Law Faculty Scholarship Cited in FTC Virtual World Report
Lexington, Virginia • December 31, 2009 -- A recent report to the U.S. Congress from the Federal Trade Commission examining virtual worlds prominently cites the work of two Washington and Lee law professors.

Self-Taught W&L Musician Publishes First Album
Lexington, Virginia • December 23, 2009 -- When she entered college, Julie Slonecki was a self-taught musician who could not read music. Two years later, as a junior music major at Washington and Lee University, Slonecki has published her own indie rock album called "Borders."

Music Professor’s Progressive Jazz CD Honors Stan Kenton
Lexington, Virginia • December 20, 2009 -- Washington and Lee University music professor and composer Terry Vosbein's new CD, "Progressive Jazz 2009," is a rousing tribute to Stan Kenton performed by the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.

Law Dean Rodney Smolla Named President of Furman University
Lexington, Virginia • December 14, 2009 -- Rodney A. Smolla, dean and Roy L. Steinheimer, Jr. Professor at Washington and Lee University School of Law, has been named president of Furman University in Greenville, S.C. Smolla will assume his new position on July 1, 2010.

W&L’s Community Grants Committee Announces November 2009 Grants
Lexington, Virginia • December 14, 2009 -- Washington and Lee University's Community Grants Committee has made its first round of grants to non-profit organizations in the Lexington/Rockbridge community, awarding grants to 13 different organizations.

Four W&L Students Selected for Trip to Israel through Taglit-Birthright
Lexington, Virginia • December 11, 2009 -- Four Washington and Lee University students were selected to participate in a free, 10-day trip to Israel during their December break through Taglit-Birthright Israel. This is the seventh year that W&L Hillel is participating in this program.

W&L's First LEED Certification Effort On Target
Lexington, Virginia • December 10, 2009 -- In its first attempt at earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for a campus building project, Washington and Lee University has made significant strides with its Newcomb Hall preservation project , especially with its related construction waste management plan.

GAO Report Highlights W&L Black Lung Clinic
Lexington, Virginia • December 10, 2009 -- he U.S. General Accounting Office has released a report examining processes and outcomes in the Federal Black Lung Benefits program and cites The Black Lung Clinic at Washington and Lee University School of Law as a prominent provider of legal services for those seeking federal benefits.

Fighting Pollution at Hays Creek
Lexington, Virginia • December 11, 2009 -- With a modest grant from Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality, Robert Humston, assistant professor of biology at W&L, hopes to enlist the help of Rockbridge County landowners to fight pollution in Hays Creek.

W&L Professor’s New Book Examines the Power of Silence in Japanese Politics
Lexington, Virginia • December 9, 2009 -- Washington and Lee University politics professor Robin LeBlanc explores the masculine dynamic in Japanese politics in her new book, The Art of The Gut: Manhood, Power, and Ethics in Japanese Politics.

University Chorus Debuts Three W&L Student Compositions
Lexington, Virginia • December 9, 2009 -- In a first for Washington and Lee University, the University Chorus performed three new choral works composed by three senior music majors during the 2009 Holiday Concerts.

Alex Shabo '12 and Greg Lennon '11 Recognized at Celebrating Student Success Reception
Lexington, Virginia • December 7, 2009 -- W&L students Alex Shabo and Greg Lennon will be recognized at the Celebrating Student Success (CSS) monthly reception on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 2-4 p.m. in the Elrod Commons Living Room.

W&L Habitat for Humanity Chapter Earns State Farm Matching Grant
Lexington, Virginia • December 3, 2009 -- The Washington and Lee University Habitat for Humanity chapter has been selected as one of the 2009-2010 State Farm Insurance Companies $5,000 Matching Grant recipients.

W&L President Kenneth P. Ruscio Joins Presidents’ Trust to Advance Liberal Education
Lexington, Virginia • December 3, 2009 -- Washington and Lee University President Kenneth P. Ruscio is among 82 college and university presidents and chancellors who have joined a new Presidents' Trust formed by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) to make the case for liberal education and its value in today's world.

Juniors Anthony Cardona and Emmy Mathews Win VFIC/Norfolk Southern Scholarships
Lexington, Virginia • December 2, 2009 -- Anthony Cardona and Emmy Mathews, juniors at Washington and Lee University, are winners in the $10,000 Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges (VFIC ) / Norfolk Southern Scholarship Program competition.

W&L Journalism Professor Covers Indian Prime Minister’s State Visit
Lexington, Virginia • December 2, 2009 -- Washington and Lee University journalism professor Indira Somani spent her Thanksgiving vacation on assignment in Washington, D.C., where she covered the historic state visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.