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

Update on Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
On Friday, Feb. 26, President Dudley wrote to the W&L community with an update on the progress W&L has made toward making the university a place where all of our students, faculty and staff can thrive.

COVID-19 Spread on Campus
On Wednesday, Jan. 27, President Dudley wrote to the campus community about the need to take immediate precautions to stem the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

Welcome Back
On Tuesday, Jan. 19, President Dudley wrote to students, faculty and staff welcoming them back to campus for the new term.

Staggered Return to Campus
On Thursday, Jan. 7, President Dudley wrote to the community about the decision to implement a staggered return to campus for the upcoming term.

Flexibility in Preparing for the Coming Term
On Monday, Dec. 14, President Dudley wrote to the W&L community about the need for flexibility in the face of uncertain conditions following the winter break.

Fall 2020 Alumni Update
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, President Dudley wrote to W&L alumni with an update on campus life during the pandemic.

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.

Strategic Plan
News
All NewsRecent Videos
Recent videos include the 2019 State of the University conversation, the 2019 Fall Convocation, and the 2019 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
Watch the full video
Robert Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor in Political Economy at Washington and Lee University, addresses W&L’s 2019 Fall Convocation. Strong’s talk is titled “George Washington and Education.”
The 232nd undergraduate commencement will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. on the Front Lawn of the main campus.
Watch the full video