Presidential Search

To: The Washington and Lee Community
From: Rector Wali Bacdayan
Date: December 5, 2025
Re: Presidential Search

Dear Members of the W&L Community,

I am writing with an update on next steps following President Will Dudley’s recent announcement that he will leave Washington and Lee to become president of Claremont McKenna College at the conclusion of this academic year. I hope you will join me in extending our deepest gratitude to Will for his leadership of W&L for the last nine years. His contributions have touched every corner of campus, and we look forward to celebrating his many accomplishments in the months to come.

The selection of Washington and Lee’s president is one of the Board of Trustees’ most important responsibilities. The Board will engage a nationally recognized executive search firm to assist the university in conducting a search through a process that includes input from students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university. Details on the search will be announced in the coming weeks.

Washington and Lee is in a strong position to attract exceptional candidates for the presidency thanks to its talented students and faculty, devoted alumni and friends, and firm financial foundation. We thank you for your individual contributions to making this such an extraordinary institution and look forward to the work ahead.

Sincerely,

Wali Bacdayan ’92
Rector of the Board of Trustees