Washington and Lee University facts for kids
Washington and Lee University coat of arms
|
|
|
Former names
|
Augusta Academy (1749–1776) Liberty Hall Academy (1776–1796) Washington Academy (1796–1813) Washington College (1813–1870) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Latin: Non Incautus Futuri |
|
Motto in English
|
"Not Unmindful of the Future" |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | 1749 |
| Accreditation | SACS |
|
Academic affiliations
|
|
| Endowment | $1.9 billion (2022) |
| President | William C. Dudley |
| Provost | Lena Hill |
|
Academic staff
|
240 full-time and 69 part-time (Fall 2019) |
| Students | 2,223 (Fall 2019) |
| Undergraduates | 1,829 (Fall 2019) |
| Postgraduates | 394 (Fall 2019) |
| Location |
,
,
United States
|
| Campus | Distant Town, 430 acres (1.7 km2) |
| Newspaper | The Ring-tum Phi |
| Colors | Liberty Hall Grey W&L Blue |
| Nickname | Generals |
|
Sporting affiliations
|
|
| Mascot | Trident (no mascot - athletics symbol) |
 |
|
| Official name: Washington and Lee University Historic District | |
| Type: | District |
| Designated: | November 11, 1971 |
| Reference #: | 71001047 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Washington and Lee University (often called Washington and Lee or W&L) is a private liberal arts college located in Lexington, Virginia. It was founded in 1749 as Augusta Academy, making it one of the oldest colleges in the United States.
The university's campus covers 325 acres. It is next to the Virginia Military Institute in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains.
Washington and Lee has three main academic parts: the College (for liberal arts), the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, and the School of Law. The university also has 24 sports teams that compete in NCAA Division III.
Contents
History of Washington and Lee
The school that became Washington and Lee started in 1749. It was first called Augusta Academy and was located about 20 miles north of its current spot. In 1776, during the American Revolution, its name changed to Liberty Hall.
In 1795, John Chavis, a free African American, is believed to have enrolled at Liberty Hall. He later fought in the American Revolution and became a Presbyterian minister. He also opened a school in North Carolina. He is thought to be the first Black student to attend a college in the U.S., though he did not graduate.
George Washington's Gift
In 1796, George Washington gave the academy a very large gift for that time: $20,000. This money helped save the school from closing. To show their thanks, the trustees changed the school's name to Washington Academy. Later, in 1813, it became Washington College. A tall statue of George Washington, called Old George, was placed on top of Washington Hall in 1844 to remember his gift.
The campus buildings got their look in the 1820s thanks to a local merchant named "Jockey" John Robinson. He left his property to Washington College. The university has since expressed regret for its past connection to slavery.
Robert E. Lee's Leadership
After the American Civil War, Robert E. Lee, a former Confederate general, became the president of Washington College in 1865. He wanted to help "train young men to do their duty." During his time, Lee added new courses like engineering, business, and law. He believed these subjects should be taught alongside liberal arts.
Lee also focused on students governing themselves, which led to the university's famous Honor System. He worked to bring students from all over the reunited nation, both North and South.
Lee passed away on October 12, 1870. Soon after, the college was renamed Washington and Lee University to honor him. The university's motto, Nōn Incautus Futūrī, means "Not Unmindful of the Future." Robert E. Lee and many of his family members are buried in University Chapel on campus. His horse, Traveller, is buried nearby.
Modern Era and Growth
After Lee's death, the university continued to grow and innovate. In 1905, a School of Commerce was created. Later, in 1995, it was renamed the Ernest Williams II School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics. Also in 1905, Andrew Carnegie donated money for a new library.
Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor society, was founded at Washington and Lee in 1914. This society recognizes students who achieve great things in academics, sports, community service, journalism, and arts.
In the 20th century, traditions like the Fancy Dress Ball and Mock Convention began. These are still important parts of student life today.
Washington and Lee became a co-ed (for both men and women) institution. The law school welcomed its first women in 1972, and the undergraduate program in 1985. The university has also built many new facilities for science, law, and student activities.
In 2014, some Confederate flags were removed from University Chapel after students protested that the school was not welcoming to minority students. The university also apologized for its past ownership of enslaved people.
Campus Life and Buildings
The main part of the campus, including the brick buildings known as the Colonnade, is a special National Historic Landmark District. The University Chapel is also a National Historic Landmark.
Many people have praised the beauty of the campus. A professor, Ted DeLaney, who grew up in Lexington, once said that "W&L is unique because the entire campus is a Confederate monument."
In recent years, Washington and Lee has spent a lot of money to improve its buildings. This includes new libraries, a gym, an arts complex, dorms, and student centers. Many older buildings are also being updated.
The Lenfest Center for the Arts, built in 1991, hosts performances by students and other artists. The Reeves Center has a large collection of ceramics from different parts of the world and different time periods.
How the University Works
Washington and Lee is managed by a board of trustees. The undergraduate school uses a unique three-term system: two 13-week terms (fall and winter) and a four-week spring term. During the spring term, students can take special classes, study abroad, or do internships. The law school has a more traditional semester system.
The Honor System
Washington and Lee has a very strict honor system that started in the 1840s. When students join the university, they promise to act honestly in all their schoolwork and activities.
Students run the honor system themselves. If a student is found guilty of breaking the honor code (like lying, cheating, or stealing), they are usually expelled. Exams at W&L are often not supervised, and students can schedule them themselves. Professors trust students not to cheat, even on take-home exams.
The honor system is taken very seriously. Each year, a few students leave the university because of honor code violations. Students can appeal a guilty verdict, but this rarely happens.
Academics and Learning
University Rankings
| USNWR Liberal Arts College | 21 |
|---|---|
| Washington Monthly Liberal Arts | 16 |
| Forbes | 42 |
Washington and Lee University is highly ranked among colleges in the United States. In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked its undergraduate college 11th among national liberal arts colleges. Its law school was ranked 35th nationally. Forbes magazine placed W&L 42nd among 650 universities.
Washington Monthly ranked Washington and Lee 1st among liberal arts colleges for its public good contributions. Kiplinger's Personal Finance ranked it 3rd for best value among private liberal arts colleges.
Getting In and Financial Help
For the class of 2026, about 17% of students who applied were accepted. Many students receive financial help from the university. About 57% of students get grants from W&L.
How the Schools are Organized
Washington and Lee has three main schools:
- The College: This is where all undergraduate students start. It covers liberal arts, humanities, and sciences. Many students study pre-health or pre-law here.
- The Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics: This school offers majors in accounting, business, economics, and politics.
- The School of Law: This school offers the Juris Doctor degree for future lawyers.
The university offers over 800 undergraduate courses. Since there is no graduate program (except for law), all courses are taught by professors. The libraries have more than 700,000 books and many online resources.
Washington and Lee offers 40 undergraduate majors and 30 minors. Some popular majors include Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Political Science, and Psychology.
The university is known for its excellent professors and their helpfulness to students. Washington and Lee is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Student Life at W&L
As of 2019, there were 1,829 undergraduate students. Most students are white, with smaller percentages of Hispanic, Asian, and Black students.
Sports Teams
The university's sports teams are called "The Generals." They compete in NCAA Division III. Washington and Lee has 12 men's teams and 12 women's teams.
The men's tennis team won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1988. The women's tennis team won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2007. The men's golf team was runner-up in the NCAA Division III championship in 2018. The football team has won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship several times.
Student Activities and Traditions
Mock Convention
Every four years, the university hosts the Washington and Lee Mock Convention. This event predicts who will be the presidential nominee for the political party that is not currently in power. It has often been correct in its predictions.
Fancy Dress Ball
The Fancy Dress Ball is a formal event that has been a tradition for over 100 years. Students plan the event each year with a special theme.
Speaking Tradition
Washington and Lee also has a "speaking tradition," which comes from Robert E. Lee. Students are encouraged to greet each other when they pass on campus. This tradition is not required.
Secret Societies
The university has several mysterious societies, including the Cadaver Society, the Sigma Society, and the Mongolian Minks.
Fraternities and Sororities
Many students at Washington and Lee join Greek letter organizations (fraternities for men and sororities for women). These groups play a big part in the social life on campus.
Fraternities
- Chi Psi – Alpha Omicron Delta
- Kappa Alpha Order – Alpha
- Kappa Sigma – Mu
- Lambda Chi Alpha – Gamma Phi Zeta
- Phi Gamma Delta – Zeta Deuteron
- Phi Kappa Psi – Virginia Beta
- Pi Kappa Alpha – Pi
- Pi Kappa Phi – Rho
- Sigma Chi – Zeta
Alpha Phi Alpha, a historically African American fraternity, also has a chapter here.
The Kappa Alpha Order was founded at W&L. Other fraternities, Alpha Tau Omega and Sigma Nu, were founded at the nearby VMI and also started early chapters at W&L.
Sororities
- Alpha Kappa Alpha – Tau Zeta Chapter
- Kappa Kappa Gamma – Zeta Tau Chapter
- Kappa Alpha Theta – Zeta Iota Chapter
- Alpha Delta Pi – Theta Zeta Chapter
- Chi Omega – Xi Lambda Chapter
- Pi Beta Phi – Virginia Theta Chapter
- Delta Society – local
Media and Culture Connections
.jpg)
The famous photographer Sally Mann started her career at Washington and Lee.
Secretariat, the famous racehorse who won the Triple Crown in 1973, wore royal blue and white colors. This was because his co-owner, Christopher Chenery, was a graduate and trustee of Washington and Lee.
A Washington and Lee art history professor, Pamela Hemenway Simpson, wrote the first scholarly book about linoleum in 1999.
The university is home to a large collection of 18th and 19th-century Chinese and European porcelain. This collection was a gift from Euchlin Dalcho Reeves, a law school graduate, and his wife, Louise Herreshoff.
The "Washington and Lee Swing" Song
"The Washington and Lee Swing" is a very well-known football march. It was written in 1910 by students Mark W. Sheafe, Clarence A. (Tod) Robbins, and Thornton W. Allen. Many famous jazz and swing musicians, like Glenn Miller and Louis Armstrong, have recorded it.
Famous Alumni
Washington and Lee University has many notable alumni (former students). These include three United States Supreme Court justices, a Nobel Prize winner, and winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, and Emmy Award. Many alumni have also become U.S. senators, representatives, state governors, and leaders in business and entertainment.
Some well-known alumni are:
- Linda Klein, a past president of the American Bar Association.
- Spencer Cox, the current Governor of Utah.
- Lewis F. Powell Jr., a former Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- John W. Davis, a U.S. Solicitor General and presidential candidate.
- Tom Wolfe, a famous author and founder of "New Journalism."
- Roger Mudd, a broadcast journalist.
- Rupert Johnson Jr., a billionaire investor.
In Books and Movies
Washington and Lee University has appeared in several books and movies.
- L'Étudiant étranger (The Foreign Student) by Philippe Labro (1986) is a novel set at a fictionalized version of the university. It was made into a movie in 1994.
- Geese in the Forum (1940) by Lawrence Edward Watkin, a professor at the university.
- The Hero (1949) by Millard Lampell, which was made into the movie Saturday's Hero.
- A Sound of Voices Dying (1954) by Glenn Scott.
- The story "Trout Fishing in Virginia" (2007) by Maxim D. Shrayer also features a fictionalized W&L campus.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Washington y Lee para niños
