Students start the new year and Winter Term at W&L.
 
Family Connection: January 2025
 
The campus experienced its first snowfall of the season in early January.
Scene on Campus
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: Winter Term gets underway, the campus celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the Generals take to the basketball court.
View Photos
 
Undergraduate Commencement – May 29, 2025
Graduation is on the horizon for the Class of 2025! The university's 238th undergraduate Commencement is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 10 a.m. on the Front Lawn of the main campus. The Baccalaureate Service is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 10 a.m., also on the Front Lawn. Commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live on the web for those unable to attend. 
Check back in March when the schedule of events for 2025 goes live, and learn more about Commencement here
 
Newsworthy
On Our Honor
Past presidents of Washington and Lee University’s Executive Committee reflect on how it prepared them for a life of values-driven leadership.
The Science of Sleep
Associate professor Ryan Brindle’s sleep lab gives students unparalleled opportunities to conduct hands-on research at the undergraduate level.
Washington and Lee to Begin Updates to the Campus Utility Infrastructure
The long-term phased project provides for sustainable heating resources throughout campus.
Connolly Center Creates Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program
The program exposes students to cutting-edge ideas by bringing business and entrepreneurial leaders to campus.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Launches New Season With Episode Featuring Holly Pickett
In the podcast’s first episode of season six, Pickett, professor of English, discusses the power of humanities in a rapidly changing world and the life lessons that can be continuously unearthed in Shakespearean text.
Students Encouraged to Apply for a Johnson Opportunity Grant in 2025
The grant provides funds to support W&L student projects worldwide.
Meet Allison Munck '27, Sophia Soderberg '26 and Riley Mitchelson '27.
Read more stories on the W&L student experience
 
Campaign Connections
Bill and Wendy Payne Champion W&L’s Institutional History Museum with $3.5M Gift
Trustee issues challenge for support of the project.
 
Celebrate W&L’s Capital Campaign in 2025
Join Washington and Lee University President Will Dudley and the Campaign Council as they host special receptions and programming celebrating Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee across the country.
 
Send a Care Package to Your Student
Sending a care package just got easier! Dining Services has partnered with the W&L University Store to streamline your gifting experience. From made-to-order cupcakes to chocolate chip cookies, make someone's day with a delightful surprise.    
Explore the selection! 
 
Distinctly W&L
Student Organization Spotlight: WLUR
At WLUR-FM, Washington and Lee University's radio voice since 1967, students get an introduction to audio production, podcasting and more.
 
Living Lab
This fall, W&L students learned environmental field methods at a six-acre site in Rockbridge County set aside for experiential learning.
 
Housing Selection Applications Open Feb. 3
Fall 2025 housing applications open for upper-division students Feb. 3 and are available online in eRezLife. All students planning to live in on-campus housing (including Greek and theme housing) must complete the application by April 7 to participate in the housing lottery and selection process, which takes place May 6-9. 
All students in the Class of 2027 and 2028 must select housing for the 2025-26 academic year through the housing lottery and selection process. Students in the Class of 2026 have the option to participate, with priority given to the classes of 2027 and 2028. 
Read more information about the housing selection processes. Other important housing dates and deadlines may be found on the Office of Housing & Residence Life website. 
 
An Invitation from the Institutional History Museum Working Group
One of the major campus initiatives in Washington and Lee's 2018 Strategic Plan is the creation of an Institutional History Museum to serve as an educational resource for the W&L community and the broader public. Community input is a critical part of this work, and we invite you to share your input on what would make this museum experience a rewarding one for you. Your participation in our 3- to 5-minute survey will help us understand our community's priorities, as well as determine the exhibits that will be showcased in the new museum.
Take the survey
 
Washington and Lee Athletics
With the calendar flipping to 2025, all W&L winter athletics programs are back in action following some time off in December. Women's basketball leads the charge, ranking Top 20 in two national polls and riding an eight-game winning streak, while men's basketball has battled through a rigorous ODAC schedule. The wrestling team is 11-3 in dual matches, while both swim teams close out their regular-season schedules against VMI before turning their attention to the conference meet. Finally, both track & field teams enter the thick of their indoor seasons, with the women having already set five program records.
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
2025 Institute for Honor Symposium
The 2025 IFH Symposium will consider “Food, Housing and Health: Exploring Corporate Impact on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals in the Shenandoah Valley.” It will explore the intersection of corporate responsibility and development from varied perspectives, particularly relating to access to food, housing and health care, with Ambassador Ertharin Cousin delivering the keynote address.
Learn more and register
 
From the Canals of Venice to the Ancient Monuments of Athens
The Dalmatian Coast, the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most intriguing destinations in the Mediterranean. The region offers spectacular scenery; ancient, medieval and Renaissance history and art; and charming towns and villages. Join us as we sail from Venice, Italy, to Athens, Greece, and discover the rich culture and history of this majestic corner of the world.
Learn more and reserve
 
Save the Date
01-28
Faculty Frontiers: Bridging Ideas, Advancing Knowledge
Start the new year off strong by getting expert perspectives on current events, timely topics and interesting subjects from W&L faculty who are working on the frontiers of their respective fields. George Bent, Sidney Gause Childress Professor in the Arts, and Erich Uffelman, Bentley Professor of Chemistry, lead the next webinar in this two-month-long program from Lifelong Learning with their lecture, "A Day in Early Modern Europe." Be sure to check out each webinar in the series, which began Jan. 14. Each session starts at 7 p.m. Enjoy them live, or watch archived versions at your convenience.
Learn more about all the Faculty Frontier webinars
02-01
Sixth Annual Black Future Leaders Experience Conference
To help launch Black History Month on campus, the Student Association for Black Unity (SABU) at Washington and Lee University will host its sixth annual Black Future Leaders Experience Conference (Black FLEX) on Feb. 1. SABU plans and sponsors the leadership conference each year, which provides a space for W&L’s young, thriving Black scholars to cultivate the most distinguished versions of themselves. This year’s theme is “Black Masquerade: Unmasking Hidden Heroes,” with sessions illuminating the extraordinary, often-overlooked contributions of African American individuals and communities.
Learn more
02-03
Registration for Spring Term 2025
Registration for Spring Term 2025 begins on Feb. 3 and stays open until Feb. 11.
02-03
Housing Selection Applications Open
Fall 2025 housing applications open for upper-division students Feb. 3 and are available online in eRezLife. All students planning to live in on-campus housing (including Greek and theme housing) must complete the application by April 7 to participate in the housing lottery and selection process, which takes place May 6-9.
Learn more
02-07
Major Declaration Deadline
Sophomores will need to declare their majors by Feb. 7.
02-12
Spring Term Abroad Financial Aid Grants Available
Student financial aid grants become available to eligible students by Feb. 12. The Spring Term Abroad program fee will appear on the Feb. 17 bill (alongside the financial aid grant credit, if applicable).
02-24
Washington Break
No classes will be held from Feb. 24-28. Classes resume on Monday, March 3.
03-01
Fall Term and Full Year Abroad Deadline
All applications to study abroad for the 2025-2026 academic year or for Fall Term 2025 must be submitted.
Learn more about studying abroad
 
Follow @wlumuddcenter on Instagram
The Rodger Mudd Center for Ethics is an interdisciplinary center that focuses on ethical issues through lectures, workshops and conferences.
Additional Social Media Accounts to Follow
Follow along with all of campus' social media channels with the W&L social media directory! Click here for a full list.
 
Be sure to add families@wlu.edu to your address book or safe senders list so our emails get to your inbox. 
 
News & EventsFamilies Dashboard
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington St.
Lexington, Virginia 24450
540-458-8400
Email Preferences   |   Privacy Policy
Open in Browser