Giving
A W&L education is for life, and we have our loyal supporters to thank for ensuring our success today and for future generations.
W&L delivers excellence year after year, fostering dynamic, innovative and honorable leaders who make their mark on the global community.
More than 8,600 alumni, parents and friends supported the university in 2023-24, bringing their energy, passion and tenacity to help accomplish W&L’s mission. Generosity is powerful, and all you have to do is step on campus to witness its impact. Success is all around, inside and outside, and the far-reaching influence goes beyond bricks and mortar to change lives through a world-class education and opportunities that add up to the W&L experience.
The nature of philanthropy is personal, as are its rewards. The W&L Fund offers directed giving to help more donors reach their philanthropic goals. Gifts directed to financial aid, academics, the arts, athletics, diversity and inclusion, student opportunities and those left unrestricted to support areas of greatest need allow us to provide unparalleled education and experiences, year after year.
Make Your Annual Gift Today
Giving
Funding Priorities
Your gift helps keep ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ at the forefront of liberal arts in our nation. Learn more about ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡'s top fundraising priorities.
Student Scholarships
Washington and Lee enrolls students with exceptional academic ability who demonstrate outstanding leadership and character. Thanks to programs such as the Johnson Scholarship Program and the ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ Promise, the university meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ seeks to grow endowments for scholarships in order to admit the strongest students every time, regardless of their family financial circumstances.
The ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ Fund
The ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ Fund brings the Washington and Lee community together in its common pursuit of excellence, harnessing the energy fueled by generous alumni, parents and friends to support an outstanding academic experience for every student. Providing funding for the areas of greatest need to giving to any of the six designated areas within Washington and Lee University, contributing to the ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ Fund means empowering students to achieve their full potential. Annual giving impacts every sector of the university and provides significant support for the operating budget each year. Each gift advances ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡â€™s core mission, and the result is class after class of phenomenal leaders who go out into the world to make a positive difference.
Huntley Hall Renovation and Williams School Expansion
Washington and Lee’s Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics stands out among the top 20 liberal arts institutions as the only internationally accredited undergraduate business program. The number of students majoring in accounting, business administration, economics, and politics at ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ has grown significantly over the last 20 years, with nearly 50 percent of each graduating class earning degrees in one of these disciplines. To accommodate that growth and to provide a modern learning complex that supports this robust program, ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ plans to renovate Huntley Hall and build a new Williams School structure on Washington Street. These improvements will facilitate hands-on learning, accommodate the university’s hallmark small class size, and enhance networking and professional development opportunities for students.
The Lindley Center for Student Wellness
In the last five years, both the Student Health Center and the Counseling Center have experienced a significant increase in visits. The critical services these facilities provide ensure the health and wellness of ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ students so that they can take full advantage of the learning experiences available to them. Washington and Lee seeks to expand the Student Health and Counseling Center, consolidating medical practice, counseling and psychiatry services in one location, to support a team approach to caring for students in a setting that is easily accessible.
Find Your Gift Officer
Our leadership giving team is happy to work with you to ensure your gift makes a big impact.
Susan Wood
Vice President for University Advancement
- P: 540-458-8489
- E: swood@wlu.edu
Susan leads the university’s Development Office and is a key partner in fundraising for ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡. She works with donors from Georgia and Tennessee.
Jocelyn Lewis
Executive Director of Development
- P: 540-458-8165
- E: jlewis@wlu.edu
Lewis manages the leadership gifts team responsible for securing private support from alumni, parents and friends of ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡. Her areas include women in philanthropy and she works with donors in Georgia, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Illinois.
Amy Bersett
Senior Director of Development
- P: 540-458-8410
- E: abersett@wlu.edu
Amy is part of the leadership gifts team responsible for securing private support from alumni, parents and friends of the University. She works with donors from San Francisco, Washington, DC, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pittsburgh.
Mike Fisher
Interim Director of Leadership Giving
- P: 540-458-8423
- E: mfisher@wlu.edu
Mike Fisher is part of the leadership gifts team responsible for securing support for ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ from alumni, parents and friends. He works with donors from North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, Arizona and New Mexico.
Megan McAllister
Regional Director of Development
Megan McAllister is part of the leadership gifts team responsible for securing support for ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ from alumni, parents, and friends. She works with donors from Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, northern Florida, and the Shenandoah Valley.
Danica Rose
Regional Director of Development
- P: 540-458-4381
- E: drose@wlu.edu
Danica Rose is part of the leadership gifts team responsible for securing support for ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ from alumni, parents, and friends. She works with donors from Dallas, Texas, central and southern Florida, West Virginia, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.
Nancy McIntyre
Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Nancy secures private support for the university and serves as the university academic development staff liaison. In this role, Nancy will explore new opportunities for university faculty to connect with ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡ alumni, parents and friends to enhance philanthropy and the student experience. She works with donors in New York City, South Carolina and Virginia.
Kenny Melvin
Senior Director of Development
- P: 540-458-8410
- E: kjmelvin@wlu.edu
Kenny Melvin handles giving in support of the university and serves as the staff liaison to the Williams School. He works with donors in New York City, New York State, Northern New Jersey, and Connecticut.
The Case for Giving
The following alumni and friends have honored Washington and Lee with a gift, and we honor them in return.
Your Support Matters
Thank You
The impact of your gifts is not simply the tangible resources you provide to help carry out ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡'s mission. Your support offers inspiration to the campus community in many ways.
News
The James D. Farrar Jr. ’74 and Katharine Capito Farrar Endowment supports the Athletics Hall of Fame and will help fund athletics-related student opportunities.
Anne Faircloth and Fred Beaujeu-Dufour share their thoughts as Parents Leadership Council (PLC) chairs.
The Jeffrey G. Lawson ’68 Endowment funds leadership roles in the DeLaney Center.
The enduring legacy of ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡'s Class Agent volunteers.
Continued support from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation demonstrates the power of endowed giving.
The society amplifies alumnae's philanthropic power.
Matching challenge aims to help alleviate student debt.
The Brian C. Shearer Scholarship Endowment provides opportunities for future generations.
Jocelyn Lewis has been promoted to executive director of university development, and Dennis Cross returns as senior advisor for University Advancement and acting director of Lifelong Learning.
The Matelich Endowment enhances Outing Club experiences.
Washington and Lee's new student wellness center has inspired generous support.Â
Generous alumni, parents and friends contributed more than $10 million to ÁùºÏÌü¿ª½±ÏÖ³¡â€™s Annual Fund in the 2023-24 fiscal year, achieving the largest Annual Fund in five years.