Lifelong Learning

Rekindle the wonder of discovery and the goodwill that naturally comes with it

Campus Programs

Through the Alumni College, we encourage you to satisfy your enduring curiosity about the world, to think with us about history, philosophy, literature, the arts and sciences, and current events while engaging the expertise of the W&L faculty.

Travel Programs

Through Traveller, W&L's educational adventure program, you'll get to know the world firsthand, to experience different cultures inside their borders, to appreciate different world views, and to savor the inspiring beauty and history of other lands.

W&L At Home

For the armchair learner, W&L offers several virtual classroom experiences.  These include online webinars on current issues; “After Class,” a series of podcast interviews with university faculty; livestreamed talks by Alumni College faculty and distinguished visitors; a Virtual Book Club featuring a new selection every quarter; and “Sheltering in Place,” a reading list of favorite books as recommended by W&L faculty.  Through “W&L at Home,” you’re never too far from the adventure of lifelong learning.  

"There's not enough space here to say how absolutely wonderful, amazing, incredible, awesome and fabulous the safari was! Each day better than the day before, each place so beautiful and awe-inspiring. The weather was perfect, the wildlife viewing beyond my wildest dreams!"

Past Traveller Participant

Contact Us

P: 540-458-8723
F: 540-458-8478
E: lifelong@wlu.edu 
Office of Lifelong Learning
Washington and Lee University
204 W Washington Street
Lexington, Virginia 24450

Here to guide your next adventure

The staff of the Office of Lifelong Learning are here to to help further your journey.
Rob Fure Director of Lifelong Learning
P: 540-458-8724 E: rfure@wlu.edu
Robert Fure, director of lifelong learning, joined the W&L faculty in 1977 after earning his M.A. and Ph.D. in English and American literature from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1981, he designed an administrative structure for non-traditional educational programs at W&L and was soon asked to oversee its implementation. In 1982, he established the W&L Alumni College and in 1985 the W&L Traveller program
Ruth Candler Assistant Director of Lifelong Learning
P: 540-458-4866 E: rcandler@wlu.edu
Ruth joined Washington and Lee's Office of Lifelong Learning in April, 2019. Prior to this position, she managed the Class Secretary Program for University Development. She has held a number of marketing and managerial positions in the publishing and graphic arts industries. From 2004 to 2011, she was director of marketing for Brain, Child: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers, an award-winning literary magazine. Ruth and her husband John Paul reside in Lexington and have two grown children.
Lisa D’Amelio Lifelong Learning Program Coordinator
P: 540-458-8916 E: ldamelio@wlu.edu
Lisa joined the Office of Lifelong Learning in August, 2021. During her tenure at Washington and Lee, she worked in the Law School as Administrative Assistant and Recruitment Coordinator. Prior to her arrival at W&L in 2018, she worked in varied capacities in the field of education for more than twenty years. These experiences included teaching ESL for Rockbridge County Public Schools, Spanish at Waddell Elementary School, and English as a Second Language at Instituto Tecnologico in Chetumal, Mexico. Lisa also spent many years as the Director of a local preschool. She earned her M.Ed. from Wilmington University in 1996.