News from the University
Just a Click Away
Follow these online sources for a varied perspective of life on campus and in our alumni communities around the country.
The Columns
W&L’s official feature story platform highlights news, profiles, accolades and more on a daily basis.
The W&L Magazine
Published three times a year, “W&L” is the magazine for alumni, family and friends of the university.
Generally Speaking
Our monthly e-newsletter for alumni, family and friends offers news from the university, upcoming events and alumni profiles.
“It’s All Here” Events Digest
Our monthly email digest of events and happenings to help you stay engaged with W&L.
“After Class” Podcast
W&L After Class, the Lifelong Learning podcast featuring faculty experts you know and need to know.
Office of Alumni Engagement
- P: 540-458-8464
- F: 540-458-8473
- E: alumni@wlu.edu
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Hotchkiss House
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA 24450
Top Stories from the Hill
Recent news and updates of primary interest to W&L alumni.
Brooks Fischer ’97: The Value of the Humanities in Business
Fischer returned to campus on March 18 to share how he used his English major as a building block to his successful career as managing partner at Yates Insurance and to impart to students the benefit of exploring the humanities and the arts.
Graham Frankel Smith ’02: The Speaking Tradition Fosters Connection
The mayor of Mountain Brook, Alabama, reflected on the importance of the Speaking Tradition in creating community in a recent blog.
Washington and Lee University to Host 2026 Entrepreneurship Summit
The two-day program will be held on campus March 20-21.
Finding the Why
Phil Marella ’81 is the founder of Dana’s Angels Research Trust, an organization dedicated to funding research on Niemann-Pick disease type C.
Path to Professorship
For Troy Larsen ’22, the dream to become a professor began as an undergraduate and became a reality thanks to opportunities made possible by W&L’s Office of Fellowships.
W&L Welcomes New Trustees James Y. Kerr II ’86, P’27 and M. Roy Burns ’99
Kerr and Burns were sworn in as trustees on Feb. 6.
From the Sidelines to the World Stage
Kaylee Hartung ’07 will cover two of the world’s premier sporting events during a single month.
An Extraordinary Evolution
What started as a Spring Term Abroad class in the Galapagos Islands — and a passion project by biology professor emeritus Cleveland Hickman — received new life as a mobile app.
Career Connections
The W&L network is perhaps most illustrative in the early-career assistance and opportunities our alumni provide to current students.
Refining an Industry
Eric Herrera ’20 was recently named to the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his work with chemical manufacturing startup MaverickX, which he cofounded with Jesse Evans ’20.
Where Tradition Meets Entrepreneurship: The University Store’s Student and Alumni Connection
The University Store has become an unexpected incubator, offering a platform to launch and grow entrepreneurial ventures.