Religious Life
While Washington and Lee University is a non-sectarian institution, we realize that spirituality is a part of a student's holistic development. We provide programs, resources, and spaces for all students to learn, grow, and explore.
Religious Life Staff
Noah Kennedy
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Campus Minister
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Noah Kennedy is the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship minister for Washington and Lee. He is so excited to be able to continue to serve at this chapter which has welcomed him since 2023. He hails from the beautiful river city of Richmond, and graduated from Christopher Newport University with a double major in Philosophy and Communications. If he is not having deep spiritual conversations with students, you can find him at the local board game store deep in a strategy game, or training jiu jitsu and kickboxing at the gym. Noah is deeply grateful for the W&L faculty, staff, professors, and students for making Lexington a place of learning and growth, and he looks forward to walking alongside students in their spiritual journeys. He is engaged to the wonderful Julia, who inspires him every day with her heart for people and animals.
Skyler Daniel
Baptist Campus Minister
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Skyler Daniel came to Lexington in 2022 after serving in college and youth ministry for seven years in Danville, Virginia, at Averett University and West Main Baptist Church. He now pastors Manly Memorial Baptist Church, just two blocks from campus, and retains a heart for college students. In 2023, he published a daily devotional for college students called "Life Wisdom from a Smooth Jesus and a Clumsy College Pastor," through Smith & Helwys Publishing. He is married to Ronella and has two awesome kids-Charlize (Charlie) and Amos. Skyler holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University, in Winston Salem, NC. He loves the mountains, banjo music, cycling, and being with family.
Mohamed Kamara
Muslim Student Advisor
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Mohamed is Associate Professor of French at Washington and Lee and the current Head of the Africana Studies Program. Mohamed's teaching and research interests include French language as well as French and Francophone literatures and cultures, with specific focus on African and Eighteenth century French women writers, colonial education and human rights. Mohamed is also a founding member of Rockbridge Interfaith and a board member of CARE Rockbridge. As faculty advisor to campus Muslim students and the W&L African Society, he is a member of the Religious Staff in the Office of Inclusion and Engagement. Mohamed is married to Tida Dramé and has two children, Adama and Musa.
Sarah Parnell
Young Life College Campus Minister
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Sarah Parnell has been on staff with Young Life in Lexington since 2019. She works directly with local high school students and as a campus minister through Young Life College to the campus of Washington & Lee. Young Life's mission is to introduce students to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. Sarah is passionate about all students having the chance to know the truth of who Jesus is and walk with them through discovering how that truth impacts their identity and how they live life. Sarah received her bachelor's degree from Messiah University in Christian Ministries and is currently pursuing her Masters from Fuller Theological Seminary in Ministry and Leadership. Sarah is married to Caleb, and neither can imagine living in a better place than Lexington right now. Sarah enjoys running on the chessie, playing board games and taking her dog, Bruno, on adventures.
Willis Weatherford
Reformed University Fellowship Campus Minister
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Willis Weatherford came to Washington & Lee in 2022 to be a pastor to the campus as the RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) Campus Minister. After working in the field of outdoor education and recreation, Willis obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary, and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America. Willis enjoys helping students of all backgrounds and persuasions wrestle with God as he has revealed himself in the Bible. Willis enjoys active pursuits in the outdoors, athletics, good barbecue, and bluegrass music. Willis is married to Mary, and they love raising their children in Lexington.
Campus Resources and Worship Rooms
The Interfaith Resource Center is located in the Hillel House on the second floor. The center has resources about different world religions and is open to anyone of any religion. It also provides a place for students to meet with their faith leaders and a place for students to meet with other students of different religions
The 7,000 square foot LEED-certified Hillel House opened in September 2010. The facility includes the E Café, a Kosher dairy dining facility with indoor and outdoor seating, a sanctuary/multipurpose room, free student Wi-Fi, comfortable study spaces, a lounge area with cable television and state-of-the-art meeting spaces.
A dedicated and consecrated room set aside for prayer, contemplation and meditation, located in Elrod Commons Room 233. It is available for individuals during regular Elrod Commons hours and may be reserved in advance for small group gatherings.