President William C. Dudley

William C. (Will) Dudley became Washington and Lee University's 27th president on Jan. 1, 2017. Previously provost and professor of philosophy at Williams College, President Dudley is a native Virginian who was born in Charlottesville and raised in Arlington.
More about President Dudley
Community Messages

Yesterday's Shelter-in-Place Order
On Thursday, Nov. 2, President Dudley wrote to faculty, staff, students, and parents regarding the shelter-in-place order issued on campus on Nov. 1, 2023.

Fall 2023 Campus Update
On Friday, Aug. 31, President Dudley wrote to faculty, staff, and students with an update on recent accomplishments and initiatives for the upcoming academic year.

The Supreme Court Decision on Race-Conscious Admissions
President Dudley sent a message to the W&L community regarding the Supreme Court's decision on race-conscious admissions.

Spring 2023 Alumni and Family Update
President Dudley wrote to alumni and families with an end-of-year update.

Distinctively W&L
Issues & Initiatives

Community
Washington and Lee is a welcoming, friendly, and mutually supportive community. Our students, faculty, and staff prize the trusting, respectful, and civil environment on our campus. We are united by our mission, diverse in our thinking, perspectives, and interests, and devoted to each other and to W&L.

Curriculum
Washington and Lee has been a leader for 150 years in combining the liberal arts, pre-professional education, and public service. This combination advances our mission, which commits us to developing the intellect and character of our students with the aim of preparing them to succeed in the personal, professional, and civic arenas.

Citizenship
Washington and Lee is civic-minded and forward-looking. Guided by its motto — non incautus futuri — the institution has always asked, at each moment in its long history, how it can best contribute not only to the success of its own students, but also to the nation and the world in which they will live.

Campus
Washington and Lee has taken care to preserve the historic character of our campus, which serves as a daily reminder that our fundamental work — providing an education that prepares young people for personal achievement and public service — has been conducted here since the 18th century.
