| Family Connection: November 2025 |
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W&L families enjoyed a weekend of celebration at Parents and Family Weekend Oct. 24-26.
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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: W&L Repertory Dance Company performs "W&L Dancer's Create…," the university holds the Make-A-Wish gala, the Shepherd Poverty Program hosts Shepherd in Action and women's soccer competes in the NCAA tournament. |
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| Dear Parents and Families, |
| I hope November has and will offer quiet moments for reflection and gratitude for you and your student. Finals are rapidly approaching, and campus events are starting to slow as we prepare to bid farewell to the 2025 Fall Term. As your student prepares to head home for the Winter Break, you might find it helpful to review important information about housing dates and details. Additionally, if your student is looking to join a W&L fraternity or sorority in the 2026 Winter Term, you can learn more information about our formal recruitment and membership intake process. I will offer more tips and tricks regarding best supporting your student during finals, as well as specific information regarding housing over the breaks and about the IFC/Panhellenic formal recruitments in the Division of Student Affairs section below. As always, if you have questions, concerns or feedback, I can be reached by email at families@wlu.edu. |
| Wishing you and your family a restful break. |
Leah Beard
Assistant Dean of Student Leadership |
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Beacon of Light
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| Over 200 people gathered Oct. 18 for the official dedication of the Lindley Center for Student Wellness, which honors the legacy of Dr. Lindley Spaht Dodson ’99. |
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Finding Her Voice
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| Isabel Duarte ’26 found a path at W&L that blends music and science in perfect harmony. |
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The Language of Humanity
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Professor of French Mohamed Kamara describes his interconnected teaching, scholarship and service. |
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| Information from the Division of Student Affairs |
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| Finals Week |
| Finals begin on Dec. 6, and your student may share feeling stressed and/or anxious as they enter this time. You might encourage them to visit the Harte Center and/or the Writing Center, visit professors during office hours and work with a peer tutor in advance of finals week. Access additional learning resources for students, including a special section for parents. |
| Important Housing Information |
| Housing will remain open over the Thanksgiving Break. If students are staying on campus, they should be aware that university services will be limited. Parents and families should also be aware that housing will close for the Winter Break at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. All students must vacate housing by this time and complete their winter closing checklist. Get more information on housing details. |
| Fraternity & Sorority Life |
| Is your student interested in joining one of our Panhellenic sororities or IFC fraternities? If so, you might consider asking them if they have registered for the appropriate 2026 formal recruitment process. All students participating in the Panhellenic or IFC formal recruitments may return to campus as early as Saturday, Jan. 3, though students should be aware of the date/time in which they are required to return. Students should be thoughtful in their return date/time as Lexington often experiences inclement weather at that time of year. We encourage parents to review information about our Panhellenic and IFC formal recruitments. |
| If your student is interested in joining one of our NPHC sororities or fraternities at W&L, they should directly contact our NPHC adviser. |
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| Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee |
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Interdisciplinary Investment
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The new building that serves the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics provides expanded space for state-of-the-art classrooms and collaborative gathering areas. |
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| Join fellow parents, alumni and friends to celebrate Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee at special receptions across the country. Enjoy campus updates from President Will Dudley and other campus leaders, and hear the latest news about W&L's historic campaign. Learn more about upcoming events and see photos from our recent New York City event. |
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| Washington and Lee Athletics |
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 Postseason play is upon the athletics calendar, and Washington and Lee has seen continued success. Both cross country teams won their ODAC Championships, before the men won the regional meet and the women took second. Women's soccer won its second straight conference title before advancing to its second straight NCAA Round of 16, while volleyball won its third straight and 21st overall ODAC crown. |
| Football wrapped up its regular season at 6-4 and will head to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to play Lycoming College in the Chesapeake Challenge Cape Charles Bowl, while both basketball teams, swimming teams and wrestling are off to hot starts for the winter season. |
| 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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Pacific Northwest Discovery — The San Juan Islands, Whales, Wildlife and Coastal Culture
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Join W&L travelers on an adventure to the San Juan Islands, an archipelago of more than 170 islands in Washington’s Salish Sea. Renowned for their awe-inspiring beauty and atmosphere, these islands offer a place where time slows down. |
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Tulips and the Rhine River
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Embark on a seven-night cruise on the Rhine River, a vital artery of transportation and cultural exchange since Roman times, lined with historic cities and picturesque landscapes. Our Emerald Star ship, accommodating no more than 180 passengers, was built to navigate European rivers and offers majestic scenic views from every room. |
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W&L Presents Holiday Pops Concert 2025
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| Tickets to the Dec. 2 performance can be obtained with a non-perishable food donation to benefit Campus Kitchen at W&L. The event will be livestreamed. |
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Spring Term Abroad Financial Aid |
Students will find out about their financial aid package the week of Nov. 17. Students will be notified via email and can check their package in the financial aid portal.
Check the financial aid portal
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Thanksgiving Break |
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There will be no classes Nov. 24-28. Classes will resume after Thanksgiving Break on Dec. 1. |
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Spring Term Abroad Commitment Deadline |
The deadline to commit to an STA 2026 program is Dec. 1, 2025. To commit, students need to pay the $250 deposit and complete some paperwork — both of which can be done via the off-campus portal. Full commitment instructions can be found in the acceptance notification sent from cie@wlu.edu.
Check the off-campus portal
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Fall Term Final Examinations Begin |
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The final day of Fall Term classes is Dec. 5. Examinations start at 2 p.m. on Dec. 6 and end at noon on Dec. 12. |
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Panhellenic Council Formal Recruitment |
Formal recruitment to join a sorority starts on Jan. 4, 2026, with a sorority information session, and ends Jan. 8 with Bid Day. All rounds are currently set to be held in person. Students may return to campus Saturday, Jan. 3, and must move in by noon on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Learn more about the recruitment process
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Interfraternity Council Formal Recruitment |
IFC formal recruitment starts on Jan. 5 with Potential New Member (PNM) Orientation and ends on Jan. 8 with Bid Day. Students may return to campus on Saturday, Jan. 3, and must move in by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5.
Learn more about the recruitment process
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Winter Term Begins |
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Winter Term classes begin Thursday, Jan. 8. Add/drop ends at midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 14. |
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| Follow @wlushepherd on Instagram |
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The Shepherd Program integrates thought and action to prepare students from different majors, career paths, backgrounds, passions and political perspectives to understand and address the complex causes and consequences of poverty and inequality in ways that respect the dignity of every person.
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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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