W&L receives $30M anonymous gift, Spring Term 2025 concludes.
 
Family Connection: May 2025
 
Students in the Aerial Dance class perform on the wall outside of Wilson Hall.
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: Spring Term wraps up, and the Washington and Lee University School of Law graduates the Class of 2025.
View Photos
 
Commencement Reminders
It's almost time for the Class of 2025 to throw their caps in the air! Washington and Lee's 238th undergraduate Commencement will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 29, on the Front Lawn. Don't forget to check our Commencement info webpage as well as the Commencement schedule for all the information surrounding the big day.
 
Student Accolades
Eight W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
The 2024-2025 Gilman Scholar cohort – a total of 20 students – is W&L’s largest ever.
Anshika Patel ’26 Receives Davis Projects for Peace Grant
Patel plans to expand the reach of Wings of Women, the community-driven initiative she founded in her home country of India.
Katie Wagner ’25 Earns U.S. Teaching Assistantship to Austria
Wagner will teach English in Austria before pursuing a career as a German language educator.
Sambridhi Tuladhar ’25 to Receive the Global Learning Leadership Award
The accounting major will be presented the award at the Center for International Education awards ceremony on May 27.
Lily George ’25 Selected for U.S. Teaching Assistantship to Austria
George will teach English in Austria before attending medical school.
Kristina Ayers '25 Earns Fulbright to Netherlands
Ayers was selected for the inaugural Fulbright/Netherlands-America Foundation Heersink Family Foundation Award to conduct public health research.
 
Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee
$30 Million Gift will Create New Admissions, Financial Aid and Conference Center
Founders Hall will improve access, foster community and showcase the university’s enduring commitment to student success.
 
A Courageous Step
As Yuchen Qian ’25 prepares to graduate with degrees in politics and philosophy and a minor in German, he reflects on the many facets that shaped his Washington and Lee University experience and on his less-than-linear path to get here.
 
Newsworthy
Shepherding Curiosity
Two innovative sociology capstone projects conducted in collaboration with professor of sociology Jonathan Eastwood give “networking” a whole new meaning.
Entrepreneurship Summit Connects Students and Alumni With Shared Interests
The 2025 Entrepreneurship Summit brought students together for networking, honing their pitch skills and sharing ideas with alumni.
Poetry in Motion
Aby Joyner ’28 believes in the power of photography and poetry, publishing two books, with another in progress.
James S. Lambert Selected as Director of Lifelong Learning
The former provost at Southern Virginia University begins his W&L appointment on July 1.
Meet: Zanita Akinkugbe '27, Daniel Reiter '26 and Martha Greer Walker '27.  
Read more stories on the W&L student experience
 
Distinctly W&L
Following the Money
The Follow the Money workshop and Spring Term course brought W&L students together with business journalists from across the nation.
 
From Mystery to Mastery
A chance encounter in the Science Center as a child set Alyssa Cirrincione ’25 on a path to pursue her curiosity at W&L.
 
Washington and Lee Athletics
Washington and Lee Athletics wrapped up the 2024-25 season with multiple ODAC titles and NCAA competition. Men's and women's lacrosse, along with women's tennis, all won ODAC championships, and each made it to the NCAA rounds of 16 during their postseasons. Men's golf, led by ODAC individual champion Jonathan McEwen '27, placed second at the ODAC Tournament before a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championship, where McEwen tied for 10th, while the women's golf team took 20th at the national tournament.
Individually, men's and women's track & field and men's tennis sent individuals to the national championships. Keaton Rush '26 placed 16th in the 10K, Camille Gillum '26 tied for 11th in the high jump, and Evan Erb '25 bowed out in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championship.
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.
 
Events
University Singers Perform Annual Commencement Concert
The annual tradition for parents and families of graduating students will be held May 27.
Washington and Lee University to Celebrate 238th Commencement, Baccalaureate
W&L celebrates its 238th undergraduate Commencement at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 29.
Staniar Gallery Presents ‘Hugo Crosthwaite: Tijuacolor’
The mural and exhibition promise a visually exciting narrative that reflects on issues such as immigration, gentrification, transculturation and violence. In keeping with the artist’s concept of impermanence and the ephemeral nature of border regions, the mural will be painted over at the end of the exhibition on May 30 following the artist’s instructions.
 
Lifelong Learning for W&L Parents
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Jay Margalus
In this month’s episode, Margalus discusses unlearning, the richness in risks and how the Connolly Center provides experiences in chance-taking.
Listen now
 
From the Canals of Venice to the Ancient Monuments of Athens
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, the Dalmatian Coast.
Reserve your space
 
Considering studying abroad during Winter Term 2026? 
Although the deadline is Oct. 15, summer is the best time to start planning! We encourage any students planning to apply for study abroad next winter to schedule an online appointment with Cindy Irby, the study abroad adviser, through Handshake. For more information about the study abroad application process, please go to our advising application.
 
Save the Date
05-29
Commencement
The 238th undergraduate Commencement is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, May 29 on the Front Lawn of the main campus. The Baccalaureate Service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, also on the Front Lawn. Commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live for those unable to attend.
Learn more
07-06
Summer Explorations I "Discover the Middle Ages: A Week of Exploration, Connection and Insight"
This program, held on campus July 6-11, invites you to journey through the vibrant heart of the Middle Ages, where city-states in Italy flourished, national monarchies consolidated power and the Caliphates emerged in the Muslim world. Explore the dynamics of religious and cultural exchange between Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists and learn how these interactions, often contentious, fueled lasting conflicts — and enduring legacies.
Register now
07-13
Summer Explorations II "Questions of Ownership: Ethical and Legal Concerns Related to the Treatment of Cultural Heritage Objects"
Cultural heritage objects are powerful artifacts to own, display and even destroy. The three-day seminar on campus, held July 13-16, will examine recent cases of repatriation and ongoing demands that will allow participants to think about the layered and complex realities these objects represent.
Register now
07-20
Summer Explorations III "Digging into History: A W&L Family Adventure in Archaeology"
Join us from July 20-23 to enjoy the Washington and Lee college experience as a family. Families are invited to discover the methods, technologies and sources archaeologists use to “see” things that are no longer visible.
Register now
 
Follow @wlustore on Instagram
Don't leave for the summer without stopping by the W&L Store!
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. 
 
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