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In 1908, William Jennings Bryan, a front-runner for the Democratic nominee for POTUS, announced a visit to Lexington, Virginia inciting an idea among the politically minded W&L students.  They set up a replica of the democratic nominating convention, completed months of research and finally, on the day of Bryan’s speech, came together to predict Bryan…

As you know, the noted conservative commentator Matt Walsh was scheduled to speak in Lexington on March 30.  The announcement of his appearance created substantial interest on campus, and unfortunately, even threats of violence.  It also highlighted the precarious state of Freedom of Speech at Washington and Lee. The school shooting in Nashville, where Mr.…

The question “What Is a Woman?” has vexed society for centuries, and led to spirited, but civil debate among philosophers, academics, writers, feminists, and even a sitting Supreme Court Justice.  Hallmarks of those discussions have been courtesy, decorum and a willingness to listen to opposing viewpoints. Apparently, the concept of civil and courteous discourse has…

March 2023 The Mock Convention at W&L has an amazing history. Dating back to 1908, Mock Con has established itself as an impressively accurate predictor of the presidential nominee from the out-of-power party. Now in its second century, the student-run convention has welcomed many historic figures, from William Jennings Bryan and Harry Truman to Bill…

One of my ’64 classmates, and a good friend throughout our four years together at W&L, grew up in a Chicago suburb and graduated from a top high school there — so once, in an idle moment, while we were studying together for a Charlie Turner exam in European History, I asked him why he,…

The decision by W&L’s leadership to rename Lee Chapel and to build a permanent wall to hide the Recumbent Statue of Lee produced a predictably emotional reaction among alumni and supporters.  Out of sadness, shock, and anger, a host of alumni were spurred to action. Notably, a significant number of alumni decided to redirect their…

As 2022 comes to an end, we want to take a moment to thank you for your support over the past year, whether financially or otherwise.  Together, we have made impacts on the University we all hold dear.  We have sought to empower the students, parents, alumni, friends, and supporters of Washington and Lee University…

Edward Valentine’s Recumbent Lee received an important but temporary reprieve from a City of Lexington/Regional Building Code Appeal Board Panel late yesterday.  On a vote of 4-0, the panel turned down a request from Washington and Lee University to remove recently filed fire and life safety code restrictions in Lee Chapel.  The prescribed code enforcement…

On November 14, 2022, Washington and Lee University will seek from the City of Lexington’s Building Code officials a reversal of their earlier ruling against the school’s Lee Chapel dividing wall proposal, a ruling based on heightened life-safety risks to Chapel occupants in case of fire or sudden violent emergency. If the City upholds its…

After months of rejections, university officials seek to overturn decision in public hearing By Kamron M. Spivey, ‘24 The fight continues as plans to block view of the Recumbent Lee statue from the sanctuary hit another roadblock, perhaps to be settled at a public hearing on November 14, 2022. The Local Board of Building Code Appeals…