| 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. |
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| Family Connection: July 2026 |
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Ken Ruscio '76 celebrated his swearing-in as interim president of W&L with an ice cream social on campus.
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| Greetings W&L parents and family members, |
| For new parents and family members, hello and welcome to the W&L community! My name is Leah Beard, and I serve as the assistant dean of student leadership in the Division of Student Affairs. In the monthly Family Connection newsletter, I share important information and updates with W&L family members, including upcoming deadlines and events, as well as tips and tricks to best support your students. In this edition, we feature important information about move-in for international students, the Class of 2030 and upper-division students; first-year Leading Edge trips; and parent and family orientation hosted by Student Affairs. We hope you will find this type of information helpful. Finally, please know we value all parents and family members as critical partners in the development of your students. And while we will expect students to be the architects and leaders of their own college experiences, I want you to feel comfortable contacting me at any point with questions or concerns. You can reach me by email at families@wlu.edu. |
Kindly,
Leah Beard
Assistant Dean of Student Leadership |
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| Important Info from the Division of Student Affairs |
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| As the start of the 2026-27 academic year gets closer, the list of important dates and information grows. Whether your student is arriving at W&L for their first term or they're moving into upper-division housing for the last time, here are some dates to mark on your calendar. Any changes to this move-in information will be communicated directly to students and updated on the Office of Housing & Residence Life website. |
Aug. 16-17: International Move-In
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 details on the full schedule and general information. |
Aug. 24: Class of 2030 Move-In Day
All first-year students must move in on Aug. 24 during their assigned 30-minute arrival window between 8:30–11:30 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. |
3 p.m. – Leading Edge Student Check-in
New students will receive a handout when they move in that will share the location of their Leading Edge trip check-in. |
Parent Orientation Schedule
An in-person parent orientation will be available on Monday, Aug. 24. Attendance is optional.
1-2:30 p.m. – Resource Fair, Cannan Green
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
For additional information on how to support your student, visit the Parents and Families page. |
Aug. 25 – Aug. 29: Leading Edge Trips
First-year students will participate in one of 12 immersive, small-group experiences to support new students in forming close-knit friendships, connect with mentors and ease the transition to college. New student orientation continues on campus upon their return until Wednesday, Sept. 2. Continue to check the Class of 2030 Orientation Schedule page for more details. |
Aug. 29 - Sept. 2: On-Campus Orientation
Students will return from their Leading Edge trips and continue forming connections with classmates as they begin navigating campus, learning about university policies and settling into life at W&L. A full list of events can be found in the Class of 2030 orientation schedule. |
Sept. 1: Upper-Division Student Move-In
Housing reopens for upper-division students at 9 a.m. on Sept. 1, which is when swipe access is activated. Students may report directly to their assigned room, where their room key will be waiting. If you experience any issues with your room key, contact housing@wlu.edu promptly to avoid unnecessary key charges. 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. |
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What's Next
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| Lauren Long ’26, Devlin Daugherty ’26, Marshall Wilt ’26, Natalie Richards ’26 and Joyce Yoo ’26 share their next steps after graduating from W&L. |
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| Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee |
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W&L Community Fuels Unprecedented Fundraising Results
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The W&L Fund exceeds $11 million for the first time in history as campaign total surpasses $628 million. |
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Cultivating Communities of Trust
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The S. Cullum Owings Jr. Fellowship was established in 2003 to honor the memory of Cullum Owings ’03. |
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| Follow Washington and Lee University's official accounts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn as well as W&L's official student-run social media account, wlulex, on Instagram. |
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Four Years in Focus
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Ryan Doty '26 reflects on his time at Washington and Lee and the experiences he’ll carry with him into his next chapter. |
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Scandinavian Summer Abroad
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Neuroscience major Casey Arkoette ’28 is conducting cutting-edge research in Copenhagen, Denmark, while exploring the local culture. |
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| Washington and Lee Athletics |
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| Washington and Lee University offers 24 varsity programs, equally divided between men's and women's sports, that compete in NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The 2026-27 season begins on Sept. 1 with men and women's soccer, volleyball and field hockey. |
| 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 8:30–11:30 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 for upper-division students at 9 a.m. Sept. 1, which is when swipe access is activated. Students may report directly to their assigned room, where their room key will be waiting. If you experience any issues with your room key, contact housing@wlu.edu promptly to avoid unnecessary key charges. 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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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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| Follow @wlunews on Instagram |
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The official Instagram account of Washington and Lee University.
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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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