A Distinctive Spirit INTERIM PRESIDENT KEN RUSCIO ’76 REFLECTS ON W&L’S GROWTH, CHARACTER AND ENDURING COMMUNITY.
Newsletter | Issue 5
Several weeks ago, I felt a sudden, disorienting jolt of déjà vu when I stood behind the university lectern and gazed upon the students, faculty, staff and friends assembled on the Front Lawn for Convocation. I had stood in that very spot on the same occasion 10 years earlier when I presided over the 2016 Convocation. Although it was good to be back home, back in this place I love, it was also daunting. On this occasion, I was not simply presiding over the event, but I was addressing the university community as we opened the 2026-2027 academic year. That called for offering some insight and perspective on where we are as a university and where we are going. Ten years is a very, very long time. So much has changed in the decade since I left. Kim and I had been back to campus and to Lexington numerous times since I left the presidency. But those visits were usually brief, and we saw only fleeting glimpses of the changes that were taking place. Once we were back for a more extended period, we could see more clearly how much the campus has grown and how the university has flourished. Childress Hall, the new building serving the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics, and the Lindley Center for Student Wellness are beautiful new spaces for our students. Construction is fully underway on Founders Hall at the former site of Early-Fielding, and University Chapel has reopened to visitors after an extensive renovation. Beyond those and other brick-and-mortar changes, the university has been propelled forward in other important ways, none more
Interim President Ken Ruscio ’76
“By virtue of the Honor System and the Speaking Tradition and our insistence that character matters, I know the university will retain what has always made it distinctive and what has enabled our graduates to lead lives of consequence.” Interim President Ken Ruscio ’76
consequential than the need-blind admissions policy made possible by Bill Miller ’72’s historic gift. That was a gamechanger. Change continues to be a constant at the university. Yet, as I said in my Convocation remarks, Washington and Lee has always gotten it right when it comes to balancing continuity and change. The debate over whether the university is moving too slowly or too fast has always been a lively one here, and I take that as a particular strength because it means we care about our alma mater. During this transition period, with the Presidential Search Committee hard at work, we anticipate that next major change with the appointment of our 28th president. Here, too, I am confident change will be coupled with continuity because there are certain elements of the university that remain inviolate. By virtue of the Honor System and the Speaking Tradition and our insistence that character matters, I know the university will retain what has always made it distinctive and what has enabled our graduates to lead lives of consequence. The coming weeks provide Kim and me the chance to renew old friendships and make new ones. While experiencing déjà vu at Convocation, I let the newcomers know that, at W&L, they will learn the importance of being members of a community where people truly care about each other. That is true not only for the on-campus community but also for the thousands of alumni around the world who are connected with the university in countless ways. Thank you for your generous support of the campaign through these past six years. I know you will bring us home with a typically strong finish.
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Momentum to the Finish
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Rooted in Service DON CHILDRESS ’70, P’26 AND SIDNEY GAUSE CHILDRESS P’26 EXEMPLIFY W&L’S VALUES OF HONOR AND SERVICE THROUGH MULTIDISCIPLINARY SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP.
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rustee emeritus Don Childress ’70, P’26 chose Don credits the Speaking Tradition and the Honor System to attend Washington and Lee University sight with shaping him as a student and later in his career. Don unseen. When he arrived on campus in the fall and Sidney have translated that impact into a long history of of 1966, he started the first chapter philanthropy that has benefited generations “Philanthropy is a very in a long relationship with the university. Six of W&L students. important part of our way decades later, he and his wife, Sidney Gause Through the years, Don has supported of thinking about life. We Childress P’26, have built a legacy of honor, various projects and initiatives across campus, don’t take physical assets philanthropy and service to the university, including the W&L Fund, the Richard L. with us when we die, and culminating in a $20 million gift to name Duchossois Athletic and Recreation Center, if we can deploy those in Childress Hall, the new building serving the Hillel House, The Class of 1970 – Robert ways that are useful to Williams School of Commerce, Economics E.R. Huntley Scholarship, the Colonnade future generations, we do.” and Politics. restoration and renovation, Mock Convention Don Childress ’70, P’26 Coming from a large public high school in and the Science Center. In 2008, Don and Dallas, Don found a small, tight-knit commuSidney endowed two professorships: the J. nity of friends, fraternity brothers and classmates at W&L. Donald Childress Professorship in Foreign Languages and A student of the Commerce School, now known as the the Sidney Gause Childress Professorship in the Arts. Williams School, Don graduated cum laude and went on “Philanthropy is a very important part of our way of thinkto receive his MBA from the University of Texas in 1971. He ing about life,” Don said. “We don’t take physical assets with began his career in real estate development at Trammell us when we die, and if we can deploy those in ways that are Crow Company in 1971; in 1988, he founded Childress-Klein useful to future generations, we do.” Properties, a real estate development, investment and “I don’t know of any other singular organization that management firm, with his partner, Fred Klein. is as important to me in my life as W&L,” he continued.
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COMMUNITY CURRICULUM CITIZENSHIP CAMPUS CONTINUITY
Preston Childress ’26 (middle) and his parents, Sidney and Don ’70
“My professional success has roots in the values I learned at W&L and the knowledge I gained there. Anything I can do to help perpetuate that, now and in the future, I’m committed to doing.” Most recently, Don and Sidney chose to drive support for the construction of the new Williams School building, now officially known as Childress Hall. More than 50% of W&L undergraduate students choose a major in the Williams School (business administration, accounting, economics or politics), but classroom space in Huntley Hall, the home of the Williams School for more than 45 years, limited the number of courses the Williams School could offer. “Commerce majors were very popular when I was a student, and I think they’re even more popular today,” Don said. “The facilities really weren’t large enough or high-tech enough. When the board decided they wanted to build a new home for the school and commit it as part of the capital campaign, I thought that was a very good idea.” The completion of Childress Hall in 2025 and the forthcoming renovations of Huntley Hall will allow the Williams School to expand its course offerings to meet student demand; cultivate
curiosity and innovation through multiuse collaboration spaces and state-of-theart classrooms; and continue to attract leading scholars and teachers of business, economics and politics. Recently, Don and Sidney had the opportunity to see W&L through a new lens when their son, Preston Childress ’26, chose to follow in his father’s footsteps in the Williams School. Preston was an active member of the Williams Investment Society during his tenure at W&L and served as executive director in 2025. He recently began a position at Link Logistics in Atlanta as a financial analyst. “It was wonderful to see the camaraderie, the bonds and the community that Preston formed,” Sidney said. “The relationships are really powerful among the students and between students, the professors who mentor them and the alumni network.” In addition to his generous philanthropy, Don has served in various volunteer roles for W&L, including serving on his Reunion Class Committee for his 25th and 40th reunions, the Williams School Board of Advisors and the campaign cabinets for the Honor Our Past, Build Our Future and On the Shoulders of Giants capital campaigns. Most notably, he served on the W&L Board of Trustees from 2002-2020. He
served 12 years as rector from 20082020, becoming one of the longest-serving rectors in Washington and Lee’s modern history. Sidney holds a B.A. in English from Vanderbilt University, an MBA from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Theological Studies from Emory University. She has served on the KIPP Atlanta Schools board and as a trustee for the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. “I’ve never seen anything quite like W&L’s alumni community and the support they offer each other,” Sidney said. “I keep finding W&L people in positions of philanthropic leadership and I think, ‘How can this small school have alumni connected to everything I do?’” Don and Sidney’s philanthropy and service to W&L exemplify the values of honor, civility and service that W&L instills in its graduates. Together, they have paved the way for a new generation of students who will leave W&L prepared to lead consequential lives. “To lead a life of consequence is to be an effective, caring and loving human being who takes advantage of all their innate abilities and helps those who are less fortunate,” Don said. THE CAMPAIGN FOR WASHINGTON AND LEE
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Anne Lamkin Durward ’91 served as a circuit court judge from 2020 until her death in 2023, earning recognition for her professionalism and service to the legal community.
Paving the Way ANNE LAMKIN DURWARD ’91 FORGED A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN LAW WHILE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHERS TO FIND THEIR OWN FOOTING.
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ince her Washington and Lee University days, the late Anne Lamkin Durward ’91 always had a way of forging her own path. As a member of the third class of undergraduate women at W&L, she experienced the university’s transition to co-education, and she did her part to establish and integrate the female experience onto campus. In the spring of 1989, she was a founding member of Kappa Alpha Theta’s Zeta Iota chapter, which was one of the first sororities on campus. And after earning her J.D. from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1995, she joined the small minority of women practicing law in Alabama in the mid- to late 1990s. She practiced family and probate law for 25 years, predominantly at Massey, Stotser & Nichols, PC. She served as president of the Birmingham Bar Foundation and established a fellows program; was elected to the Birmingham Bar Association Executive Committee, serving as secretary/treasurer; and served on the Board of Directors
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of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation, eventually becoming secretary and then president. For her efforts, she received the inaugural Birmingham Bar Foundation Excellence Award in 2018, the 2021 Alumni of the Year Award at Cumberland, the law school’s Community Affairs Committee Award for Outstanding Community Service and the Pro Bono Service Award in 2022. In 2020, she was appointed circuit court judge for the Domestic Relations Division of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Alabama by Gov. Kay Ivey, later winning election in 2022 to a full six-year term. “Anne had always wanted to be a judge,” said her husband, John Durward. “Everybody who appeared in her court told me what a great job she was doing, how well she ran her court and how civilly she treated everybody, even if she was going to rule against them. She treated everyone civilly and with respect.” In 2023, the Birmingham Bar Young Lawyers Section awarded her with the Judge Drayton James Award
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“I know how much establishing an endowment meant to Anne to provide today’s generation of students the same opportunity to grow that W&L gave her.” John Durward
for her professionalism and the guidance she provided to young lawyers. Throughout her accolades and achievements, she credited W&L with helping her find her voice. “Anne said that she grew up a lot at Washington and Lee, which helped her come out of her shell and mature,” said John. “She was very fond of the Speaking Tradition, and I think that is one of the things that helped her become outgoing.” She was a member of her 25th Reunion Class Committee and was very active in the W&L Birmingham Alumni Chapter, serving as a board member and law liaison for the Chapter Volunteers. In November 2020, Durward established the Anne Lamkin Durward ’91 Student Opportunities Endowment at W&L as a thank you to the university and to help future students likewise find their footing in the world. The endowment provides support to students taking part in high-impact, co-curricular engagement, such as internships, study abroad, research or off-campus semester experiences. She contributed to the endowment each year after it was established. After Durward’s passing from a brief illness in May 2023, the Birmingham Bar Women’s Section posthumously awarded her the Nina Miglionico “Paving the Way” Award in 2024 for her contributions to blazing the trail for women lawyers. In the years since her death, her husband continues to honor her wishes by giving annually to her endowment and The President’s Society of the W&L Fund. “In my visits to Lexington for Anne’s class reunions, I also developed a connection to Washington and Lee. W&L meant so much to Anne, and I can see why after having visited,” John said. “I know how much establishing an endowment meant to Anne to provide today’s generation of students the same opportunity to grow that W&L gave her.” THE CAMPAIGN FOR WASHINGTON AND LEE
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“The smartest decision I ever made in my life was to come to Washington and Lee. And I still get more back from W&L than I give to it.” Jay Dorman ’70
Leading the Way to W&L A NEW ENDOWMENT NAMED IN HONOR OF JAY DORMAN ’70 WILL SUPPORT THE LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARDS BANQUET.
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fter 12 years, the Leadership Excellence Awards banquet is getting a new name in honor of devoted alumnus and longtime teacher Jay Dorman ’70. Dorman’s Sigma Nu fraternity brother Bill Miller ’72 established the Jay Dorman ’70 Leadership Excellence Awards Endowment last spring, which will support the annual event that recognizes students’ outstanding contributions to the W&L community. “I wanted to do something for Jay to recognize how he embodies the spirit of W&L,” Miller said. “For over 50 years, Jay has served W&L with a tireless, selfless devotion — from never missing a football game to always representing W&L as an ambassador — and, to me, that is worth celebrating. This leadership banquet is a great way to honor him in perpetuity because Jay is a leader.” The idea for the endowment began to percolate during the 2025 Five-Star Festival, when Miller, Dorman and David Bethea ’70 were together on campus, contemplating their legacies. “When Bill told me that he had done this, I was surprised, humbled and most of all grateful,” Dorman said. “I have tremendous love and respect for him and for Dave. The
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Jay Dorman ’70 was recently recognized with the Jay Dorman ’70 Leadership Excellence Awards Endowment at Washington and Lee University.
awards program is so meaningful because I think it is important to thank students for the ways they contribute to W&L.” The Leadership Excellence Awards banquet is an annual celebration that recognizes individual students and student organizations for exceptional contributions to the university. Leah Beard, assistant dean of student leadership, facilitates the event each year with help from a student committee that collects nominations, plans and markets the banquet, sets up for the event and serves as master of ceremonies. Roughly 30 awards are presented, honoring a wide range of achievements across the campus community. “I am extremely grateful for this gift to support such a special, staple event,” Beard said. “This endowment will continue to elevate the banquet, engaging even more members of the W&L community to celebrate those people whose incredible accomplishments on campus have an impact well after they leave W&L. That purpose mirrors Mr. Dorman’s loyal involvement that has extended well beyond his own relationship with the university.” Dorman taught history and Advanced Placement history at George Washington High School, his alma mater, in Danville, Virginia, for more than 40 years. He also coached football and
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remains deeply engaged in connecting students and student-athletes to W&L. Over the course of his career as an educator, Dorman found a second calling in student recruitment for Washington and Lee, often helping to plan campus visits and traveling with his students to showcase what W&L has to offer. “For over 50 years, Jay has served W&L with a tireless, selfless devotion, and, to me, that is worth celebrating. This leadership banquet is a great way to honor him in perpetuity because Jay is a leader.” Bill Miller ’72
“You should have seen my classroom,” Dorman chuckled. “I had two big W&L banners on the walls, along with posters of the Colonnade and the chapel and various other décor, so I have always been recruiting, both subtly and not so subtly.” After Dorman retired from teaching in 2016, he continued to lace up his walking shoes. Averaging 15 campus visits per year, he takes prospective students on a thorough campus tour, including meetings with faculty, coaches and administrators. He estimates that he has introduced around 200 students to W&L through the years, with approximately 20% enrolling. “The people at W&L are special; it’s so rewarding to have my students come here,” Dorman said. Dorman and his parents first visited Washington and Lee at the urging of Henry Roediger Jr. ’41, ’47L, P’69, who also served as an enthusiastic guide during the weekend. Before that fateful visit, Dorman, who also had been accepted to the College of William & Mary and the University of Virginia (UVA), didn’t really know which college he wanted to attend, but that one weekend sparked a lifelong passion for W&L that has endured for 60 years. “The smartest decision I ever made in my life was to come to Washington and Lee,” Dorman said. “And I still get more back from W&L than I give to it.” A strong student and an avid athlete, Dorman played football and lacrosse and was president of Sigma Nu. After graduating in 1970, he earned a Master of Education from UVA. In 1972, he began his career at George Washington High. “I never wanted to do anything else,” Dorman said. “I knew before I left for college that I wanted to return to my high school to teach and coach.” W&L Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Wendy Wolford Lovell ’90 was among Dorman’s standout students whose path led to the Colonnade. “W&L was not on my radar when I was narrowing my college search in the fall of 1985, but my high school history teacher, Jay Dorman, insisted I take a closer look,” Lovell said. “I remain deeply grateful for his encouragement — it led me to a university where I found not only a love of journalism but also my husband, Tom ’91, and ultimately a meaningful career. I continue to be inspired by Jay’s enduring commitment to his students and his belief in W&L. Even in retirement, he has introduced many students to the
David Bethea ’70 and Bill Miller ’72 are classmates and fraternity brothers of Jay Dorman ’70. Miller recently established an endowment in Dorman’s honor.
Students attended the 2026 Leadership Excellence Awards in Evans Hall last spring.
university with the same enthusiasm and care that first brought me here. That kind of dedication leaves a lasting legacy.” When Bethea, a classmate and fraternity brother, attended a gathering Dorman hosted, he was struck by the numerous relationships Dorman maintains with former students and W&L recruits. “Jay lives every day by the virtues of civility, honor and decency,” Bethea said. “He is such an able ambassador for W&L because kids can recognize immediately his authenticity and his dedication to the Honor System.” Bethea also noted that Dorman keeps many Sigma Nu brothers connected, calling him the “glue” holding them together. During the fraternity’s 2025 recruitment, Dorman was asked to speak with initiates. “It was fun to go through rush again,” Dorman said. “I let the students know we have the closest brotherhood — some of my dearest friends are brothers.” He noted that Sigma Nus gather regularly for reunions and maintain one of the highest attendance rates among W&L fraternities. Dorman plans to attend the leadership banquet next spring and looks forward to showing his support for the student nominees and recipients. But he will be back on campus long before that, leading students to W&L, again and again. “I want these young people to have the same experience that I continue to have, and have had since 1966,” Dorman said. “That comes from the heart — W&L is family.” THE CAMPAIGN FOR WASHINGTON AND LEE
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Doubling Down on Opportunity
Sandy Shurin ’07L and Katy Shurin ’09L with their daughters Reese and Olivia.
WITH A NEWLY ESTABLISHED ENDOWMENT, SANDY ’07L AND KATY SHURIN ’09L ARE HELPING MAKE A W&L LEGAL EDUCATION MORE ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS WHO NEED IT MOST.
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lexander “Sandy” Shurin ’07L and Kathryn “Katy” Shurin ’09L always knew that someday they wanted to give back to Washington and Lee University School of Law in gratitude for the opportunities their legal education made possible. Now, with help from a matching gift from Sandy’s employer, they have made a pledge of $250,000 to establish the Sandy Shurin ’07L and Katy Shurin ’09L Law Scholarship Endowment. Sandy and Katy came to W&L Law from very different undergraduate schools. She attended a small liberal arts college in New England, and he graduated from a large state university. But the draw to W&L Law was the same for both. “W&L seemed like a Southern version of my undergraduate school,” said Katy. “It felt very familiar when I visited. There were small classes, even at the 1L level. I loved the Speaking Tradition — it felt like home.” Transitioning from a large university was more of an adjustment for Sandy — but one that was welcome. “I wanted a smaller setting with easier access to resources and professors,” said Sandy. “W&L was the perfect setting. It was a big change for me but ideal.”
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“Our gift is not just short term but rather intended to have lasting value on the W&L community for years to come.” Sandy Shurin ’07L
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“A scholarship felt like a special way to give. We wanted to have a meaningful impact.” Katy Shurin ’09L
Asked about favorite professors, they both enthusiastically responded, “[Charles S. Rowe Professor of Law Emeritus] Brian Murchison!” Katy remembers taking torts with him her first year. “I felt he was the epitome of what a law school professor should be.” “Everybody loved ‘the Murch,’” Sandy laughed. He also recalls Law Alumni Association Professor of Law Emerita Margaret Howard, who taught the contracts class his first year. “I was impressed by the way she instilled approachability to a complex topic. She emphasized that we were to think about the actual people and entities involved and their respective interests, not just the rule at issue and the results,” he said. The Shurins live in Houston with their daughters Reese and Olivia, ages 8 and 12. Katy is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use and Environmental Practice Group at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, where she co-leads the Energy & Infrastructure and Digital Infrastructure and Data Center industry teams. Sandy is a principal with Deloitte Tax LLP, focusing on the tax and regulatory issues that affect global employer compensation and benefit programs. The couple also maintains ties to W&L Law through Houston Law Alumni Association events. In addition, Katy serves on the W&L Law Council and was recently elected vice chair. She says what she enjoys about Law Council first and foremost is the opportunity to return to campus twice a year. “I have gotten to know the dean [Roy L. Steinheimer Jr. Professor of Law Melanie Wilson] and members of her team. I get to spend time with the students, who are incredible, and tour the law school facilities. Every Law Council meeting features one or two professors who present on some of their current projects. The awareness that comes with that level of access makes it so much easier to contribute,” she said. Katy and Sandy started thinking seriously about making a campaign gift in 2025. “A scholarship felt like a special
way to give,” said Katy. “We wanted to have a meaningful impact, and Laura Hamilton [director of law school advancement] was very transparent about the school’s needs. Once you have clarity about the impact you could make, it makes it easier to choose. This way, you feel like you’re really making a difference rather than just mailing a check every year.” “It is great to hear the dean’s priorities,” Sandy said. “My experience with giving asks in other contexts has been more generalized requests. It was nice to understand more about how our gift to W&L Law would be applied, now and in the future. Our gift is not just short term but rather intended to have lasting value on the W&L community for years to come.” The idea of helping people afford law school felt really good to the couple, and one of the dean’s priorities is making it possible for first-generation students to attend. That need particularly resonated with the Shurins. “This felt like we had a line of sight to whom we were helping,” Katy said. “We loved knowing we would have a direct impact on someone.” Sandy was aware that Deloitte has a matching program for charitable gifts, and they used that benefit to double their commitment. “A lot of people do not realize that their employers have a matching gift program,” said Sarah Hughes, assistant dean of law school advancement. “It is definitely worth looking into. It provides a wonderful avenue, especially for younger donors, to make a more substantial gift than they might be able to otherwise.” For Sandy, their gift perfectly exemplifies the university’s capital campaign, Leading Lives of Consequence. “I like that the campaign planners chose the word ‘consequence,’” he said. “It is not a typical campaign slogan. It is a really smart choice. I believe it in my core that W&L is different. I rarely run into a W&L alum, undergrad or law, who isn’t doing something impactful. Whether in public service or business, they are leading lives of consequence. Our gift will help other individuals to enter that community.” THE CAMPAIGN FOR WASHINGTON AND LEE
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W&L’s Leading Women THE LETTIE PATE EVANS SOCIETY CONTINUES TO GROW, ILLUMINATING WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPIC AND LEADERSHIP LEGACIES AT WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY.
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aunched during Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee University, the Lettie Pate Evans Society is the newest donor recognition program at W&L, celebrating women’s growing philanthropic influence and the many ways they lead within our community. Two co-chairs and a 29-person steering committee have encouraged fellow alumnae, parents, faculty, staff and friends to join the society named after W&L’s most generous benefactor,
standing and broadening educational opportunities. As more women matriculated, graduated and went on to lead lives of consequence, their increasing engagement as volunteers and donors kept pace. Since W&L’s last campaign, Honor Our Past, Build Our Future, the number of six-figure gifts from women has more than doubled, and six times as many young alumnae are making leadership-level gifts of $50,000 or more. Collectively, Lettie Pate Evans Letitia “Lettie” Pate S o c i e ty m e m b e r s Whitehe ad Evans . have contributed more The group closed out than $120 million to the 2025-2026 year the Leading Lives of with 315 members, Consequence campaign. surpassing its goal to While the numbers attract 309 members showcase how the during the campaign society is encourag— representing the ing leadership gifts, $309 million total women are not only that the Lettie Pate giving money — they Evans Foundation had also are serving in contributed to W&L leadership volunteer when the society was roles and mentoring launched in May 2024. students. Members of “ The growth of the Lettie Pate Evans philanthropy from Society convene at women graduates, parents and friends at Washington and least once a year to network with each other and interact with Lee has been absolutely tremendous,” said Amy McCauley students. For co-chair Mai Spurlock Sykes ’94, the Lettie Pate Farnsworth ’97, Lettie Pate Evans Society co-chair. “We have Evans Society has been her favorite engagement experience exceeded our greatest expectations in reaching our goal, and as a W&L alumna. momentum continues to thrive. It is wonderful to see how “Our gatherings give us more than a chance to reminisce many women feel so strongly about Washington and Lee and about happy times at W&L,” Sykes said. “They allow us to want to give back to our fine university.” return to campus and spend time with students and faculty In 2025, Washington and Lee marked the 50th anni- and feel connected to the university in a very current way — versary of women at the university, with the Law Class of all while helping the next generation of W&L women lead 1975 celebrating its milestone reunion. The undergraduate lives of philanthropy.” program welcomed the first co-educational class in the fall The society’s newest project is to raise at least $1 million of 1985. These first W&L women were pioneers, embrac- to update Evans Hall (named for Lettie Pate Evans) as a ing university traditions while strengthening its academic primary event space on campus. The contribution will also 12
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enhance recognition for Evans, whose portrait hangs in the hall, celebrating her extraordinary generosity and lasting impact on the university. The Lettie Pate Evans Society will be recognized in the space as well. Evans Hall will connect to Founders Hall, a new building under construction that will house admissions, financial aid and the Johnson Program. Together, the buildings will present a welcoming and noteworthy introduction to W&L for prospective students and families. Members are proud to play a role in supporting W&L’s ongoing evolution to best serve students today and beyond. From building a network with students and young alumnae to fueling university programs and initiatives, the Lettie Pate Evans Society is raising awareness of the role women have played at W&L while actively contributing to the university’s future.
“Mrs. Evans is an example to all women who aspire to philanthropy,” said Lizanne Thomas ’82L, a current trustee of the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation. “It is important that we celebrate her vision and generosity as we work together to expand the role of W&L women in every aspect of our remarkable university to benefit it holistically.” With less than a year remaining in the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign, the Lettie Pate Evans Society set a new stretch goal to reach 350 total members by the campaign’s conclusion, which mirrors the foundation’s projected total contribution of $350 million. “It has been so rewarding to be a part of such a special group of women who are making a difference today by giving back to future generations, benefiting our university for years to come,” Farnsworth said.
Stepping Stones to Success A LIFELONG CAREER IN FINANCE INSPIRED SANDY YEAGER TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF W&L STUDENTS IN STEM.
business at Alliance Capital, Morgan Stanley and DuPont Capital before founding Hanoverian Capital, a womanowned investment advisory firm. She currently serves as an independent director of the Columbia Threadneedle Investments, one of the largest mutual fund managers in the world. Throughout her professional life, Yeager devoted herself to promoting women in the financial services sector. Sandy Yeager with her husband, William J. “Bill” Kimmel III ’69, P’99, P’05. She recently established the Sandra L. Yeager Endowment for STEM Student Experiences at Washington and Lee As a teenager in rural Oklahoma, Sandra University, which provides students in “Sandy” Yeager witnessed several of her science, technology, engineering and friends’ mothers experience financial math fields with financial support for hardship following their divorces. She experiences outside the classroom. vowed then to become — and stay — Yeager realized that today, unlike financially independent as an adult. when she was in college in the 1980s Yeager not only achieved financial at Wellesley College, internships and freedom, the Harvard Business School research opportunities outside of regular graduate thrived in the cutthroat finance classes are crucial for students, especially world, which was — and continues to be — women in STEM, to stay competitive a male-dominated field. Yeager spent in the job market. “Internships lead to 28 years as a portfolio manager in the better jobs,” Yeager said. “I hope [the pension fund investment management endowment] provides students with a
stepping stone to where they want to go.” She noted that even though representation of women in STEM-focused professions has come a long way since she began her career, there is still progress to be made. “It’s slow moving, but it’s moving in the right direction.” Years ago, Yeager began to visit Washington and Lee with her husband, William J. “Bill” Kimmel III ’69, P’99, P’05, trustee emeritus at W&L. While her husband attended board meetings, she recalls walking around campus, pleasantly surprised when students spoke to her. Yeager says she values Washington and Lee’s commitment to the Speaking Tradition and the Honor System and appreciates that students continue to take these longstanding traditions seriously. She hopes that students will take these values, along with their education in and out of the classroom, into the professional world after graduation. “Have confidence and don’t underestimate yourself,” Yeager advised. “You’re better than you think.” THE CAMPAIGN FOR WASHINGTON AND LEE
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The newly redesigned Tribrook Club golf course will serve the men’s and women’s golf teams at Washington and Lee beginning in 2027.
Finding the Fairway RENOVATIONS TO THE COURSE AND FACILITIES OF THE TRIBROOK CLUB ARE ON TRACK TO BE COMPLETED BY MEMORIAL DAY 2027.
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ashington and Lee University and the former Lexington Golf and Country Club (LGCC) are one step closer to teeing up a new future for golf in Lexington, Virginia. Work began on a complete renovation of the golf course and facilities in the fall of 2025. Located just outside of city limits, the course and practice facilities will become the new home for W&L’s nationally ranked golf teams. To celebrate this new era of golf in Lexington, LGCC chose a new name: Tribrook Club. Renovations to the course are expected to be completed in October. Work continues on a new performance center, practice range and clubhouse. All facilities are on course for completion by Memorial Day 2027. Lester George, an accomplished Virginia-based golf course architect, and Vinny Giles, one of the most decorated American amateur golfers in history, are leading the golf course renovation. They previously collaborated in designing the renowned Kinloch Club outside of Richmond, Virginia. Giles has another link to Washington and Lee — Lila Holt ’28 and Palmer Holt ’30, his granddaughters, are current students. “The combination of Vinny’s history and appreciation for the game over so many years brings a uniquely valuable perspective, particularly when coupled with Lester’s track record of excellence and mastery of architecture,” said Beau Allen ’09, a donor to the W&L athletics program and former member of the men’s golf team. The golf course was originally designed by renowned architect Ellis Maples and his associate, Ed Seay, who later worked with Arnold Palmer for more than 30 years. George’s and Giles’ design optimizes the existing footprint while lengthening the course to a competition-standard
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7,000 yards for a world-class golf experience that will accommodate high-level collegiate and amateur competitions. The renovated course will provide a challenging test that will help W&L’s nationally ranked golf teams continue to improve their games. “Having a home tournament will be fun, especially because a lot of my friends know that I play golf but have never seen me play,” said Toral Bhatt ’29, a member of the women’s golf team. “Having the W&L community supporting us will be great for us as a team.” W&L alumni, parents and friends have demonstrated their support for the university’s athletics program during the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign. Former trustees Tom Wall ’80, P’14, P’15 and Geordy Johnson ’05, as well as Matt Goodwin ’94 — a golf resort chairman and dedicated W&L alumnus — championed the golf course project long before work began. With the renovations underway, excitement is palpable. “Tribrook will inspire the golf teams and be a great venue for alumni and parent members and their guests,” Wall said. Trustee and W&L Athletic Hall of Fame member Josephine Schaeffer Covington ’96, P’24 and her husband, Robert Covington ’97, P’24, were student-athletes at W&L — Josephine competed on the cross country and track teams, and Robert was on the golf team. “Being a student-athlete at W&L made a huge impact on my life,” Josephine said. “It was an opportunity to build lifelong friendships in the community. The Division III model attracted me the most — I loved everything about Washington and Lee and the fact that I could be a student-athlete but also have a full college experience.” Josephine and Robert chose to support the W&L athletics program and recognize how much Tribrook will benefit
COMMUNITY CURRICULUM CITIZENSHIP CAMPUS CONTINUITY
the golf teams and Lexington community the facilities could not compete with other special,” said Senior Adviser to University members alike. golf programs. However, W&L’s academic Advancement Beau Dudley ’74, ’79L, one of “Golf is really unique in how it builds atmosphere and campus culture, as well as four W&L members on the Tribrook Board community, and one of the things that the golf team’s history of producing first- of Managers. makes W&L so special is the partnership rate amateur golfers, drew him in. between the university and the greater “I think the course will be a highly useful PRACTICE FACILITIES Lexington community,” Robert said. tool, not only to help current players The new home of the golf program will “We are rooted in blue,” Jane H opkinson- improve their games, but to attract the include a state-of-the-art practice facility Wood, the women’s head golf coach, said. next generation of athletes and to welcome and performance center. The former “An important piece that we touch on in back alumni from across the country,” driving range was not long enough to our program is making sure the players he continued. accommodate full-swing practice, making understand they are representing someproper tournament preparation difficult thing bigger than themselves.” COURSE RENOVATIONS for W&L’s golf teams. “This project has been in the works for Tribrook contracted with Aspen CorpoThe facility will include practice tees close to eight years, and to have it come ration, a nationally acclaimed golf course on both sides of the range for expanded to fruition is amazing,” said Peter Gyscek, construction and renovation firm, to practice capacity, a Bermuda grass Thomas R. Wall IV ’80 Head Men’s Golf complete the project. George and Giles putting green for players to prepare for Coach. “It’s great for the team. Tribrook make frequent visits to fine-tune each hole tournaments at other courses and a statewill be something for our school, our during construction. of-the-art performance center that will alumni and local members to be proud Work on the course is on track to include three hitting bays for indoor-outof and enjoy.” be completed by mid-October. When door practice outfitted with Trackman “What W&L and Tribrook will be able construction ends, the course will enter a technology. There will also be a team to do together will far exceed what either “grow-in” period over the winter months lounge with an indoor putting green and one would have been able to do on their that will help the grass establish its a team meeting room. Two of the hitting own,” Chad Delp ’93 said. Delp is the CEO root structures before the course opens bays will be reserved for W&L team use and chairman of Summit Golf Brands, a next spring. during the academic year; the third will leader in premier golf apparel that includes According to Peter Danaher, Tribrook’s be available to Tribrook members. the Zero Restriction, Fairway & Greene golf course superintendent, the club “Having a space to gather will allow and B. Draddy apparel lines. In addition chose to use sod on 84 acres of the prop- us to build a stronger community,” to supporting W&L’s athletics program, erty instead of seeding it, thus reducing Hopkinson-Wood said. “The performance Delp and Summit Golf consulted on the the risk of erosion on and adjoining the center will allow us to provide a better new Tribrook logo. course. Laying sod helps reduce erosion experience for our players during pracThe club chose the name “Tribrook” by immediately covering the topsoil and tices, as they become better players and to honor the history of the property and encouraging faster root development. better people.” its ties to W&L. LGCC purchased the Tribrook installed a new irrigation Tribrook plans to complete the perforproperty, known as Tribrook Farm, from system to better control and reduce mance center and practice facilities the Ruffner family in 1930 to build a nine- water usage. The club also chose to use later this fall. hole golf course, which was lengthened to heat- and drought-tolerant grass cultivars “We got creative last season with our 18 holes in 1971. The Ruffner family was to help reduce irrigation and increase drills since we didn’t have a course close entrenched in the history of W&L and the drought resistance. by,” said Bhatt, who earned individual titles greater Rockbridge community; Henry Danaher and his team are using the in the 2026 ODAC Championship and was Ruffner served as the president of Wash- Better Billy Bunker Method to line the named to the 2026 Women’s Golf Coaches ington College from 1837-1848, and his bunkers, a practice that reduces long-term Association Southeast Region Team as a son, William Henry Ruffner, was an early bunker maintenance by increasing water first year. “For the most part, our daily pracadvocate for the establishment of a strong infiltration. tices were on the back side of campus, so public education system in Virginia. “We’re getting everything dialed in,” I’m excited about the new practice facility.” “Having this new facility will realize the Danaher said. “Now that there’s turf on “This will be the first real practice facility potential that was always embedded in the the course and it’s being mowed and the W&L golf teams have ever had,” Allen Lexington Golf and Country Club and bring maintained, it’s awesome to watch it all said. “That in itself is a great milestone — to life the storied past of the institution come to life.” but to be on par with some of our Diviand piece of property,” Allen said. When “Some of the mountain views on the new sion III and even Division I peers will be he decided to play golf at W&L, he knew course and from the clubhouse will be very incredibly impactful.” THE CAMPAIGN FOR WASHINGTON AND LEE
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