2025-2026 W&L Impact Report

Your Generosity Made 2025-2026 a Remarkable Year

Together, our community is expanding opportunities for academic and experiential learning while investing in the programs and environments that support students in every aspect of their lives. W&L students graduate prepared to lead lives of consequence — grounded in honor, purpose and a commitment to the greater good.

Connecting at Campaign Events

During 18 campaign events across the country in 2025-2026, the Washington and Lee community gathered to celebrate the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign’s momentum. Campaign initiatives strengthen the pillars of the university’s strategic plan — community, curriculum, citizenship, campus and continuity — advancing W&L’s mission and benefiting students now and in the future.

A Grand Opening: Childress Hall

The new building for the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics — now named Childress Hall — was dedicated in October 2025. A major campaign priority, the 44,500-square-foot building on West Washington Street was finished before the start of Fall Term, serving the campus community through 10 classrooms, two innovation labs, 52 offices and extensive spaces for student-faculty collaboration.

A Life of Consequence Remembered

The Lindley Center for Student Wellness was dedicated during Fall Term. The 14,600-square-foot building is named in remembrance of alumna and pediatrician Lindley Spaht Dodson ’99 and was made possible through the generosity of the Spaht and Dodson families as well as numerous classmates and friends. The state-of-the-art facility brings together health and counseling services under the same roof for a more holistic approach to care.

Refreshed Space for Special Collections & Archives

The W&L community came together during the 2025 Five-Star Festival to celebrate the dedication of the Tom Wolfe ’51 Reading Room in Leyburn Library, serving Special Collections and Archives. Formerly the Boatwright Room, the modernized space is poised to serve 21st-century research needs while honoring Wolfe’s legacy as a prominent figure in 20th-century American literature.

W&L Golf at the Tribrook Club

Washington and Lee has partnered with the former Lexington Golf and Country Club to renovate the golf course and facilities to benefit our golf teams and the greater Lexington community. The collaboration led to rebranding as the Tribrook Club, a name that honors the property’s history and its ties to W&L. The full-scale renovation is underway to expand the golf course, build a new club house and incorporate a performance center with full-length practice facilities.

Preparing for Founders Hall Construction

Successful fundraising efforts, including an anonymous $30 million challenge gift, have supported a new 40,000-square-foot building that will house the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid and the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity. Evans Hall also will receive updates as part of the construction plan, expected to be completed in late summer 2028. Founders Hall will unite critical student-facing offices and provide an enhanced introduction to W&L for prospective students and families.

The W&L Law Fund plays a vital role in sustaining W&L’s distinctive approach to legal education — one rooted in a personalized, rigorous learning environment — ensuring that graduates are equipped for meaningful careers in law and public service.

Legendary

Murch Exits the Stage

After 43 years spent inspiring students at W&L Law, Brian Murchison, the Charles S. Rowe Professor of Law, retired at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. In addition to his teaching and scholarship on administrative law, mass media law, jurisprudence, and torts, he has served as interim dean, director of the Frances Lewis Law Center and co-founder of the Black Lung Clinic, to name a few high-profile activities.

Class Act

W&L Law’s 171st Commencement

The Washington and Lee University School of Law celebrated its 171st commencement in May 2026, recognizing 119 graduates earning Juris Doctor degrees. Dean of the Law School Melanie Wilson shared that the graduating law class attended 83 different undergraduate institutions and hailed from 21 states, the District of Columbia and six foreign countries.

Career Paths

Chandler Cummings-McBride ’26L

Hailing from Georgia, Chandler Cummings-McBride ‘26L headed for Atlanta after graduation. She secured a position with Troutman Pepper Locke in the real estate practice group. She is excited to be closer to her family and to be working with an impressive team of real estate lawyers.

Career Paths

Jack Leetun ’26L

After graduation, Jack Leetun ’26L joined the litigation practice group of Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte, North Carolina. Leetun looks forward to exploring various focus areas and pro bono opportunities to become a stronger advocate for future clients.

Reunions are a time to connect with friends, strengthening the enduring bonds of a W&L education. It is also a time for alumni to make their mark at W&L, paying it forward for the next generation of students. This was the best-attended Alumni Weekend on record for both the law and undergraduate programs.

Class Champions

2026 Reunion Awards

Reunion Bowl and Reunion Trophy: Class of 2001
Road Warrior Award: J.D. Englehart ’11, Matt Malloy ’91, Virginia Brumby Ferreira ’01 and Kathleen Moroney Thompson ‘01
John Newton Thomas and Trident trophies: Class of 2006
Reunion Chairs’ Bowl: Class of 2006
Colonnade Cup: Class of 2001

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Dr. Harold R. Howe Jr. ’76, P’05, P’07

Dr. Harold R. Howe Jr. ’76, P’05, P’07 was recognized during the 2026 Generals Assembly for his contributions to medicine, his community and alma mater. After graduating from W&L in 1976, Howe earned his M.D. from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest and spent 30 years as a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon. Two of his children are also W&L graduates — Trey ’05 and Khaki ’07.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Judge J. Michael Luttig ’76, P’14

Judge J. Michael Luttig ’76, P’14 was recognized for his many civic and institutional contributions and his exemplary legal career. Professional highlights include serving as assistant counsel to President Ronald Reagan and assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel. President George H. W. Bush appointed him to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, where he served for 15 years. His daughter Morgan graduated from W&L in 2014.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Crystal Simpson McElwain ’01

Crystal Simpson McElwain ’01 was recognized for her unwavering commitment to W&L and her professional achievements in the energy sector. Over nearly 25 years, Simpson McElwain has built a reputation as one of the most trusted advisers in the energy sector, with deep expertise spanning the energy and materials space, including oil and gas, energy infrastructure, sustainable energy and clean technology, power, critical minerals, mining and chemicals.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Michael “Jayson” Lipsey ’01

Jayson Lipsey ’01 was recognized for outstanding service to W&L and his community and for an impressive business career. Lipsey currently serves as chief executive officer and director of Compass Communities, and over the course of his career, he has been involved in several billion dollars of real estate transactions, including seven strategic mergers and acquisitions. He and wife Catie ’03 are proud that daughter Audrey will attend W&L in the fall.

Law Alumni Awards

Nan ’76L and Hal Clarke ’76L

Nan ’76L and Hal Clarke ’76L were honored with the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award for exceptional achievements in their careers and service to their community and alma mater. The Clarkes met as classmates in the Law Class of 1976. They have been devoted alumni over the years, including serving as Class Agents, Reunion Chairs, and as members of both the Alumni Board and Law Council.

Law Alumni Awards

Kristin Ray ’96L

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes those individuals who go above and beyond assisting the law school. Kristin Ray ’96L has contributed as a member and president of the Law Council, a reunion volunteer, a Law Class Agent, and is serving on the Lettie Pate Evans Society Steering Committee. Ray is Associate General Counsel at the Home Depot and supports the Strategic Business Development team.

Law Alumni Awards

MK Mallery ’21L

MK Mallery ’21L received the Young Volunteer of the Year Award for her support in recruiting and mentoring law students. Mallery has volunteered extensively as a member of the Young Alumni Council and loyally supports the W&L Law Fund. She works as a managing associate in the Global Finance Group at Sidley Austin in Dallas.