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University Student Opportunities
University Student Opportunities
Having museums on campus provides W&L undergraduates valuable academic opportunities including internships, undergraduate research and work experiences, independent study and capstones, special classrooms and programming, student engagement, and more. Explore these opportunities below.
Academic Engagement
The Art and Art History Department offers a Minor in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies. In support of the minor, the Museums at W&L offer ARTH 398: Seminar in Museum Studies and ARTH 348: Chinese Export Porcelain and the China Trade, 1500 to 1900, instructed by museum staff.
Named after the former Director of the Reeves Collection, the Thomas V. Litzenburg Jr. Prize recognizes outstanding academic work on objects in the Museums at Washington and Lee University.
Past Recipients:
- 2020 Kassidy Strosnider
- 2019 David R. Salchert
- 2018 Julie Ruth Malone
- 2017 Arianna India Dial
- 2016 Hannah Tyler Wilson
- 2016 Kendall Christine Knoll
- 2013 Ellen Margaretta Archie
- 2012 Rachel Elyse Denniston
- 2011 Kathryn Bradley Gephart
- 2010 Lauren Frances Sturdy
- 2008 Madeline Lilia Gent
- 2007 Anne Taylor Tipton
- 2005 Michael David Letournea
- 2004 Clay Tillman Jackson, Jr.
Student Engagement
During the academic year, the Museums at W&L provide a mix of art, food, and entertainment programs, both virtually and in person. Including lecture series, interactive experiences, mindfulness workshops, gallery talks, and much more. Follow us on social media for event updates.
- Discover current exhibits and upcoming events.
Studies have shown that art enhances brain function, well-being, and boosts creative thinking. Surrounded by art, the Elisabeth S. Gottwald Gallery is the perfect place for quiet study and contemplation. Quiet hours are held every Monday and during exam week, with limited stations. The gallery is located between Tucker Hall and the Admissions Office in the Reeves Museum of Ceramics.
The Museums at W&L wishes to help each student grow into engaged and change-making citizens. It’s essential that Washington and Lee students know that they are seen, heard, and valued by the Museums. Incorporating student reflections into exhibitions and programming is a continued goal. Below are just a few ways in which students engage with and reflect on Museums collections.
- Discover student reflections.
The Museums at W&L consists of three museums that are open to university students for free. All current Washington and Lee students (undergraduate and law) are considered honorary members of “Friends of University Chapel.” Student benefits include:
- 10% off Museum Shop purchases with current WLU ID.
- An additional 10% off when you sign-up for a Museums guided tour.
Get Involved
Throughout the year the Museum at W&L offers various paid employment opportunities for WLU undergraduate students. These can include curatorial work and museum education, and positions in the Museums Shop. Student employees contribute to, and experience, diverse areas of Museum work. It is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for art, business, culture, history, and/or museums. Work schedules for student staff are flexible to accommodate class schedules and include some evening and weekend hours.
Positions include:
- Museum Assistant
- Museum Attendant
- Museum Shop Associate
- Museum Collections Assistant
The Museums at W&L offers an eight-week, paid summer internship to currently enrolled W&L students. The program provides W&L students in any discipline an introduction to basic museum policies and practices through hands on experiences with the collections.
Student Opportunities
Students are active and hands-on in museum, exhibit and gallery spaces across campus.
Students catalog work in the Reeves Center.
Professor of Chemistry Erich Uffelman (left) and Jennifer Mass, senior scientist at the Winterthur Museum (center), led an Art History 288 class on analysis for Ron Fuchs, Reeves Center curator (right).
A student analyzes a piece of Chinese porcelain in the Reeves Center.
W&L students help install a temporary exhibit on Latin American art.
Museum studies students install an exhibit of artwork in Leyburn Library.
WLU students installing Modern Arts Goes Pop exhibit
Our Mission
The Museums at W&L advance learning through direct engagement with collections, stimulate appreciation of global cultures, and inspire leadership in the arts and sciences.