The First-Year Seminar Program

First-Year Seminars - $250,000 - The goal of the First-Year Seminar Program is to offer students an exhilarating and rigorous introduction to college level work. The format of the seminars is reading and discussion-based with an emphasis on papers, projects, studio work, and direct field experience. The small and interactive class environment challenges students to explore course material in depth with a faculty member and a small group of peers.

In the spring of 2007 Washington and Lee piloted the First-Year Seminar Program with nine seminars. Since then student evaluation data has shown an overwhelmingly positive response to the seminars. Students find these classes unique among first-year year course offerings, and believe the seminars offer an effective and challenging introduction to Washington and Lee academics.

The College intends to endow an annual program of 20-25 First-Year Seminars. Endowing a First-Year Seminar is a wonderful opportunity for a donor who loves a field of study or who is passionate about educational experiences.

For more information on supporting First-Year Seminars please contact Dennis Cross at (540) 458-8232 or dcross@wlu.edu.