Washington and Lee University (originally Washington College) is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was founded in 1749 as "Augusta Academy", and renamed "Liberty Hall" in 1776. George Washington gave the school its first significant endowment in 1796, and the board of trustees changed the name of the school to honor him. After the American Civil War, General Robert E. Lee reluctantly accepted the post of college president, and the school's name was changed to honor him after his death. His son, George Washington Custis Lee followed as the school's next president.
Washington and Lee was all-male until 1972, when women were admitted to the law school; the first female undergraduates were admitted in 1985.
The University prides itself on both strong academics and being a major fraternity school. (Around 80% of the male student body is in a fraternity, about 76% of the female student body is in a sorority)
W&L is a member of the Associated Colleges of the South.
Academics
The University is a liberal arts college divided into three schools. These schools are; (1) The School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics which serves as both the business school and politics department, (2) The College which houses all other other undergraduate majors, and (3) The School of Law. The School sponsors 40 undergraduate majors.
The undergraduate calendar is a unique three semester system with 12-week fall and winter terms followed by a short 6-week spring term. Spring term is reserved for special topic courses and internships. The law calendar follows a more traditional two semester system.
In addition, Washington and Lee still upholds the Honor System implemented by Robert E. Lee when he served as President. The student-run Honor System, now more than a century old, is the guiding principle of life at Washington and Lee. Students vow never to lie, cheat or steal upon entering the University. Any student found to have committed a dishonorable act is subject to only one punishment—expulsion. This process is overseen by the Executive Committee, a group of students elected by the students. The Executive Committee also serves as the student government.
Alumni of Note
Terry Brooks '85 — Author
Robert Mosbacher '47 Undergraduate '49 Law School — Secretary of Commerce between between 1989 and 1992.
Roger Mudd '50 — Congressional Correspondent for CBS and PBS; Host on the History Channel
Lewis Franklin Powell, Jr. '29 Undergraduate '31 Law School — Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
Pat Robertson '50 — Chancellor, Regent University; founder, Christian Broadcasting Network
Tom Robbins — Author of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. (Didn't graduate here, but attended for two years before moving to New York to become a poet.)
Tom Wolfe '51 — Journalist (created New Journalism) and author of numerous books including The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test and The Bonfire of the Vanities
In total 27 alumni have served in the United States Senate, 67 have served in the United States House of Representatives, 31 have served as governor of a state, and 4 have served as Supreme Court Justices.
Student Activities
The school's mascot is "The Generals" and the sports teams compete in Division III in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The student body is predominantly conservative and tends to be very political. Once every four years, the school sponsors the Washington and Lee Mock Convention for whichever political party (Democratic or Republican) does not hold the Presidency.
Fraternities and Sororities
Fraternities
Sororities
External links