One of the things I love about Washington and Lee is that I often have the opportunity to know parents of W&L students in addition to knowing our students. Whether meeting during freshman "move in," during Parents' Weekend, or at a sporting event, I often hear W&L parents say they wish THEY could be their son or daughter! At W&L we want parents and families to also be a part of the W&L family. This can sometimes be tricky as students begin to establish their independence and move from becoming teenagers to young adults. We strive to assist in that transition--for both families and students.

This website for parents and families will help familiarize you with many aspects of Washington and Lee including academics, activities outside the classroom, W&L traditions and opportunities for parents to be involved on campus. We have included a link to the Parents and Families Handbook that is provided to parents of new students each fall. If you would like a hard copy, please contact my assistant, Ms. Rice, at nrice@wlu.edu and she'll be sure to put a copy in the mail to you.

If we've not already met, I look forward to meeting you. Please don't hesitate to give me a call or drop me a line (dwatkins@wlu.edu) if you have questions. The Dean of Freshmen, Dave Leonard (dleonard@wlu.edu), is also an invaluable resource to parents of freshmen (and beyond).

Welcome to the W&L family,

Dawn Watkins
Dean of Student Affairs