l a r e n e InG W&L DANCE By Barbara Bent
CAMPUS TOURS By Caroline Sanders
BIG CITY? By Inga Wells
PLUS W&L’s Trident MENTAL HEALTH Southern EDUCATION
InGeneral EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Liza Boldrick
MANAGING EDITOR Hendley Badcock
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Eileen Small
LAYOUT MANAGER Jenna Faude LAYOUT Lindsay Cates, Maggie Glaze, Camille LeJeune, Katie Paxton
PHOTOGRAPHY Ellen Kanzinger, Katie Pettit, Kevin Remington
WRITERS Barbara Bent, Lindsey Burke, Carolyn Holtzman, Polli Noskova, Caroline Sanders, Kassie Scott, Scott Sugden, Inga Wells, Emma Whittemore
FOR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: INGENERAL JOHN W. ELROD COMMONS WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY LEXINGTON, VA 24450
Table of CONTENTS
InGeneral
01
Fall 2014
Letter from the
EDITOR Dear Readers:
As you thumb through the latest issue of inGeneral, painstakingly crafted by our talented staff so you can procrastinate studying for finals, know that we’ll do our best to make your study break educational. You won’t find physics theorems or finance formulas in these pages, but you will find--just like the tour guide promised you on your very first trip to Washington and Lee (p. 13)--a thoroughly liberal arts education. In an effort to be fully representative of W&L, inGeneral has always strived to touch on the issues most important to our university’s community as well as the greater Lexington population. If you’re lagging behind on your FDRs, have no fear: take a naval history lesson with W&L alumni (p. 10) or access your artsy side with the Dance Company (p. 3). If you’re looking to stroll outside the grounds (good choice, concerning the state of our parking situation, as you can see on p. 7), you can stop at one of the latest hotspots turning Lex Vegas into a cultural mecca (p. 2) or travel overseas on a professor sabbatical (p. 8). Whichever path you take, you won’t have to worry about being pigeonholed. And unfortunately, that’s an increasingly difficult promise to find in higher-level education. W&L is one of the few remaining elite American colleges to emphasize the importance of a liberal arts education--that is, exposure to a range of traditional subjects including history, literature, language, the arts, and mathematics, as opposed to the focus on one professional track. Recent trends, compounded by the stubbornly difficult job market, have led to many one-time liberal arts colleges transforming into “professional colleges” in which students’ entire educations are centered around one vocation such as business, communications, or pre-med. In the process of this transition, scores of colleges are abandoning the mission that has shaped so many students into well-rounded, curious risk-takers. Liberal arts education makes us good at cocktail conversation, yes, but it also urges us to never limit ourselves or stifle our interests beyond whatever career path we embark upon. This is not to discount the value of alighting on a career focus early on. Certainly many employers expect candidates to be well-versed in the industry before they even begin the job or internship, and continuity is never a bad thing. But a one-dimensional resume can be just as disadvantageous as one that’s all over the board. At W&L, we’re lucky enough to have access to an education that hits that ever-elusive happy medium. And so we arrive at the part of this written lecture where I offer you my advice: don’t get bogged down in your majors, y’all. It’s great to have a plan, but there are a thousand and one minors, clubs, and extracurriculars that may have absolutely nothing to do with your career but everything to do with balance and happiness. W&L’s liberal arts offerings are rare, so remember that you chose this school over the many professional colleges you could have gone to for a reason. You can prepare for life all you want, but at the end of the workday, you still have to actually live it.
Peace ‘n’ blessings,
02) Big City? BY: INGA WELLS
03) W&L Dance BY BARBARA BENT
04) Southern EDU BY: CAROLYN HOLTZMAN
06) W&L’s Trident BY: POLLI NOSKOVA
07) The Commute BY: EMMA WHITTEMORE
08) On Leave BY: SCOTT SUGDEN
10) Naval History BY: LINDSEY BURKE
12) Mental Health BY: KASSIE SCOTT
13) Campus Tours BY: CAROLINE SANDERS
Liza Boldrick
02
small town
BIG W
hen Washington and Lee students arrived on campus this fall they were excited to relish in all of Lexington’s time-tested entertainment offerings—tubing on the Maury, hiking, walking down the Colonnade. Still, they may have noticed that something was different than before. The most recent O-Week was accompanied by the bustle of downtown construction, replaced by new glamorous hotels and restaurants by the time class began. And thus our small town suddenly seems like a tourism mecca. This is not to say that Lexington hasn’t always been a popular place for the history buff and family road trip, but the swarm of men in sport coats and women in dresses coming out of the Robert E. Lee Hotel on a recent Friday evening suggests to the
DANCING TOWARD THE STARS
gone
CITY?
by INGA WELLS ‘16 passerby an elevated interest in downtown Lexington nightlife. Even so, this is not so much a new development as it is a revitalization of what once was. The building that houses the recently opened Robert E. Lee Hotel was built in 1926 and has experienced a rebirth, accompanied by penthouses and its own restaurant, Rocca. Capitalizing on its prime location, Rocca’s atmosphere takes precedence to its somewhat limited menu. That said, guests will not be left wanting for a relaxing evening as they dine on the rooftop patio. As with any new restaurant, Rocca finds its success by delivering what may soon become successful local staples: the kale dip takes a unique spin on traditional spinach dip (if you are one to appreciate lemon), and the arugula salad with pears offers a lighter
option. Wander down Main Street a bit further and you will run into Haywood’s Piano Bar, a restaurant quickly becoming a Lexington favorite. The owners of The Georges Inn – appropriately named after George Washington and George Marshall in a nod towards W&L and the Virginia Military Institute (the owner’s alma mater) – run both Haywood’s and the soon-to-open Taps, echoing the Robert E. Lee’s combination restaurant/ hotel model. Thomas Burke, the general manger of The Georges, believes that the inn brings a “casual elegance” to the town. “Elegance is what we do,” said Burke, and it works well when aptly combined with the come-as-you-are ease of the town. Although Haywood’s guests and waiters at times have to shout over the sound of the piano, the restaurant fulfills a niche that has previously been vacant in the Lexington community: a place where you can enjoy a glass of wine while nodding along with the pianist—or local bluegrass/rock band the Funhopper Family Band, which counts two W&L professors, Caleb Dance and Matt Gildner, among its members. The band is a regular feature at Haywood’s on Wednesday nights, adding some much-appreciated, banjo-drenched energy to the scene. One may still question, however, if these restaurants are taking a share of the profit from established Lexington restaurants and hotels, or if they are they in fact drawing their own unique crowd. Despite the relatively slow pace during the majority of the year, W&L’s and WMI’s special event weekends, such as Parents’ Weekend and graduation, always deliver significant revenue to Lexington merchants, providing a cushion for the rest of the year. With this consideration in mind, the Livery, Southern Inn, and Bistro will hopefully happily coexist in the long term with the newcomers. As Burke believes, “People are always looking for an excuse to come back to Lexington.
by BARBARA BENT ‘16
photo by KEVIN REMINGTON
How the dance company has transformed over the years
O
n a late Sunday afternoon, most Washington and Lee students 2011.” start to shake off the groggy haze left behind from the night Aerial dance classes at W&L, which Davies offers year-round, are before and pack into the library to finally start on Monday’s one of the most unique and incredible facets of the department. W&L homework. Meanwhile, in the dance studio, a small group of dancers is one of three schools in the country that offers aerial as a class. Inga led by student choreographer Nacho Portela ’15 perform warm-up Wells ’16, a strong supporter of the aerial program, choreographed her routines to Lana del Rey, preparing for a loud, sweaty, and inspirational own aerial for last winter’s show. rehearsal. “I think aerial dance has provided a great way to both expand the Portela has been an iconic member of the Repertory Dance Compa- dance program and make it unique,” said Wells. “I would assume ny since 2012, when he choreographed a hip-hop dance to a remix of people rarely arrive at W&L knowing how to do it, so it proves to be a the theme song to The Lion King. After three years of working in the very accessible dance form for those wanting to try something new. It dance company, Portela acknowledges a difference in the dedication also really helps build strength, which has been beneficial for all types and creative gusto of the dancers, including himself. of dance.” “I’m going to explore my own movement and create something,” The enthusiasm and devotion of the dancers penetrates the very said Portela. “I don’t need to be copying moves. That’s a beautiful place marrow of the dance department itself. to be as a company. It makes me proud.” “From the first second I started, the The program has blossomed since its students have been enthusiastic,” said I’M GOING TO BE GUILTY OF A introduction nine years ago, when Joseph Davies. “The change that I’ve seen is that TERRIBLE PLAY ON WORDS Martinez of the Theater Department and the company, over the past nine years, has I THINK THAT THE DANCE Mike Gorman, director of the Lenfest become more professional every year.” COMPANY HAS GROWN BY LEAPS Center, saw the need for a dance program Davies attributes this professionalism AND BOUNDS. at the university. They hired Jenefer Davies, to the higher quality of technique as well - Lisa Stoiser ‘15 current director of the dance program, to as increased dedication of the students. For teach and gauge student interest in dance this reason, she recently required a modern classes. A few years later, W&L instituted a dance minor to supplement technique class for company members because the level of technical the pre-existing dance company. Since then, the department has flourability has risen exponentially. ished, offering a variety of courses, such as modern and ballet technique “This [class] has all kinds of benefits,” said Stoiser. “Returning as well as a few aerial dance classes. audience members might notice that dancers are executing choreogra“I’m going to be guilty of a terrible play on words,” said dancer and phy more coherently at performances, and choreographers are able to choreographer Lisa Stoiser ’15. “I think that the dance company has comfortably set movement that is more intricate and demanding than grown by leaps and bounds since I began participating in the fall of in the past.”
03
Southern
04
EDUCATION WASHINGTON AND LEE’S PRIDE IN ITS SOUTHERN HERITAGE AND HISTORY ARE UNDENIABLE. FROM TRAVELLER TO THE HONOR SYSTEM, THE INFLUENCE OF ROBERT E. LEE IS UBIQUITOUS. by CAROLYN HOLTZMAN ‘16
L
ee was president of Washington College for only five years, but in that short time, he instilled his own personal values that are still upheld today. It was during his presidency that our Honor System took form: Lee did away with written rules of behavior and called upon every student to “conduct himself as a gentleman.” Lee also introduced new areas of education to the college, including the first business and journalism courses at any college in the United States, which today have grown into two of the most successful departments on campus. Additionally, he oversaw the construction of a chapel on campus, which became Lee Chapel following his death in 1870. It comes as no surprise, then, that some W&L students and alumni were enraged when a group of law students known as “the Committee” presented a letter of demands to President Ruscio and the Board of Trustees last April. The letter called for the removal of the Confederate flags from school property, including those in Lee Chapel, full recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an official apology for the
University’s participation in chattel slavery, and a denunciation of Robert E. Lee’s participation in slavery. In response, President Ruscio agreed to remove the replica flags from the chapel and display them in the Lee Chapel Museum. He also apologized for the school’s past ownership of slaves in a letter to the University published in June. “We acknowledge that this was a regrettable chapter in our history, and we must confront and try to understand this chapter,” wrote President Ruscio. “Acknowledging that historical record—and acknowledging the contributions of those individuals—will require coming to terms with a part of our past we wish had been different but that we cannot ignore.” But Ruscio also added that he would “not apologize for the crucial role [Lee] played in shaping this institution… Lee was an imperfect individual living in imperfect times.” Some students, however, question President Ruscio’s decision regarding the flags. “Our school is called Washington and Lee, so it makes sense that things like [the Traveller bus system] are called ‘Traveller,’ and that there are Confederate flags around,” said Maggie Andrea, a third-year student
from Long Island. “I think the flags should be put back up because they are a symbol of respect towards Lee,” said Meg Pascale’16 of Bronxville, New York. One African American student agrees that the flags were simply an acknowledgment of the school’s history. “There is no reason why the past should not be recognized along with the present,” he said. “General Robert E. Lee helped build our school and establish the brand of honor that we now carry. It would be shameful for us not to recognize his history and where he came from, as we do with George Washington. He also felt that the Committee brought a negative stigma to the African American students at Washington and Lee. “I personally am not out to change what has been a part of this town’s history, and I do not feel that I should be cast into the same group as the Committee who is actively trying to change the past and how it is represented,” he said. Other students support President Ruscio’s removal of the replica flags from Lee Chapel. “It’s worth noting that the Confederate flag means different things to different people,” said one sophomore. “For some, it's a central part of their cultural heritage.
05 Others look at the Confederate flag and see slavery, oppression, and war.” Jennifer Heibig, a junior from Columbia, Tennessee, felt that Ruscio handled the situation with grace. “Although I don't necessarily think that the Confederate flags in Lee Chapel represented racism and slavery to every person who saw it and comprehended its historical context, I appreciate the fact that without context, the flags could be interpreted negatively,” said Heibig. “By framing the flags correctly, President Ruscio removed ambiguity and now the flags are without a doubt framed historically and cannot be argued as anything but.” In the wake of the controversy, some question why the Committee members applied to W&L Law School. “The law students are attending a school called Washington and Lee,” one student said. “They can’t try to change the history of the school. If they want to change W&L, they may as well rename the school or move Lee’s grave.” Do we mean to imply that minority students should not apply and take advantage of the other aspects of W&L that make us one of the top schools in the country? Are minorities unwelcome at W&L? That certainly is not the case. While it is important to recognize both the good and the bad of
I
THINK THE FLAGS
SHOULD BE PUT BACK UP BECAUSE THEY ARE A SYMBOL OF RESPECT TOWARDS LEE. - MEG PASCALE ‘16
our history, it is of equal—if not greater— importance to pay attention to how our actions today affect the community both now and in the future. The Committee’s call for change on our campus deserves open-minded discussion. Paul Lagarde, a junior from Mobile, Alabama, thinks there may be a more constructive way to increase inclusiveness on our campus. “I think we need to place a far greater emphasis on the Speaking Tradition than we currently do,” said Lagarde. “The Speaking Tradition is founded on the tradition of civility we have here on this campus, and by adhering to it, we demonstrate that all individuals, no matter their race or ethnicity, are worthy of our recognition. I don't know if this will help minority students specifically, but it will certainly make the campus as a whole a friendlier place.” To us southerners, the flag may be a symbol of pride. But to many others, the flag is offensive and racist. People are more important than symbols or historic flags. There are so many great aspects of the South and of our school that are worth celebrating, but can we do so without flying a replica Confederate flag in a space shared by all of our community? This writer thinks so.
06
M akingO ur M ark W&L’s Trident & The University Store
T
by Polli Noskova ‘17
the display of W&L Law School merchandise above the stairs. The store is no stranger to trends. Schaefer said the key to he Washington and Lee University Campus Store keeps selection is to really understand W&L students and culture. Most its philosophy simple: “Everything y’all would want, everything y’all merchandise is selected with student input. What began as the “Rah would need.” Rah Room,” the aptly named unisex room of school spirit-themed The store is currently the cornerstone of campus fashion, stampsweatshirts and tees, is now a carefully cultivated selection reflecting ing us (and our mothers) with tridents in all sizes and colors, but it the tastes of the student body. didn’t always have its enviable monopoly on W&L’s signature insigWhile the Nike tempo shorts and omnipresent spirit jerseys still nia. In fact, ten years ago, anyone could re-purpose the trident or have a significant hold on our campus, some school crest. This practice was cut short when trends are quietly pruned away and moved to the several unofficial school t-shirts surfaced in shadows – such as the Rainbow Sandals brand. 2000, one showing an Absolut vodka bottle WE TRY TO WATCH “We try to watch people around campus and redesigned with the W&L logo, and the other see what they’re wearing, and whether they’d wear PEOPLE AROUND a racist state shirt making use of the trident it with an insignia,” said Schaefer, explaining how during a cycle of Mock Convention. CAMPUS AND SEE WHAT it can be complicated to achieve that balance of But before licensing was enforced and THEY’RE WEARING, AND style and brand. And yes, all of the apparel conapparel became common merchandise, the tains an insignia. WHETHER THEY’D WEAR IT University Store was just the bookstore. It Trend forecasting is not easy, since merchanwas 95 percent books and was housed where WITH AN INSIGNIA. dise is bought six months ahead of time and the Holekamp is today. There were a few t-shirts, - K.C. SCHAEFER ‘04 student body is constantly changing. According supplemented with the occasional sweatshirt to Schaefer, W&L is taking a turn away from the and a hat. stereotypical southern and conservative legacy The new bookstore, renamed the Universtudents to a more ethnically and socio-economically diverse group. sity Store, opened in the summer of 2003 along with the University Schaefer hopes to cater to that growing set of tastes. Clientele can Commons building. K.C. Schaefer ’04 took over as director of the buy Vineyard Vines and Ralph Lauren branded items but also collestore roughly a year and a half ago. giate staple items that have a mass appeal. “The Commons building was a hole in campus life that needed The University’s Store is more than just the campus hub of retail. to be filled,” said Schaefer. And the store fit right in. It partners with departments and programs and hosts between 25 The basement was remodeled into a stockroom almost as big as and 60 book signings a year, and it has become a small-scale conthe selling floor in the summer of 2007, and the last major renosulting business to other schools in a unique market where there are vation occurred in 2009. Today, rows of carefully labeled plastic peers but no competitors. bins in the stockroom hold both traditional merchandise as well as “We are very lucky to be able to share some of our successes,” seasonal goods. said Schaefer. “We try to capture every inch of space,” said Schaefer, waving at
COMMUTER CAMPUS by EMMA WHITTEMORE ‘16
F
or years Washington and Lee has given upperclassmen the opportunity to live off campus. Students gain experience interacting with landlords, cooking, and paying bills before hitting the real world. Some of them choose to live in downtown Lexington and others find themselves living in rural Rockbridge County. But with this year’s severe overcrowding in the 594-spot parking deck, living within walking distance of campus seems enticing. “I laugh at my friends who have to search for parking in the deck,” said Patricia Kirkland ‘15, who lives behind Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe. “I spend the same time walking to class that my friends do driving around the parking deck looking for a spot.” Of the 935 students in the junior and senior classes, the Public Safety Department has issued 406 Commuter Parking permits. Students must live more than a half mile from the center of campus, Washington Hall, to receive a Commuter permit. These permits, which grant access to the parking deck from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, are also issued to all faculty and staff members, regardless of where they live. “We issue permits based on the way we think we can accommodate everyone and hope that it works out the way it’s supposed
to,”said Director of Public Safety Ethan Kipnes. But students are finding the permits to be of little help in finding a place to park before class. “One of my teammates on the tennis team lives in-town and can technically drive to class, but sometimes she chooses to walk because she’s fed up with the parking deck,” said Kirkland. However, some students that live in the country don’t have the freedom to walk to
I
SPEND THE SAME TIME
WALKING TO CLASS THAT MY FRIENDS DO DRIVING AROUND THE PARKING DECK LOOKING FOR A SPOT. - PATRICIA KIRKLAND ‘15
class. “It’s frustrating that we pay for parking stickers and aren’t even guaranteed a spot on campus,” said Carissa Steichen ’16. Steichen lives in the country off Greenhouse Road. According to Kipnes, a few factors are potentially responsible for the overcrowding in the parking deck. “It’s most likely a combination of a loss of spots other places on campus because of construction and class schedules,” he said. The construction near duPont Hall displaced about 20 faculty parking spots. Kipnes said he’s brainstorming incentives for students and faculty to carpool to campus or walk instead of defaulting to the parking deck. The debate between living in town and living outside of Lexington city limits will ensue for years to come. However, the overcrowding in the parking deck will come to a halt in a few years once the third-year housing project is finished. Third-year students will walk to campus instead of commuting to the parking deck. Dean of Student Life David Leonard said the third-year housing project would mirror the same experience that first-year students feel living together in the dorms. “One of the greatest benefits about W&L is being part of a community,“ said Leonard. “It’s essential to preserve that.”
07
08
09
On
Peter Grajzl took winter term off to revise papers examining how liability rules and competition policy minimize risks to consumers in the business world. Like Radulescu, he spent most of his time in Lexington, but he did find the time to spend two weeks as a research fellow at the University of Munich. Grajzl’s choice to take only a semester off was motivated by the needs of his department. Because of high enrollment in Economics courses last year, not every faculty member could take the full year off. Grajzl volunteered to be what he called “the good departmental soldier.” “[Including the summer] I still got basically nine months off… [and] I don’t mind
leave
INSIDE THE LIVES OF PROFESSORS ON SABBATICAL Every year, another crew of washington and lee professors goes to a mysterious place called “sabbatical,” vanishing from course offerings and, in many cases, from their offices. Visiting professors are hired to teach their regular classes, other faculty are appointed to fill their places on committees, and the words “on leave” appear under their names on departmental web pages. But what exactly are these professors doing? W&L faculty have the opportunity to take a sabbatical every five years; they can take only a semester off and still receive their full paycheck, or they can take the entire year off in exchange for half pay. No matter their choice, the expectation is that the sabbatical is not a vacation, but rather a
time to engage in scholarly pursuits. Curious about what some of these pursuits might be, I spoke with several professors about their recent sabbaticals. Last year, Professor Domnica Radulescu from the Romance Language Department took the full year off to finish her newest scholarly book, Theater of War and Exile from Eastern Europe and Israel. She also focused on several creative projects. Among those projects were two new plays, one of which is scheduled for a staged reading on Broadway, and her latest novel, Country of Red Azaleas. During her sabbatical Radulescu did some travel but spent the majority of her time at home in Lexington, writing. “I write well at home,” said Radulescu.
by SCOTT SUGDEN ‘15 “The most productive and satisfying way to go about my sabbatical year is to stay here and take short trips.” One of Radulescu’s trips brought her to the Baltic Book Fair in Lithuania, where she gave interviews about the new Lithuanian translation of her novel Train to Trieste. Another had her giving an invited talk and exploring the Romanian immigrant culture in Seville, Spain. Professor Debra Prager of the German Department spent the majority of her year away from Lexington completing her scholarly book, Orienting the Self: The German Literary Encounter with the Eastern Other. She received a contract for the book in February 2013 and was ready to publish it, but for a reviewer who suggested she provide more background on German Romanticism. “I could have published [the book] as it was,” said Prager, “but instead I decided to be thorough.” So in June 2013 Prager left for Widener Library at Harvard, and there she remained until last February, studying German philosophy and rewriting her book chapters to incorporate this new material. With the book soon to be in print, Prager said “it’s a much better book now” than it was before her sabbatical. In the Economics Department, Professor
being in the classroom at all,” said Grajzl, who wasn’t bothered by the loss of the extra semester. Even without that extra time he enjoyed having what he called “concentrated chunks of time” to finish his publications. Professor Lisa Alty, from the Chemistry Department, is on sabbatical this year finishing up research started in W&L’s biochemistry classes and preparing it for publication. This spring she hopes to both re-launch her personal research projects and rewrite the curriculum for her medicinal chemistry course, which she has never taught in the four-week spring term. “[A sabbatical is] a time you can really thoughtfully, deeply consider something,” said Alty. “[You can] become an expert in
SABBATICAL: (N.) ANY EXTENDED PERIOD OF LEAVE FROM ONE’S CUSTOMARY WORK, ESPECIALLY FOR REST, TO ACQUIRE NEW S KILLS OR TRAINING. something you weren’t before.” On previous sabbaticals Alty has taken additional courses or worked in other laboratories to keep herself current in her field. While she hasn’t yet made plans for this sabbatical, she anticipates spending time in another researcher’s lab for a short time this spring. All the professors I spoke with agree that sabbaticals are an unmatched opportunity to continue their research without the time constraints of teaching and other university duties. “If you are dedicated to teaching and you are dedicated to serving the university and your department,” said Prager, “then you need the sabbatical to keep on top of your publishing… It was more time intensive to get [my] book done than it is to teach.” Radulescu agrees, adding that “the best teachers at the university level are the ones who are very productive in their field of study. You want your professors to produce knowledge,” and one of the best times for them to do so is during their sabbaticals. Although sabbaticals aren’t vacations, there are opportunities for some personal time. “I always redecorate one or two rooms in my house,” said Alty, who on an earlier sabbatical put in new flooring. Radulescu began her sabbatical on a road trip out West as part of what she called a “writing retreat,” and some of her experiences there now feature in her novel. By the end of their sabbaticals, all the professors were drawn back to campus by their love of the classroom. Alty misses “the contact with students,” regretting how every year after a sabbatical there will be “a year that graduates in [her] major” that she doesn’t know as well. Grajzl is drawn back by the intrinsic reward of teaching. One of the difficulties with research, he explained, is that “most of the time you’re not doing anything worth showing. It only culminates after months or years of work.” But in class, “even if just one student says ‘Ah! I get it,’ you can feel like you did something valuable.”
10
11 the values that make our country strong for over 200 years.” Townley’s book tour advances his goal of conserving the names in military and aviation history. Defiant recounts the torture faced by naval aviators including Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Admiral Jeremiah Denton, who blinked T-O-R-TU-R-E in Morse code in a 1966 televised interview. Townley makes it his mission to spread the names of these men who have overcome such brutality and desperation. “Each of us has to leave Lexington and figure out where we want to make a difference and where it is we want to serve,” he said, “and use the values and education we’ve received to go and make that difference.”
historian and artifact collections manager at the National Naval Aviation Museum. He frequently appears on PBS and the Discovery, History, and Military Channels for historical commentary. He has written, edited, or contributed to more than five books on naval history. Like Townley, Goodspeed emphasizes the relatable quality of naval history. “I try to personalize naval aviation history by using diaries, letters, and interviews, and then try to relate the experience that [aviators] went through,” he said. “That’s really how you connect people with the past, by humanizing the past. It’s not just a collection of dates.” For Goodspeed, putting this belief into practice is the most gratifying part of his job. “It is most satisfying when I am able to answer questions for someone or am able to
Naval History as told by W&L Grads by LINDSEY BURKE ‘15 Alvin Townley spent more than two weeks aboard five aircraft carriers in three oceans. One hundred miles off the coast of Pakistan, he watched as naval aviators prepared for a mission into Afghanistan. That kind of sailing log would look impressive on any naval officer’s resume. But Townley isn’t in the Navy; instead he writes
about it and the men and women who serve. His latest book, Defiant, honors 11 of America’s most fearless aviators. “We have never in all of U.S. military history had a group of men who have served a longer and more difficult deployment than the men you’ll read about in Defiant,” said Townley. Townley, a 1997 Washington and Lee graduate, spent the last year traveling around the U.S. spreading the stories of 11 American POWs who endured Vietnam’s most infamous prison, Hỏa Lò, known facetiously to American prisoners as the Hanoi Hilton. Defiant details both the courage of these “ringleaders” and of the wives who fought to bring their husbands home. Former President Jimmy Carter and Senator John McCain are among those who have endorsed the book. “These heroic men and women remind us how courage, devotion, and faith can triumph even in the darkest of times,” said
Carter. “In Defiant, Alvin Townley masterfully tells the inspirational and unforgettable story of our Vietnam POWs and the Alcatraz 11.” Townley thinks the book’s significance and impact will extend beyond just sharing a story in military and naval history. “It has become a powerful story and the message of values, service, faith and perseverance resonate with everybody,” he said. “I think the book externalizes the value of the navy and military and bringsthose values to the public in a very understandable and relatable way.” Townley’s ability to access top naval historians and experts epitomizes the advantages of the W&L alumni network. When researching his books, Townley consulted with Hill Goodspeed ‘92 and Richard Latture ’81. Both were history majors at W&L and later received M.A.’s in history from prestigious programs. Since 1994, Goodspeed has been the
T
HAT’S REALLY HOW
YOU CONNECT [WITH] PEOPLE...BY HUMANIZING THE PAST. IT’S NOT JUST A COLLECTION OF DATES.
- HILL GOODSPEED ‘92
provide them with information about a family member [through information that I’ve been able to uncover],” he said. “It maybe opens a door to their personal past that they may not have known before.” Latture and Goodspeed are well known at the United States Naval Institute. After working for USA Today and Primedia History Group, Latture has spent the past nine years pursuing his passion for naval history as editor-in-chief of Naval History Magazine. He calls it the highlight of his career. Latture says his work helps “preserve the history of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, so I feel like I’ve made a worthwhile contribution.” Townley, Goodspeed and Latture not only share a passion for this division of history, but they appreciate W&L’s contribution to their careers and their lives. “A lot of things I learned at W&L helped with my career, [and] also helped with enriching my life,” Latture said. He said he’s even recently enjoyed re-reading material from his W&L French literature classes. For these three alums, naval history goes beyond teaching us the “whys” and “whats” of the past. According to Townley, naval history holds more of a social significance. “What I didn’t know, but what I discovered as I began learning more about naval history, is that the Navy is a tremendous value-based institution,” he said. “Those institutions where we learn about citizenship are what makes this country strong, so learning about naval history is really learning about
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LOT OF THINGS I
LEARNED AT W&L HELPED WITH MY CAREER, [AND] ALSO HELPED ENRICH MY LIFE. - RICHARD LATTURE ‘81
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IT WILL BE OVER SOON An essay on mental health and the W&L culture. by KASSIE SCOTT ‘18
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n the fourth floor of Leyburn truth, the rates tend to be higher on W&L’s Library a sign reads “World Hiscampus. To aid students with such disorders, tory” in bold face letters. Beneath, in the W&L provides free counseling services. scrawled handwriting of a stranger: “It will During these individual sessions, students be over soon.” Considering the stress and often address what Luder calls “existential competition associated with higher-level questions.” According to Luder, commonly education today, students of all years can addressed questions include: “What is this empathize with this sentiment. In some all about? What is going to give my life ways, education has become a system by meaning? Why have I been doing all this which individuals measure and compare work when I do not even know what I want themselves, instead of a framework through in life?” which self-discovery can occur. The key to unearthing answers lies also The statistics on Washington and Lee’s in asking these questions among peers or the campus hint at the danger of perfectionism. school-trained Peer Counselors assigned to “Forty percent of [W&L] students each freshman hall. visit the Counseling Center at some time “Peer Counselors need not only be for during their careers, and 20 to 40 percent of freshman,” said Reed Grabill ’15, who heads students use Adderall that is not prescribed,” the Peer Counselor organization. “They are reported Dr. Kirk Luder, the psychiatrist on compassionate listeners available to all.” campus. Questioning the definitions and stanof W&L students visit the These statistics epitomize W&L students’ dards imposed by society can help address Counseling Center at some point tendencies to strive for rigidly defined, and the issue of mental illness. At a place such as during their time on campus often impossible, standards. W&L where the Speaking Tradition plays a - Dr. Kirk Luder “[Students] obscure the true self by key role in everyday life, I challenge our stuencouraging a way-too-narrow standard of [happiness, What is this all about? What is going to give my life meaning? Why have success, and fulfillment],” I been doing all this work when I do not even know what I want in life? explained Graham Colton ’15, the leader of the student organization dent body to acknowledge the well being of Active Minds, which aims to empower stueach person. We must resist the tendency to dents to speak openly about mental health suppress our problems, and instead embrace in order to educate others and encourage W&L’s uniquely tight-knit community. help-seeking. No longer should we view life as a comof students use Adderal that is not I too have struggled with mental health petition, a race we hope “will be over soon.” prescribed to them and the demons of perfectionism. Living No longer should there be a finish line that - Dr. Kirk Luder with a mental illness is a silent shame, one determines distinct winners and losers. in which you hate yourself for being unable In the words of Luder, “The drive to to enjoy life as others do. The hope for those maintain optimal academic performance struggling with mental health disorders lies should not eclipse early exploration of what in the potential to be heard. Mental health students want for their lives in a larger disorders should never be silenced. sense.” Instead, education should better our The prevalence of mental health disorders understanding of others, our world, and is significant in all forms of academia; but in ourselves.
40%
20-40%
Tour Guides: by CAROLINE SANDERS ‘17
Unfiltered
You’re walking to class down the Colquestions about students who aren’t Greek. onnade when you pass a tour. You smile “It’s really tough since meal plans, housing, and wave at the tour guide (to show off the et cetera is all encompassed by that. I just Speaking Tradition, of course) and chuckle want to say to them: ‘Nearly everyone goes to yourself at the wide-eyed high schoolers Greek, and you probably will too.’” taking in Washington and Lee for the first Meal plans strike up another point of time. They’re learning all about the history, interest among prospective students, and a the traditions, the campus, and the classes. point of hesitation among tour guides. They But what are they really learning about the don’t like to talk about the off-campus meal culture? plan because “it doesn’t Tour guides are told really include a ton of “THERE’S A VERY SPECIFIC what to say about the options and is relatively TYPE OF STUDENT THAT IS school in certain regards limited to only a few meals HAPPY HERE.” and are trained to handle a week,” according to one difficult questions in order guide. to avoid awkward situations. As one guide Even the freshman meal plan has flaws: pointed out, they “aren’t allowed to really say “I wish I could tell them that the dining hall anything bad about the school.” But what loses its appeal for a lot of first-years and would tour guides say if they really got the many don’t return to it after they become chance to speak their minds? sophomores.” Greek life is one of the biggest aspects of “The food gets old,” one guide stated W&L culture, but guides can’t admit that plainly. “And Co-op is really just for late explicitly. They cannot reveal to prospective night drunk eating.” students that the system that often defines Similarly, tour guides skirt around the school “can be exclusive at times.” talking about the party scene at W&L. “I “Greek affiliation determines your social wish I could talk about the party culture—I life,” said one tour guide. “To not be a part want to brag about how much fun we can of the Greek system makes it more difficult have!” one student admitted. to be in the social loop.” “I want to tell them that you can always “As superficial as it sounds,” one guide find someplace to go out any night of the hesitated, “if you’re not planning on becomweek except Tuesday and Sunday,” another ing involved with Greek life, then maybe guide commented. She said that she thinks this school isn’t the right choice for you.” parents would not feel comfortable sending Another explained her struggle to answer their children to such a strenuous school
with so many opportunities to drink. Walking through the campus, everyone seems so happy. Many of the tour guides wish they could point out that while it’s an incredible place, “It’s also a niche school. It’s not for everyone. There’s a very specific type of student that is happy here.” That student is “well-rounded, friendly, and able to keep things in perspective.” That said, one sophomore guide wants to stress the fact that “not everyone here is actually a perfect, super brilliant, beautiful, nice, well put-together person. Most of us are normal people with normal people issues.”
Photos courtesy of Katie Pettit ‘17, taken at the courtyard of restaurant Brix, in Lexington, VA.