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

Christopher Caplinger
Area Director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
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Mohamed Kamara
Campus 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.

Willis Weatherford
Reformed University Fellowship Campus Minister
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Discover RUF at W&L.

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.

Mark Robbins
Director of Jewish Life and Rabbi
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Mark Robbins started as Director of Jewish Life and Rabbi at Washington & Lee in November 2022. He serves W&L’s Jewish students at the beautiful Hillel House and throughout campus. W&L Hillel is embedded within the university structure and the Class of 1994 Office of Inclusion and Engagement. Rabbi Mark was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary and has served both as a campus and congregational rabbi. Most recently, he spent 6 years as an academic advisor at the University of Michigan. Rabbi Mark has special interests in the transition to college and student mental health, which emerged from his own college experience – and how Jewish tradition speaks to these issues. He aims to meet Jewish students where they are, connecting them to aspects of Jewish life which are organic to their interests, and continuing the superb community-building work done by his predecessors. Robbins is a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and has spent most of his life on the East Coast, in Michigan, and in Israel. He was married and is still deeply connected to Amy. They have two college-aged children, Adina and Coby. He spends some of his free time rooting on his Boston teams with his 2 kids. A longtime city and suburb-dweller, Rabbi Mark is also relishing the incredible access to nature in the Lexington area.

Learn more about Hillel.

Campus Resources and Worship Rooms

Interfaith Resource Center
Interfaith Resource Center
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


Hillel House
Hillel House
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.


Sacred Space
Sacred Space
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.