W&L Magazine Summer 2026 by Washington and Lee University

Summer | 2026

THE MANY FACES OF MENTORSHIP

p.10

A DYNAMIC DUO Professor of Economics Shikha Silwal invited Alex Ohmann ’28, economics and history double major, to collaborate on research his first year at W&L for a book chapter she was writing on overlooked populations in wartime. “It is one thing to learn in a classroom with other students and mainly take in the information that the professor already knows; it is another experience altogether to take part in the joy of discovery alongside your professor,” Ohmann says.

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES

10 The Many Faces of Mentorship

W&L has a long history of transformative student-faculty relationships.

28 Renovations and Restorations

Modernized building systems and updated galleries at the University Chapel greet visitors.

32 Lasting Bonds

Bentley Professor of Chemistry Erich Uffelman reflects on powerful mentorship in and out of the classroom.

34 Medical Maverick

Chip Schooley ’70, P’96 blazed a research trail to help transform an HIV/AIDS diagnosis from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition.

DEPARTMENTS

4 Columns 36 Alumni/Class Notes 51 Obits 60 Chronicles

Cover: Illustration by Kyle Ellingson Iconic W&L mentors from present day and yore are depicted together on the Front Lawn. From left: Charles S. Rowe Professor of Law Brian Murchison, the late Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion emeritus Harlan Beckley, Dean of the Williams School emeritus and Professor of Economics Larry Peppers P’90, Associate Dean of the Williams School and Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor in Commerce Elizabeth Oliver, Crawford Family Dean of the Williams School and Professor of Business Administration Rob Straughan and the late Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor of Economics emeritus John Gunn ’45. See more mentors on p. 10. This page: Photo by Shelby Hamelman

GENERALLY ASKING

What’s one piece of advice from a mentor that’s stayed with you?

W&L MAGAZINE’S EDITORIAL TEAM SHARES LESSONS LEARNED. The editor at my first newspaper job in Florida always told all her reporters the exact same thing: “Eat the frog (do the hardest task first).” I still regret it every time I don’t do it. —Jessica Luck

My band director in high school had us play a piece from memory. Then he said, “Now play it the way you feel it.” Same notes, different song. I’ve tried to remember that ever since. —Billy Chase

I learned from my first athletic director at W&L, Mike Walsh, that no good ever comes from writing an immediate, usually emotional response to negative comments. “Sit on it overnight, and respond tomorrow,” he said. “I think you’ll achieve better results.” Nearly 30 years later, his advice still rings true, and I follow it religiously. —Brian Laubscher 2 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

I’ve learned so much from my W&L colleague Tammy Futrell, but many of those lessons can be summed up as: Relationships are everything, and compassion is the wisest guide. —Kelsey G oodwi n

When I’m having a bad round on my horse, my trainer simply says, “Smile,” as I pass her mid-course. The execution of her single word has taught me that sometimes happiness doesn’t fall in your lap — and that even when things are not going well, you still have the choice to smile. —Laura Lemon ’16

“See a need, fill a need.” My high school English teacher used this quote from the movie “Robots” when giving a lecture on finding a purpose, which has been a guide for me whenever I am not sure what my next steps should be. —Kolton C annon

A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Washington and Lee University Volume 102, Number 1 Summer 2026 Jessica Luck Jessica Luck Editor

Laura Lemon ’16 ’16 Laura Lemon

Assistant Editor

Jamie Lipps Director of Design Billy Chase

Billy Chase

Kolton C annon Kolton Cannon

Designers

Shelby Hamelman Kevin Remington University Photographers Kyle Ellingson

Kelsey oodwin KelseyG Goodwin

Jeff Hanna

Brian Laubscher Brian Laubscher Contributors

Jessica Willett ’95 Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Drewry Sackett ’93 Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs Published by Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA 24450. All communications and POD forms 3579 should be sent to Washington and Lee University, Alumni Magazine, 7 Courthouse Square, 204 W. Washington St., Lexington VA 24450-2116. Periodicals postage paid at Roanoke, VA.

SPEAK

COMMITTEE HELMS NATIONAL SEARCH FOR W&L’S NEXT PRESIDENT The search for Washington and Lee’s next president began in January 2026, following the December announcement of President Will Dudley’s departure. The Board of Trustees named a 17-member search committee composed of faculty, staff, trustees and a student and chaired by trustee John Robinson ’94 to conduct a national search in collaboration with the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. The search is proceeding on schedule. The committee spent the spring soliciting input on the qualifications and qualities that W&L should seek in its next president via a community-wide survey, open listening sessions and focus groups with faculty, staff, students, alumni and parents. That work resulted in the creation of Washington and Lee’s Presidential Profile, which is available on the search website (presidentialsearch.wlu.edu). In an email to the W&L community, Robinson wrote: “Throughout this process, we consistently heard your justified pride in Washington and Lee. We also discovered strong alignment across constituencies on the characteristics W&L should preserve and strengthen, the priorities for the next president and the qualities we should seek in candidates. It is clear that you value Washington and Lee’s academic excellence, the Honor System and the values and traditions that make this community special. We heard your desire to continue to build on W&L’s strengths, lean into its distinctions and look for an ethical and visionary leader who will build on its record of success.” In a subsequent update, Robinson shared that the search has yielded a strong pool of qualified candidates and that the committee would spend the summer identifying a short list of well-qualified prospects for deeper engagement. The candidates come from a wide range of fields and high-quality institutions and bring varied experiences to the role. Given that the most compelling candidates are likely to be actively serving in other roles, confidentiality is paramount to ensure their continued participation in the process. More information regarding the selection of W&L’s next president and the timeline for that president to take office is anticipated this fall.

INSIGHT AND FORESIGHT Though he was not among my classroom professors, many were the lessons I learned from the late Rom Weatherman (director of publications and editor of W&L Magazine). He loved to be surprised. When I brought in new contact sheets (as proofs were known in the days of film), he was like a kid in a candy store, delighting in finding things that caught his eye and downright gleeful when he spotted the shot, which was instructive, since it wasn’t often the same one I would have chosen. Rom could see things I couldn’t. He was that rarity among editors, one

who encouraged me to have a sense of adventure and follow my instincts. Rather than telling me how to shoot something, he simply said to shoot anything and everything relevant that looked interesting — we could pick and choose later. Rom believed in my work before I did. Looking back on it, I see how important his guidance, approval and friendship were at that early stage in my career. I’ll never be able to thank him enough. PATRICK HINELY ’73

Former university photographer at W&L (retired in 2018)

FUTURE FILE We are working on upcoming issues of W&L Magazine with themes of “W&L Around the World” and “The Makers Issue.” The first issue highlights W&L’s international connections, including the students, faculty and alumni making impacts on a global scale. For the second issue, we’re looking for members of the W&L community who make things of all kinds, either as a pastime or related to their career. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for consideration in either issue, please send an email with some details to magazine@wlu.edu. MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 3

Columns NOTEWORTHY NEWS AND IDEAS

RENDERING COURTESY OF THE TIMMONS GROUP

BREAKING GROUND WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY

began demolition of the Early-Fielding Memorial Building in mid-June to make way for Founders Hall, a new 40,000-squarefoot building that will house the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid and the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity. It will include 44 offices and meeting and

4 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

presentation spaces, plus spaces for general university use, including a multipurpose outdoor terrace. The building’s entrance will feature a multistory rotunda. Letitia Pate Evans Hall will also receive several updates as part of the construction plan, expected to be completed in late summer 2028, in time for the 2028-29 academic year.

NEW TRUSTEES James “Jim” Y. Kerr II ’86, P’27 and M. Roy Burns ’99 joined the Washington and Lee University Board of Trustees on Feb. 6, with Rebecca Timmis Russell ’08 joining on May 8. Kerr is the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Southern Company Gas. Burns serves as managing director and co-head of financial services at TA Associates. And Russell is a partner at Bain & Company. Kevin Batteh ’95, ’98L, partner with Delta Strategy Group, was approved to join the board in October 2026 after being elected by fellow alumni through a process led by the W&L Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.

3. GOING GOLD The university’s new Williams School building received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Childress Hall, which serves the School of Commerce, Economics and Politics and opened at the start of the 2025-26 academic year, is the first structure at W&L to achieve the Gold designation.

MEETING THE STANDARD

W&L began the process of securing accreditation for its engineering program from ABET, a non-governmental accreditation organization for post-secondary programs in engineering, engineering technology, computing and applied and natural sciences. It is anticipated the Class of 2030 will be the first students eligible to earn an accredited engineering degree.

FACULTY PUBLICATIONS A.

a Brian Alexander, associate professor of politics, published “Jefferson’s Manual of Parliamentary Practice.” b An anthology of the late William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of History emeritus Lamar Cecil’s papers and speeches were published in “Cecil Speaks.”

c Chris Gavaler, professor of English, published “The Color of Paper.” d Nathaniel Goldberg, professor of philosophy, published “Philosophy of the History of Philosophy.” e Antonio Reyes, professor of Spanish, published “Understanding the Language of Virtual Interaction.” f JT Torres, director of the Houston H. Harte Center for Teaching and Learning, published “Teaching, Learning and Caring in Higher Education.” MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 5

DISTINCTIVELY W&L

MEANINGFUL MENTORSHIP BY KEN RUSCIO ’76, INTERIM PRESIDENT

I’ve often said that W&L students don’t major in subjects — they major in professors.”

During his time as Washington and Lee’s president from 2006 to 2016, Ken Ruscio ’76 (left) talked with one of his mentors, the late Professor of Politics emeritus Delos “D.” Hughes.

DECADES FROM NOW, when the next volume of Washington and Lee’s history is committed to paper, the summer of 2026 will be recorded as one of transition for the university. President Will Dudley concluded almost a decade of service, leaving his mark not only in new campus facilities but also in access and affordability. Kim and I returned to campus to fill an interim role we never anticipated when we left Lexington in 2016. The campus community bid farewell to the undergraduate and law classes of 2026 and also said goodbye to 10 faculty members and 13 staff retirees who together contributed

582 years of service to Washington and Lee. Transitions like these aren’t unique to 2026. Each year, members of our community move on, and we hope that they will always retain their affinity with and connection to Washington and Lee. But it is a good time to reflect — particularly on the faculty and staff who have given so much to the university, and their role as mentors to our students, which is one of the most cherished aspects of the W&L experience. Each of our retirees, this year and every year, has played a formative role in the development of our graduates. Mentorship here takes many

6 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

forms: collaborative work in a lab, advising a thesis or capstone project, coaching a promising athlete, developing a student’s professional skills through a legal clinic or work-study job or sharing a word of encouragement in the dining hall. What they have in common is the care our faculty and staff show in getting to know our students and the lifelong bonds that result. I’ve often said that W&L students don’t major in subjects — they major in professors. As a student in the ’70s, I majored in Hughes and minored in Buchanan, both in the Politics Department. There wasn’t a class they offered that I didn’t take, and those classes

shaped both my thinking and my professional aspirations. D. Hughes and Buck Buchanan took a personal interest in me, and I maintained my relationships with them throughout their lives. I suspect that many of us can point to some individual or individuals who during their Washington and Lee years had an enduring influence on them. The stories in this issue of the magazine are not unique. But we should never take the commonplace for granted. Mentorship is a defining feature of a W&L education, and a tradition that makes that education one of the most meaningful and distinctive in higher education today.

SALUTE

The Constant Mentor AMANDA HUGHES ’06 ON CHRIS CONNORS

From coffee shop mornings to sunrise adventures at the Grand Canyon, the earth and environmental geoscience professor always puts his students at the forefront. CHRIS HAS TOLD ME that he was the luckiest guy in the world to have this job, but I am certain that we, his students, were the lucky ones. Chris is the embodiment of what it means to be a Washington and Lee faculty member. He once said that one of the things that made teaching at W&L so rewarding was that there was never any question about priorities as a faculty member — he and W&L were aligned that students should be the priority. It was always clear to me that this was Chris’ guiding principle. He always taught his Structural Geology course in the Winter Term because all the leaves were off the trees, making for better geological viewing and learning. Ever thinking of his students, though, I can remember more than once, on especially cold days, that he would take the whole group to Lexington Coffee Shop and get us a warm drink before undertaking our field work — an optimized learning experience for the students and characteristic of Chris’ generosity and attention to detail. On one such field trip, we traveled to two different outcrops where the rocks were seemingly telling us different stories, but through his clever

guidance, we realized that these contrasting features reflect how the rocks would deform in different areas of a larger-scale fold. The sudden ability to visualize this relationship in space, and how it evolved in time, struck me like a bolt of lightning, and, from that moment on, I was hooked on structural geology. I went into college knowing that I liked science but unsure what kind; after that course, I had a new goal — to be as much like Chris as possible. I have continued to work in that field to this day, and Chris has given me extensive advice when choosing a graduate school, publishing research results, getting my first job in industry and now in my academic position. We continue to collaborate on research, and I regard him among my most treasured mentors and friends. Through all that time, I have never stopped learning from Chris — his deliberative approach to science and life, clarity in his priorities and creative approach to scientific work continue to be the examples that I seek to live up to in my own career as a geology professor. I met up recently with Chris at the annual Geological Society of America meeting — my 20th, which I have been

Chris Connors started teaching in the Earth and Environmental Geoscience Department in 1999.

attending ever since my days as an undergraduate. We chatted for hours about science and life, and I was reminded, once again, how lucky we all have been to have such a stellar person in our lives.

Amanda Hughes ’06 serves as associate professor of practice in the College of Science at the University of Arizona, after working for several years at Chevron. Chris Connors, William E. Pritchard III ’80 Professor of Earth and Environmental Geoscience, has taught at Washington and Lee University for 27 years.

THE EXTRA MILE “I remember on a regional field course he led in the Southwest U.S., waking up at 4:30 in the morning, so that he would take any of us who were interested to watch the sunrise over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Though he had certainly been up late the night before planning the next day’s field mapping exercise, planning the driving route and figuring out food logistics for the group, he made extra time to ensure students had this special, once-in-alifetime experience.”

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 7

NOW HEAR THIS

LEAVING HIS MARK

A look back at President Will Dudley’s time at Washington and Lee.

PRESIDENT

William C. Dudley W&L’s 27 th president He led the university for close to a decade before stepping down from his role in 2026. His career at W&L was marked with some significant success, and he demonstrated his dedication to the university through teaching a yearly class on the mission statement, attending many athletic, music and theater events, fly-fishing on the Jackson River and dining with many student groups at Lee House.

$132M the gift from Bill Miller ’72, made in October 2024, allowed the university to be need-blind in undergraduate admissions

$216M

the amount W&L has invested in capital improvements in the eight years since the Board of Trustees approved President Dudley’s comprehensive strategic plan

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$650M

the largest fundraising goal in W&L’s history for the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign, publicly announced in fall 2024

“A liberal arts education prepares you for what you cannot anticipate.” PRESIDENT DUDLEY from his 2026 Commencement speech

KEY MILESTONES Under his tenure, President Dudley’s achievements included the Duchossois Athletic and Recreation Center (Fall 2020), Harte Center for Teaching and Learning (Fall 2021), new academic building for the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics (Fall 2025), Lindley Center for Student Wellness (Fall 2025) and renovations and updates to the exhibits in University Chapel (Summer 2026).

ON DECK 1. Founders Hall to house Admissions, Financial Aid and the Johnson Program offices 2. W&L Institutional History Museum 3. Expanded and renovated Science Center

IN THE LEAD

In Her Corner

The quiet, unwavering support of staff mentorship has led to a much fuller college experience at Washington and Lee for international student ELEANNA GIANNOULA ’28.

“Dean Beard’s presence gave me the confidence to engage more fully with campus life, to take chances I might have otherwise avoided and to invest in W&L as a place that was truly mine.” —ELEANNA GIANNOULA ’28

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH Assistant Dean of Student Leadership Leah Beard began during my very first semester at Washington and Lee University, through my involvement in the LEAD Program, one of the first communities I found myself a part of when I arrived on campus. As it turned out, she also knew my brother, Harry, who is a member of the Class of 2026, so we already had a personal connection that made reaching out feel natural. We got coffee together, and what started as a casual get-to-know-you conversation quickly revealed itself to

Eleanna Giannoula ’28 (left) credits Assistant Dean of Student Leadership Leah Beard’s mentorship with helping her navigate her first years at the university.

be something much more meaningful. From that first meeting, I felt a genuine sense of care and interest that I hadn’t expected to find so early in my college experience. Since then, we have made it a point to meet at least once a semester to check in, though it rarely feels like a formal appointment. It feels more like catching up with someone who is truly invested in how you’re doing, not just academically, but as a whole person. That kind of consistent, intentional relationship is something I have come to deeply value. Washington and Lee is a place rich with opportunities

to form meaningful relationships: with professors who challenge you intellectually, with peers who push you to grow and with alumni who open doors you didn’t know existed. I have been fortunate to experience all of those connections during my time here. And yet, my relationship with Dean Beard has offered something distinct and irreplaceable. Because our mentorship exists outside the structure of grades and academic performance, it has created a space where I can bring my full self. With her, I feel free to talk about things that do not only concern academic

matters, like the moments of homesickness, the uncertainty about the future, the quiet victories that no one else might notice. For international students in particular, I believe having this kind of anchor on campus is invaluable. When you are building a life so far from home, it matters enormously to have someone who understands the full scope of what that means and who shows up for you accordingly. Dean Beard has demonstrated to me that staff mentors are not supplementary to the Washington and Lee experience — they are central to it. MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 9

Mentors from left: Pamela Simpson, the late Ernest Williams II Professor of Art History, Lisa Alty, John T. Herwick M.D. Professor of Chemistry, Ted DeLaney ’85, P’03L, the late Professor of 10 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

The Many Faces of Mentorship At W&L, the faculty-student relationship goes far beyond academic learning. Curiosity is the bedrock of mentorship here: There’s the fascination with the subject matter that initially brought you together but also interest in the person on the other end. And as the relationship deepens, it transforms over time from mentorship to friendship to even family. Each conversation — during office hours, in a research lab, over dinner — adds another layer and richness to the shared experience. As a student, you gain all that you need to create the necessary foundation for you to blossom in the world. Growth is possible because of the sustainable support you receive through intentional and authentic relationships. Mentors see the potential in you — what you can do and what you can become — oftentimes before you see it in yourself. For this issue, we asked members of the W&L community to share their memories of those iconic professors who embodied what it means to be a mentor. Alumni shared stories of continued connections throughout their lives, and faculty members told how senior faculty shined a light during their early years on campus. This is in no way comprehensive list of the titans who have impacted — and continue to impact — our campus community, and these pages contain but a sampling (and often condensed version) of the many wonderful stories we received. We’ll be sharing more stories online, and if reading these tributes sparks your own mentorship memory, please email magazine@wlu.edu for inclusion.

History emeritus and Brian Murchison, Charles S. Rowe Professor of Law

ILLUSTRATIONS BY KYLE ELLINGSON

“

Joan Shaughnessy The late Roger D. Groot Professor of Law from 1983 to 2023

“When women law students were in the vast minority, she made certain they felt welcome, hosting weekly lunches at her home. Professor Shaughnessy wanted these women to feel valued, to enjoy their time at W&L Law, to graduate and to succeed. She invested in their success just as she did for every one of her students.” — Lethia C. Hammond ’11L

B.S. Stephenson ’42 The late Professor of German emeritus from 1946 to 1991 and co-founder of the W&L Concert Guild in 1949, with student Bruce Woodruff Jr. ’50 “He ignited a lifelong passion for German that has endured for 40 years. Professors have a profound and lasting impact on their students, shaping their futures and inspiring their dreams. I am forever grateful for his transformative influence.”

— David Lee Miller ’84 “I learned more from him, both as professor and friend, than I have from anyone else — but not just about German. He taught me about music, literature, art and life. He is everything you could ever want in a professor and friend.”

— Nick Leitch ’84, ’87L 12 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

Ted DeLaney ’85, P’03L The late Professor of History emeritus from 1995 to 2019 “When I think back on my years at Washington and Lee, I can trace my love of history to one person: Professor Ted DeLaney. I took several of his courses on African American history and the Civil Rights Movement, and they fundamentally changed the way I understood both the past and the present. With his warm smile and signature bow ties, he had a way of making the classroom feel both intellectually challenging and welcoming. History wasn’t simply a collection of dates and events to memorize; it was a conversation about power, resilience, injustice and possibility. He challenged us to ask the difficult questions, to wrestle with uncomfortable truths and to recognize the people whose stories had too often been ignored or distorted. What I remember just as vividly, though, is how invested he was in his students. He didn’t simply lecture and leave. He paid attention. He listened. He made students feel that their ideas mattered and that they mattered. I experienced that firsthand during a difficult moment as an undergraduate. I raised concerns about a workbook assigned in a journalism class that contained unnecessary and damaging stereotypes of Black people. Challenging someone in a position of authority felt intimidating, but as one of only two students of color in the class, it was even

more unsettling to know my classmates were reading — and potentially internalizing — harmful tropes that could shape their perceptions of Black people. Professor DeLaney never dismissed my concerns or suggested I was overreacting. Instead, he listened, offered thoughtful guidance and supported me as I navigated the situation. His encouragement gave me the confidence to believe that speaking up in the face of injustice mattered, even when it was uncomfortable. That experience reflected the kind of educator he was. Beyond his lesson plans, thoughtful and well-researched as they were, he modeled the values that meaningful scholarship demands: intellectual honesty, moral courage, empathy and a willingness to confront difficult realities. He demonstrated that education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing the character to use that knowledge responsibly. The facts from a class inevitably fade with time, but the professors who genuinely invest in their students leave a lasting imprint. Whenever I picture Professor DeLaney, I still see the warmth, dignity and quiet confidence he brought to every interaction. He showed me what it looks like to lead with integrity and to believe that every student’s voice deserves to be heard.”

— Kristen Youngblood Archer ’06

“HE DIDN'T SIMPLY LECTURE AND LEAVE. HE PAID ATTENTION. HE LISTENED.” MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 13

Lamar Cecil P’04

“

The late William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of History emeritus from 1982 to 2000

My housemates and I were the recipients of Lamar’s generous hospitality, and he invited us, like he did with many groups of students over the years, up to his house to play croquet (which few of us had done before), to drink martinis (which none of us had done before) and to eat a delicious supper. In the classroom of his home, he taught us how to be more mature and to grow closer toward our approaching adulthood. Despite his brilliance, Lamar never used his intellect to intimidate students, and he was so welcoming to students of all types and abilities. His office was a place of lively discussion. If his door was open — so was he. Open to our ideas. Open to questions and discovery. Open to our problems. His open door was illustrative of his open heart.”

— Rev. William Jones ’92

(Above excerpt from his eulogy of Lamar Cecil)

Lisa Alty John T. Herwick M.D. Professor of Chemistry from 1987 to present

“Today, as a practicing dermatologist and mother of two, I ref lect on how she was the first woman I saw who balanced a demanding career in science with motherhood. That image stayed with me long before I fully understood its significance.” — Dr. Patricia Williams O’Connor ’07

Lad Sessions Jo M. and James M. Ballengee 250th Anniversary Professor of Philosophy emeritus from 1971 to 2011 “He didn’t just help me, and many other students, make better decisions; he helped us become the best versions of ourselves that we could be.”

— Ben Eggleston ’94 14 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

Karla Murdock “Karla Murdock was a mentor to me from the moment I expressed interest in joining her research lab. Her advice to not immediately pursue a Ph.D. changed my perspective on my own career and led me to applying for one of the greatest choices of my life: studying in Finland on a Fulbright scholarship.

Shane Lynch was the most valuable mentor I had in music learning. Not only was he insightful in identifying and addressing areas I could improve upon in musical study, but he helped me become the type of person who would do the same for others.”

— Matthew Flynn ’25

Shane Lynch Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities from 2009 to present

George Irwin (Class of 1917) The late Professor of Romance Languages from 1925 to 1962

George Junkin Irwin, native Lexingtonian, W&L graduate, Princeton post-graduate, World War I veteran and chain-

smoker, was, for me, a mentor when one was needed. One day, in a class of just seven students, I and one other were in

attendance. Irwin, seeing the futility of the moment, canceled the class and invited me to take a historic tour of Rockbridge

County, driving the backroads in his ’50 Chevy. Through George Irwin, I became comfortable and confident in a place I grew to love: its history, its characters, its sense of civility.”

— Jim Applebaum ’62

Alexandra Brown Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor in Bible from 1987 to present

“After 30+ years of guiding W&L students, I am immensely grateful to be one of many who benefited from her mentorship.” — George Alford ’24

John Evans Professor of English emeritus from 1964 to 2001

“I’d never even heard of a Fulbright scholarship until John Evans said, ‘You will apply.’ I did, and I got one. I went to school in Germany, and it’s completely changed the trajectory of my life.” — Billy Webster ’79, P’20, P’22

Jo M. and James M. Ballengee Professor of Cognitive and Behavioral Science from 2005 to present

“From the time I graduated until today, I’ve not gone more than a month or so without talking to him. From him, I learned how to hold myself to the highest performance standards, appreciate when others were doing the same and to work to be a better friend and citizen. He’s been a lifelong mentor and, in many respects, a member of our family.”

We’ve stayed in touch for all of the 51 years since I graduated — and we chat by email or phone every few weeks.”

— Mike McAlevey ’86, P’17, P’20

— Kit Weitnauer ’74

“ Professor Evans lived on campus, front porch overlooking the Colonnade, and he would invite a few football players over on Friday nights before games. In the offseason, the dinners became a regular gathering. What Evans calls ‘the brotherhood’ stretches back to students from the ’60s and ’70s. He walked us through nearly every major passage of adulthood. He represents the very best of what W&L gives its students — not just in the classroom, but around the table and long after graduation.” — Brooks Fischer ’97 MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 15

Henry Powell Porter Jr. ’54 Richard Spence ’91 Can’t omit Henry P. Porter Jr.; his list of mentored students over his nearly 40 years teaching at W&L is at least a mile long,

Jefferson Davis Futch III The late Professor of History emeritus from 1962 to 2008

Professor of History emeritus from 1970 to 2008

his office for discussions late into evenings. I’m

As a student in the latter years of Professor Futch, I learned something about dedication. What will stick with me most is the picture of that elderly man, walking with two canes across W&L’s campus from his old automobile, to stand there for a few hours and teach. He enjoyed it so much.”

happy to hear that he’s still enjoying the campus.

— Edward McAuliffe ’08

Kendal and still meandering through campus, well in touch with his former students!

Patrick France ’25, ’28L Dr. Porter is a wonderful person. I’ve been very lucky to know him. He’s continued to be a kind supporter of his fraternity, former students and current students.

David Lent Church ’80 I had three courses with Dr. Porter — two on European imperialism in Africa. I liked him as a professor and as a person — he was available in

Richard Bidlack Martin and Brooke Stein Professor of History emeritus from 1987 to 2024

“He gave me the advice to study what I truly enjoyed, not what other people told me to study. I am so glad he did that — it led to some amazing memories and a period of great intellectual growth.” — Patrick France ’25, ’28L 16 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

myself included. He would be a fantastic alumni magazine feature. At 94, he is living at

Harlan Beckley The late Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion emeritus and Founding Director of the Shepherd Program for the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability from 1974 to 2014 “I heard an interview once from a very well-known Black Ivy League professor many, many years ago. He was giving advice to students of color who go to Ivy League and/or predominantly white, rich colleges. He said that it would be difficult but that most of the time there will be something at that school

that will be a balm, a light, an unexpected opportunity — something that will bring you joy. You just need to look for it. Thank you, Professor Beckley, for making it so that I and countless other students didn’t have to look so hard.”

— Bethlehem Dammlash ’06

Pamela Simpson The late Ernest Williams II Professor of Art History from 1973 to 2011

“

I was an English major, but I found art history classes early on in my time at Washington and Lee. I was interested in art and dabbled in some actual painting and drawing, but I found that art history was a perfect combination of my love of writing and storytelling and art. Essentially, I took every art history class I could fit into my schedule. By the time I graduated from W&L, I had enough credits to apply for graduate school in art history.

The late Pamela Simpson, art historian and professor, had a significant impact on my studies and my experience at W&L. Simpson was the first female tenure-track professor at W&L and the first female professor to receive an endowed chair. She became the inaugural Ernest Williams II Professor of Art History in 1993, the year I graduated. She also played a critical role in the university’s transition to coeducation in the mid-1980s, so, without her, I may not

have even had a chance for an education at W&L. Talk about an inspiring woman! Her classes were interesting and thought-provoking, and she had high standards. She taught me to always strive to do my best work. Her Spring Term class on African American artists was one of the best classes I ever took. We didn’t just study the art but also had discussions about current issues in social justice and racism.”

SIMPSON WAS THE FIRST FEMALE TENURE-TRACK PROFESSOR AND FIRST FEMALE PROFESSOR TO RECEIVE AN ENDOWED CHAIR AT WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY.

— Tricia Pond Miller ’93 MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 17

Robert de Maria

“

The late Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications from 1977 to 2013

‘De,’ as he was affectionately known, was almost like a surrogate parent to me. He let me know that he had my back — everything would work out just fine. In the spring of 1990, he sent me and a fellow mass communications major to Winchester, Virginia, to cover a town hall meeting. Unbeknownst to us was the fact that the agenda featured a highly contentious issue: the removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces. There we were, two Black kids, pulling into a town overrun by people wearing Confederate regalia, waving Confederate flags and shouting unpleasantries. Being from Louisiana, I’d encountered my fair share of Confederate flags. However, my classmate was from Brooklyn, New York, and

she was terrified. I assured her that I wouldn’t let anything happen to her. We covered the meeting without incident. When I entered De’s office the next morning, he saw the smoke coming out of my ears, and he headed me off at the pass. He stated that he would not apologize for sending us to the meeting. However, he admitted that he owed us an apology for not telling us about the hot-button issue on the agenda. He used the opportunity to stress that, as journalists, our duty was to find out what happened in the world, report it objectively to our readership and let them come to their own conclusions. Lesson learned.”

Roger Groot P’94, P’94L The late Professor of Law emeritus from 1973 to 2005 “ When I passed the Louisiana bar exam, I actually called Groot before I called my mother. I asked him what it was that he’d seen in me. He said that he’d seen a boatload of talent with no direction. He told me that I’d be an amazing leader once I figured it out. Consequently, the art of the mentor is to see that kernel embedded within the mentee and to draw it out.”

— Memories by Curtis Joseph Jr. ’93, ’96L 18 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

“HE LET ME KNOW THAT HE HAD MY BACK — EVERYTHING WOULD WORK OUT JUST FINE.”

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 19

Linda Hooks Professor of Economics from 1993 to present

In her first year at W&L — fresh out of the Fed, Professor Linda Hooks taught me in a Money and Banking class in which students posed as Federal Reserve governors at a mock Federal Open Market Committee meeting to determine monetary policy actions. Then in my senior year Spring Term of 1995, Professor Hooks led a group of us students on a once-in-lifetime journey through central banks in Frankfurt, Brussels, Paris and London to study the development of the European Monetary Union and implementation of the planned euro currency. These are examples of how she brought economics to life, transforming it from textbook theory into real-life application. She encouraged learning in novel ways and took a personal interest in students.

20 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

That first trip abroad changed my life perspective from a provincial to a global view, more than anything I have learned in a classroom. Professor Hooks inspired me with the curiosity, courage and confidence to pursue my childhood dream of living in diverse California, where I have been ever since graduation. In addition, that experience sparked my lifelong love of travel to explore and appreciate other cultures. I became a better, fulfilled person thanks to her. Currently, Professor Hooks is the head of the Economics Department, an honor that validates her as a person, professor, leader and role model. She exemplifies the W&L ideal, and I am grateful for the transformative impression she left on me.”

“SHE BROUGHT ECONOMICS TO LIFE, TRANSFORMING IT FROM TEXTBOOK THEROY INTO REAL-LIFE APPLICATION.”

— Todd Cloaninger ’95

FACULTY ON FACULTY

The Sandwich Method Always start with praise. By Genelle Gertz

John McDaniel ’64 Professor of Anthropology emeritus from 1972 to 2004 and helped establish the Outing Club “He was probably closer in age to us than he was with fellow faculty members. I became good friends with him —

Ed Craun Henry S. Fox Jr. Professor of English emeritus from 1971 to 2011 “When I was a brand-new professor at W&L, I had an office across from Ed Craun. I began to notice a pattern. Students would line up to discuss their papers. Ed would always start with what they had done well. He had very specific things to say, showing the care he’d given to their work. I’d already learned to start with praise (“the sandwich method of essay grading”), but it was another level. I watched and heard students relax and sit up, becoming more engaged. This would lead to fruitful discussion on how to improve. I have never forgotten this early introduction on how to interact with students, and how to speak to them about their writing. Ed and his wife, Marlys, are godparents to my son, and at all the formative stages of my life, they have been my advisers and allies. They assisted me in countless ways — far beyond just being colleagues.”

Genelle Gertz is the Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Thomas H. Broadus Professor of English from 2003 to present

Dabney Stuart P’91 S. Blount Mason Jr. Professor of English emeritus from 1965 to 2003

“

As a freshman, I was assigned to English 101 with Professor Stuart — he was the first teacher who ever pushed me regarding writing and would not approve my work until it met his standards.” — Harry Wright IV ’80

took his anthropology course and hunted with him. That was a student-faculty relationship that I don’t think we see at any other place.”

— Bill Wallace ’74, ’77L, P’02, P’06, P’09

Pam Luecke Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications emerita from 2001 to 2020

“Pam is one of those great mentors who teaches and advises you so calmly and subtly it is sometimes only days (or years) later that you realize how much of her advice you’ve ingested.” — Jacob Geiger ’09

Feeling so much better about the stats final! Professor Eastwood came back to campus to help us — and even brought his dog along! ♥

22 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

Professor of Sociology from 2006 to present “Our class was working on a project on Bayesian statistics. Professor Eastwood started class and said, ‘You all don’t look too joyful,’ and he asked us to do a joy meter saying how we felt that day. That made him realize the project was stressing us a bit more than he anticipated. So, he offered to come to campus after putting his kids to bed. He came back to campus at 9 p.m. to help us with questions and morale and brought his dog for cuddles. It meant the world to have a professor not only recognize our academic stress but also take steps to mitigate it. I think his approach speaks volumes to W&L’s mission. He could have called the project off (we wouldn’t have learned), or he could have simply told us to keep struggling (I’m getting a Ph.D., so I’ve been at several universities since then, and that is the usual approach). But he helped us fix it. I hope I can be half as good a professor one day.”

— Teresa Aires ’19

Jon Eastwood

Toni Locy

Professor of Journalism from 2008 to present

Professor Locy is the best ‘coach’ I’ve

ever had. The best word to describe her is

‘relentless.’

reporting. If the final draft was due by Thursday at 3 p.m., she’d be working right to the hour with a student to squeeze

It is a rite of passage to turn in what

you thought was a good draft in Beat Reporting, only to have her strike through

some last-minute changes in. Any professor can have high standards or be tough. But it is rare to have a

the whole thing and leave comments in

professor who cares so much about her

bold underneath about what all was wrong.

students and always has their back.

But it is also a rite of passage for

We always said that she would go to war

her to sit down with you for hours and

for her students, and, to add to that,

improve your story, to get calls and texts

I think she’d be on the front line.”

at all hours with questions and to be told that you needed to go back and do more

— Jack Hunter ’24

Hampden Smith Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications emeritus from 1974 to 2007

“ Ham Smith’s reputation as a tiger, an old-school, ink-stained, hard-boiled newsroom vet, preceded him. Though he would have cringed at the description, a softer side emerged in his teaching. Always evident was the integrity of a fair-minded, good-hearted journalist.” — Charles Tucker Jr. ’81

Mohamed Kamara

Bill Hamilton

The H. Laurent Boetsch Jr. Term Professor of Romance Languages from 2001 to present

John T. Perry Jr. Professor of Biology and Research Science from 2001 to present

about history and language.”

“ Dr. Hamilton was an irreplaceable figure in my time at W&L. He helped me laugh my way through an ankle break, supported me through vet school applications and rigorous coursework and taught me a lot about research in field and applied settings, inspiring

— Zineb Benchekroun ’14

— Marcie Bernard ’25

“

Some of my favorite books were taught in his class — Professor Kamara changed the way I think

my passion for ecosystem health. He continues to support me, and I know I could always reach out if I needed anything. Many of my peers refer to him as an uncle-like figure, and that perfectly captures how approachable, kind and wisdom-sharing he is.”

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 23

“PROFESSOR MURCHISON FOLLOWED MY FCC CAREER OVER THREE DECADES, INVITING ME BACK TO LEXINGTON OFTEN TO SPEAK TO HIS CLASSES.”

24 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

Brian Murchison Charles S. Rowe Professor of Law from 1982 to 2026

“

Professor Brian Murchison perfectly exemplifies Stephen Covey’s definition of leadership — the ability to communicate a person’s worth and potential so clearly, they are inspired to see it in themselves. In the classroom, he sparked my interest in administrative and communications law. Recognizing my passion for public service, he helped me secure employment with the Federal Communications Commission. Professor Murchison followed my FCC career over three decades, inviting me back to Lexington often to speak to his classes. He inspired me and believed in me. His special brand of leadership led directly to my interesting and fulfilling career practicing administrative law, communications law and appellate advocacy at the FCC. He will always have my gratitude, my respect and my friendship. It continues to be one of my life’s great privileges to have studied law under him at Washington and Lee University School of Law.”

—Kit Weitnauer ’74

— Richard K. Welch ’88, P’11

FACULTY ON FACULTY

Learning Never Ends

Colleagues as mentors? That can make all the difference.

By Rob Straughan

Chuck Phillips

The late Professor of Economics from 1959 to 2003

John Gunn ’45

The late Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor of Economics emeritus from 1957 to 1994

“We talk frequently about the mentoring of students, but faculty mentor each other as well. For me, that mentoring established an early sense of belonging and a vision for how my career might evolve. Some mentoring is informal. In my early years at W&L, such mentoring came from my many lunches with Chuck Phillips or casual conversations with John Gunn ’45. They, along with others, helped me understand W&L’s culture and history. Larry Peppers and Elizabeth Oliver are the two most impactful formal mentors. When I arrived, Larry was dean of the Williams School, and Elizabeth was the associate dean. Both were consequential leaders who saw something in me early in my time here and opened opportunities for me that changed the trajectory of my career. Elizabeth invited me to join her as co-sponsor of W&L Student Consulting. I saw how she mentored students in a way that resulted in lifelong connections. I learned from her the value of community-based engagement. From that, we ultimately developed courses that we co-taught in Denmark for 15 years, the best teaching moments of my career. After all that we have done together, we laugh about our tendency

Larry Peppers P’90

Dean of the Williams School emeritus and Professor of Economics from 1986 to 2017

Elizabeth Oliver

Associate Dean of the Williams School and Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor in Commerce from 1991 to present

to arrive at the same conclusion with little or no debate. Larry believed in me and asked me to serve as associate dean as Elizabeth moved on to head the Accounting Department. I spent 12 years in that role, and the opportunity to talk through challenging issues at all levels with Larry helped me understand the complexities of W&L and the Williams School. One lesson that I think of often is the need to take the responsibilities of the job seriously but not let them define me. This was not something that Larry explicitly said but that I observed working alongside him for so many years. He also created a culture that gave faculty enormous agency to innovate and reinvent themselves, which I have tried to model. It remains an enormous honor to follow Larry as dean of the Williams School. For all the beautiful buildings that comprise our campus, we are in the people business. I have been truly fortunate to have so many colleagues to learn from through the years.”

“WE TALK FREQUENTLY ABOUT THE MENTORING OF STUDENTS, BUT FACULTY MENTOR EACH OTHER AS WELL.”

“

Rob Straughan is the Crawford Family Dean of the Williams School and Professor of Business Administration from 2000 to present.

Mikki Brock Professor of History from 2014 to present

I’ve audited probably all of her classes. She’s been out to Kendal to do a Kendal College program, and John Gunn said, after she had been there to do her lecture, ‘Mikki Brock lectures with her whole body.’ She’s excited; she’s on her tiptoes. She bounces.”

26 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

— Hardin Marion ’55, ’58L, P’85, P’93L

J. Tyler Dickovick The late Grigsby Term Professor of Politics from 2004 to 2018

hats — teacher, friend, brilliant colleague, expert heckler. To me, he was “Koffi.” He had an authentic desire to understand people and where they’re coming from. He built relationships with and mentored students whenever they reached out. Through informal Monday evening office hours at Macado’s and meetings at LexCo, his questions fundamentally altered how I understood

The Fab Four Earth and Environmental Geoscience Department, 1990s “ What an amazing experience to learn so much about Rockbridge County and the planet from these gents!” — Susan Reil Bria ’91 Above, from the 1990 Calyx: the late Frederic Schwab, Professor of Geology emeritus from 1967 to 2003; the late Edgar Spencer ’53 , Ruth Parmly Professor of Geology emeritus from 1957 to 2001; the late Odell McGuire, Professor of Geology emeritus from 1962 to 1994; and the late Samuel Kozak , Professor of Geology from 1961 to 1997

myself and what drove me. In one conversation, he mentioned how the death penalty was something he was vehemently opposed to. It was something I had not considered. Now, as a professor myself, I primarily study incarceration as a public health crisis and teach incarcerated students. I wish more than anything I could have part two of that LexCo conversation with him. I know he would push my views, assumptions and judgments. Koffi said what a privilege it was to teach, mentor and walk alongside his students. It was a privilege to have walked alongside him and to be able to aspire to live a life that

“

Tyler Dickovick wore many

H. Robert Huntley The late Professor of English emeritus from 1962 to 1994

As a senior English major, I undertook an honors thesis on Graham Swift’s novel ‘Waterland.’ English professor and Dean of Freshmen Robert Huntley agreed to serve as my thesis director. I enrolled in his course in the modern British novel, and he added ‘Waterland’ to the syllabus. As I worked on my thesis, Dean Huntley was helpful and supportive but careful to refrain from over direction. A week or so before the discussion of ‘Waterland’

should begin in class, Dean Huntley said, ‘Chris, I think you know far more about this book than I do, so why don’t you teach it to the class?’ I was frankly stunned but incredibly proud that he thought I had both the literary understanding and presence to teach my peers. I prepared and prepared and was unbelievably nervous. On the first day, we had departed from my careful notes within 10 minutes, and the class period flew by. At the end of the second day, my classmates stood up

and began to applaud. I still think that was one of the best weeks of my four years. I had been contemplating going into teaching, but those two class periods confirmed that sense and led to a 34-year career as an independent school teacher, administrator and head. Teaching remains at the core of my being and self-understanding, and I attribute that in huge measure to the generosity and guidance of Bob Huntley.” n

— Chris Carter ’87

justly carries him forward.”

— Kate LeMasters ’15

You can read additional mentor memories online at: go.wlu.edu/the-columns MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 27

Renovations Restorations Modernized building systems and updated galleries at University Chapel greet visitors now that the historic landmark reopened this summer. BY BRIAN LAUBSCHER • PHOTOS BY KEVIN REMINGTON

Washington and Lee University is welcoming visitors back to University Chapel following an extensive renovation that has modernized its infrastructure, improved its safety and updated its gallery spaces into a cohesive, accessible and educational experience focused on the building’s history. The chapel closed in October 2025 to undergo two simultaneous projects: the modernization of the building’s HVAC and fire and life safety systems and a renovation of its gallery and museum spaces. The auditorium temporarily reopened for Alumni Weekend events from April 30 to May 3. Exterior restorations to the masonry, roof and flashing continued into early summer, and the full facility, including the refurbished galleries on both levels, reopened to the public in June. The gallery renovation represents the first comprehensive update to the chapel’s exhibit spaces since 2007. The renovation of the chapel is an important step in the Board of Trustees’ commitment to accurately documenting the contributions of Washington and Lee’s namesakes, 28 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

University Chapel reopened in June 2026 with modernized infrastructure, updated galleries and signage providing historical context.

The lower level of University Chapel features “Foundations and Frameworks,” a new exhibit that traces the chapel’s history.

expanding the university’s presentations of its history in service of its educational mission and maintaining and preserving the chapel for generations to come. Work is also underway to create a new Institutional History Museum, as called for in the university’s strategic plan, which will complement the existing gallery spaces in University Chapel and Washington Hall and serve as a resource for the W&L community and the broader public. “The chapel is not only a National Historic Landmark – Bill Payne ’88 but also one of the university’s most important community spaces,” said Bill Payne ’88, chair of the Board of Trustees’ Resources Committee and co-chair of the university’s Museum Working Group. “This project allows us to care for it in two essential ways: by investing in the aesthetics, quality and safety of the building itself and by strengthening how we interpret the history

“Together, these spaces will help visitors understand both the story of the chapel and the broader history of the university.”

30 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

connected to it. The renewed galleries are the first major step in the board’s long-term commitment to tell and contextualize our history more fully, which will culminate in the Institutional History Museum. Together, these spaces will help visitors understand both the story of the chapel and the broader history of the university.” The updated galleries were designed by the Institutional History Museum and Galleries staff with support from the working group, which includes W&L faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and museum consultants from Solid Light, Inc. The goal of the exhibits is to present a thorough and fact-based history of the building, a story that has never been told in a comprehensive exhibit. Visitors can enter from both the lower-level galleries and the upper-level auditorium. Attendants and security staff are present at both entrances. And the university plans to hire additional staff to support museum operations and facilitate conversation with visitors. Tours remain free, with hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. University Chapel welcomed nearly 22,000 visitors in the year before it closed for renovations. n

IN CONVERSATION with Matt Davis Director of W&L’s Institutional History Museum and Galleries

Q. What can a visitor expect from the overall gallery renovation?

A: The renovated chapel offers visitors a richer and more layered experience across both levels of the building, with new panels, interactive displays, tactile activities and digital stations woven throughout the spaces. Visitors can also enjoy new artifacts from the university’s collection that have not been previously exhibited, while others will be cycled out to avoid damage from long-term display, in accordance with standard museum practices. A notable addition to the renovated galleries is an expanded educational component. Interactive stations throughout the building include hands-on activities, video content and exhibits designed to engage a range of audiences and age groups. The Institutional History Museum and Galleries team has been particularly thoughtful about creating educational opportunities for student visitors from kindergarten through high school. The new exhibition includes a focused educational throughline that meets Virginia’s K-12 educational standards. Additionally, the renovations and newly installed galleries support the community’s tourism industry, welcoming visitors to campus from all over the world.

Q. What can visitors find on the main level?

A: On the main level, the auditorium features signage providing historical context for the space. These panels will tell the story of the chapel’s construction, its designation as a National Historic Landmark, its architectural features and how the space has served the university across more than a century and a half. The panels are designed to be easily removed when the auditorium is in use, transforming it from a museum space to a gathering space. In the anteroom where the Recumbent Lee statue is located, additional panels tell the history of that space, from the 1870 addition to the chapel to why the statue was commissioned, how it was created and how the room has changed over time.

Q. What will visitors find on the lower level?

A: The centerpiece of the lower level is “Foundations and Frameworks,” a new exhibit in the large gallery that traces the chapel’s history from President Robert E. Lee’s original concept to its construction and the present day. Lee designed the chapel to support the institution’s needs and his educational philosophy, which included shaping the next generation of Christian gentlemen and modernizing the curriculum by adding a law school, journalism, engineering, natural science and modern languages. The exhibit explores those origins, how the chapel has been used over more than 150 years and how it has evolved alongside the university

and the nation. Visitors will encounter new panels, historic photographs and a narrative arc that traces the building’s original purpose as a campus gathering space, its transformation into a grave site and memorial following Lee’s death, successive renovations and its role in campus life today. The new exhibit is designed to help people understand why University Chapel is important to W&L’s campus and as a National Historic Landmark. For the university, it is a venue for prominent speakers, the site of students’ Honor System orientation and the backdrop for their Convocation and Commencement ceremonies. For the W&L community, it is often a gathering location for alumni weekends and wedding ceremonies. For the country, National Historic Landmarks are important resources that help the public reflect on the nation’s broader history. In addition to “Foundations and Frameworks,” the “Setting the Stage” gallery reopens with a slightly updated design, showcasing portraits and artifacts that decorated the chapel’s stage during its earliest years and documenting changes to the auditorium over time.

Q. How has the Lee Family Mausoleum been updated?

A: The Lee Family Mausoleum features new wall panels detailing the history of the space alongside a timeline of those interred there, complemented by a new digital interactive station. Visitors are able to select individual names on a digital panel and read biographies of each person in the mausoleum, providing context for who they were and how they were connected to the Lee family.

Q. How has Lee’s office been updated?

A: Lee’s office remains largely as it has been, preserving the original furniture and historical pieces that have defined the space since 1870. The renovation includes modifications to improve ADA accessibility, addressing a longstanding bottleneck that made it difficult for group tours to move through the area. Updated panels help tell the story of Lee’s presidency at Washington College, his role as an educator and administrator and the traditions and institutional foundations he established during that period. The focal point is the last five years of Lee’s life. The exhibit begins to showcase who Lee was to Washington College, focusing on Lee the educator and his time on campus, including what he achieved in that room and the decisions he made there. The forthcoming Institutional History Museum will provide an opportunity to tell the much broader story of the university and its namesakes. n

OFFICE HOURS

Erich Uffelman, faculty mentor for the women’s basketball team, helps cut down the net after the team’s 2026 ODAC Championship win.

Lasting Bonds

Bentley Professor of Chemistry Erich Uffelman reflects on mentorship in and out of the classroom. BY KELSEY GOODWIN • PHOTO BY KEVIN REMINGTON 32 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

“Having Washington and Lee students in my life, both in Lexington and sometimes beyond graduation, has been one of my life’s greatest blessings.”

or four months, Bentley Professor of Chemistry Erich Uffelman wore the same tie to every Washington and Lee women’s basketball game. It was a Christmas gift from two of the 2025-26 players, Quinn McGuinness ’26 and Elka Prechel ’26. The Generals went 28-0 in the regular season and ODAC tournament and made the program’s second NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite 8 appearances, finishing the season 31-1. Uffelman has been the team’s faculty mentor since 2004, when Ernest Williams II Professor of Spanish Ellen Mayock launched a program pairing W&L faculty with varsity sports. He says he was delighted to be paired with women’s basketball. “I know nothing about basketball,” he says, “and I don’t even try to talk about basketball with the team.” What he does, he says, is show up. Uffelman attends every home game he can and makes himself available to anyone on the team who wants to talk.

“Sometimes, just showing up at the games is about all that I do,” he says. “Other times, members of the team want to talk to me about various aspects of their life, and I’m delighted to do that. That’s the main reason why I do it.”

COMING FULL CIRCLE

Last academic year, Uffelman had two women’s baskeball players as advisees — McGuinness for three years and Emily Straughn ’27, who also took his Chem 110 course. And that team also included a full-circle moment: Mary Schleusner ’26 is the daughter of Anne Redford Schleusner ’93, a chemistry major who, as a senior, took Uffelman to lunch on his job interview visit to Lexington. Her enthusiasm, he says, was a large part of what convinced him to come to W&L. Uffelman is quick to credit the coaches he has worked with for over two decades. “Our women’s basketball coaches over the years have

been wonderful,” he says. “They value not only their players’ performance on the court but their growth as individuals, and they have great interest in their academic success.”

THE RIGHT MATCH Uffelman’s approach to advising starts with academics at the heart. “Job number one is getting people into the classes they need,” he says. “For some students, that is the relationship, and that’s totally cool. If they want more, I’m totally open to it. But it has to come from the student.” His own undergraduate advisers at Bucknell University shaped that view. One once told an inorganic chemistry class that no matter what a professor does, some students will love working with him and others won’t. “That’s why it’s important to have many amazing colleagues,” Uffelman says, “so a student can find the person they resonate with.”

BORROWED SPACE

Uffelman’s most intensive form of student mentorship happens about 4,000 miles from Lexington, in the conservation labs of Dutch and Belgian museums. Every two years, he takes a small group of students to the Netherlands for four weeks during Spring Term to study the technical examination of 17th-century Dutch paintings, often in museums’ conservation laboratories. “It’s the most intense teaching that I do,” he says. It is also where his standards are least negotiable. Uffelman interviews students before they enroll in the Winter Term prep course that precedes the trip. “I tell students, ‘This is the coolest, most interesting business trip you’ll ever take — but it is a business trip,’” he says. “‘You don’t have to be great at art history. You don’t have to be great at science. But you have to be supremely reliable.’

“We continue to access these spaces because W&L students rise to meet those expectations,” he adds. Uffelman also takes summer researchers to the Netherlands to do more in-depth work on old master paintings, standing inches from the art and using analytical instruments most undergraduate students never touch. “Former students from these experiences as well as my regular courses have become some of my closest friends,” he says.

MORE ON CHIP SOCIAL CALL

Schooley recalls “Low Sunday” and “High Sunday” dinners at Professor of Chemistry Keith Shillington’s house — Low Sundays with student colleagues and High Sundays when Shillington “prepared wild and crazy dinners” for anybody from the lacrosse coach to the university president.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Schooley’s brother, Bill, graduated from W&L in 1978, and his daughter, Kim Schooley Hickman, is a 1996 graduate. This fall, his granddaughter, Olivia Hickman, will be a first-year.

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 35

CLASS UPDATES AND SUCCESS STORIES

GENERALS GATHERINGS

W&L NEAR AND FAR

From Lexington, Virginia, to Central Europe — and many places in between — the W&L connection can be found. This spring, the Office of Lifelong Learning led a trip that cruised the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. From April 30 through May 3, members of the Class of 1976 celebrated their 50th reunion by taking the iconic picture in front of the Colonnade. And in mid-May, the Annapolis Alumni Chapter gathered for a happy hour event in Maryland.

EVENTS FIVE-STAR FESTIVAL SEPT. 18–19, 2026 Welcoming back classes 1976 and earlier, featuring the 55th, 60th and 65th reunion classes of 1971, 1966 and 1961.

YOUNG ALUMNI WEEKEND SEPT. 25–27, 2026 All graduates from the classes of 2016 to 2026 are invited back to campus to honor the first, fifth and 10th reunion classes of 2026, 2021 and 2016 throughout the weekend.

HALL OF FAME OCT. 23–24, 2026 Join us for a special ceremony to recognize exceptional alumni who have made significant contributions to W&L athletics.

3 1. Lifelong Learning travelers embarked on the Tulips and the Rhine River trip. 2. Members of the Class of 1976 celebrated their 50th reunion in Lexington, Virginia, this spring. 3. The Annapolis Alumni Chapter got together in May for a happy hour event.

36 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

SEND US UPDATES Use magazine@wlu.edu to send: • Photos of weddings and alumni meetups • Changes of address • Letters to the editor W&L Magazine Washington and Lee University 7 Courthouse Square 204 W. Washington St. Lexington, Virginia 24450-2116

STAY IN TOUCH Submit a class note: colonnadeconnections. wlu.edu or magazine@wlu.edu

FOSTERING BONDS

JOHN JENSEN ’01 Executive Director of Alumni and Career Services ALUMNI@WLU.EDU

TED DELANEY ’85, P’03L

Professor of History emeritus

Washington and Lee has many unique attributes, and one of the most important is our strong relationships between our faculty and our students. Our low student-to-faculty ratio helps create an environment that fosters those bonds, but it’s more than the numbers. W&L’s commitment to recruiting faculty who value teaching as much as high-level scholarship is critical. Our professors become lifelong friends and mentors to many alumni. I know this firsthand, as I consider several of my former professors to be key shapers of who I am today. But one person stands out above the rest, the late Professor of History emeritus Ted DeLaney. Thinking back to the fall of my sophomore year, I was meandering through my academic journey with no idea what I would major in or which direction to take. That changed when I walked into the second-floor classroom in Newcomb Hall and took the only available seat in the front row for History 107 with Professor DeLaney. During that semester, I fell in love with history, and I knew I wanted to become a history major and that he needed to be my adviser. Over the next three years, he lifted me up when I lacked confidence and brought me back to Earth when I became overly confident. We kept in touch after graduation, and when I moved back to Lexington, I often visited his office to rekindle the conversations we had while I was a student. Ted set the standard for me of what support and mentorship look like, and I’m grateful we still have such icons on campus today. I am especially proud to know Ted’s legacy lives on through the DeLaney Center!

CLASS NOTES Class Notes are published three times a year based on the date we receive them. If we are unable to run all of the submitted notes, they will appear in a future issue. If you have questions, please email: magazine@wlu.edu.

1962 Roswell “King” Milling ’62, P’90 was inducted into the 2025 Tulane Law Hall of Fame for his contributions to Louisiana’s legal and financial sectors and his prominent role in coastal restoration and environmental policy.

1965 William Gotten published “Right of Survivorship — Part II: Resolution,” his newest legal thriller that follows his “Right of Survivorship” novel. Mountain Gateway Community College in Clifton, Virginia opened the Joe Wilson Workforce Center in June 2025, named in honor of Joe Wilson. His donation of the former Courtesy Motors and Robey Ford buildings laid the cornerstone for what is now the Joe Wilson Workforce

Center, which provides hands-on training in high-demand fields, including welding, precision machining, diesel technology, construction, CDL, plumbing, electrical and more.

1966 Ken Bernhardt, Regents Professor of Marketing emeritus at Georgia State University, was named the 2025 American Marketing Association (AMA) Atlanta Visionary and received the Marketer for Good Award. For more than 40 years, Bernhardt was a professor at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. He has won four Outstanding Teacher awards, the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award and received the university’s first Exceptional Service Award, given for outstanding service to the community.

1968 Dale E. Williams has retired from his practice of employment law (plaintiff side) after 35 years. Williams and his wife, Robin, celebrated by spending a month on the beaches of Australia and New Zealand.

1972 Peter Converse was elected to the United Bankshares Board of Directors. He serves as director of United Bank and is former president and CEO of Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Virginia Commerce Bank. After 50 years of practicing law, serving as a mediator of business disputes and three stints as a pro tempore judge in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, Don Weir Jr. ’72, P’00 is now serving as a substitute

teacher at Southfield School in Shreveport.

1973 On Aug. 13, 2025, John Folsom ’73, P’03 was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by South Carolina’s governor. The Order of the Palmetto is the state’s highest civilian honor and is presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on a national and statewide scale. James “Chip” Mahan ’73, P’00, P’02 was featured on Forbes magazine’s daily cover as well as the article “Inside America’s Top Small Business Bank.” He was also named to The WilmingtonBiz 100: The Power Players list by WilmingtonBiz Magazine. Mahan is CEO of Live Oak Bancshares.

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 37

1974 The Hon. Johnny Morrison ’74, ’77L, P’07 retired after three decades on the bench. He served as chief judge for the Portsmouth City Circuit Court. Clay Ramsay wrote a historical novel, “Fire, Brimstone and Blood.”

1976 The Hon. Judge Michael Luttig ’76, P’14 was awarded the Rule of Law Award by the Virginia Law Foundation and the Virginia Holocaust Museum. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated adherence to the rule of law, its principles and high ideals throughout their career and lifetime.

of lacrosse (pee-wee, under 10, middle school, high school junior varsity, high school varsity, college MCLA, college NCAA and post collegiate).

1981 Tobin Cassels was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina. Cassels is president of Southeastern Freight Lines of Columbia. Financial services attorney Howard W. Herndon joined Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Nashville, Tennessee, office as counsel in its banking and financial services practice group.

Jeff Reiter retired in 2024 after 16 years with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. His first retirement project 1978 was to publish a book, “The John Strong, CSX Professor Best of Words on Birds: of Finance at the College of Celebrating Birds, Birding and William & Mary’s Raymond Birders in Chicagoland and A. Mason School of Business, Beyond.” The book is based was awarded the university’s on his Daily Herald column, highest teaching honor, “Words on Birds,” which he’s the 2025 Thomas Ashley been writing for 22 years. Graves Jr. Award for Retirement has meant more Sustained Excellence in travel, too, often to see new Teaching. Strong consistently birds. His wife of 35 years, received recognition for his Catherine, is happy to go teaching, including over 20 along if the agenda offers outstanding teaching awards more than just birding. for the MBA and executive Dutch Waldbauer’s invention, MBA programs. Strong is a bio-derived polyurethane also an active scholar and fiber, was awarded a Time has authored or co-authored Magazine Best Inventions for six books on transportation, 2025. LYCRA spandex fiber published more than 30 made from corn reduces the journal articles, contributed yarn’s carbon footprint 15 book chapters and develby 44%. oped approximately 75 case studies used in academic and executive education settings. 1982 Dr. Craig Albanese joined 1980 Kaiser Permanente as president of integrated care Eric Sella has served as a and coverage. He previously referee for lacrosse for 27 served as chief executive years in Louisiana’s YDistrict officer of Duke University VIII and completed a second Health System. season of calling every level 38 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

1983 Evans Attwell joined PlainsCapital Bank as senior vice president and senior business development officer. He previously served as senior vice president in the private banking group for Frost Bank. Charles Thompson was inducted into the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Hall of Fame for 2025. Thompson is a journalist for PennLive/The Patriot-News.

1984 Timothy Rock is co-president and COO of Gannett Fleming TranSystems, which was named to Engineering News-Record’s 2025 Top 500 Design Firms list.

1985 Glen Jackson was named to Atlanta Magazine’s 2025 Atlanta 500: Professionals list. Jackson co-founded the marketing communications agency Jackson Spalding, and he continues to provide leadership for many of its clients. Rod Santomassimo co-authored the book “Selling Buildings: Maximizing Prices and Profits in Commercial Real Estate.” He also founded the Massimo Group, a coaching organization for CRE professionals. Jon Zagrodzky was reelected as first selectman for Darien, Connecticut. Zagrodzky first took office in 2023.

1986 William King was named general counsel for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic

Committee (USOPC). King was previously associate commissioner for legal affairs and compliance for the Southeastern Conference. Christopher “Harris” White was appointed chief financial officer of Davidson Hospitality Group, an Atlanta-based hospitality management firm. He previously worked for Virgin Hotels Collection as CFO.

1987 Alexander Chambers was named to Nashville Post magazine’s In Charge 2025 list for real estate. He is senior vice president and Nashville, Tennessee, market leader for Highwoods Properties Inc., a publicly traded real estate investment trust. After 35 years in the Federal Aviation Administration, Ronald Curry retired. His career was in air traffic, serving primarily as an air traffic controller. Toward the end of his career, Curry was an air traffic supervisor for three years and a support specialist (training and evaluating controllers) for seven years. Since retiring in November 2024, he has enjoyed a lot of skiing and hiking. He resides in Parker, Colorado, with his wife, Melissa, who teaches in Denver Public Schools. Two of their children are in high school, and their oldest is an aerospace engineering major at the University of Colorado. Paul Youngman ’87, P’27 was named dean of the College at Washington and Lee University. Youngman, also a professor of German at W&L, previously served as associate provost for academic development and operations.

1988 Quinn Barton was named commercial mortgagebacked securities (CMBS) and commercial real estate (CRE) strategy head for 400 Capital Management LLC, an alternative credit manager specializing in asset-based credit strategies. George “Chip” Gist joined Great Hills Country Club (GHCC) as general manager and chief operating officer. Gist has over two decades of industry experience and most recently served as general manager and chief operating officer at Lost Creek Country Club. David Gray ’88, P’21 and his team members at Capitol Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management were named to Forbes’ America’s Top Wealth Management Teams list for private wealth. Thomas McBride was named to Forbes’ America’s Top Wealth Management Advisors list for 2025. Additionally, McBride & Associates, of which McBride is managing director, was named to Forbes’ America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Private Wealth list for 2025. Ralph “Bryan” Moore, senior vice president and CRE relationship manager at BankUnited Inc., was named leader of the commercial real estate business as the company expanded into Charlotte, North Carolina. He joined the Atlanta office in 2023. The Hon. Louis Trosch was recognized with the 2025 Julius L. Chambers Diversity Champion Award by the Mecklenburg Bar Association. This award celebrates people in the community who have

advanced the cause of diversity and equal opportunity. Trosch served as superior court judge in the 26th Judicial District in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, for over 25 years.

1989 Dana Bolden was hired as chief communications officer of Colgate-Palmolive. He previously served as chief corporate affairs officer for Haleon and chief communications officer for Corteva. Michael Forrester joined the board of directors of Aflac Incorporated. Forrester has worked for decades in strategic asset and investment management, along with years of experience with corporate and mutual fund boards and was the former chief executive officer of Copper Rock Capital Partners. Clement “Eddie” Klank was appointed chief human resources and legal officer at FedEx Freight. Klank has worked for the company for nearly 30 years and most recently served as corporate vice president for corporate governance, securities and tax law. Michael Tuggle published his debut novel, “Hummingbird.”

1990 Marjorie “Meg” Gilkeson Kilgannon was appointed director of strategic partnerships for the U.S. Department of Education. She previously served as the director of the Office of Faith and Opportunity Initiatives in the first Donald Trump administration. After two decades of teaching at Roanoke College, Todd C. Peppers has left academia and embraced a new adventure by returning

to private practice. While Peppers reports that the law itself hasn’t changed, he says that the attorneys seem very young.

BOOKS

Dr. Richard Sances was named to Cityview magazine’s 2025 Top Doctors of East Tennessee list. Sances is a pathologist at Innovative Pathology Services, PLLC. After 20 years as an applied developmental psychologist, including executive-level management, program and curriculum development and providing wellness education and counseling services, Kelly D. Shifflett stepped off the career track to devote energies to other work and meaningful projects. She’s affectionately known as the “fairy book mother” at Pierce Press and donates her time and talents to help a small team that publishes Ukrainian author Oleg Veretskiy’s mystical fantasy trilogy as well as his writings of wartime and remembrances from his childhood in Odesa, Ukraine. Besides coaching and consulting, she makes custom creations, nature-based crafts and meaningful mementos at her lakeside oasis in Smithfield, North Carolina, where she is also known as the “lunch lady” to a bale of turtles, a gaze of raccoons, countless birds and a very friendly goose named “Goose-Goose” in Ukrainian. Christopher Smythe was named executive director of Kaufman & Canoles, a Norfolk, Virginia-headquartered law firm. Previously, Smythe was president of Tycon Medical Systems, a Norfolk home medical equipment and complex rehab supplier. Smythe was also named to Virginia Business magazine’s 100 People to Meet in 2026.

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William Gotten ’65 “RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP — PART II: RESOLUTION”

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Clay Ramsay ’74 “FIRE, BRIMSTONE AND BLOOD”

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Jeff Reiter ’81 “THE BEST OF WORDS ON BIRDS: CELEBRATING BIRDS, BIRDING AND BIRDERS IN CHICAGOLAND AND BEYOND”

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Rod Santomassimo ’85 “SELLING BUILDINGS: MAXIMIZING PRICES AND PROFITS IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE” MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 39

1991 Brad Miller was appointed co-CEO of ComplyAuto, an auto retail technology company. He also retains his position as chief legal officer for the company.

1992 Dale Coates was promoted to chief operating officer at the Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (TLMI), an association in the label and package printing industry. She’s been with TLMI since 2020. John “Trey” Cox ’92, P’24, P’28 was named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators list and was elected to the Executive Committee at Gibson Dunn. He was also a finalist for Texas Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Year. In 2025, he helped secure over $3 billion in verdicts and dismissals on behalf of clients. Jonathan Frank was named by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as two of the commonwealth’s “Go To Lawyers” for commercial real estate. Frank is a partner in the financial services and real estate section of Williams Mullen’s Richmond office. Derek Harrar ’92, P’27 was appointed CEO of Algoworks, an AI-native, human experience and engineering services firm. Brian Hodges joined Aon, global insurance and reinsurance broker, as head of surety in North America. Hodges has worked in the industry for over 25 years, previously working for Zurich Insurance Group and Marsh McLennan, where he led the U.S. surety and subcontractor default insurance practice.

Brad Peterson was appointed senior vice president and relationship manager at California Bank & Trust’s Nashville, Tennessee, office, part of its entertainment finance team. Peterson previously served as executive director and senior vice president of music and entertainment at FirstBank. David Phillips rejoined Eversheds Sutherland’s corporate practice group as a partner in the Atlanta office. Phillips returned to the firm after serving as chief legal officer and corporate secretary for Argos North America Corp. John Reisenweber was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development state director for West Virginia. Before this appointment, Reisenweber served as vice president of the Civil Military Innovation Institute, a nonprofit focused on advancing defense innovation and national security.

1993 Andy Cunagin recently formed Agisle Ranchlands with Lawson Brice ’95 and Randy Lewis ’95. Agisle offers fractional, sustainable investment opportunities in regenerative ranchland. Thomas Hooper was named to Nashville Post magazine’s In Charge 2025 list for real estate. He is executive managing director of JLL, a global commercial real estate and investment management company. Charlie Lockyer was appointed chief financial officer of Empire Today, a flooring solutions provider. Lockyer was previously

40 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

executive vice president and CFO of David’s Bridal. Tara Maitra was named president of global news and streaming at BBC Studios. The newly created role oversees all BBC news and digital content products. Under her leadership, BBC Studios, in collaboration with BBC News, transformed and relaunched the BBC.com website and the BBC app. Maitra has been with BBC Studios since 2021. As president, Maitra will work to grow the BBC’s international digital audience and transform how people read, watch and listen to the BBC’s news, features, video and audio content. Tricia Pond Miller was named “One of the Most Inspiring Women” in Athens, Georgia, by Insider Athens magazine. Miller, deputy director of collections and exhibits at the Georgia Museum of Art, was one of four women featured for making a difference in the area in honor of Women’s History Month. James Selway was named director of the division of trading and markets for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in June 2025. Previously, Selway was a partner at Sophron Advisors, where he advised clients on capital markets issues. Jennifer Wakeman was named to City & State Pennsylvania’s 2025 Trailblazers in Economic & Workforce Development list. Wakeman is executive director of DRIVE, the economic development entity for five central Pennsylvania counties.

1994 Jason Aiken was named executive vice president of combat systems at General Dynamics while retaining his executive vice president of mission systems role. Steven Allocca, fintech executive and entrepreneur, joined the board of directors of Koalafi, a consumer finance company. Susan Komonytsky Hill was promoted to director of finance for Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC), the official destination marketing and management organization for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Elizabeth “Betsy” Berkheimer Pakenas, of Four Points Group at Morgan Stanley, was named to Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams. Pakenas is managing director of wealth management and financial advisor for Morgan Stanley as well as managing partner of Four Points Group. Peter Yelk recently marked his 22nd year as a partner at West Shore Family Dentistry, the largest private Medicare facility in Pennsylvania. He also celebrated 15 years as managing partner of Berkshire Holdings, Viking Holdings and Gettysburg BAR, commercial real estate holding companies with investments in Pennsylvania’s capital region. Outside of work, Yelk and his wife, Anna, toasted their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to New Orleans for Jazz Fest.

1995 Jeffrey Buntin Jr. ’95, P’29 was named to Nashville Post

magazine’s In Charge 2025 list for marketing. Buntin is president and CEO of the Buntin Group, a national advertising agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. Jessica Graff Newman was appointed chief executive officer of 1-800-HANSONS, a residential repair and renovation services provider. She previously served as chief operating officer at CPI Security. Roger “Ty” Powers was hired as investment director for multi-strategy assets by the Department of the State Treasurer of North Carolina’s Investment Management Division. Previously, he was director of asset allocation at Investors Trust Company. Todd Stanton, principal and founder of Stanton Law LLC, released his first book, “The 95% Rule: 29 Employment Law Axioms for Owners, Execs and HR.” His law firm, Stanton Law LLC, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. James Turner was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in the area of history of science, technology and economics, becoming a member of the 100th class of the fellowship. Established in 1925 by founder Sen. Simon Guggenheim, each fellow receives a monetary stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under “the freest possible conditions.” Turner is a professor of environmental science at Wellesley College.

1996 Christopher Blythe was promoted from principal to partner at Potomac Equity Partners, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm. Since joining the firm in 2013,

Blythe has been responsible for new investment opportunity origination, transaction execution and portfolio company oversight. Michael “Taylor” Bright’s coverage of leadership and policy changes at the North Shelby Library took first place for Freedom of Information-First Amendment reporting in the Alabama Press Association’s 2025 Alabama Media Awards contest. Bright is editor of 280 Living and Cahaba Sun. Ronald Brown was appointed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey as one of 11 leaders to the Alabama Veterans Resource Center Board. Brown is executive vice president and chief financial officer at Jim Wilson & Associates. Julie Powell Caldwell released a new album, “Further on Down the Road.” The 10-song record looks at life and love from a variety of vantage points, exploring a range of experience and emotion as well as genres and sonic environments. Susan Baldwin Hendrix joined Potomac Law as counsel. She focuses her practice on health care, investigations and litigation. Cliff Holekamp was inducted into the Charlotte Dealmakers Hall of Fame for 2025 by Small Business Dealmakers and was named to Angel Match’s Top 8 Startup Investors in South Carolina list. Holekamp is co-founder, managing director and general partner of Cultivation Capital. Jay White was hired as the executive director at Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia.

1997 Adam Branson completed five years as USDA’s senior agriculture attaché in Beijing in June 2025 managing the office responsible for ag production forecasting, commodity analysis and trade policy advocacy. In August 2025, he moved to Bangkok to serve as the regional agricultural counselor for Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar). Visitors are welcome, he says.

BOOKS

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Michael Tuggle ’89 “HUMMINGBIRD”

Drew Hess, Ehrick Kilner Haight Sr. Term Professor of Business Administration at W&L, was named associate provost for academic development and operations. Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli was named to NJBIZ journal’s 2025 Health Care Power list. He is co-president and CEO of Cooper University Health Care, a leading academic health system in South Jersey. In the fall of 2024, John T. Poole was selected as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists. He has a family dental practice, Oakbrook Family Dentistry, in Summerville, South Carolina. In addition to private practice, he started a part-time position as affiliate clinical instructor at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

1998 Christopher Condon joined Bowditch & Dewey as a partner. He’s a commercial restructuring and insolvency litigation attorney and joins the firm’s business and finance practice.

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Todd Stanton ’95 “THE 95% RULE: 29 EMPLOYMENT LAW AXIOMS FOR OWNERS, EXECS AND HR”

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Leighton Kirby Richards ’98 “BETWEEN THE SUN AND RAIN”

Colin Connolly ’98, P’29 was named to Atlanta Magazine’s MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 41

ALUMNI EVENTS

BY THE NUMBERS ➤ 1,119 alumni and guests in attendance ➤ 760 record alumni in attendance ➤ $23.7 million in collective class gifts ➤ A record $2.1 million+ raised by reunion classes for the 2025–26 W&L Fund A record 760 alumni traveled to Lexington, Virginia, for Alumni Weekend.

Record Attendance and Giving Define Alumni Weekend

Washington and Lee University welcomed 1,119 alumni and guests from the classes of 1976 to 2011 back to campus April 30-May 3, 2026, to celebrate its annual spring Alumni Weekend, which also saw record-setting giving. Reunion participants — a record 760 alumni, including four pairs of legacy family members — traveled from 42 states, Washington, D.C., and four countries to reconnect with one another and their alma mater. The alumni support was also reflected in their philanthropy, as the collective class reunion gifts totaled more than $23.7 million to the university. “The liberal arts education we received here did not prepare us for one profession or for one life; it prepared us to adapt, to learn continuously, to deal with complexity without panic, to communicate clearly when things are unclear, to lead and be led by others,” said Opening Assembly keynote speaker Mike McAlevey ’86, P’17, P’20, former rector and emeritus member of the W&L Board of Trustees. The Opening Assembly also included the ODK Alpha Circle induction of four alumni: Sybil Prince Nelson ’01, P’28, Stephen Philipson ’01, Bill Garrison ’76 (posthumously) and Gary Seldomridge ’76. The annual meeting of the Alumni Association was held in University Chapel on May 2. The Alumni Association elected Bert Ponder ’83, P’16, of Atlanta, as incoming president and Cory Mettee Birdsall ’99, of Owings Mills, Maryland, as vice president, as well as six new members of the Alumni Board of Directors: Mike Bearup ’85, P’20, of Arvada, Colorado; Julie Mayo Bradbury ’97, P’25, of Atlanta; Trey Kuppin ’00, of Dallas; Douglas Lindsay ’92, of Atlanta; Catie Caldwell Lipsey ’03, of Denver; and Jamila Seaton ’09, of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Alumni Association also honored four individuals with the Distinguished Alumni Award during Generals Assembly. Receiving the Alumni Association’s highest honor were Dr. Harold R. Howe Jr. ’76, P’05, P’07, Judge J. Michael Luttig ’76, P’14, Jayson Lipsey ’01 and Crystal Simpson McElwain ’01. Read more about the weekend and the Distinguished Alumni Award winners online at columns.wlu.edu. 42 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

➤ A record $8.65 million in current gifts and future pledges committed by reunion classes to the W&L Fund ➤ $1 million or more committed by the classes of 1986, 1996, 2001 and 2006, with the latter three setting records for reunion year class gifts ➤ 42% of the Class of 2026 contributed to the W&L Fund, becoming the first senior class to win the Seniors vs. 25th Reunion Challenge ➤ $8.1 million raised by the Class of 1976 for the 50th reunion gift in support of the W&L Fund, the Institutional History Museum and other campaign priorities ➤ $10 million raised by the Class of 2001 for their class gift, which marks the largest overall gift total, the largest reunion class project total ($2.5 million for the Elrod Commons renovation) and the largest 25th reunion W&L Fund commitment ($2.5 million)

CAMPAIGN CONNECTION

Measuring Momentum

campaign.wlu.edu

LEADING LIVES OF CONSEQUENCE: SNAPSHOTS OF GENEROSITY FROM ALUMNI, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS

July 1, 2026, marked the beginning of the final year of the historic comprehensive campaign. It’s not too late to participate and make a lasting impact. The campaign concludes on June 30, 2027.

MORE THAN $628 MILLION

Raised for the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign since July 1, 2020

24,375 Total donors

$56.9+ MILLION

$79.3+ MILLION

Given to the W&L School of Law

Given to the W&L Fund

$120+ MILLION Contributed by the 315 members of the Lettie Pate Evans Society.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

Named for W&L’s largest benefactor, Lettie Pate Evans, the Lettie Pate Evans Society, established in 2024, recognizes the leadership philanthropy of women.

campaign.wlu.edu

*Totals calculated between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2026. MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 43

2025 Atlanta 500: Real “at the intersection of travel, Estate & Design list. He is technology and public policy.” president and CEO of Cousins Chris Edwards was appointed Properties, a real estate president and CEO of Leaderinvestment trust, and is ship Metro Richmond, which responsible for the business’ was founded in 1980 by the new investments, dispositions, city’s chamber of commerce asset management, market to improve racial, gender leadership, development and and socioeconomic divides operations. in the community. Edwards previously served as director Zach Lee joined Gentry Locke of mission advancement at as partner in the white-collar SupportWorks Housing. defense, investigations and compliance practice group. He previously served with distinction in the U.S. Department of Justice as first assistant United States attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Douglas Panzer joined Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC’s intellectual property and litigation practice groups as partner. Panzer previously worked for Caesar Rivise, PC. Leighton Kirby Richards published her novel, “Between The Sun and Rain.” Megan Johnson Scholz was awarded the Outstanding Community Service Award by the Charlotte Business Journal and the Association of Corporate Counsel. Scholz works for Bank of America as associate general counsel and senior vice president.

1999 Sarah Aiman Belger joined Holland & Knight as partner in its labor, employment and benefits practice group. Belger was previously a partner with Quarles & Brady. Laura Knapp Chadwick, president and CEO of the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), launched a podcast with Travel Tech called “Passport Podcast,” which explores news stories

John Farringer took office as vice president of the Tennessee Bar Association after being elected in February 2025. He was also named to the 2025 edition of “Chambers USA” guide in the litigation for general commercial category and was recognized as Lawyer of the Year in litigation in banking and finance and litigation in land use and zoning in the 2026 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He practices at Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison. Mims “Shelley” Adams Gentle was appointed as a member of the Vestavia Hills Board of Education. Gentle has served on the Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Board, the Junior League of Birmingham’s executive board, Leadership Vestavia Hills board and the Birmingham Boys Choir board. David Ritchey ’99, P’29 co-founded and is acting as co-managing partner of R3 Ventures, a real estate investment, development and advisory firm. He previously worked as chief commercial officer at JBG Smith, a real estate investment trust for the Washington, D.C., metro area. Scott Zimmerly was appointed as regional development partner of Middleburg, a developer and operator of

44 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

rental housing throughout core Southern markets. Zimmerly most recently served as executive managing director of the Mid-Atlantic region at Wood Partners.

2000 Marvin “Pullen” Daniel was appointed to the board of Ascendx, a London-based provider of enterprise-grade CRM SaaS solutions. Daniel is the co-founder of nCino, Inc. Dr. Stephanie McKnight was named to Philadelphia Magazine’s Top Doctors of 2025 list. McKnight serves as medical director at Axia Women’s Health.

2001 Ryan Bergstrom was named chief product officer of Paychex, a provider of integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources and insurance services. Bergstrom was previously chief product and technology officer at Paycor, which Paychex acquired. Will Ogilvie joined IMA Financial Group, an insurance brokerage firm, as its employee benefits leader in its Houston office. Ogilvie previously served as senior vice president of life and health at Stephens Insurance, LLC. Scott Pippin, senior public service associate in the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, earned a Non-Tenure Track Faculty Research Excellence Award from the University of Georgia as part of the university’s 2025 research awards. Pippin was recognized for his leadership in applied research on community resilience, environmental

policy and infrastructure planning. He founded the Defense Community Resilience Program, a multidisciplinary initiative that strengthens military installations and surrounding communities through data-driven planning and policy strategies. Hugh Rabb joined Evercore as a senior managing director in its transportation investment banking group. He joined the group with fellow alumnus Keith Prusek ’00, and he has over two decades of experience in transportation and logistics investment banking. Matthew Raley joined Spencer Fane LLP as counsel attorney in litigation and dispute resolution. Alexander Sedgwick was appointed executive director on the municipals and fixed-income commercial team in New York at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Sedgwick previously led global data and analytics sales at Trading Technologies and previously headed fixed-income strategy at Abel Noser. Jason Ward was promoted to partner at FCP, a privately held real estate investment company. He previously served as a principal for multifamily development and was responsible for the oversight of constructed multifamily and the firm’s structured investment products. Ashley Anderson Wilson joined IntelFusion Partners as a threat management and intelligence analysis expert. Wilson was formerly regional prevention coordinator for the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships at

the Department of Homeland Security.

2002 Benjamin “Grant” Dickson joined Kilpatrick as counsel to its mergers and acquisitions and venture capital teams. He joins the firm from Silverman Law in Bozeman, Montana. Graham Frankel Smith was elected mayor of Mountain Brook, Alabama. She formerly served on city council, and her election marked the city’s first female mayor. John “Brad” Wiginton was promoted to partner at Trive Capital, the Dallas-based private equity firm. Wiginton is also head of business development at Trive Capital.

2003 Matthew Coursen was named U.S. healthcare lead for leasing advisory at JLL, a global commercial real estate and investment management company. Coursen oversees a team of hundreds of healthcare specialists across the United States who represent occupiers, owners and investors of healthcare properties. He joined the company in 2005 and most recently served as the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic healthcare lead.

care solutions. Presley previously served as chief strategic officer of AdhereHealth.

2004 Vanessa Adams authored an article published in peerreviewed journal Conservation Biology, titled “Integrating local ecological knowledge into systematic conservation planning for seahorse conservation.” Adams is associate professor in conservation and planning and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at the University of Tasmania. Erin Johnson and her team at “Entertainment Tonight” won a 2025 Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award in the Outstanding Entertainment News Series category. Johnson served as executive producer. Stephen “Chad” Meredith was appointed as United States district judge of the District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky by President Donald Trump. Meredith previously served as the first solicitor general for the commonwealth of Kentucky.

engagement with the interior design community. He previously worked as territory manager at Lane Venture. Gavin Molinelli was appointed to the board of directors at Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. Molinelli is a senior partner and portfolio manager of Starboard Value LP.

2006 Tim Heisterhagen joined Burr & Forman in the Mobile, Alabama, office as counsel in transportation. He previously served as both the chief of the civil division and as an assistant United States attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Lyndsay Polloway was appointed senior vice president and head of U.S. events at Semafor, a global independent news platform. Polloway was formerly SVP of partnerships and membership operations at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she specialized in executing high-impact custom content and event campaigns. Dr. Martin Schreeder was named medical director of the Integrative HealthCare of Huntsville (Alabama), which specializes in functional and regenerative medicine.

Josh Patten won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for his work on the “Saturday Night Live” 50th Anniversary Special. He is especially proud of getting actor Eddie Murphy to say something on network television “that is unprintable in this or any other magazine.”

Mary “Marty” Tompkins Ritter co-launched a consulting firm, New Best Friend Co. The company offers talent strategy, coaching and recruiting for startups and other companies in growth mode. Ritter spent 12 years at the Martin Agency in several roles before moving to Arts & Letters in 2019, spending almost six years as director of talent.

Michael Willson joined Stearns Weaver Miller’s Tallahassee, Florida, office, focusing his practice on government affairs, administrative and regulatory law and environmental and natural resources.

2005

2007

Kempton Presley was promoted to CEO of AdhereHealth, a healthcare technology company focused on improving medication adherence and value-based

Joseph “Haynes” King was named vice president of dedicated retail and trade sales at Bassett Furniture, a new role focused on deepening the company’s

Emily Balentine Barbour was named partner of Balentine, an independent wealth management firm based in Atlanta and Raleigh, North Carolina. Barbour serves as

head of client engagement and family legacy, leading the firm’s efforts to facilitate meaningful and complex conversations with clients to address their most important goals and concerns. The firm, originally founded by her father, Robert Balentine ’79, P’07, and grandfather, Robert Balentine Sr., in 1987, has more than $8.5 billion in assets under advisement and 62 employees. Carl “Buck” Fletcher was appointed CFO and chief accounting officer at FTAI Infrastructure Inc., a Delaware incorporated company specializing in line-haul railroad operations. He also serves as managing director of the company’s external manager, Fortress Investment Group. He previously served as interim co-CEO and CFO of Onyx Renewable Partners. Kaylee Hartung was nominated for Outstanding Personality/Sideline Reporter at the 2025 Emmy Awards for her work on Thursday Night Football. Robert Rain joined South Carolina Ports Authority Board of Directors. He is CEO of OTO Development, a private hotel company.

2008 Dane Boston was announced as St. Martin’s Episcopal Church’s fifth rector. Based in Houston, St. Martin’s is the largest episcopal parish in the U.S. Boston previously was dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina. Courtney Dolaway, Flaster Greenberg shareholder and member of the firm’s trusts and estates, taxation and business and corporate MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 45

departments, was recently named a member of Samaritan’s Planned Giving Committee. As a member of the committee, Dolaway will help spread awareness about the importance of estate planning and advance the organization’s charitable mission. Lauren “Paten” Hughes stared opposite Tony Award winner Robert Sean Leonard in “Interview” at Riverside Studios in London. The psychological thriller was adapted from Theo van Gogh’s cult 2003 film for stage by director Teunkie Van Der Sluijs. George Hunter joined Sidley Austin LLP as partner in the mergers and acquisitions practice. He previously was partner at Jones Day. Andrew McEnroe joined GRVTY, a national security company delivering effects in cyber, space and

spectrum, as senior vice president of corporate development. He previously worked at Raymond James as a managing director in the defense and government investment banking group. He also received the 2025 Wash100 Award, which annually honors 100 of the most influential figures in the government contracting sector.

2009 Dr. Olivia Claire Barrett Ball was named a 40 Under 40 by Mobile Bay magazine. She practices radiation oncology at The Cancer Center of Mobile, a division of Urology Associates in Alabama. Wyatt Heaton joined Maynard Nexsen, after its merger with Miller Lavoie, LLP, as shareholder in the firm’s real estate practice group.

Jessica Ulrich Kingsbery was named CEO of American Haiku, an advertising agency that was named Ad Age’s 2025 Newcomer Agency of the Year. Kingsbery most recently worked as managing director at Droga5. Christopher Santoro was elected as board chair of United Way of the Piedmont Board of Directors. He has served on the board for five years and is vice president of investments at MTM Investment Management. Michelle Boniface St. John co-founded Paradocs Studio, a production company focused on the creation of premium nonfiction content. St. John is the head of film and production after a career producing for “60 Minutes” and The Nantucket Project. Katie Tabb and Laura Maurer acquired a doggy day care and boarding business,

What’s Up Dog, in Brooklyn, New York. Both were art history majors, athletes and members of Kappa Alpha Theta at W&L and have been friends for 20 years. They took different career paths after school — Maurer ran her own marketing consultancy for 15 years, and Tabb works in finance and private equity. Rebecca Taylor published a research paper titled, “Does automation reduce stigma? The effect of self-checkout register adoption on purchasing decisions,” in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization along with three co-authors. Taylor is an associate professor in the education policy, organization and leadership department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Kelsey Walsh joined UNC Health’s Pardee NeuroSpine Associates. Walsh is a boardcertified neurosurgeon.

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Jack Zampolin joined Ondo Finance as vice president of product to lead the development of interoperable solutions and the launch of a proprietary network. Ondo Finance acquired Strangelove, a company that specialized in modular and open-source blockchain infrastructure, of which Zampolin was CEO.

2010 Adam Cancryn joined CNN as a White House reporter. Cancryn previously served as a White House reporter at POLITICO, covering the Biden and Trump administrations and the politics, policy and people driving their respective domestic agendas.

2011 Wilton Megargel Bealle was named Media Planner of the Year at the 2025 Ad Age Small Agency Awards for her work across high-growth and regulated industries. Bealle is senior vice president of client solutions at Mile Marker. Scott Centorino served President Donald Trump for a year as special assistant to the president for domestic policy, focusing primarily on law and order, veterans’ affairs and homelessness and housing. After a year of serving the White House, Centorino co-founded Red Door Consulting, LLC in the government relations space. Ryan Hanson was named to Virginia Business’ 40 Under 40 list. He is a partner at Kaleo Legal. Keith Jaworski ’11, ’14L joined Woods Rogers in the construction and government contracts practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is a former U.S. Army Ranger and served in the U.S. Army

JAG Corps as a prosecutor and legal adviser to the 75th Ranger Regiment.

2012 Austin Gideon, principal at Five Elms Capital, joined the board of directors at Motivity, a provider of clinical SaaS solutions for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers who treat children with autism. Scott Meehan was announced as the fifth head coach of the St. Joseph University’s men’s lacrosse program. Meehan joined the university’s coaching staff in 2019 and previously served as associate head coach.

2013 Steele Burrow’s “Capturing Kennedy” documentary premiered at the Boston Film Festival before a festival run from Florida to Arizona and Australia. The documentary tells the story of Jacques Lowe, John F. Kennedy’s trusted personal photographer. Ainsley Daigle was named to Billboard’s 2025 Women in Music list. Daigle is vice president of Firebird Artist Management at Firebird Music, an artist partnership company. Will Garrett was promoted to assistant head coach of the Washington and Lee University men’s lacrosse team. He previously served as offensive coordinator. George McMaster was appointed as assistant secretary for financial markets at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He previously served as director of policy and planning at the Treasury Department, after working

as head of trading at Key Square Group.

2014 Brandyn Churchill, assistant professor of public administration and policy at American University, co-authored a study published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management titled “Effects of environmental exposures on weightrelated health behaviors and outcomes.” Trevor “Trey” Hatcher co-founded and launched Endurance Investment Partners, a private equity firm. Hatcher was formerly principal at Tailwater Capital. Sophia Kearney-Lederman was named to American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking NEXT list, which recognizes women under 40 shaping the future of banking and finance. Kearney-Lederman is a senior economist for FHN Financial. Cynthia Lam was promoted from associate to counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP where she practices corporate law. Morgan Luttig, director of choral activities at the University of Alabama, guided the university’s vocal ensemble, University Singers, on an international tour in Germany. Luttig was also selected as a participant in the 2026 International Conductors Exchange Program with Portugal, a program that provides opportunities for the rising generation of choral leaders to represent the U.S. as ambassadors to the world in the exchange of music, ideas and cultures.

Timothy Moore joined Summit Golf Brand, manufacturer of high-end golf apparel and sportswear, as CFO. Moore oversees finance across each of the company’s premium apparel brands: B. Draddy, Zero Restriction, Fairway & Greene and EP New York. He previously worked for Faherty Brand and Hairstory. Stephen Sims was promoted to principal at InTandem Capital Partners, LLC, a private equity firm focused on healthcare services. He joined InTandem in 2016 and focuses on investment analysis and portfolio management. Mitchell Thompson joined Dartmouth College’s football staff as wide receivers coach. Thompson most recently served as offensive coordinator at Bates College. David Williams, partner at Discerning Capital, was appointed to Midnite’s board of directors. Midnite is a U.K.-based, high-growth sportsbook and online casino operator.

2015 TJ Fisher held a five-game winning streak on “Jeopardy” in October 2025 that secured his spot in the Tournament of Champions, where he advanced to the finals.

2017 Ryan Brady was promoted to principal for portfolio value creation at Updata Partners. Dr. Zachary Dubit returned to Lexington, Virginia, as a physician at Rockbridge Health. Dubit joined his parents, Dr. Patricia Schirmer and Dr. Scott Dubit, at the practice after completing his residency in internal medicine and

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 47

pediatrics at the University of Arizona. Kenzie Shand returned to the University of Michigan as the director of operations for the Wolverines volleyball team. Holding this same role previously at Utah State, Shand oversees the team schedule management, travel logistics, the team’s budget and alumni communications and works with staff to coordinate recruiting efforts. Garrett Singer was named to Fox Cities’ Future 15 Young Professionals list. The Future 15 awards recognize individuals aged 40 and under who live and work in the Fox Cities counties in Wisconsin. Singer is deputy chief of staff at Lawrence University. Matt Underhill was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for finance. Underhill is partner at billionaire investor Nelson Peltz’s hedge fund, Trian Fund Management.

2018 Arlette Hernandez co-edited “Drawn to MoMA: Comics Inspired by Modern Art,” an anthology of comics inspired by visits to the Museum of Modern Art. Hernandez is associate educator in interpretation, research and digital learning for the MoMA Magazine.

Under 40 list, which recognizes individuals for their contributions to the STEM fields. Dreimann works for Palo Alto Networks as senior vice president. Mary Hampton McNeal was named to the Top Women Leaders in Growth Investing 2025 list by GrowthCap. McNeal is vice president at Updata Partners, a firm founded and led by software operators. Christina Gordon Philips joined the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry faculty as an assistant professor of orthodontics. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery as well as her Master of Science in Dentistry from VCU.

2021 Catherine “Mercer” Peek Parmenter joined Laird Norton as a business analyst within the corporate development group. Prior to relocating to Seattle, Parmenter served as a senior investment analyst at the Alfred I. duPont Charitable Trust in Jacksonville, Florida.

2022

2019

John “Jack” Fencl was hired by West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey as a policy consultant in the governor’s office. Fencl worked for several years with Washington, D.C.-based Herald Group.

Michelle Dreimann was named to AFCEA International’s 40

Grace Mamon won six first-place awards at the

48 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

Virginia Press Association banquet for her reporting for Cardinal News.

2023 Sarah Allen, of WCAV-TV in Charlottesville, Virginia, won the Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter Award in the small market category for the 2024 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards. Allie Stankewich received the Alice Rowan Swanson Fellowship through the School for International Training (SIT), an opportunity open to SIT alumni that supports recipients returning to their program country to pursue a project benefiting human rights in that region. With the $5,000 fellowship grant, Stankewich partnered with Thriving Youth Farmers Uganda, a local NGO in Masulita Village, Wakiso, to develop a fish farming project focused on addressing food security and creating opportunities for youth entrepreneurship. Sarai Warrick has named The Virginia College Advising Corps’ first-ever Adviser of the Year, recognizing her service, leadership and dedication to expanding college access for students in Southwest Virginia. Warrick serves as the college adviser at Alleghany High School.

2024 Anna Bosking received an Omicron Delta Kappa

Scholarship from the National Leadership Honor Society to support graduate and professional study. Bosking is currently attending Vanderbilt Law School. Elise Molinaro received an Omicron Delta Kappa Scholarship from the National Leadership Honor Society to support graduate and professional study. Molinaro is currently a graduate student at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Zach Moore was awarded the NCAA Winter Postgraduate Scholarship, which is awarded to recent student-athlete graduates who excelled both academically and athletically in intercollegiate athletics. Moore was a member of the W&L men’s track & field team and currently works as a mechanical engineer at General Dynamics Mission Systems.

2025 Melos Ambaye was hired by Bloomberg News as a reporter. She had been interning for the news organization during the summer covering the space industry. Hadley Foulk was selected as a member of Cohort 8 of the Virginia Management Fellows program, which is designed to develop the next generation of leaders in Virginia’s public sector.

WEDDINGS

1. Michael Adams ’19 to Bailey Miller on Nov. 9, 2024, in Charleston, South Carolina. W&L alumni in attendance included Ellis Robinson ’21, Georgia Wright ’22, Daniel Morris ’20, Dalton Greenwood ’17, Matthew Withers ’20, Jacob Ingber ’19, Will Tanner ’21, Caroline Fletcher ’19, Jack Wright ’19, Allison Schuster ’19 and Paul Reilly ’15. 2. Warner Speed ’22 to Mary Beth Pittman ’22 on Dec. 7, 2024, in Atlanta. The wedding included many W&L alumni, including father of the groom Stewart Speed ’86 and the wedding party of Mary Pace Lewis ’21, Mary Wilson Grist ’22, Jamie Spanfeller ’22, Elizabeth Grist ’22, Ruth Dibble ’22, Miles Renwick ’22, Jackson Sharman ’22, Rett Daugbjerg ’22, Ben Bragg ’22 and Jacob Thompson ’22. The couple currently resides in Atlanta.

3. Reeves Duggan ’18 to Laney Smith ’20 on Dec. 21, 2024, in Birmingham, Alabama. 4. Sam Ross ’18 to Katerina Settle ’17 on March 22, 2025, in Cincinnati. W&L alumni in attendance included the father of the groom, Bennett Ross ’83, Ben Grigsby ’72, Jack Bovay ’79, Dan Einstein ’83, Evans Attwell ’83, Wade Meadows ’84, Natalie Brendsel ’17, Noelani Schulmeyer ’17, Corinne Wood de Luca ’17, Abby Block Bechtol ’17, Jillian Leigh ’17, Alana Babington Hearn ’17, Elizabeth Spruill ’17, Catherine Fonvielle Brennan ’17, John Dannehl ’17, Luke Morel ’18, Sal Diaz ’18, Jeremy Orchard ’18, Brett Becker ’18 and Henry Moore ’18. The couple currently resides in Cincinnati. 5. Bentley Boldt ’16 to O. Morgan Hall III ’16 on May 10, 2025, in St. Louis. W&L

attendees included Thomas Dunbar ’16, Bennett Henson ’16, Louis Cella ’87, Robert Eckstein ’16, Jeb Bland ’16, Jack Masterson ’16, Carolyn Holtzman ’16, Jack Thomson ’16, Coco Ellis Howe ’16, Blake Odom ’16, Ty Mitchell ’16, Paul Lagarde ’16, Jonathan Jetmundsen ’16, Price Bohrer ’14, Sara Moir Bohrer ’16, Gingy Dixon ’16, Giles Geddes ’16, Hunter Charbonnet ’76, Mary Katherine Field Mallery ’21L, Will Mallery ’16, ’21L, Cameron Farley ’16, Festus Turlington ’16 and Charlotte Karp Thomson ’16. The couple resides in New Orleans. 6. Julia Udicious ’19 to Charlie Voudouris ’19 on May 31, 2025, at the Gulph Mills Golf Club in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The wedding included many W&L alumni, including father of the bride, Steven Udicious ’89.

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 49

ALUMNI SCRAPBOOK

1. David Thomas ’15, second from the right, was sworn in on Jan. 6, 2025, for his first term as state representative for Ohio’s 65th House District in Columbus. Joining him on Inauguration Day were fellow W&L classmates Deirdre Tobin ’15, Alex Retzloff ’15 and Paul Reilly ’15.

4. Molly McGregor ’99 and Sara Dotterer ’18 discovered their W&L connection through working in New York City. Dotterer is brand strategy director at the Ricciardi Group, a marketing agency, and one of their clients is Donnelley Financial Solutions, where McGregor works as senior vice president of marketing and sales enablement.

2. Approximately 15 different states were represented as Phi Gamma Delta members from the classes of 1985 to 1992 gathered Feb. 21-23, 2025, in New York City. The highlight of the weekend was a reunion dinner at Tiro a Segno in The Village.

5. First-year Baker Hall dormmates Matt Anthony ’85, 90L, Tom Schurr ’85, P’27, P’28, Jeff Dixon ’85, Rusty Hartley ’85 and Roger Day ’85, P’15, P’21, who dubbed themselves “The Baker Boys,” reunited during their 40th reunion during Alumni Weekend in May 2025.

3. Fellow Phi Kappa Psi brothers Craig Westbrook ’85, David Langiulli ’85, Jeffery Reichert ’85, Mike Lord ’85, Paul Marasciullo ’85, Joe O’Neill ’85 and Scott Van Meter ’85, P’22 got together in Raleigh, North Carolina, in March 2025.

6. In late May 2025, a group of Baltimore-based Generals gathered for a party at Kirsten ’93 and Charlie Lockyer ’93’s home for pre-summer festivities. Mike Hill ’93 and Dave Schiminger ’93 enjoyed catching up while Chris Kennedy ’90 stole the show by arriving in full W&L attire — from which decade is not certain!

BIRTHS

Charles B. Wilson ’10 and Martha Wilson, a daughter, Grace Sinclair Wilson, on Dec. 11, 2024. She joins siblings Ginny and Lily.

Elizabeth Bucklee Peacher ’13 and Nicholas C. Peacher ’15, a second child, Elizabeth “Lacey” Coley Peacher, on March 15, 2025. Lacey was delivered by Dr. Cantey Hattink Dogan ’12 in Atlanta. Carter Pope ’11 and Jessica Strait Pope ’12, a son, William Davidson Pope, on April 25, 2025. He joins big brother, Brax, and big sister, Lena. The family resides in Atlanta.

50 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

OBITS 1950s Halcott “Hack” G. Heyward III ’50, P’81L of Roanoke, Virginia, died on Nov. 18, 2025. He enjoyed a 45-year career in property and casualty insurance, serving many years as a senior claims officer for a global insurance broker. He belonged to Kappa Sigma. James “Jim” R. McDonald ’50 of Ruxton, Maryland, died on Aug. 16, 2025. He was an insurance broker and coached lacrosse, from youth to collegiate levels. He was an undergraduate class agent and associate class agent for the W&L Fund. He was a member of the football, basketball and lacrosse teams and was inducted into the W&L Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018 — as well as numerous other halls of fame, including the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He belonged to Phi Kappa Sigma and Pi Alpha Nu. Andrew L. Peabody ’50, P’76 of Natchez, Mississippi, died on July 10, 2025. He was founding member, and eventual president, of South Central Air Transport (SCAT Airline) before it was sold to Air Illinois; he later started a marine equipment business, Creative Marine Products. He was a member of the lacrosse team and belonged to Beta Theta Pi. Dr. Preston C. Manning Jr. ’52 of Staunton, Virginia, died on Dec. 24, 2025. He was a surgeon, serving 29 years at King’s Daughters Hospital. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee and was an undergraduate class agent for the W&L Fund. He belonged to Sigma Nu, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Beta Kappa. He received

the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022. Paul “Pat” K. Brock ’54, P’78 of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, died on Oct. 19, 2025. He became the third generation to lead Brock Candy Company, which would become the first U.S. manufacturer of gummy bears under his tenure. He belonged to Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Laurence “Larry” C. Palmer ’54 of Potomac, Maryland, died on Oct. 6, 2025. He retired as chief scientist at Hughes Network Systems, after 35 years pioneering technical advances in satellite communication, and later taught at the University of Maryland. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee. He belonged to Phi Gamma Delta. The Hon. Robert “Bob” P. Smith Jr. ’54, P’83 of Tallahassee, Florida, died on Sept. 2, 2025. He was appointed to the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee in 1975, serving two years as chief judge, after which he practiced law at Hopping Green Sams & Smith and taught as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Florida College of Law. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee. He belonged to Delta Tau Delta and Omicron Delta Kappa. Dr. Haddon “Chris” C. Alexander III ’55, P’85, P’98 of Charlottesville, Virginia, died on June 24, 2025. He practiced rheumatology and held various faculty positions at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma and Alpha Epsilon Delta.

Elias “Nick” N. Simons III ’55 of Newark, Delaware, died on Nov. 27, 2025. He worked for 30 years for the University of Delaware Counseling Center as a counseling psychologist. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee. He belonged to Pi Kappa Phi and Pi Alpha Nu. Harold “Duane” D. St. John Jr. ’55 of Atlantic Beach, Florida, died on July 24, 2025. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve at 17 and received a Purple Heart after his unit was called to active duty during the Korean War. He worked for Apperson Business Forms, before joining Form Systems Inc. and then EnviroPAK. He belonged to Phi Gamma Delta. The Hon. Robert “Noel” N. Spence ’56, ’58L of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, died on July 3, 2025. He served two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates and became associate district court judge for Washington County, Maryland. He was a member of the football team and belonged to Delta Tau Delta. Edwin “Harrison” H. Stone ’56 of Vero Beach, Florida, died on Dec. 4, 2025. He practiced law for 50 years, becoming partner at Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid. He belonged to Delta Tau Delta. John R. Alford ’57, ’59L, P’88L of Lynchburg, Virginia, died on Nov. 12, 2025. He was partner at Caskie & Frost and served as chair of the Virginia Judicial Inquiry Review Commission. He was a member of the baseball team and the Reunion Class Committee, a law class agent for the W&L Fund and president of the Law Council and Law School Alumni Association. He

belonged to Phi Gamma Delta and Omicron Delta Kappa and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017. Thomas P. Barton ’57 of Dallas died on July 1, 2025. He practiced law for many years, becoming a partner at Wynne, Jaffe & Tinsley, before opening a travel agency. Lewis “Pete” E. Hartman Jr. ’57 of Heber Springs, Arkansas, died on Sept. 21, 2025. He worked as a pilot. He belonged to Phi Delta Theta. James “Jimmy” R. Stockton Jr. ’57 of Ponte Vedra, Florida, died on Aug. 16, 2025. He was a banker, developer and realtor, notably developing Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. He was a member of the soccer team and belonged to Phi Delta Theta and Pi Alpha Nu.  Richard “Dick” C. Whiteford ’57, ’60L, P’87 of Sherwood Forest, Maryland, died on June 25, 2025. He was a partner at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP. He was an undergraduate class agent for the W&L Fund. He was a member of the lacrosse and wrestling teams and belonged to Delta Tau Delta. Bradford C. Gooch ’58 of Rome, Georgia, died on June 16, 2025. He taught English and art history and coached soccer for 36 years at Suffield Academy and served as the music teacher for 10 years as well. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee. He was a member of the soccer team and belonged to Phi Kappa Psi and Psi Chi. Walter E. Henes ’58 of Flagstaff, Arizona, died on Aug. 9, 2025. He founded his family’s seed company, MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 51

FRANCES AARONSON LEWIS P’66, TRUSTEE EMERITA Frances Aaronson Lewis P’66, trustee emerita of Washington and Lee University, died on Jan. 10, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. She was 103. Frances Lewis was born on June 27, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, to Nathaniel and Lillian Beller Aaronson. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., in 1938, before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Michigan. Frances Lewis married Sydney Lewis ’40, ’43L, P’66 in 1942. The couple had three children, Sydney Lewis Jr. ’66, Andrew Lewis and Susan Butler, who served on the Washington and Lee Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2003. The Lewises founded Best Products Company, Inc. in the mid-1950s. What started as a mail order catalog retailer in Henrico County, Virginia, grew to have showrooms across America, reaching $1 billion in sales in 1982. Sydney Lewis and Frances Lewis served as chair and vice chair of Best Products, respectively. Sydney Lewis served on the Board of Trustees at Washington and Lee University from 1972 to 1983,

Southwest Seed, in Colorado. He was a member of the indoor track & field, cross country, outdoor track & field and swimming teams. John “Gill” G. Holland ’58, P’90 of Davidson, North Carolina, died on Feb. 24, 2025. He taught English at Davidson College for over 42 years. He was a member of the wrestling and football teams and belonged to Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Epsilon Delta. John C. Hollister ’58 of Charlottesville, Virginia,

died on Nov. 15, 2025. He practiced law for 30 years before retiring as general counsel of SunTrust Bank. He was president of the Chapter Volunteers and member of the Reunion Class Committee. He was a member of the football and wrestling teams and belonged to Sigma Chi and Omicron Delta Kappa. Philippe C. Labro ’58 of Paris died on June 2, 2025. He was a French journalist and author of 24 books, with his time at W&L inspiring his novel, “The Foreign Student.” He also directed and wrote movies and was a songwriter

52 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

becoming an emeritus member in 1984. Frances Lewis joined the board in 1984 and served until 1989. In 1990, the couple were members of the university’s National Campaign Steering Committee for the On the Shoulders of Giants capital campaign. In 1972, the Lewises gave $9 million to the W&L School of Law toward the construction of a new law building and a permanent endowment for a law center. Sydney Lewis Hall opened in 1976, and the Frances Lewis Law Center, which supports research and scholarship of W&L Law faculty, opened in 1978. The Lewises donated generously to W&L’s Leyburn Library and for the Lewis F. Powell Jr. Archives at the Wilbur C. Hall Law Library. The couple made substantial gifts to support student financial aid, including endowing a scholarship in honor of John D. Wilson, former university president, and creating the Frances and Sydney Lewis Honor Scholarship program. They were honored on the university’s Benefactors Wall in 1982 for their generous and longstanding support of Washington and Lee. Frances Lewis was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sydney Lewis; her sister, Helene Fisher; and grandson, David Lewis. She is survived by her children, Susan Lewis Butler (Dixon) of Washington, D.C., Sydney Lewis Jr. of Miami Beach, Florida, and Andrew Marc Lewis (Virginia “Ginny”) of Richmond and Lake Worth Beach, Florida; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

and host of TV and radio shows. He belonged to Sigma Delta Chi. Edgar H. MacKinlay ’58, ’64L, P’95 of Norfolk, Virginia, died on July 25, 2025. He opened his own law firm in Norfolk, specializing in corporate and international business matters, and practiced there for 45 years, representing U.S. and foreign corporations and individuals. He also taught international business transactions as an adjunct professor in the Washington and Lee University School of Law. He was a law class agent for the W&L

Fund and a member of the Reunion Class Committee. He was a member of the golf team and belonged to Beta Theta Pi, Pi Alpha Nu and Omicron Delta Kappa in law school.  Howard C. Packett ’58, P’88 of Salem, Virginia, died on June 7, 2025. He spent almost 30 years in advertising, retiring as president of the Packett Group, and he served on city council for 24 years as well as mayor of Salem. He was an undergraduate class agent for the W&L Fund and co-chair of the

Reunion Class Committee. He belonged to Delta Upsilon.

1960s William “Bill” H. Clark Jr. ’60, ’63L of Pensacola, Florida, died on Oct. 10, 2025. He founded what would become Clark, Partington, Hart & Hart law firm, practicing litigation. He belonged to Pi Kappa Phi. Oliver T. Cook ’60 of Beverly, Massachusetts, died on July 1, 2025. He was partner at Pearl, McNiff & Crean, practicing law for 60 years. He was a member of the golf team and belonged to Beta Theta Pi and Pi Alpha Nu. Leslie “Rocky” E. Gaut Jr. ’60 of Baltimore died on Aug. 15, 2025. He worked 38 years for Exxon Oil Co., primarily in marketing and property management, before working as an independent business broker. He was a member of the soccer team and belonged to Phi Delta Theta. John “Al” A. Broaddus Jr. ’61, P’92 of Richmond, Virginia, died on Oct. 26, 2025. He worked his way up at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, becoming its sixth president. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee. He was a member of the cross country team and belonged to Sigma Nu, Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. Stephen I. Danzansky ’61, P’91 of Washington, D.C., died on June 2, 2025. He helped establish and became managing partner of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, and he served in various capacities under the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee.

He belonged to Zeta Beta Tau and Omicron Delta Kappa. Glenn E. Fidler ’61 of Indianapolis, Indiana, died on Oct. 25, 2025. He worked many years for Hogan Transfer & Storage in sales until his retirement in 2004. He belonged to Sigma Nu and Alpha Epsilon Delta. Edward B. Ladd ’61 of Mobile, Alabama, died on June 17, 2025. He was an insurance agent at Thames, Batré, Mattei, Beville & Ison, now Thames Batré Insurance. He belonged to Beta Theta Pi and Omicron Delta Kappa. Roy “Bill” W. Ide III ’62 of Atlanta died on July 8, 2025. He enjoyed a long legal career, serving as partner at many Atlanta law firms and serving as president of the American Bar Association. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee. He belonged to Kappa Alpha and Omicron Delta Kappa and was a member of the basketball team. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012. Robert D. Lewis ’62 of Nashville, Tennessee, died on Aug. 28, 2024. He spent the majority of his career with the Xerox Corporation. He was a member of the football team and belonged to Pi Kappa Alpha and Psi Chi. Dr. Bruce A. Ratcliff ’62, P’89 of Huntington, West Virginia, died on June 1, 2025. He dedicated his career to being an OB/GYN. He belonged to Sigma Nu. Eduardo D. Gonzalez ’63 of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, died on Oct. 6, 2025. He went into consulting and marketing, primarily in the food industry, retiring as president of Keystone Food Products. He belonged to Phi Gamma Delta.

LEANNE MARIE SHANK, FORMER GENERAL COUNSEL Leanne Marie Shank of New Hope, Pennsylvania, died on Dec. 7, 2025. She was 69. Born on May 18, 1956, in Seattle, she was the second of four children born to John Francis Shank and Marilyn McRae Shank. She received her undergraduate degree from SUNY Oswego, where she swam competitively. After a brief stint as a travel agent, Shank attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received her law degree. After three years working in corporate law in Washington, D.C., Shank settled in Lexington, Virginia, where she planted her roots and raised her family. She began by working for a private practice, then served as Rockbridge County attorney. In November of 1995, she started working part time for Washington and Lee University as general counsel, beginning full time in April of 2000. She went on to serve as the general counsel for over 22 years, retiring in 2018. After moving to New Hope, she joined the Law School Admission Council as senior vice president of legal and corporate affairs. During that time, she became a trusted voice on the executive team and guided the organization through significant change with strong leadership, grace and tenacity. Shank was predeceased by her father and mother. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Don Scott Baker, of New Hope; three children, Marilyn Jordan Wagner (Jan-Samuel) of Yardley, Pennsylvania, Patrick Jordan (Karli) of Cockeysville, Maryland, and Sidney Baker Stearns (Michael) of Lexington, Virginia; and grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, John Shank (Andrea) of McLean, Virginia, Steven Shank (Dawn) of Santa Clarita, California, and Christine Shank of Charlottesville, Virginia.

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 53

William “Bill” H. Wyly ’63 of Fort Worth, Texas, died on July 25, 2025. He was co-founder and vice president of sales of Image Video and Film before representing seven different banks in the subprime auto finance industry. He was a member of the golf team and belonged to Kappa Sigma. Dr. Christopher T. Conyers Jr. ’64 of Salisbury, Maryland, died on Oct. 28, 2025. He practiced radiology at Peninsula General Hospital. He belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon. Arthur “Art” G. Kroos III ’64 of Redmond, Oregon, died on June 19, 2025. He spent the majority of his career as counsel for Tektronix, Inc., eventually becoming international counsel and associate general counsel. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee. He was a member of the swimming team and belonged to Sigma Chi. Vincent “Cassel” C. Adamson Jr. ’65, ’68L, P’92, P’08 of Richmond, Virginia, died on Dec. 12, 2025. He practiced law at Adamson & Adamson. He belonged to Sigma Nu. Daniel H. Jones III ’65, P’05 of Alexandria, Virginia, died on March 31, 2025. He enjoyed a career in politics before later entering wealth management at Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley). He was a member of the wrestling team and belonged to Delta Tau Delta. Paul S. Murphy ’65 of Fernandina Beach, Florida, died on Oct. 21, 2025. He worked for Freeport-McMoRan, an international metal mining company, in various capacities, including head of external affairs, for 46 years. He belonged to Beta Theta Pi.

James “Jim” M. Slay Jr. ’65, ’71L of Westminster, Maryland, died on Sept. 6, 2025. He practiced law for 25 years, serving in state government and as partner at Henry, Hairston and Price. He served as Chapter Volunteers president and belonged to Delta Tau Delta. Braxton H. Tabb III ’65 of Kihei, Hawaii, died on Aug. 29, 2025. He taught high school physics as well as physics at Strayer University. Paul R. Balich ’66 of Albany, New York, died on Sept. 2, 2025. He was a high-performance driving instructor. John “Ric” E. Mynttinen ’66 of Worcester, Massachusetts, died on Sept. 18, 2025. He worked for science technology firms before building several ventures in the brokerage and service industries. He was a member of the football team and indoor and outdoor track & field teams and belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon. Jeffrey J. Skarda ’66 of Houston died on Sept. 28, 2025. He worked for Gulf Coast Legal Foundation (later Lone Star Legal Aid) for many years and then continued in private practice. He belonged to Delta Upsilon. Tyree B. Harris IV ’67 of Lexington, Virginia, died on Nov. 19, 2025. He practiced law for Hooker, Keeble, Dodson & Harris (later Dodson, Harris, Robison & Aden) before forming his own firm, Harris, Brown & Associates. He was a board member for the Chapter Volunteers. He belonged to Kappa Sigma. Frank W. Morrison ’67, ’70L of Lynchburg, Virginia, died on Oct. 27, 2025. He enjoyed a 55-year legal career in family law and served as

54 THE WASHINGTON AND LEE MAGAZINE

an adjunct professor at W&L School of Law. He was a member of the basketball team and belonged to Sigma Nu. Ernest Williams III ’67 of Nashville, Tennessee, died on Nov. 7, 2025. He founded Southern Fiduciary Group Inc. before becoming principal, vice president and director of Lee, Danner & Bass, working in finance for more than five decades. He was a member of the swimming team. William “Brewster” B. Cockrell ’68 of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, died on Nov. 19, 2025. He practiced law before working as a trust officer at PNC Bank until his retirement. He was board member and president of the Chapter Volunteers. He belonged to Phi Eta Sigma. Henry “Hank” S. McNeil Jr. ’68 of Philadelphia died on July 28, 2025. He started two art galleries and the conservation and land reclamation project Winslow Farms Conservancy. He belonged to Phi Gamma Delta and Omicron Delta Kappa. Sidney B. Rosenberg ’68 of Jacksonville, Florida, died on June 28, 2025. He spent the majority of his career teaching real estate and finance at the University of North Florida, where he retired as professor emeritus. He belonged to Zeta Beta Tau. Steven R. Saunders ’68 of Alexandria, Virginia, died on July 5, 2025. He founded Saunders & Co., an international business and public policy consulting firm for the Pacific Basin, and served the Japanese Foreign Ministry and the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., for 38 years. He was a member of the soccer team and belonged

to Sigma Phi Epsilon and Pi Sigma Alpha.

1970s John H. Crockett Jr. ’70, P’13 of Wytheville, Virginia, died on Aug. 17, 2025. He was a professor of finance emeritus at George Mason University, where he taught for decades. He belonged to Lambda Chi Alpha and Omicron Delta Epsilon. The Rev. John E. Miller ’70 of Richmond, Virginia, died on June 22, 2025. He served as rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for 38 years. He belonged to Phi Kappa Sigma. Thomas A. Rogers ’72 of Simsbury, Connecticut, died on July 18, 2025. He worked in the insurance industry and spent over 40 years with Travelers, serving as the underwriting director for construction services. He belonged to Zeta Beta Tau. Richard H. Middleton Jr. ’73, ’76L, P’95 of Lexington, Virginia, died on July 13, 2025. He practiced trial law for over four decades. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee, Alumni Admissions Program chair and board member of the Chapter Volunteers. He belonged to Phi Kappa Sigma.  The Rev. Frederick E. Roberts ’73 of Oak Island, North Carolina, died on July 15, 2025. He served for 40 years as a minister in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Branch “Lamar” Winegeart III ’73 of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, died on June 17, 2025. He practiced civil litigation for 30 years before joining AT&T. He was president of the Chapter Volunteers, and he belonged to Delta Tau Delta.

DOUG RENDLEMAN, ROBERT E. R. HUNTLEY PROFESSOR OF LAW EMERITUS Doug Rendleman, Robert E. R. Huntley Professor of Law Emeritus at Washington and Lee University School of Law, died March 8 in Lexington, Virginia. He was 86. Rendleman grew up in rural Iowa, where his parents ran a small country store and his mother taught school. He and his wife, Carolyn, had four children while he pursued his undergraduate and law studies at the University of Iowa. He completed a clerkship at the Iowa Supreme Court and then earned an LL.M. from the University of Michigan, where he was a Cook Fellow. He taught law at the University of Alabama and William & Mary before joining W&L in 1988 as a full professor, serving as director of the Frances Lewis Law Center from 1988 to 1991. He was a leading scholar in the fields of remedies, civil procedure and complex litigation. He authored over 60

Thomas W. Peard ’74 of Lawrence, Kansas, died on Nov. 28, 2025. He taught at Baker University as professor of philosophy. He belonged to Pi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa. Keith J. Silverman ’74 of Danville, Virginia, died on June 23, 2025. He was an educator at Tulane University, Danville Community College, Delgado Community College and Martinsville High School. He belonged to Zeta Beta Tau and Phi Beta Kappa. William “Bill” O. Burford Jr. ’75 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died on Sept. 14, 2025. He was a financial adviser. He belonged to Pi Kappa Alpha. Thomas “Olle” T. Lundberg ’75 of San Francisco died on Oct. 31, 2025. He was an architect and founder of Lundberg Design. He was a member of the golf team.

The Rev. Arthur A. Hultman ’76 of Massillon, Ohio, died on Sept. 15, 2025. He served as a pastor for two churches before becoming a real estate agent. Paul “PT” H. Thomson ’77, ’83L of Winchester, Virginia, died on Dec. 24, 2025. He served four terms as the Winchester commonwealth’s attorney and then practiced criminal defense law. He was a law reunion member of the Reunion Class Committee. He was a member of the outdoor track & field and cross country teams and belonged to Phi Kappa Psi. Charles “Hunt” H. Brown III ’79 of Madison, Georgia, died on July 18, 2025. He founded and was director of Justice for All, a nonprofit law firm that provided pro-bono services to those of modest means.

books and articles as well as numerous amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court. He retired in 2020. Rendleman was a member of the American Law Institute (ALI) and served as an adviser on several ALI projects, including the Third Restatement of the Law on Torts: Remedies and the Third Restatement of the Law of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment. He was also active in the Association of American Law Schools, serving as an executive committee member and chair of the sections on remedies and civil procedure. In 2021, he was recognized with a Lifetime Scholarly Achievement Award from the Remedies Section of the AALS. He is survived by Carolyn Clayton Rendleman ’91, his wife of 65 years; four children, Susan Mastrodemos (Nickolaos), John Rendleman (Regan Pickett), Charles Rendleman (Bramble Klipple) and Benjamin Rendleman; six grandchildren, Olga Mastrodemos, Meletis Mastrodemos, Vivien Tejada, Clarkson Rendleman, Bea Rendleman and Julia Rendleman; and three siblings, Mary Gilchrist, Catheryn Irvine and Dr. Neal Rendleman. He was predeceased by a sister, Margaret Mehl.

1980s

2000s

Andrew D. Farley ’85 of Fairview, Tennessee, died on Oct. 28, 2025. He was senior executive vice president and general counsel at KBR, Inc. He belonged to Sigma Chi.

Colin E. Fitzgibbons ’01 of Dallas died on Nov. 21, 2025. He spent 10 years with national developer company KDC before becoming president of Hunt Realty Investments. He was a member of the Reunion Class Committee, vice president of the Chapter Volunteers and undergraduate class agent for the W&L Fund. He was a member of the football team and belonged to Phi Delta Theta.

1990s Erin Clinton Walsh Daunic ’93 of Nashville, Tennessee, died on July 22, 2025. She worked in the nonprofit sector, spending 16 years as chief development officer at STARS Nashville. David A. Lyons ’94 of Spokane, Washington, died on Oct. 29, 2025. He served 25 years in the U.S. Army, mostly as a pilot for the twin-rotor Chinook helicopter.

2020s Ian Treger ’20 of Lexington, Virginia, died in May 2026. He began his career in investment banking before pursuing his curiosity for international travel, languages and teaching. He belonged to Kappa Alpha.

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 55

FREDERIC L. SCHWAB, PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY EMERITUS

EDWARD HENNEMAN, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF LAW EMERITUS

Frederic L. Schwab, Washington and Lee University professor of geology emeritus, died March 15. He was 86. He taught at Washington and Lee University for 36 years. Born on Jan. 8, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, he graduated from Glens Falls High School in 1957. He went on to receive his A.B. from Dartmouth College in 1961 and his M.S. from the University of Wisconsin in 1963. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi honor societies, as well as Kappa Kappa Kappa. After receiving his Ph.D. from Harvard University, he joined Washington and Lee University as assistant professor of geology, a position he held from 1967-71. From 1971-75, he served as associate professor of geology, and he was promoted to professor of geology in 1975; he held that rank until his retirement in 2003. In 1971, he received a National Science Foundation Science Faculty Fellowship to support his work on a comparative study of the British Caledonides and North American Appalachians. From 1977-78, he spent 12 months performing sedimentological analysis of the Western (French-Italian) Alps through a North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) Senior Science Fellowship. He published more than 40 articles and presented papers across the United States, Canada and Europe. In 1996, he co-authored a book for undergraduate geology students, “Sedimentary Geology: An Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks and Stratigraphy.” He also served on the editorial boards of Geology magazine and the Journal of Sedimentary Research. Schwab is survived by his wife, Claudia; children, Kimberly, Bryan, Jeffrey and Jonathan; and grandchildren, Caroline, Bridget, Luna and Olivia.

Edward “Ned” Olmsted Henneman, associate professor of law emeritus and former associate dean of the Washington and Lee University School of Law, died on March 16, 2026. He was 88. Born on Sept. 5, 1937, to John Bell Henneman and Esther Ogden Henneman, he was raised in New York City. He graduated from Woodberry Forest School in 1955 before entering Yale University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1959. He then graduated from Harvard Law School in 1962. Henneman practiced in New York City for a decade while he and his wife, Penelope “Penny” Case, welcomed children Neeltje Van Bergen Henneman, Edward Olmsted Henneman Jr. and Robert Haile Henneman. In 1972, he moved with his family to Lexington, Virginia, to work as W&L’s director of deferred giving, a title which changed to associate director of development. He served in this capacity for six years until joining the Washington and Lee University School of Law faculty in 1978 as assistant professor of law. Henneman taught at the law school for 27 years, specializing in trusts and estates. He was promoted to associate professor of law in 1987. While simultaneously teaching full time, he served as assistant dean of law in 1981 and then held the role of associate dean of law for eight years until 1992. He retired as associate professor of law emeritus in 2005. Henneman was preceded in death by his parents, John Bell Henneman and Esther Ogden Henneman; his brother, John Bell Henneman Jr.; and his wife, Penny. He is survived by his children, Neeltje, Ted and Bob; daughters-in-law, Amy Parr Henneman and Margaret Horlick; and five grandchildren, Bonnie Wells Henneman, Edward Olmsted Henneman III, Winifred Gracie Henneman, Nicholas Bruner Henneman and Rebecca Rose Henneman.

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HAROLD GORDON LEGGETT JR. ’54, TRUSTEE EMERITUS Harold Gordon Leggett Jr. ’54, trustee emeritus of W&L, died on March 30, 2026, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was 94. Leggett was born on March 28, 1932, to Harold Gordon Leggett and Ruth Ellis Leggett. He majored in economics at W&L and was a member of Shenandoah, Beta Theta Pi and the lacrosse team. He married Patricia “Pat” Reid Webb after graduation. Leggett served as executive vice president of the human resources division at Leggett Department Store, Inc., for three decades. Leggett was a W&L Board of Trustees member from 1973-84. He was a Reunion Class Committee member, George Washington Society chair and Area Campaign Committee vice chair for the On the Shoulders of Giants campaign. Pat, W&L board member from 1987-1996, preceded Leggett in death in 2002. In 2003, Leggett married Madeline E. Miller, who died in 2022. Leggett is survived by children Reid Leggett (Anne), Susan Leggett Reitz (David), Jane Leggett and Carey Leggett Wilks (Reiss Wilks ’90); grandchildren Carter, Sarah, Andrew, Alexander, Patricia and Tyler; many great-grandchildren; stepdaughter Madeline Eliot Miller (Nathaniel Drake); and step-grandchildren Vera and Freya.

JESSINE A. MONAGHAN ’79L, TRUSTEE EMERITA AND FORMER ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF LAW Jessine A. Monaghan ’79L, trustee emerita and former adjunct professor at W&L Law, died on March 31, 2026, at 72. Monaghan was born May 5, 1953, to Jessine and Francis Monaghan. She graduated from Wellesley College and W&L Law School. Monaghan worked for Hunton & Williams LLP, General Electric, Sotheby’s and SABIC Innovative Plastics before becoming an adjunct professor. Monaghan served on the W&L Board of Trustees from 2007-16. She was a Reunion Class Committee member, Leading Lives of Consequence Campaign Council member, For the Rising Generation Area Campaign Committee vice chair, W&L Fund law class agent, Law Council member and more. She established the Jessine A. Monaghan Fund and the Monaghan Family Law Scholarship Endowment Fund. She was recognized on the W&L Honored Benefactors Wall and honorarily by the Order of the Coif. She is survived by her partner, Dr. Steve Hentges; mother, Jessine M. Monaghan; and siblings, Ken (Meg) and Karen (Mark).

HOLLY SHABLACK, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE Holly Shablack, assistant professor of cognitive and behavioral science at W&L, died April 14, 2026, at 35. She was in her fourth year of teaching at W&L. Shablack was born Oct. 28, 1990, to Mansueta Shablack and John Edward Shablack Jr. She earned a B.S. from the University of Michigan and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research addressed issues surrounding language development, culture and emotion. Shablack taught courses related to health psychology, statistics and research design, data science, language, culture and emotion. She was a member of W&L’s Community-Based Learning Collaborative and the Roger Mudd Center for Ethics Ethical Reasoning in Action Faculty Learning Community. The CBSC Department is establishing the Holly Shablack Memorial Award. Shablack was preceded in death by her father, John Edward Shablack Jr. She is survived by her husband, Derek Goodheart; daughter, Lucia; mother, Mansueta Shablack; siblings, Junrey (Sarah), Sita Marie (Jeremy) and Johnnie Ann (Matt); father-in-law, Perry; mother-in-law, Darlene; sister-in-law, Ashley (Levi); and beloved dog, Ein.

MAGAZINE.WLU.EDU 57

CONTINUING A LEGACY

Graduates from the Class of 2026 and their alumni family members celebrate Commencement.

1. Seated: Kelly Bass Golub ’93 and Greg Golub ’94. Standing: Camille “C.C.” Golub ’26. 2. Seated: Madison McGinley ’24, Rob McGinley ’94, Katie Mehlburger McGinley ’97 and Jessica Antonich Scott ’97. Standing: Barclay McGinley ’26 and Emma Scott ’26. 3. Seated: Jim Cadranell ’92, Richard Daesener ’66 and Heather Daesener Cadranell ’92. Standing: Gretchen Cadranell ’26.

4. Seated: Davis Weaver ’18, Agnes King Weaver ’20, Charlie King ’85, Rob King ’24 and Sara Kate Durkee ’24. Standing: Charlotte King ’26. 5. Seated: Stuart North ’93, Stephen Cox ’95, Edward “Ted” Sporl Elliott ’94, Dallas Hagewood Wilt ’90, Reevie Fenstermacher ’23 and Ronald Fenstermacher ’85. Standing: Jeb North ’26, Carter Cox ’26, Taylor Elliott ’26, Marshall Wilt ’26 and Lowell Fenstermacher ’26. 6. Seated: Jim Seevers ’97L, Douglas “Dax” Cummings ’91, Charlis Broll Jr. ’91, Charlie Broll ’59, ’62L, Catherine Bassett Holden ’97 (Richard Bassett ’69 in memoriam ) and Andy Holden ’96. Standing: Jay Seevers ’26, William Judge “Jud” Cummings ’25, Sophie Broll ’26 and Joseph Holden ’26. 7. Seated: Michael Bernot ’82, Will Moore ’28, Mark Moore ’88, Timothy Moore ’97L, Claire Cerone ’24 and Chris Cerone ’90. Standing: Robert Bernot ’26, Griffin Moore ’26 and Harrison Cerone ’26. 8. Seated: Andy Dutton ’95, Evan Patterson ’93, Evan Allison ’93, Lillis Allison ’29, Cory Chung Allison ’94 and Donald Childress ’70. Standing: Ella Dutton ’26, Max Patterson ’26, Spratt Allison ’26 and Preston Childress ’26.

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9. Seated: David Schweppe ’94, Becca Herring Schweppe ’95, Chris Simon ’92, Gordon Ogden ’85, John Kalmbach ’93, Kimberly Hardie Tosi ’94 and Doug Lamb ’93. Standing: Margaret Schweppe ’26, Christopher Simon ’26, Hansen Ogden ’26, Frances Kalmbach ’26, Carmen Tosi ’26 and Lizzie Lamb ’26. 10. Seated: Michael McLeod ’03, Bradley Matthews McLeod ’03, Joe Matthews ’68, Ashley Matthews Shilling ’96, Whitney Matthews Ramseur ’94 and Joe Ramseur ’94. Standing: Channing Shilling ’26.

11. Seated: Stacy Patton Sims ’98, Grant Jordan ’96, Claire Bowers Jordan ’98, Walt Phillips ’25, Bob Phillips ’95 and Matthew May ’97. Standing: Sarah Sims ’26, Bailey Jordan ’26, Maggie Phillips ’26 and Courtney May ’26. 12. Seated: Jane Lee Joyce Forster ’90, Ben Vanderver ’96, Tim Vanderver Jr. ’65, Tim Vanderver III ’92, Trey Haydon ’90 and Peer Soderberg ’92. Standing: Schuyler Clark ’26, Owin Vanderver ’26, Sara Elizabeth Haydon ’26 and Sophia Soderberg ’26. 13. Seated: Rhett Hancock ’93, Julie Vennes Hancock ’92, Cathy McCullough Austin ’93, Mason Smith Custard, Anne Redford Schleusner ’93 and Bruce Taylor ’91. Standing: Beau Hancock ’26, Evelyn Austin ’26, Isabella Custard ’26, Mary Schleusner ’26 and Wilks Taylor ’26. 14. Kate Luskey Jacobson ’99, Wesley Boatwright ’86, Edwin “Eddie” Villamater ’86 and Patricia Perdigon Moser ’93. Standing: Eleanor “Nora” Jacobson ’26, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Boatwright ’26, Ethan Villamater ’26 and Elizabeth Moser ’26. 15. Seated: Daniel Groff ’88, Chris Citron ’93, Michael Suttle ’88, Steve Suttle ’62, John Suttle ’93 and Ned Hobbs ’62. Standing: Abigail Groff ’26, Dax Citron ’26, William Suttle ’26 and Amanda Brickner ’26.

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Answers “Eddie the Axe” Atwood P’77, Dean of the Commerce School and Professor of Economics emeritus; “Stern Verne” Canfield, men’s basketball coach; Severn “Dog” Duvall P’74, P’78, Henry S. Fox Jr. Professor of English; Gary “Falcon” Fallon, head football coach; John “Tail Gunner” Gunn ’45, Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor of Economics emeritus; Delos D. “Easy D” Hughes, Professor of Politics emeritus; Tom “Bulldog” Jones, head athletic trainer; Lewis “Lash” LaRue ’59, Professor of Law emeritus; “Stormin’ Norman” Lord, coach, Professor of Physical Education and business manager for the Department of Athletics; Barry “The Machete” Machado, Professor of History emeritus; Charles “Murph” Murray, University Proctor; George “Sting Ray” Ray, Professor of English emeritus; Joan Marie “Shaun” Shaughnessy, Roger D. Groot Professor of Law; Charles “Sleepy” Williams P’78, Professor of Mathematics

E N P R Y P E E L S R N S C C

N U D A D E M D E T M R G X A

R T Y I D L M D A I G T O E U

T H S T O R M I N N O R M T L

R H A H G Y L E E G D X U Y F

F S E N T G N T S R L N R N E

U A O M U S H H E A L L P M G

U L L N A R H E D Y U I H M H

H V N C M C L A R U B N L A L

T E A S O U H X U S A B N D N

Bulldog Dog Easy D Eddie the Axe Falcon Lash Murph

R S T E R N V E R N E U R L H

R U S E D H G S T L E E S E N

T O G E S D U L H E E Y O H D

N E E H M P I N G E N S S E V

N E R I X E D Y R E X P T I Y

Shaun Sleepy Stern Verne Sting Ray Stormin’ Norm Tail Gunner The Machete

In honor of this issue’s theme, we pulled out the Calyxes and went deep into our memory bank to gather some notable nicknames of W&L faculty and staff members. Find all the names in the word search below and then test your knowledge with the answers at the bottom of the page that reveal each person’s moniker. Hidden words may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical and diagonal.

THE NAME GAME CHRONICLES

Why I Give

Shane Saunders ’03 Saunders is a member of the Leading Lives of Consequence Campaign Council and has served on the W&L Fund Council since July 2019. He was named chair of the fund in July 2026. What inspired you to make your first gift to Washington and Lee University, and what motivates you to continue giving? I think my first gift to W&L was during my senior year, and I wanted to do so after meeting so many alumni who had contributed before me. I remember our 50-year counterparts — the Class of 1953 — who held a nice wine tasting and invited our class to join them, where we heard some incredible stories of generosity. I continue to give both because I want to be a part of that legacy of generosity and because I’m hopeful that I can inspire the current generation of students to give. How do you hope your support impacts current and future generations of W&L students? I hope that my contributions, in some way, help students to find passions they didn’t know they had, just like W&L helped me. I’m hopeful the gifts I direct to students make it a little easier for them to chase down the answers they seek and to pursue — to the fullest — the life for which W&L is preparing them. Is there a particular experience, faculty member or program at W&L that played a meaningful role in your decision to give back? I think Washington Term was the most impactful on me as a donor because I benefited so much from the generosity of others in a way I had never before experienced. I resolved that, once I was in the position to do so, I would help those following after me.

SUPPORT THE W&L FUND TODAY.

campaign.wlu.edu annualgiving@wlu.edu

W&L University Magazine 204 W. Washington St. Lexington, VA 24450-2116 www.wlu.edu

SCENE ON CAMPUS

Daniel Reiter ’26, arts management major, and Brian Alexander, associate professor of politics, take a selfie together at the 239th Commencement at W&L in May 2026.

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