| Family Connection: May 2026 |
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Students in the Creating Comics class discuss abstract comics and work on an assignment.
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| 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: students enjoy Spring Term in the classroom, on the athletic field and on campus. |
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| Dear parents and family members, |
| Happy May! We are more than halfway through our Spring Term, which means the 2025-26 academic year is rapidly concluding, and our 239th undergraduate Commencement is right around the corner. To our senior parents and family members, we look forward to celebrating your student's upcoming graduation with you on Thursday, May 28. Be sure to check out the full schedule of events. |
| For parents and family members of rising sophomores, juniors and seniors, please know that housing closes for undergraduate students on Sunday, May 24, at 5 p.m. More information can be found on our website. Finally, don't forget to save the date for our Parents and Family Weekend Oct. 2-4. If you haven't had a chance to book your lodging accommodations, consider taking advantage of Habitat Hotel, a fundraising effort supported by the students of the W&L Habitat Campus Chapter. |
| And, as always, we in the Division of Student Affairs are here to support your student's journey at W&L and are grateful for your partnership in doing so. Please always encourage your students to come see our team in Elrod Commons for any questions or concerns and also feel free to reach out to me directly. |
| Kindly, |
Leah Beard
Assistant Dean of Student Leadership |
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Making Civic Magic
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| Shepherd Program students spent their Winter Term imagining how to create healthy spaces for civic discourse in the Rockbridge area. |
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Beyond the Classroom
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| Lela Casey ’25 took her education around the world with a series of immersive language learning opportunities made possible by W&L’s Office of Fellowships. |
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| The 239th undergraduate Commencement at Washington and Lee University will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 28, on the Front Lawn. Don't forget to check out our Commencement info webpage – which covers everything from parking to rain plan to dress and more – as well as the Commencement schedule, so that you are fully prepared for the big day. |
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Best Foot Forward
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Icy Keneah ’26 turned a childhood love of fun socks into a nonprofit serving communities in Rockbridge County and her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. |
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Meet Will Knight ’26
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Knight says the opportunity to pursue different extracurriculars, including football, track & field and fly fishing, has been invaluable. |
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| As members of the Class of 2026 prepare to receive their diplomas from Washington and Lee University, let's look back on their first day on campus in 2022. |
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| Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee |
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Why I Give | The McGinley Family
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“We hope our support helps ensure that students continue to have a place where they are challenged to think seriously and independently — to understand not just what they believe but why they believe it.” – The McGinley Family |
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'An Ethos of Caring'
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For more than 40 years, Kathekon has connected W&L students and alumni through service, mentorship and campus traditions, cultivating civic-minded leaders while strengthening alumni engagement and preserving hallmarks of the W&L experience. |
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| Washington and Lee Athletics |
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 Washington and Lee University athletics teams captured five ODAC championships over the last month of competition, as men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's tennis and women's track & field all hoisted championship trophies. Women's track & field completed its second consecutive triple crown with the ODAC outdoor title, before men's and women's lacrosse and men's tennis completed their seasons this past weekend in the NCAA Tournament. |
| Women's tennis has reached its first national quarterfinal in five years after topping Emory in Atlanta, and senior Lauren Long was selected for the Division III Singles Tournament for a fourth straight season. |
| Men's track & field placed third at the ODAC outdoor championships, baseball wrapped up its season with a 21-14-1 record and the ODAC 5-seed, while women's golf was led to a second-place finish at the ODAC Championship by individual champion Toral Bhatt '29. Rounding out spring competition is men's golf, which is currently at the NCAA Championship in Florida. |
| 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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Polar Bears and Beluga Whales: Animals of the Arctic
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The whales are beckoning us north to the wildlife-rich mouth of the Churchill River on the Hudson Bay. There, tripgoers will partake in one of the most unique nature and wildlife experiences in North America, where polar bears search the shores and the belugas show off within feet of boaters and kayakers. |
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The Galapagos Islands
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This will be W&L’s 10th visit to the extraordinary natural environment of the Galapagos Islands. Here on the legendary islands 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, we’ll find the rich abundance of wildlife that so inspired Charles Darwin. Widely considered the world’s most important center for the study of evolution, the Galapagos are home to a unique variety of flora and fauna. |
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Spring Term Examinations |
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Friday, May 22, marks the last day of Spring Term classes. Examinations will be held at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. |
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Housing Closes for Undergraduates |
All students, except for graduating seniors and approved extended stays, must vacate by no later than 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Graduating seniors or approved extended stays not transitioning to summer housing will need to vacate spring housing by no later than Sunday, May 31. Students will receive closing information at the beginning of May. Avoid item removal, cleaning and unreturned key fees by following the “Closing Checklist."
Learn more
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Commencement |
The 239th undergraduate Commencement is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, May 28, on the Front Lawn of the main campus. The Baccalaureate service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, also on the Front Lawn.
Learn more
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| Follow @wlustore on Instagram |
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Celebrate the end of the academic year with a trip to the University Store.
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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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