President William C. Dudley

Community Messages

Read or watch messages from President Dudley during the 2023-24 academic year.

On Campus

Welcome Back to Campus

President Dudley sent a winter update to the W&L community on Jan. 11, 2024, highlighting recent news and upcoming events.

On Campus

2023: A Year in Review

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, President Dudley shared a look back at the highlights from 2023 with alumni, parents and friends of the university.

On Campus

Fall 2023 Campus Update

On Friday, Aug. 31, President Dudley wrote to faculty, staff, and students with an update on recent accomplishments and initiatives for the upcoming academic year.

In the News

The Supreme Court Decision on Race-Conscious Admissions

President Dudley sent a message to the W&L community regarding the Supreme Court's decision on race-conscious admissions.

Our Place in Higher Education

Distinctively W&L

In a series of essays, President Dudley discusses Washington and Lee's strengths, challenges, and opportunities, looking beyond the national headlines to what makes W&L distinctive in higher education.

Issues & Initiatives

Read more about current issues and initiatives at Washington and Lee.

Enhancing Our

Community

Washington and Lee is a welcoming, friendly, and mutually supportive community. Our students, faculty, and staff prize the trusting, respectful, and civil environment on our campus. We are united by our mission, diverse in our thinking, perspectives, and interests, and devoted to each other and to W&L.

Enhancing Our

Curriculum

Washington and Lee has been a leader for 150 years in combining the liberal arts, pre-professional education, and public service. This combination advances our mission, which commits us to developing the intellect and character of our students with the aim of preparing them to succeed in the personal, professional, and civic arenas.

Institutional

Citizenship

Washington and Lee is civic-minded and forward-looking. Guided by its motto — non incautus futuri — the institution has always asked, at each moment in its long history, how it can best contribute not only to the success of its own students, but also to the nation and the world in which they will live.

Enhancing Our

Campus

Washington and Lee has taken care to preserve the historic character of our campus, which serves as a daily reminder that our fundamental work — providing an education that prepares young people for personal achievement and public service — has been conducted here since the 18th century.

W&L's Next Decade

Strategic Plan

The University's current Strategic Plan was adopted by the Board of Trustees in May 2018, and will guide Washington and Lee's priorities for the coming decade.

News


Rector-Elect Wangdali C. “Wali” Bacdayan ‘92

Wangdali C. “Wali” Bacdayan ’92 Sworn in as Rector of Washington and Lee University

The board elected Bacdayan as the university’s 32nd rector during its October 2023 meeting.

Continue Reading

Wilson Field Bridge

2023: A Year in Review

Washington and Lee is a remarkable place, and 2023 gave us many reasons to celebrate. We continue to attract exceptionally talented students, our faculty provide them with an outstanding education, and they enjoy excellent post-graduate opportunities. Here are just a few highlights:

Continue Reading

Rector-Elect Wangdali C. “Wali” Bacdayan ‘92

Wangdali C. “Wali” Bacdayan ’92 Named Next Rector of Washington and Lee

Wangdali C. "Wali" Bacdayan '92, a current trustee of Washington and Lee University, will be the next rector of W&L’s Board of Trustees. The board unanimously elected Bacdayan as the university's 32nd rector during its meeting in Lexington on Oct. 21, 2023. He will assume his duties at the conclusion of the February 2024 meeting, succeeding Michael R. McAlevey '86, who has been rector since 2020.

Continue Reading

Statement Regarding the Relocation of Plaques to a New Exhibit in University Chapel

Four historical plaques relocated on campus are being installed in a new exhibit in University Chapel.

Continue Reading

Melanie Wilson to Serve as President-Elect of AALS

The AALS House of Representatives voted to accept Wilson’s nomination as the 2023 President-elect. Wilson has served the AALS in numerous capacities, including membership on its Executive Committee since 2020.

Continue Reading

Old George in the snow

2022: A Year in Review

2022 was a remarkable one for Washington and Lee by any measure. In addition to the full program of academic and extracurricular activities and campus events that we enjoyed this year, we have many reasons to celebrate this remarkable institution and give thanks for the tremendous community that makes our success possible:

Continue Reading

Michael Hill

Michael Hill Named Inaugural Director of the DeLaney Center at Washington and Lee

Michael Hill, professor and chair of the Africana Studies program at Washington and Lee University, has been named the inaugural director of the University’s new DeLaney Center, an interdisciplinary academic center for teaching and research on Southern race relations, culture, and politics.

Continue Reading

photo of Melanie D. Wilson

Melanie D. Wilson Named Next Dean of Washington and Lee University School of Law

Melanie D. Wilson has been named the next dean of Washington and Lee University’s School of Law. She will also hold the Roy L. Steinheimer Jr. Professorship in Law.

Continue Reading

W&L Welcomes New Trustees Betsy Pakenas ’94 and Jonathan Wortham ’04

Pakenas and Wortham joined the W&L Board of Trustees on October 15.

Continue Reading

Cassie Hunt '01

Cassie Hunt Named Executive Director of Strategic Analysis at Washington and Lee University

Cassie Ritter Hunt, executive director of advancement operations at Washington and Lee University, has been named executive director of strategic analysis, effective October 18. She succeeds Tim Diette, who will join the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty as its executive director this month.  

Continue Reading

SHECP Logo

Washington and Lee University Selected as SHECP Academic Home

Washington and Lee has been selected as the new academic home of the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty (SHECP) following a competitive application process. Tim Diette has been named executive director of the consortium.

Continue Reading

W&L to Name New Center of Southern Race Relations, Culture, and Politics in Honor of Ted DeLaney

Washington and Lee University will name a new interdisciplinary academic center for teaching and research on Southern race relations, culture, and politics in honor of late professor of history emeritus Theodore “Ted” Carter DeLaney Jr. '85.

Continue Reading