| Family Connection: August 2026 |
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Summer Research Scholars worked with Erich Uffelman, Bentley Professor of Chemistry, on analyzing cultural heritage objects, like this painting of George Washington, through non-invasive methods.
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| Dear W&L parents and family members, |
| Happy August! We are looking forward to welcoming your students, either for the first time or returning, to W&L for the 2026-27 academic year. For our new parents and family members, please know that in this newsletter each month, I share important information and updates, including upcoming deadlines and events, as well as tips and tricks to best support your students. |
| In this edition, there are friendly reminders about the upcoming move-in and Parent and Family Orientation, as well as advice from current W&L parents on how to navigate your student's first year. For example, are you feeling stuck on how to support your student in their packing? Check out our What to Bring webpage and make your family's life a bit easier! We look forward to seeing you all soon and starting this new academic year off strong! |
| As always, do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns by emailing me at families@wlu.edu. |
Best wishes and safe travels to you and your students,
Leah Beard
Assistant Dean of Student Leadership |
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| Have you made a list and checked it twice ... or 100 times? And somehow the list keeps growing as you remember that one more thing – like twin XL sheets and MicroFridge rentals. Save yourself some stress and time and visit our What To Bring page. We've got you covered. |
| First-Year Athlete Move-In |
| Fall student-athletes will be issued room keys by their coach and will move directly into their assigned room for the academic year upon arrival. Please contact the appropriate coach for early arrival information (including dates) for athletes. View the Athletics Staff Directory. |
| International Move-In: Aug. 16-17 |
| The Center for International Education (CIE) and the International Student Orientation leaders will assist with arrival for all students. Students should make sure they join the WhatsApp group. International Orientation will run from Sunday, Aug. 16, to Sunday, Aug. 23. Visit CIE's website for the full schedule and general information. |
| Move-In, Leading Edge Trips and Orientation: Aug. 24 – Sept. 2 |
| The 2030 Orientation Schedule is available online, and students should be checking their WLU email addresses often for more information from their Leading Edge staff/faculty and trip leaders. Review more information about our Leading Edge trips. |
| Parent and Family Orientation: Aug. 24 |
| Parents and family members for Class of 2030 students are invited to join this program. While optional, we hope you will participate to learn more about how to best support your student during their time at W&L, connect with many different resources, ask your pressing questions and get acquainted with W&L staff members. |
| 3 p.m. – President's Welcome to Parents, Lenfest Center, Keller Theater |
| 3:20 p.m. – Provost's Welcome to Parents, Lenfest Center, Keller Theater |
| 3:40 p.m. – Parent Orientation: Student Affairs and Academic Support, Lenfest Center, Keller Theater |
| Upper-Division Student Move-In: Sept. 1 |
| Housing reopens at 9 a.m. Sept. 1, when swipe access will be activated. Students may report directly to their assigned room, where their key will be waiting. Early arrival isn't permitted. Students must move into their eRezLife-assigned room (there are charges for unauthorized room changes). Report key issues promptly to housing@wlu.edu, and contact Public Safety at 540-458-8999 for swipe access concerns. Students should check their WLU email regularly for important updates. Review more information about check-in locations, dining services and more. |
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Where Geology Meets Public Health
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| With a grant from the Keck Geology Consortium, W&L’s Madhumita Chakraborty and a team of students tested private wells and springs throughout Rockbridge County to determine water chemistry and quality. |
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On the Map
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| This summer, students in W&L’s Summer Research Scholars program are taking an interdisciplinary and interactive approach to environmental studies with ArcGIS mapping software. |
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What's Next
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| Bailey Jordan ’26 and Caroline Natwick ’26 detail their journeys after graduation. |
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| From essential move-in items (there were multiple mentions of rubber doorstops and mallets) to great resources on campus – and more – W&L parents share their knowledge with those experiencing move-in for the first time. Be sure to have a pen handy to take notes! |
| "Bring a mallet!" - Josephine Covington '96, P'24 |
| "I would suggest packing the hanging clothes on the hangers. Slip a large black trash bag over several hangers. Then, at school, just hang up the clothes and slip the trash bag off. Then, you have bags for all the trash that you need to haul out of the room." - Caroline Mitchell '89, P'23, P'25, P'28 |
| "Do not panic if you can't find a hotel room for Parents and Family Weekend or other big weekends in Lexington. Hotel rooms always open up closer to the date of the event." - Dallas Wilt '90, P'26, P'29 |
| "If you get a welcome call from a PLC member, cherish that. Most schools don't have that level of personal detail, and it is a very special thing that W&L does. So use the call wisely and ask questions – about anything: juggling sports and academics, parents weekend planning, Greek life." - Leeann and Tom Leahy P'25, P'28 |
| "Encourage your child to take full advantage of the Career and Professional Development Office and alumni connections. Read the Family Connection emails. There is a lot of great information and links to see what amazing things the students, alumni, faculty, etc. are doing around the world." - Valerie Harper '99, P'27 |
| "The W&L community will step up big time for and with your student (and for a lifetime). You will make many lifelong friends and connections as well. You will get to know their professors, deans, friends and their families as well or better than the friends they grew up with, and you will be just as sad when they graduate as they are (maybe more so). This community will give back whatever you put into it, tenfold. Just know, there are a lot of former parents who are immensely jealous of the four years you have ahead of you!" - Katie McGinley '97, P'24, P'26 |
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Are Wildfires Getting Worse?
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An environmental economist and former U.S. Forest Service firefighter, W&L’s Cal Bryan discusses what the public needs to know about the current state of wildfire management and prevention. |
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What Makes ‘The Odyssey’ Timeless?
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A classicist specializing in archaic Greek poetry, classics professor Kevin Crotty explains why, if you liked Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” you will love the original epic poem. |
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| Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee |
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Why I Give | Paul A. Youngman ’87, P’27
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“I hope my support ensures that every student … has the opportunity to take rigorous classes and to engage in experiences like research, internships and study abroad.” |
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Why I Give | Sybil Prince Nelson ’01, P’28
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“My time at W&L quite literally changed the trajectory of my life. I wouldn’t be who I am today without this university.” |
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| Washington and Lee Athletics |
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 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 2026-27 season begins on Sept. 1 with field hockey and men's soccer competing in Lexington and with volleyball and women's soccer competing away. Click to view the full athletics 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. |
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| Lifelong Learning for W&L Parents |
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Tom Wolfe Weekend Seminar
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The rescheduled Sept. 4-5 event features George Saunders and his highly anticipated second novel, “Vigil,” published in January 2026. “Vigil” confronts the value of a life well-lived, the philosophical question of regret and the consequences, environmental and cultural, of a single individual. |
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Law and Literature Weekend Seminar
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The 33rd annual program from Oct. 9-10 focuses on Louise Erdrich’s National Book Award-winning novel, “The Round House.” Erdrich, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota, has written close to 30 works of fiction and nonfiction and won the Pulitzer Prize for her 2020 novel, “The Night Watchman.” |
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Class of 2030 Move-In Day |
All first-year students must move in on Aug. 24 during their assigned 30-minute arrival window between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. Your university ID card and room key will be waiting in your assigned room, so no check-in is required. Fall athletes and international students approved for early arrival will receive their room keys from their coach or adviser. Please contact them for more details. Students must move into the room assigned in eRezLife. Unauthorized room changes will result in charges per the Housing Agreement. Continue to check W&L email regularly for important updates and instructions.
Learn more
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Upper-Division Student Move-In Day |
Housing reopens at 9 a.m. Sept. 1, when swipe access will be activated. Students may report directly to their assigned room, where their key will be waiting. Early arrival isn’t permitted. Students must move into their eRezLife-assigned room (there are charges for unauthorized room changes). Report key issues promptly to housing@wlu.edu and contact Public Safety at 540-458-8999 for swipe access concerns. Students should check their WLU email regularly for important updates.
Learn more
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Convocation |
The W&L community is invited to the 2026 Convocation on the Front Lawn at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. The event will be livestreamed.
Watch the livestream
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Fall Term Begins |
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Fall Term classes begin Sept. 3. Add/drop ends at midnight on Sept. 9. |
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Study Abroad Fair |
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W&L will host the Study Abroad Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, under the tent next to the Lindley Center for Student Wellness. Students can meet reps from approved program providers and learn more about faculty-led Spring Term Abroad classes, as well as semester and summer internship programs. |
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Spring Term Abroad 2027 Information Session |
The Spring Term Abroad 2027 Information Session will be held via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Oct. 1. Center for International Education (CIE) staff will discuss application instructions and financial aid information. The session will be recorded for students who are unable to attend.
Student registration
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Parents and Family Weekend |
W&L will host the 72nd annual celebration of Parents and Family Weekend Oct. 2–4, honoring the families of W&L students. Stay tuned for registration.
Learn more
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| Follow @wlufyoc on Instagram |
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First-Year Orientation Committee is a group of approximately 100 upper-division students who help to coordinate and facilitate events before, during and after orientation.
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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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