InGeneral Winter 2024

PUBLICIST

Alyssah McGuire ‘25

STAFF

Mads Kwasnik ‘25

Caroline Cruze ‘25

Margot Vencil ‘25

Madelyn Venable ‘25

Isabella Custard ‘26

Cate Wachholz ‘26

Claire DiChiaro ‘26

Emory Ecleberry ‘27

Frances Tiffey ‘27

Lizzie Diamond ‘27

Katie Locke ‘27

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Lily Schiffman ‘24

Madelyn Venable ‘25

Cate Wachholz ‘26

Erika Kengni ‘27

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Margot Vencil ‘25

Lizzie Diamond ‘27

As we begin to transition into spring, leaving the dark winter days behind us, I’ve recently become jealous. Jealous of all the underclassmen who have more time here at W&L. However, our life is marked by transitions. First, it’s elementary school, then middle school, high school, and college. Then the real world. For the seniors, it’s almost time to embark on a new transition and it’s bittersweet.

To embrace the sad and the happy times that come with moving on to the next stage of life is all we can do to keep moving with the pace. So underclassmen, pack as much as you can in because once you graduate you will be glad you did. Go on that outing club trip. Join that club. Sit with your friends in D-hall for way too long. Just do it all.

are embodying the transitions that lurk around us. The fear that comes with it of not knowing what life will look like and the excitement of new adventures. We look closer at new beginnings like the new restaurants in town, Hardens, and a Cupcake Heaven taste test.

To

ATTN: InGeneral Magazine

John W. Elrod Commons

Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA 24450

readers through the transition into spring with fashion and recipe tips. The cover story dives into the past to show how transitioned through the years as a magazine. Lastly, we leave you with a bucket list and advice from seniors as they embark on their final transition.

Thank you to the staff who contributed to the success of the publication. And a huge thank you to Kaylin, Fraley, and Alyssah who were always willing to drop anything and help me. The time and effort they put into the magazine does not go unnoticed. It was so special to witness the magazine grow, and I can’t wait to see what InGeneral will do in the future. I wish the best of luck to the incoming exec.

After three years of working with InGeneral , I can’t believe this is my last issue. Although I am excited to take a break from Adobe

Front cover illustration by Langley Steuart ‘24

Back cover illustration by Alyssah McGuire ‘25

DEAR UNDERCLASSMEN,

Read advice from current seniors to underclassmen. From school tips to outing club trips, hear what the class of 2024 wishes they knew if they had a few more years at W&L.

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CHARCUTERIE BOARD TIPS

Want to learn how to make those fancy looking cheese boards? We got you covered. Read our best tips and tricks when it comes to making a charcuterie board.

UNSPOKEN W&L RULES

We cover a set of social norms most students seem to follow like sitting in the same seat in class everyday or dressing up for FDOC.

THE MOCK CONVENTION DELGATE’S DAY PARADE

A lot goes in to the Delegate’s Day Parade. Read the behind-the-scenes logstics with an inside look from Parade Chair, Claire Richey ‘24.

Have you ever heard of the Southern Collegian? Read this story to learn about W&L’s first student-run publication. Additionally, we look back at the history of InGeneral to discover how we transitioned over the years.

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DROP IN WITH THE SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB

Get to know what the ski and snowboard club is up to lately. From skiing on Snowshoe Mountain to the colonnade, they are an adventurous bunch.

THE RISE OF SQUASH

Learn about one of W&L’s most competitive club team and their success this year. For the first time, the team qualified for the U.S. Squash National Club Championship!

SPEND THE DAY IN ROME!

Didn’t go abroad? Interested in going abroad? Margot Vencil ‘25 shares a snippet of her current life studying abroad in Rome, Italy.

SPRINGING FORWARD IN FASHION FALL SPORTS RECAP

From the men’s soccer team to the volleyball team, fall sports made quite an impact in the ODAC and we have the highlights. Additionally, read what the student-athletes have to say about their individual teams.

CUPCAKE HEAVEN TASTE TEST

Lizzie Diamond ‘27 and Katie Locke ‘27 give us a run down on the new dessert shop on W Washington Street.

NEW RESTAURANT, FAMILIAR COUPLE

With all the buzz about Hardens, we had to get the inside scoop. Read this interview with Bill and Jessica Harden to learn more about the couple behind the new restaurant. 14

We compiled a list of core activities everyone should do before they graduate. Start checking off that list now! Graduation will be here before you know it. 06

Looking for fashion inspo with the transition into spring? From the popular midi skirt look to light-weight linen pants, we have suggestions for you when it comes to dressing for this weather.

SENIOR BUCKETLIST

DEAR UNDERCLASSMEN,

As graduation grows closer, 11 seniors reflect on their time at W&L and share encouragement for underclassmen. Take a look as Seniors shared their favorite memories, must-do activities, and tips to success as a student at Washington and Lee.

“Go out with friends and find an adventure. My best memories are times my friends decided to stop sitting around our house, go out and do something we’ve never done before.”

- HENRY RICH ‘24

“Take advantage of every moment! It’s ok to step away from studying to go do something with your friends. The studying will be there when you get back! Meet as many people as you can, don’t let social clubs/organizations define who your friends are. You may never have a chance to live so close to so many people your age again! Enjoy that! Don’t be afraid to take a class that is outside you comfort zone or outside your major, this is a chance to discover your interests.”

“Get to know your professors and utilize office hours! I recommend getting involved in at least one thing on campus that isn’t Greek life related- having an outlet that’s just for you or something you’re passionate about is super important. Say yes as much as you can (while staying true to yourself) and take advantage of the hikes and beautiful nature in the Lexington area!”

“Take advantage of the W&L network, that includes current students”

- JUSTIN LEE ‘24

“Do things that you enjoy doing instead of what you “think” you should do. It’s okay if you don’t have an internship/job in investment banking lined up sophomore year (or even a job lined up senior year !). Sometimes, things will be hard and Lexington will feel a little too small. In those times, reach outside of your comfort zone and try something new! Make friends from all different corners of campus. It might feel easy to stick with one social group, but you’d be missing out on all the awesome, different types of people who are out there!“

- JENNY HELLWIG ‘24

“Work hard early so you can enjoy being an upperclassman before working. But, don’t work too hard so that you’re

“Take advantage of all of the things Lexington and the surrounding area has to offer. W&L is in such a beautiful location, and there are so many great things to do. Whether it is walking on the Chessie with friends, climbing House Mountain, scaling up the rocks at Devil’s Marbleyard, having a picnic at the gazebo, or going on an Outing Club trip, some of my best memories with friends are from exploring the outdoors together!”

“Take random classes, take dance classes! We are so lucky to go to a school with such a low student:teacher ratio–office hours is the best thing you can do for yourself as a student. Mentorship is hard to find at other universities but could not be easier here. Learn about your friend’s passions, it’s one of the best ways to learn about people and learn a lot of things. Don’t be afraid to take a class because of what people say about grades/a professor. If you are interested in it, you will like it! Keep in touch with people you meet from different avenues of W&L. Join organizations where people from all social groups gather. Don’t forget about life outside of campus. Take advantage of the hikes, rivers, lakes, and beautiful places in and around lexington. Dhall ice cream + berries = amazing combo.”

“Knowing how temporary some things are freshman year. For example, your immediate friends, living situation, classes, etc are all super short term. I was really unhappy freshman year and thought I would be stuck with my choices for the rest of college but that’s so untrue. I would remind yourself that you can make changes, find new people, new activities and hobbies whenever you want and W&L gives you that opportunity. Freshman year or whatever year really isn’t the end-all.”

- FRALEY WILLIAMS ‘24

- NATALIE GRESHAM ‘24

“Zig when others zag. Make yourself non fungible.”

- JED HEALD ‘24

“It’s okay to fail because it’s more important how you bounce back and how you let it define you. I came into W&L knowing nobody and was from the opposite side of the country and honestly freshman year was absolutely horrible in every way. I almost switched schools, but I’m so happy I didn’t because I have met the best people in the world. Wouldn’t change a thing and all I can say is that as long as you work hard you’ll get what you want.”

DROP IN WITH THE SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB

Any weekend of winter term you can find members of the ski and snowboard club hitting the slopes of Snowshoe Mountain, posting impressive clips on their Instagram @wluskisnowbaord, or skiing down the colonnade at midnight. Comprised of an eclectic group of skiers and snowboarders of all levels, the ski and snowboard club aims to provide college students with a unique and fun winter activity.

They also want to make opportunities for skiing and snowboarding more cost effective for students. Students who join the club can join as a casual member or choose to ski competitively. The W&L Ski and Snowboard club has a formal race season, where they complete in the USCSA Southeastern Conference against other universities in gs/slalom style skiing. In these events racers must maneuver down a ski slope while racing through sets of poles.

The club isn’t just for competitive skiers and snowboarders. Most weekends the club will travel to local mountains to enjoy a couple of casual runs on the slopes. The ski and snowboard club meets three times a week on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The club meets on Thursday nights to practice, and heads to the slopes Saturdays and Sundays. Saturdays are when the club competes in their ski races, but they often stick around after their races to

get a few good runs in with friends.

Club Head Ben McClure ‘24 who leads the club, says it is a great way to get into skiing often while saving the most money. McClure says the group attracts a wide variety of people of varying skill levels. Simply put, the ski and snowboard club offer a “good time and good environment.”

KATIE LOCKE ’27

The heart of the club is centered around the love of for skiing and snowboarding, and because of this, the people who join are able to make great connections over their shared love of shredding. While the club actively is working towards the goal of qualifying for the regional ski competition, the true purpose is to give W&L students a resource to continue in, or start, their skiing/snowboarding journey. With regular trips to Snowshoe Mountain there are no shortage of ski and snowboard club trips for students. Sometimes the club doesn’t even have to leave campus to get some runs in; the club once held a midnight meeting where members skied the colonnade following a heavy snowstorm that hit campus in January. McClure says that his hope for the club when he graduates this spring is “That it doesn’t die. That the club continues to encourage people to get out and ski and snowboard for years to come.”

The Rise of Squash:

W&L’s Most Competitive Club Team

ISABELLA CUSTARD ‘26

W&L’s club squash team has emerged as the most active club team on campus. Thanks to junior John Williams ’25, the team has grown significantly in the last three years. Williams founded the competitive team in 2022 with the help of Blake Cilmi ’23. While a club team existed following the building of four courts in the fall of 2020, it did not have a strong presence on campus. The team was not competitive and rarely met.

Since its revival, the W&L’s club squash team functions like a real club team. The team practices and competes regularly, and some members even hold official positions. John Williams serves as the team’s president and is assisted by Vice President, Robert Mish ’25 and Treasurer, Hansen Ogden ’26. Men’s soccer coach, Jon Freeman, also assists as the team’s faculty advisor.

“The team has an incredibly diverse set of players with a very strong team chemistry. Our roster of about 20 players includes both guys and girls from every grade,” said Williams. “This large contingent of people make squash at Washington & Lee a reality and motivate me to continue growing the program as much as possible.”

In their last two seasons, the team has played competitive matches against respected schools like Duke, UVA, Princeton, Navy, and UNC among others. Notably, in their 2022-2023 season, the team traveled to Charlotte, NC and Charlottesville, VA defeating both Duke and Davidson’s teams. Williams also orchestrated W&L’s first annual squash invitational in January where the team handily defeated UVA and Duke ending their season with a 4-4 record.

This fall, the team kicked off the season with a 9-0 home sweep against Navy. The generals also took down Vanderbilt, Richmond, and UVA with decisive victories. They even hosted their second annual squash invitational where although they lost to Duke, beat John Hopkins and Richmond’s teams.

For the first time the team qualified for the U.S. Squash National Club Championship. They placed third in their division ending their season with an 11-4 record.

“Despite the growth and success we’ve seen in the first two seasons, building up a competitive travel team has certainly come with challenges,” said Williams.

As a club team, there is a lot of work that must go on behind the scenes to encourage consistent attendance, schedule matches, and manage the team budget on top of playing squash.

Follow @wlusquash to support the team on Instagram!

This large contingent of people make squash at Washington & Lee a reality and motivate me to continue growing the program as much as possible.

- JOHN WILLIAMS ‘25

UNSPOKEN W&L RULES

Have you ever noticed the way most W&L students dress nicely, walk in certain directions, and feel comfortable leaving their belongings all over campus? W&L is a special place and the more time you spend here, the more you realize it’s full of unconventional ways of life that are practiced by most of W&L’s students. Observable to those just visiting, these “unspoken rules” set the place we all call home apart from other campuses. Although there’s no strict guide demanding these things be done, they’ve become the popular thing to do through years of tradition. Some of these things include:

DRESSING UP ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS SPEAKING TRADITION

The first day of class, or more commonly known as FDOC by students, is an exciting day and W&L students love to celebrate it! Most students will use this day to break out their favorite nice outfits in honor of a new semester. Along with this, it’s a common day for many to take pictures with their friends on the Colonnade. Although, the dressing up doesn’t always stop there, as many students choose to dress nicely throughout the semester on normal class days too, something different than you might find at larger state schools.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Last but certainly not least, the biggest unspoken rule of W&L is the Speaking Tradition. Typically, passing students and faculty will say hi or at least offer a friendly smile even to strangers. This is partly why it’s rare to see students walking around campus with ear buds in. Although not everyone participates in it as much as they used to, the Speaking Tradition sets W&L apart from other college campuses because of the culture of outspoken friendliness the Speaking Tradition provides.

SITTING IN THE SAME SEAT

LEAVING POSESSIONS UNATTENDED LEYBURN VOLUME LEVEL

A system fully student-enforced, the volume levels of Leyburn Library make it easy to quickly find the perfect study environment. The main floor as well as the 1st are typically used for socializing and collaboration. As you move down floors, the volume level gets increasingly quieter until you end on the 4th floor, which is silent. Although this isn’t a rule enforced by library faculty, students rely on each other adhering to it, so they can enjoy their ideal study environment.

You may see all around W&L’s campus, unlike other college campuses, tables and chairs in the library or common spaces full of unattended belongings. The W&L Honor System allows for students to leave their computers, bags, and books alone, even when they leave campus, with no fear of it being messed with or stolen.

One very common phenomenon in W&L’s classrooms is the imaginary seating chart. Typically, the seat you sit in the first day of class will become yours for the entire semester with very little change. Choose wisely!

AVOIDING THE MIDDLE COLUMNS

Have you noticed there’s a dented side in the archway outside of Graham-Lees? An old-time tradition, you’ll commonly see W&L students take the long way through the side columns of Graham-Lees Hall instead of the middle. That’s because walking through the middle is said to bring you bad luck on your next exam. Or worse, prohibit you from graduating! Not only do events like Fancy Dress, Mock Con, and Spring Term set us apart, but these unspoken rules that students come to learn during their time here do as well.

EMORY ECLEBERRY ‘27

The 2024 Mock Convention

Delegate’s Day Parade

MADS KWASNIK ‘25

Since the first of its kind in 1908, Washington and Lee’s Mock Convention’s prediction of the opposing party’s presidential nominee never fails to disappoint, both in its accuracy and its unforgettable traditions. Whether you’re invested in the political research, or the financial logistics of overseeing an over $1 million student-led budget, there’s one activity that pulls by far the most students

into the event: the Delegate’s Day Parade.

With the first Delegate’s Parade rolling through the streets of Lexington in 1948, the entire city was captivated by the creativity, energy and spirit of the students and community alike. The parade has always served as the kick off to the highly anticipated weekend, filled with political speakers and the prediction itself. While every Mock Convention event is exciting in its own way, the Delegate’s Parade is definitely the most long-awaited part of the weekend.

When asked about the impact

When you look back on your time at W&L, you may not remember everything you did, but you will always remember the parade.

- CLAIRE RICHEY ‘24

of the parade, current Parade Chair Claire Richey ‘24 said that, “when you look back on your time at W&L, you may not remember everything you did, but you will always

Traditionally, each delegation is tasked with creating a float to showcase their state or territory. With a budget of around six-hundred and fifty dollars, each state chair and float committee within the delegation has to get creative to make the best out of the money. Some states’ floats remain consistent throughout the years: New York will always show the shining lights and tall buildings of the city and Texas will always display their nation’s pride and state charm. Other states, however, get creative with each cycle. The floats even employ light-hearted political banter in the spirit of the convention’s political origins.

In this year’s 2024 Delegate’s parade, the town laughed at the hilarious potato-themed float by Idaho. The tropical islands such as the Virgin Islands and Hawaii boasted boat, flower, and tiki themes. With that, the community always holds a competition for “Best Float” which further connects the students with the locals. This year, the winners were Louisiana, California, and in first place, Puerto Rico.

Richey explained what the parade means to the community: “People in town are always so excited to watch the parade. They love seeing all of us try so hard on our floats while having so much fun doing it. Everyone is on the streets.”

With the help of the Lexington police department, the student leaders involved in the Convention, and of course Parade Chair Claire Richey, the Delegate’s Day parade has served as one of the community’s most beloved events for almost eighty years, and this past convention weekend, successfully continued that title.

A DAY IN ROME:

SPEND THE DAY WITH A STUDENT CURRENTLY ABROAD

I’mMARGOT VENCIL ‘25

Margot and I’m currently one of the many W&L students studying abroad this semester. As a Classics major, Rome seemed like the perfect place to study abroad with so many ancient ruins and museums of antiquity to explore. Study Abroad is one of the great experiences W&L offers students looking to expand their horizons and explore new places and cultures. Many students choose to go abroad for one semester their junior year, like me! I’m taking four classes at John Cabot University, two of which are on-site classes, meaning classes take place in museums, churches, historical sites, etc. My classes are Italian Baroque Art History (on-site), Ancient Rome and its Monuments (on-site), Introduction to Italian, and Ancient Greek. Join me in a day in my life as a student studying abroad in Rome!

9:00 am: Rise and shine!

9:15 am: I started my morning by getting dressed for the day and making a coffee using the espresso stove pot.

9:45 am: I walked to my Ancient Greek class at one of John Cabot’s campuses that’s an old chapel near the Tiber River.

10:00 am: I attended my Ancient Greek class where there are just two other students.

12:00 pm: After class, I went to lunch with friends at our favorite café, called Santini Panetteria. Their arancini (a deep-friend Italian risotto ball) is a must have! One of the servers also gave us a yummy treat called strufoli free of charge!

2:00 pm: Today, my on-site Baroque art history class went to Doria Pamphilj Gallery that’s still owned and lived in by the Doria Pamphilj family. They have one of the largest privately owned collections of Baroque paintings, with gold-embedded ceilings, a ballroom, over 400 paintings dating back to 15th century that fill the walls, as well as statues around every corner.

4:30 pm: With time to kill before my next class, I headed out to explore Rome. I stumbled upon Rome’s second largest ancient bathhouse, The Baths of Caracalla. Built in 212 A.D., the ancient ruins of the multi-room bathhouse still stands today in its monumental glory.

5:15 pm: In need of a little snack, I stopped by La Fonte Della Salute for some gelato for $2.50. I got my favorite flavor, hazelnut!

6:00 pm: Introduction to Italian class. Today we learned how to order at a restaurant. Vorrei una bottiglia di vino, per piacere! I would like a bottle of wine, please!

7:30 pm: After class, it was time for aperitivo, which is a pre-meal drink many Italians partake in! I met up with a fellow W&L student at a favorite spot that serves a free glass of champagne to students. Of course, we had to get a $4 spritz and carciofo alla giudia, a fried artichoke, which is a traditional Roman-Jewish dish.

9:30 pm: We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Mimi & Coco Trast. Italians often eat dinner late, but aperitivo helps hold us over! I ordered a traditional Italian pasta, amatriciana, recommended to me by our waiter, and the house vino bianco, the house white wine. Amatriciana contains only four main ingredients: guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese, tomato, and pasta!

11:00 pm: After a delicious meal, we went to one of our favorite bars called Pimm’s Good that gives discounts to John Cabot students to end our day.

After a month of studying in Rome, I feel like I know the place, yet there is always something new to discover, whether it’s a delicious new Italian food, an ancient site I’ve never heard of, or a different gelato store with new flavors. I continue to find myself among amazing people to create extraordinary new memories with. Rome has been my greatest adventure so far!

Tips for the Best Charcuterie Board

CAROLINE CRUZE ‘25

As the warm weather approaches our lovely Lexington Virginia, it’s a great time to plan a night inside - or outside - with friends. One of my favorite ways to spend an evening in is over a charcuterie board littered with luxurious meats, cheeses, fruits, and other sweet or salty snacks. However, some of you might be asking, how do I even build a charcuterie board? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Welcome to your comprehensive guide on building the perfect charcuterie board. Explore a new world of French and Italian cuisine from the comfort of your living room! Every board appeals to the five senses, so we’ve broken it down into short categories to help you find your way around the grocery store!

CRUNCHY:

Presentation: lay crackers in a fan-style arrangement

• Crackers:

» Rye crackers, pairs well with sharp cheddars

» Water crackers, pairs well with aromatic cheese like Brie or Gouda

» Sourdough crostini, pairs well with anything!

» Bread sticks, pairs well with burrata and prosciutto

• Nuts (Marcona almonds, pistachios, peanuts)

SWEET:

Presentation: finger foods look lovely in ceramic bowls scattered across the board

• Chocolate covered espresso beans or nuts

• Dark chocolate chips

• Honeycomb

FRUIT:

• Berries (blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries)

• Fresh cantaloupe

• Fresh figs

• Fresh grapes

Dried fruits (apricot, raisins, figs, etc.)

MEAT:

2-3oz per person

Presentation: meats can be laid flat or folded and placed in a progressive line surrounding a pairing cheese or fruit

• San Daniele Prosciutto

• Salami

• Mortadella Sausage

• Soppressata

• Chorizo

CHEESE: 3oz per person

Presentation: cut cheese into cubes, triangles, or make it the centerpiece of the board

• Blue cheese

» Medium-firm aromatic cheese

» Pairs well with dried fruits

• Warm brie

» Aromatic soft cheese, perfect for dipping

» Pairs well with balsamic roasted grapes or apples

• Goat cheese spread

» Soft and spreadable with a strong flavor

» Pairs well with honeycomb, raisins, and walnuts

• Burrata

» Light flavor with soft inside

» Pairs well with tomatoes, prosciutto, and olive oil

• Aged white cheddar

I love to wrap prosciutto around bread sticks and have them in the center of the board, standing up in a cup. These taste great dipped in burrata or on their own!

If you build a charcuterie board of your own, snap a photo and direct message it to our instagram, @ingeneralmagazine on Instagram!

Cupcake Heaven Taste Test

LIZZIE DIAMOND ‘27

Lexington welcomes a new small business: Cupcake Heaven!

Located on West Washington Street; it is hard to miss with its bright pink signage welcoming customers in. After hearing some good reviews, Katie Locke ‘27 and I decided to stopped by to try out six cupcakes and have a taste test. With an entirely pink interior, the store is cute, quaint and lively. The menu is simple, just cupcakes, coffee, tea, and some pastry and frappe options.

The first cupcake we tried was cookies & cream. We immediately noticed how moist, fudgy and chocolaty the cake was. It was so soft it almost fell apart in our hands. But both Katie and I noted that the frosting was too sweet, and it really just tasted like vanilla. While the cupcake didn’t exactly live up to its name, it was still delicious, and we rated it a 9/10.

Next up: Strawberry squared. A fun title for what we decided was not a very fun cupcake. The only good part about this cupcake was the cake itself, which was very soft and airy. However, the icing was nauseating. It had an overpowering, terrible, artificial strawberry taste. Only because the cake itself was delicious, we rated it a 5/10.

Third, we went for the tried and true vanilla. The cake base was exactly what you would want from a vanilla cake. However, it has cream cheese frosting. Which I have now learned is not for everyone. Katie was not a fan, and said it tasted like straight sugar. I, however, enjoyed the frosting thoroughly. Overall, the cupcake was plain jane. In the end, we gave it a 7/10.

Next, we picked the chocolate cupcake. Neither Katie nor I are the biggest fans of chocolate, however. This. Was. Incredible. The frosting was not too sweet and the base was the same as the cookies & cream cupcake. It was gooey, fudgy and brownie-like.

The cake to frosting ratio was also perfect. It was an immediate 10/10 from both of us.

After chocolate, our high hopes were quickly destroyed with the lavender lemon cupcake. We were initially excited about this combination of flavors, lemon and lavender? Must make a great cupcake, right? Wrong. The cake barely tasted like lemon, and the lavender frosting was like eating a bar of soap. We were nice with our rating of 3/10.

Last but certainly not least: the spiced chai cupcake. I have no words to describe this cupcake. It was absolutely incredible. The chai taste was powerful, and the icing was perfect. It not too sweet, with a little spicy kick and the perfect, solid texture. There were no crumbs left when it comes to this cupcake (literally). An incredible way to end this taste test: 100/10.

Although not every cupcake was incredible, Cupcake Heaven does have some amazing flavors and options. If you’re looking to support a small business, or reward yourself for your hard work, definitely stop by Cupcake Heaven.

The cake to frosting ratio was also perfect. It was an immediate 10/10 from both of us.

BEFORE

BEFORE

A brief history of the Southern Collegian and InGeneral’s trajectory as a magazine

There have been various student-run publications throughout Washington and Lee’s history and some of them are still operating today. As a current student-run magazine, we wanted to examine the past publications that used to roam this campus. We discovered the Southern Collegian, which was the first student-run publication on campus. It was founded in 1869 where it began as a news source about campus, nearby universities, and regional events. It also included the occasional poem, a little bit of gossip, and lots of advertisements.

Over time, it transitioned into a literary journal. The summer 1878 issue includes a farewell section indicating a final goodbye. The switch occurred the next school year with the start of the Collegian as a literary journal in 1879. In a smaller print, the literary journal included students’ short stories and poems, but still published campus news every so often as well as advertisements. It began as a semi-monthly publication but then became monthly. With the rise in popularity of the Ring-tum Phi and weakening literary and financial support, the magazine was discontinued in 1917.

However, in the summer of 1928, the Southern Collegian was announced to make a comeback at commencement. However, this version looked a little different. The magazine evolved from a news outlet to a literary journal, and finally to a satirical (sometimes crude), humor magazine. The sleek magazine cover that we associate with magazines today covered this new version of the Southern Collegian. As a satirical comedic magazine, the issues represent the humor of the era.

With a controversial ending, the magazine

lost funding from the university, due to “poor taste in content,” according to the University Self-Study Committee in 1966. The committee found that the publication did not serve an educational purpose. There was backlash from students turning into a battle between the administration and the students, who even received help from the Executive Committee to keep their magazine around. Despite the back and forth, the controversy ended in the discontinuation of the magazine until December 1996. The Collegian was revived for two years with its last issue in the spring of 1998.

An example of the type of articles they produced is a day in the life of a W&L student. This just happens to be similar to InGeneral’s past articles featuring several students’ roles on campus. Although, the satire comes into play with descriptions like, “Outing club members ‘rough it,’ cooking dinner, for no apparent reason, in the backyard.” This gives you just a small taste of the Collegian’s tone. If curious, browse the old editions in Special Collections to see the riskier content.

Although the magazines are not related, InGeneral was founded in 2004 as a similar concept. The first physical copy we have in our records is from October 2004 vol. 2 no. 1. Although this issue references a previous issue in the spring of 2004 as a trial run. The aesthetic of the magazine in its first years differs from the most recent InGeneral publications. The early style of the magazine reminds me of the Southern Collegian in some ways as they attempt a humorist style. As one EIC notes in the letter from the editor, they hoped to bring more humor to the magazine. For the next ten years, the magazine becomes a gossip medium with a touch of wittiness.

LANGLEY STEUART ‘24

The Collegian (Lexington, Va.). (1868). Washington College.

Even though much has changed over the course of the 21 volumes, the heart of the magazine has stayed the same throughout by putting the interests of the students first.

Some articles from the early 2000’s included, “Traveller Confessions,” “Help me get a girl,” and a reoccurring sex ed Q&A. Back then, the magazine was not afraid to add a little spice to their content. Another article was titled, “InGeneral Date Lab,” where they set two people up on a blind date and documented the outcome. However, there were also more serious topics covered like the articles, “Depression: in-depth look into a silent epidemic on college campuses” and reoccurring professor spotlights.

With time, the magazine slowly transitioned away from this content and into a centralized focus on student life in early 2010s. In 2015, there was a rebranding of the magazine, fully turning the attention to the students. This is when the magazine becomes more like what we publish today with the focus on campus events, Lexington, and students’ interests like food and fashion. Starting in 2014, each issue is uploaded online so be sure to check out our Instagram, @ ingeneralmagazine.

Most recently in Fall 2019, vol. 17. no. 1, the magazine changed stylistically to appear more modern with the logo that is on this cover. Even though much has changed over the course of the 21 volumes, the heart of the magazine has stayed the same throughout by putting the interests of the students first. We hope to continue to see the magazine evolve with the times as technology improves, and the world grows. Maybe one day students will look in Special Collections to find this issue and get a taste of what it was like to attend W&L during this time.

The Southern Collegian (Lexington, Va.). (1934, 1966, 1997, 1996). The Literary Societies of Washington College.

BNEW RESTAURANT, FAMILIAR COUPLE

ill and Jessica Harden, the husbandand-wife team that owns Lexington’s Legendary Eats, still call each other at the end of each day to catch up – even after spending up to 15 hours working side by side.

“She’s my rock. To get to work with that person, who you trust completely – it’s amazing,” Bill Harden, 41, said.

The Hardens say they love working with each other so much that they are opening another restaurant in town. The restaurant, called Hardens, will open in the old University Cleaners building across the street from Washington and Lee University on North Jefferson Street. The Hardens gutted the building and rebuilt it from the ground up.

Hardens officially opened the week of Feb. 12.

Jessica Harden, 34, said she and her husband settled in Lexington in 2014 after living in New York. She said they were homesick, not so much for New York as they were for its food: “The first thing we would do was to go to the bagel shop and get a bacon, egg and cheese and then bring a dozen back here,” Jessica Harden said.

The Hardens said they have figured out how to operate two restaurants at the same time.

Most days, they said they will manage Legendary Eats from 8:00 a.m. until it closes at 3:00 p.m. Then they will be at Hardens when it opens for dinner at 4:00 p.m.

The Hardens said the long days working side-by-side only strengthens their relationship.

Bill and Jessica Harden met through mutual friends while getting ready to go to a concert in New York. Jessica had a boyfriend and Bill had a date for the night. But Bill got along so well with Jessica that he canceled his date. Two weeks later, Jessica and her boyfriend broke up. Bill waited for two days before asking her out.

The couple stayed in New York for the first few years of their relationship, but Bill Harden said he wasn’t happy with his job in finance.

Several of Bill Harden’s family members attended Washington and Lee. “I’ve been coming down here on vacations since I was

five years old,” he said.

“I don’t think Jess ever intended to leave New York,” he continued. “But she just decided to pack up and take a risk and come with me when I decided to leave. I didn’t even ask her. I was just like, ‘I have to leave’ and she was like, ‘Yeah.’”

The couple planned to only stay in Lexington for a few months and then move to a larger southern city, like Miami, Florida or Charleston, South Carolina.

But no matter where they visited, the Hardens liked Lexington better. “We kept saying, ‘Let’s just stay one more year,’” Bill Harden said.

“When people think of Lexington, we hope they think of us, too.”

- BILL HARDEN

Hardens also has a New York flavor. “We want to bring in a nice New York cocktail bar vibe, like dark colors and leather,” Jessica Harden said.

But they said they also want it to be a casual place to gather.

Bill Harden’s favorite detail in the restaurant is the large round table in the middle of the bar. He said he had never seen a bar designed like that before, but it was exactly what he

envisioned.

“You could go sit there by yourself and end up with a friend to your left and a friend to your right who you didn’t know when you first sat down,” he said.

With 14 seats, he says the bar is the largest in town.

Bill Harden was a bartender at The Georges, a local hotel, for eight years. He said he is planning to bartend at the new place and to revive some of his most popular cocktails.

Hardens’ menu includes bar favorites such as the Smash Burger and the Steak Sandwich, and they are also experimenting with some Asian dishes with the Korean Rice Bowl and Ahi Tuna. They are also considering a latenight menu.

Hardens is the first brand-new restaurant in downtown Lexington since Southern Inn Restaurant, a popular Main Street eatery, closed last July after more than 80 years in business. But Bill and Jessica Harden said they don’t feel pressure to live up to its legacy. “There’s no replacing the Southern Inn,” Jessica Harden said. “But when people think of Lexington, we hope they think of us, too.”

Bill Harden said he doesn’t know if it’s the right time to launch another business. “It might be the worst time to open a restaurant,” he said. “There is no right time, you just have to do it.”

The Covid-19 pandemic forced them to push back the opening day of Legendary Eats from April to August in 2020.

“I opened here and didn’t realize there was one little form I missed, and I couldn’t run payroll for the first two weeks,” Jessica Harden said.

“It was harder than I ever imagined,” Bill Harden said. “Everything winds up being more expensive than you think. You have to redo it with a new contractor. It’s so much.”

But the Hardens said they face the challenges head-on.

“I know that she will always have my back, because she’s proven it over and over again,” he said.

At the end of their work days, Bill Harden said he and his wife still call each other while driving home from work. “We take separate cars,” he clarified with a laugh.

CLAIRE DICHIARO ‘26

FALL SPORTS RECAP

ODAC

Fall semester is filled with reunions, reacclimating yourself to the library, and sports. W&L has notoriously dominated in sports, especially this year. Some fall sports include men and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, volleyball, and men and women’s soccer, each bringing their own accomplishments and achievements. If you didn’t keep up with fall sports this year, here’s a little recap!

FOOTBALL

The football team had a winning season ending with a record of 8-3 and a 6-1 mark in conference play, making them a strong competitor in the ODAC. They earned twelve 12 All-ODAC selections as well as the Rookie of the Year awarded to Anthony Crawford ’27. Captain Stephen Murrin ’24 says, “overall, this was the most cohesive team that I have been a part of at W&L. There was a special bond with this group that will be difficult to replicate.” The football team had a great winning season.

FIELD HOCKEY

The field hockey team completed their season with an overall record of 11-7 and finishing 7-2 in the ODAC. They earned the third spot in the ODAC tournament, reaching the semifinals for the tenth straight season. Captain Emma Gatrell ’24 said, “Anyone on the team would agree that we are a family. What I found more impactful than the wins we achieved was the support I felt from my teammates on the harder days.” Five players were named All-ODAC, two awarded first team. The field hockey team had a successful season as they dominated the ODAC.

VOLLEYBALL

The volleyball team had a winning season as they finished 22-11 overall and 8-4 in the ODAC. Three players were named All-ODAC and one of them awarded first team. Junior captain Maddie Weller said, “We won ODACs and upset the #1 and #2 seeds on their home courts to do so. It was a season of ups and downs but we finished on an unforgettable note! Everyone loved spending time with each other in and outside of the gym, and we’re excited to be back for our off season workouts.”

SOCCER

The women’s soccer team finished with an overall 13-4-4 record with a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. They earned a 7-1-2 ODAC record, making them the third seed in the ODAC tournament and later making made an appearance in the conference championship. The women’s soccer team competed fiercely and represented W&L well at the NCAA tournament.

Up next, one of the more successful teams was men’s soccer. They finished their season with an overall record of 15-4-6 and an 8-1-1 ODAC record. They successfully made it to the NCAA Division 3 men’s soccer Final 4, their second trip in the last three seasons, where many students travelled to cheer them on. They had seven players who were named All-ODAC, four of them named first team. The men’s soccer team had a competitive and exciting season.

CROSS COUNTRY

The women’s cross country team finished second in the ODAC, putting them at the top of their conference. They competed at the NCAA Southeast Regional Meet and placed third while three runners placing in the top 20. Two runners, Elise Molinaro ‘24 and Claire Hamlet ‘25 qualified for the NCAA Championship!

The men’s cross country team also finished second in the ODAC as well as the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships. They qualified for the NCAA Championship as a team for the first time since 2016. Four runners were named All-ODAC and Jackson Kodenski ’27 was named ODAC Rookie of the Year. This season was filled with lots of firsts, as Row Sterne ’25 ran the fastest 8k in program history with a time of 24:34.

Overall, each sport was very successful as they once again dominated the ODAC. They overcame various obstacles and received many accolades, all while maintaining a fun and supportive environment!

FRANCES TIFFEY ‘27

SPRINGING FORWARD:

TRANSITIONAL WARDROBE MUST-HAVES

As the seasons change, so should our wardrobes. As we leave behind our bulky sweaters and puffer jackets and look toward the warmer spring months, there are a few pieces of both fashion and advice I can give to help ease the transition

CARDIGAN

My first clothing recommendation is the cardigan. This is not a new article of clothing by any means, but it is one of the most versatile and practical pieces of clothing from winter to spring. The options are limitless, leading me to the first piece of advice: layers! Layers do not only add dimension to an outfit but are practical for upcoming warmer weather. One of my favorite things to wear is a white tee under a button-up cardigan. A cardigan can be easily removed or tied around your shoulders as the temperatures rise throughout the day.

WHITE JEANS

A more controversial recommendation in colder months is white or cream jeans. White jeans are usually associated with summer months, but I think these make a perfect transitional piece. Pairing white or cream jeans with one of your favorite winter sweaters and sneakers or flats is perfect for transitioning into our more vibrant spring wardrobes. White jeans can match perfectly with both a more neutral sweater and a brighter-colored one. Identifying versatile pieces in your wardrobe that can work in multiple seasons is key to having an adaptable wardrobe.

MIDI SKIRT

My next recommendation is the midi skirt. This is another very layer-able article of clothing that can be paired with a sweater or light jacket. What makes the midi skirt so perfect is its ability to provide coverage for cooler weather but also breathability for warmer temperatures. It is the perfect balance of elegance and comfort. Pair a neutral midi skirt with a statement sweater or go for a colorful midi skirt with a neutral sweater for a pop of color. Pops of statement colors and patterns are an emerging trend as we head into spring. My favorites are a pop of red, royal blue, leopard print, or stripes. Pops of color and pattern pair well with our capsule pieces but make an outfit more visually interesting.

LINEN PANTS

CATE WACHHOLZ ‘26

QUICK SWAP

Another summer staple that can be incorporated into your early spring wardrobe is linen pants. A good pair of white linen pants is a closet staple in my opinion. Similar to the midi skirt, they have breathability, but also the ability to keep you warm if paired with a warmer top layer. Linen pants are a capsule wardrobe item and do not have to be just associated with summer. Linen pants and a sweater are the perfect upscale and put-together comfortable outfit. They can be dressed up or down for any occasion.

Incorporating these items into your wardrobe will make your transition from winter to spring effortless while also giving you fresh pieces.

• Puffer Jacket or wool coat to light jacket, quilted jacket, vest, blazer, or trench coat

• Boots to sneakers, loafers, or flats

• Denim pants to denim dress

• Heavy sweater to a sweater vest

• Denim jacket to a denim button down

SENIOR BUCKETLIST

Here at Washington and Lee, there are plenty rites of passage. As Freshman, we are told to say hi to everyone you pass by, go to Coop at 2 a.m., go on an Outing club trip, and even streak the Colonnade. For many of us, our time is dwindling down here and there are still so many things to do before heading out of Lexington and into the real world. We all want to make the most of our time here, especially during Senior year with many “lasts” instead of “firsts”. Here is a list of some of the must-do things before graduation.

1. Float the Maury: One of the most popular to-dos! Grab some innertubes, a waterproof speaker and make sure to keep your afternoon open because it takes about 2 hours.

2. Sleep under the stars: You may have already done this on your App-Adventure trip, but there is nothing quite like sleeping outside with your best friends under the stars. You can make it a camping trip or just a backyard sleepover!

3. Streak the colonnade: This may not be for everyone but there is a reason almost everyone does it before they graduate: it is a uniquely W&L experience you will always remember doing.

4. Devil’s Marbleyard: Whether you’re outdoorsy or not, Devil’s Marbleyard is a W&L staple. It gets you out and active and is a great Saturday or Sunday morning hike, about 35 minutes from campus. Make sure you are ready to climb if you want to go to the beautiful overlook!

5. Downtown bar crawl: One thing you may miss out on going to a school like W&L is the bar culture. Most of us are fine with the lack of nights out at bars but every now and then it can be a nice change of pace. Hit up Sky Bar and The Palms for some cocktails, Heliotrope for some wine or ciders, and Brew Ridge Taps and Devil’s Backbone for some beers. If you’re feeling fancier, Taps has an awesome cocktail menu as well.

6. Natural Bridge State Park: Plan a day trip to

Natural Bridge to see one of our local wonders. It’s a designated National Landmark and only 20 minutes away from campus!

7. Picnic at the gazebo: A short hike from the Outing Club barn is a cute gazebo with a great view of the Virginia mountains. The best time to go is at sunset!

8. Blue Ridge Parkway: If you have never been to the classic overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you absolutely need to before graduating. It is the perfect way to spend an evening watching the sunset.

9. Goshen: When the weather gets a bit warmer, head to Goshen pass to spend the day swimming and tanning!

10. Hull’s Drive In: The classic drive-in theater starts showing in March and is the ideal way to spend an evening when you want to get out of the house. It is one of Virginia’s last few operating drive-in theatres and America’s first non-profit community owned and operated drive-in!

11. Bread day: We are all familiar with Seasons’ Yield at Haywoods. Almost every other Saturday, they host “Bread Day” at the Seasons’ Yield farm, a short drive from campus. Get there early to secure pastries, coffee and fresh sourdough pizza!

12. Farmers Market on Wednesdays: Lexington has an adorable farmers market every Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on North Jefferson Street with fresh produce, make your own bouquets and lots of other goodies!

13. Go on an Outing Club trip: Making the most of your time at W&L goes hand-inhand with the Outing Club. Not only do they offer cool trips and adventures, but you can also rent equipment and go to the climbing gym!

14. Bridge jumping: The James River has a popular footbridge perfect for a plunge. If you’re not one to jump, it also makes for a great spot to tan and hangout.

15. Safari Park: Last but not least is the Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge. You can opt for the drive-thru or on-foot option where you can pet and feed all kinds of animals like giraffes, sloths and llamas.

Selfishly, I would tell you not to skip out on numbers one and 13. Floating the Maury River and going on an Outing Club trip are my two must-dos and I cannot recommend them enough! There are so many memories to make in Lexington in your four years here. These are just a few to get you started.

FRALEY WILLIAMS ‘24

INGENERAL MAGAZINE

John W. Elrod Commons

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, VA 24450