|
|
|
|
Join fellow parents, alumni and friends to celebrate Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee at special receptions across the country. Enjoy campus updates from President Will Dudley and other campus leaders, and hear the latest news about W&L's historic campaign.
Learn more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Studying Salamanders
|
|
Summer Research Scholars Brian Kim ’26 and Ansley Stotts ’27 have spent their summer conducting field research in a unique outdoor classroom. |
|
|
|
|
In the Business of Good Journalism
|
|
W&L’s Reynolds Journalism Internship Program places students in newsrooms across the country, where they become fully immersed in the life of a journalist for 12 weeks. |
|
|
|
|
| Washington and Lee Athletics |
|
 W&L offers 24 varsity sports, 12 for men and 12 for women. All sports compete at the NCAA Division III level, and most participate in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The 2025-2026 season begins on Aug. 29 with men's and women's cross country, volleyball, field hockey and men's and women's soccer. Friday, Sept. 5, sees the first home games of the season with men's soccer, field hockey and volleyball all competing in Lexington. Click here to view the composite schedule. |
| 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. |
|
|
|
| Lifelong Learning for W&L Parents |
|
|
|
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring James Lambert
|
|
James Lambert, the new director of Lifelong Learning, shares how cultivating beauty has shaped his life and work and reflects on how learning opens us to wonder, sustains our sense of purpose and helps us see the extraordinary in the ordinary. This conversation offers a reminder that learning is not just a skill, it’s a lifelong art. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Art of Good Living in Greece: An Immersive Journey to Ikaria & Crete
|
|
The islands of Greece are known for their natural beauty, history and the remarkable longevity of their people. Ikaria and Crete are two of the most captivating islands and embody the quintessential qualities of Greek island life. We’ll unlock the islands' secrets by immersing in local culture, savoring exquisite cuisine and exploring archaeological sites, traditional villages and the lovely countryside. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Learn About Studying Abroad |
|
| The Oct. 15 deadline for Winter Term study abroad is fast approaching, and some programs have earlier deadlines. Remind your student to make an appointment with Cindy Irby in the Center for International Education via Handshake to start planning. Is your student curious about studying abroad in the future? The Study Abroad Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 on Cannan Green is the perfect opportunity for them to learn more. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convocation |
|
The W&L community is invited to the 2025 Convocation on the Front Lawn at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 3. The event will be livestreamed. |
|
|
|
|
Fall Term Begins |
|
Fall Term classes begin Sept. 4. Add/drop ends at midnight on Sept. 10. |
|
|
|
|
Law and Literature Weekend Seminar |
Not just for law students and lawyers, the Law and Literature Weekend Seminar also brings together faculty, community members and alumni to study a work of literature from ethical and literary perspectives. Our 32nd program Oct. 3-4 will center on “The Nickel Boys” (2019), a novel by Colson Whitehead recognized with the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, the Kirkus Prize and the Orwell Prize for political fiction.
Reserve your space
|
|
|
|
|
Fall Reading Days |
|
No classes will be held Oct. 9-10. Classes will resume Oct. 13. |
|
|
|
Tailgate Party at Parents and Family Weekend
2-4 p.m. at the Law School Lawn
|
|
Please join us to cheer on the Generals for the football game on the Law School Lawn for this year's tailgate party! |
|
|
|
|
Student Engagement and Leadership (SEaL) Reception at P&FW
6-8 p.m. at Evans Dining Hall
|
Meet the staff of the Student Engagement and Leadership (SEaL) team and enjoy some light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres!
Register here
|
|
|
|
|
| Follow @wlufyoc on Instagram |
|
First-Year Orientation Committee (FYOC) is responsible for coordinating and facilitating first-year orientation and other aspects of the first-year experience in conjunction with the First-Year Experience Team.
|
| Additional Social Media Accounts to Follow |
|
|
|
|
|
| Be sure to add families@wlu.edu to your address book or safe senders list so our emails get to your inbox. |
|
