Washington and Lee University
Consider, for a moment, the story of Leland Stanford, founder of Stanford University. Searching for insight on how to create one of the most competitive, exclusive universities in the world, he wrote to a number of college presidents. While it is certain that he received innumerable bits of wisdom, one in particular stands out: "Make your school old."
Age is just one thing that Washington and Lee has going for it (and has since its founding in 1749). What does it mean to go to an old school, the ninth oldest institution in the United States, though? First, there are the quirky traditions like not walking under the arch of the Graham-Lee residence hall. Then there are the legacies of two of the most important figures in the history of the United States of which every alumnus becomes a part upon graduation. Most important for prospective students, though, is simply this: after being around for more than 250 years, we have accumulated experience and resources that allow us to offer an undergraduate experience few institutions can rival.
Major fundraising for Washington and Lee began in the 1790s when George Washington gave us the largest private donation (at the time) to an institution of higher learning- a donation that still pays part of each student's tuition at W&L. Things haven't stopped since then. In very recent history, we completed a $243 million capital campaign, received a $33 million donation to increase faculty salaries and a $100 million gift to help with our financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Yes, age and experience may be hard to quantify, but their impact is evident at W&L. Wander through the new $40-plus million Elrod Student Commons, completed in 2003; take classes in state of the art facilities like recently renovated Reid or Huntley Halls, completed in 2003 and 2004 respectively; attend a concert in the $20-plus million Wilson Hall for music and art, completed in 2006. Choose from more than 1,000 classes in our course catalog. Enjoy the fact that class sections are added rather than canceled and that those class sections are taught by full-time faculty members. Finally, appreciate the leadership opportunities you will experience at Washington and Lee that you might not have had at other, larger, less well-endowed colleges and universities.
An endowment of more than $1 billion. A history beginning before the founding of our Nation. A school with strong ties to the past, but a focused agenda for the future.
Washington and Lee
