Lexington may be a small town, but the breadth of people and cultures you'll experience here make it feel anything but provincial. W&L is committed to the recruitment and retention of a broad, inclusive student body, faculty and administration who represent a wide range of interests, abilities and cultures. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion offers programming and student support in the areas of multicultural, religious, GLBTQ and international life.
Students interested in multicultural life have a wide variety of extracurricular options, including a number of vibrant student organizations, as well as two historically black Greek fraternities and two historically black Greek sororities.
Those interested in getting involved with religious life have a number of options as well, ranging from campus-based Bible studies to student groups affiliated with local congregations. The University's Hillel chapter offers community Shabbat services, dinners, social and community service events in a dedicated facility, opened in 2010, which also features a kosher dairy café.
The GLBTQ Resource Center supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning students through peer counseling, programming, education and advocacy, and students can participate in several GLBTQ campus organizations which also offer programming, support and education.
International students are jointly supported by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Center for International Education, which assists with the transition to life in the U.S., helping students attain Visas, prepare tax returns and find a host family for their time in Lexington. There are a number of international student organizations on campus, open to all students, which focus on global awareness and cultural exchange. Students active in the Student Association for International Learning (SAIL) are eligible to live in the University's International House, a student- and service-oriented theme house that sponsors international- and service-based events throughout the year.
With Passover comes the annual Washington and Lee Hillel Passover seder. Led by two first year students, Benjamin Brams and Sam Raphael, our Seder was full of energy, fun and laughter. The Seder was well attended, with over 100 people, including students, community members and religious leaders. Many of the students participated and everyone really [...]
Latke-Hamantaschen Debate Sponsored by John Zamoiski On March 8th, dozens of students and community members packed themselves into Hillel’s multipurpose room to hear four of Washington and Lee’s esteemed faculty debate the merits of the Latke and the Hamantash in a very academic yet humorous battle of wits. The debate was moderated by First-Year Ben Brams [...]
Celebrating Purim in Roanoke The night before our annual Latke-Hamantaschen Debate, a few students and Brett traveled together down to Beth Israel Synagogue in Roanoke. It was the night of Purim, and the entire congregation dressed up, including the Rabbi, who was Captain America. The W&L students organized a group costume as the “Dubyahenells,” a family [...]