| 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: September 2025 |
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Provost Lena Hill leads a first-year book discussion on "The Great Gatsby" in the Mason Taylor New Room.
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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: the 2025-26 academic year officially kicks off with Convocation, the Student Activities Fair, "Get Downtown," Meet the Greeks, fall sports and the first day of classes. |
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| Dear parents and families, |
| It is hard to believe that the Fall Term is in full swing! Colder weather and falling leaves are making their appearance, and our students at W&L are keeping busy with classes and extracurricular activities. We look forward to welcoming you all back to campus for Parents and Family Weekend Oct. 24-26, and we hope you will consider stopping by the Student Engagement and Leadership (SEaL) Reception on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. Make sure to check out the registration link below, as well as read some tips and tricks from the Division of Student Affairs on how your student(s) can get involved and/or find their communities here at W&L! Finally, if you are a first-year parent/family member, we hope you will consider completing a brief survey to share your feedback about move-in day. The survey can be accessed by clicking here. As always, if you have questions, concerns or feedback, I can be reached by email at families@wlu.edu. |
Leah Beard
Assistant Dean of Student Leadership |
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| Parents and Family Weekend |
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| Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign For Washington and Lee |
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A Natural Segue
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Retired hospice physician Ralph Caldroney ’72 turns a planned gift into immediate impact with new lecture sponsorship. |
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From Mentee to Mentor
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Inspired by Washington and Lee University while still in high school, Frankie Maloof ’25 embraced his W&L experience through leadership, honor and integrity. |
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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 |
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| If your student is looking for ways to get involved, the Division of Student Affairs has a few tips/tricks to offer: |
- Recommend your student visit the SEaL Team on the second floor of Elrod Commons! Any one of the team members can help them learn about potential ways to get involved or find extracurriculars that fuel their interests and passions.
- Encourage your student to talk with their Resident Advisor (RA) or Community Assistant (CA), their Peer Connector (PC) or their Leading Edge trip leader. These students are great resources for your student and can help point them in the right direction.
- Ask them what W&L social media channels they are plugged into – these are also a good source of information about different extracurricular opportunities! All of our social media accounts can be viewed here.
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| Washington and Lee Athletics |
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 Several Washington and Lee Athletics programs are off to fast starts to begin the 2025-26 season, with volleyball leading the way with a 10-0 overall record. Women's soccer has opened 4-2 overall despite a tough schedule, while women's golf placed eighth at the NCAA Preview to open their season. |
| Men's cross country has placed seventh and third at its first two races but was the top-finishing Division III team at both. Women's cross country won at Bridgewater and trailed only Division I Radford and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and women's tennis got underway in a competitive field at the CNU Invite. |
| Men's golf tees off for the first time this week, with field hockey, men's soccer and football all heading toward the end of their non-conference schedules. |
| 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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‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Lena Hill
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The Washington and Lee University provost and professor of English speaks to serendipitous opportunities of the liberal arts and the unique nature of W&L to realize dreams. |
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Vietnam and Cambodia: Cruising the Mekong River
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Join us for a fascinating experience through the magnificent Buddhist and Hindu temples, lush tropical landscapes and rich culture of Vietnam and Cambodia, including a seven-night Mekong River cruise. Limited space available. |
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| Learn About Studying Abroad |
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- The Center for International Education (CIE) will be hosting its Spring Term Abroad Information Session via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Sept. 30. The CIE staff will discuss application instructions and financial aid information. The session will be recorded for students who are unable to attend.
- Individual breakout sessions hosted by Spring Term Abroad program directors will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6. Some sessions will be on Zoom, and others will be in-person. Check the breakout session schedule for meeting locations, and note a few sessions take place throughout the week due to time conflicts. Your student can read more about the STA 2026 courses here.
- The Oct. 15 deadline for Winter Term study abroad is fast approaching, and some programs have earlier deadlines. Remind your student to make an appointment with Cindy Irby in the Center for International Education via Handshake to start planning.
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Law and Literature Weekend Seminar |
Not just for law students and lawyers, the Law and Literature Weekend Seminar also brings together faculty, community members and alumni to study a work of literature from ethical and literary perspectives. Our 32nd program Oct. 3-4 will center on “The Nickel Boys” (2019), a novel by Colson Whitehead recognized with the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, the Kirkus Prize and the Orwell Prize for political fiction.
Reserve your space
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Fall Reading Days |
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No classes will be held Oct. 9-10. Classes will resume Oct. 13. |
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Winter Term Abroad Deadline |
Applications to study abroad during Winter Term are due Oct. 15.
Learn more
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Spring Term Abroad Deadline |
Deadline for students to submit an application via the Off-Campus Portal (click the "apply now" button under each course listing). Oct. 20 is also the financial aid deadline. If you would like to be considered for a need-based grant for a program, please confirm you have a complete need-based aid application for the current academic year on file with the Office of Financial Aid.
Learn more
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Parents and Family Weekend |
W&L will host the annual celebration of Parents and Family Weekend honoring the families of W&L students Oct. 24-26. On Saturday, Oct. 25, the staff of the Student Engagement and Leadership (SEaL) team will be hosting a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. in Evans Dining Hall. Come and enjoy some light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres.
Learn more
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Registration for Winter Term |
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Winter Term registration opens on Oct. 27 and will stay open through Nov. 4. |
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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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| Follow @wlulex on Instagram |
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The official student-run Instagram 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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