Issue 22.2
InGeneral is Washington and Lee’s only student life magazine. We are an entirely student-run publication (independent of the Journalism Department) dedicated to showcasing the activities, opinions, and interests of W&L undergraduate students. InGeneral is published biannually, releasing one issue at the end of both Fall and Winter Term.
ED-IN-CHIEF
Madelyn Venable ‘25
MANAGING EDITOR
Mads Kwasnik ‘25
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Alyssah McGuire ‘25
PUBLICIST
Hannah Grace Kornberg ‘27
STAFF WRITERS
Vic Ernst ‘25
Mads Kwasnik ‘25
Madelyn Venable ‘25
Isabella Custard ‘26
Claire DiChiaro ‘26
Cate Wachholz ‘26
Jackson Doane ‘27
Emory Ecleberry ‘27
Charlotte Head ‘27
Skyler Hollins ‘27
Simmons Lee ‘27
Emma Myer ‘27
Frances Tiffey ‘27
Turi Trainor ‘27
Annie Whitman ‘27
Aby Joyner ‘28
Easterly Yeaman ‘28
Allison Young ‘28
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Alyssah McGuire ‘25
Madelyn Venable ‘25
Cate Wachholz ‘26
Skyler Hollins ‘27
Lucie Graziano ‘27
Lexie Stone ‘27
Annie Whitman ‘27
Lilly Hensley ‘28
Pola Kowalska ‘28
Easterly Yeaman ‘28
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Aby Joyner ‘28
Cate Wachholz ‘26
Front cover illustration by Alyssah McGuire ‘25
To submit a letter to the editor or for advertising inquiries, please contact
ATTN: InGeneral Magazine
John W. Elrod Commons
Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA 24450
Letter from the editor
DEAR READERS,
Everytime I walk between the columns of Graham-Lee’s Dorm archway into the tunnel, my foot folds into the dipped pocket of the stone step. As my foot sinks into the worn, weathered tread of the step, I contemplate how many other shoes and legs and feet have stepped into that same passage. It is beneath that arch that hundreds or thousands of other students and professors and family members have walked. The same walk that I have walked during my time here. Somehow in someway, despite all of us expierencing life from different sets of certian circumstances and choices, we were led to Lexington, Virginia. It is beneath that arch and the arches of the colonnade, along the lexington brick path, that stories unfold everyday.
In this issue, we explore what happens in those in-between spaces, both literally and figuratively. From the grand spectacle of Fancy Dress to the quieter, more personal traditions we each create, we celebrate the ways W&L shapes us. We take a closer look at the architecture that shelters our daily lives, from the historic dorms of first-year students to the hidden nooks that offer a moment of respite. We dive into the ties that bind our community together, from student-athlete life to the unsung workers who keep campus running.
In the fall, we took a moment to remind ourself where we were and to start enjoying
the present by collecting our now. This winter, I challenge you when choosing what moment to collect that you reflect on the history, traditions, and behindthe-scene work that goes into some of our favorite campus and Lexington traditions. Look a little further to uncover what makes W&L, W&L, and what makes Lexington, Lexington.
The indented step in the stone of the archway is evidence of a long standing tradition. It’s a small, sometimes considerably silly, tradition that has stood the test of time. An aritfact of history and tradition, yet also a symbol of the transitional present bounding us all to the same place. Life beneath the arches is never static. It is a place of transcendence, discovery, connection. In this issue, we invite you to pause and look around. Notice the details, the moments, and the people who make this campus more than just a collection of buildings and tedious routines. Beneath the Arches, the real story of W&L is always unfolding.
With one foot print beneath the arch,
Madelyn
Feature
Go
A
Sneak
Learn
Get
Discover
Ever
Campus
Why
Notes
Join the Fancy Dress team as they work to make FD ‘25 come to life.
Quick and easy at-home treatments for your next cold.
How to style the interior of your first-year dorm.
Join William Fitch in the day-in-the-life of a track and field athlete.
A list and review of the best places in town to spend your next Friday night.
Find your next favorite recipe for
food during the
Solve our Lexington and W&L themed puzzle.
Organic Walnuts and Other Odd Request
Backstage with General’s Activity Board
ISABELLA CUSTARD ‘26
We took two photos then he kicked us out.”
Leahy said, “He later posted on his story ‘virginia that was a movie.” Though she said, “He didn’t give us the time of day.”
After her brief interaction with Kingston, who she referred to as a “diva,” Leahy said she was worried for rapper Waka Flocka Flame to come to campus.
WAKA FLOCKA’S WISH LIST
W&L in recent years, but Leahy says her interactions with them could not have been more different.
After his performance, in 2023 Kingston immediately got into a car that drove him the short distance from Canaan Green to Elrod Commons.
“He posted on Instagram: my fans are always trying to come up to me. Please respect my space,” according to Leahy. In actuality, students were simply walking to coop following the concert.
Following the concert, Kingston was contractually obligated to do a meet and greet with the gab team.
“He comes up to the meet and greet and puts his finger on his ear and sings woooah ohhh,” said Leahy.
“I remember someone complimented his fuzzy slippers,” said Leahy. That was the only thing someone said to him. He was like all right let’s get things over with.
To her surprise, Waka was “the friendliest guy.”
“He started talking about how beautiful this area of the country was for 25 minutes and how much he wanted to go on a hike and his team wouldn’t let him,” said Leahy.
According to Leahy, Waka was insistent about seeing a waterfall.
Midway into their meet and greet, Waka’s team asked if there was a place they could get food. Naturally the GAB team bought the musicians coop.
Waka said they were “the best buffalo bites of [his] life,” according to Leahy.
“I feel like if I were to see Waka Flocka Flame on the street I could have a conversation with him,” said Leahy. “He would at least pretend to remember me, which is very drastically different from Sean Kingston.”
BOND, BLACK-TIE, AND CASINO
The Making of Fancy Dress
EMMA MYER ‘27
Each spring, Washington and Lee University students don black-tie attire for one of the university’s most cherished traditions: Fancy Dress. But behind the scenes, a committee of students work hard for months to bring the event to life.
Fancy Dress has been a hallmark of Washington and Lee University for generations. The New York Times once deemed it “the outstanding collegiate social event of the South.” On March 15, the tradition lived on thanks to Fancy Dress committee tri-chairs Harper Fosgate, Mason Shelley, and Marina Duff.
Fancy Dress was held at the Richard L. Duchossois Athletic Center, which had been transformed with glamorous decoration and casino tables to fit this year’s James Bond theme. Executive team member Bella Tarbet said that deciding on a theme was difficult. She said, “After narrowing down the options, each member of the executive team creates a presentation on how they envision the night based on their assigned theme.”
As part of the James Bond theme, Tri-Chair Marina Duff said that they implemented six blackjack tables, a spin the wheel and slot machines for students. “We hope this means that people will stay at Fancy Dress longer than previous years,” she said.
Beyond all the flashy James Bond-themed décor are the months of hard work the Fancy Dress team put into the event. Duff said that the tri-chairs not only run weekly meetings with a 55+ person committee, but they also communicate with public safety, student activities and the production team. She also mentioned the effort that is put into fundraising, merchandise, logistics and marketing that students often overlook.
Co-chair of Logistics Janie Spedale said her job on the executive team is to organize the behind-the-scenes details that may seem minor but are crucial. Spedale handles elements like ordering the porta-potties for the beer garden, helping facilities make signs and ordering the wristbands.
Fancy Dress has implemented efforts to involve as many students as possible. OIE Liaison Mariyyah Daniel said that this year Fancy Dress donated more tickets and packages to OIE, helping a lot of students on campus. Daniel said that it is important to have an OIE Liaison to ensure inclusiveness and maintain the campus’s respect and integrity. “We want to make sure everyone feels like they can be a part of Fancy Dress,” she said.
Duff said the event on March 15 was one of the most successful Fancy Dresses in its history. She attributed this to the interactive casino games and passionate executive team. “It will be hard to follow up next year!” she said.
Photos
COZY STUDY SPOTS
SKYLER HOLLINS ‘27
The weather is cold, and motivation is low. Now that you can’t sit on the Colonnade, where should you go to study? Here are some of the best cozy study spots around campus:
Coop
If you are lucky enough to catch a table between classes, Coop is a great place for a quick study break. For those who can’t concentrate in the quiet, all the sounds and movements of Coop are great for you. Grab a couch beside the “fireplace” or a booth along the back.
Lenfest
While Wilson Hall is a more well-known study spot, Lenfest is just steps away. Hidden down the stairs beside Keller Theater is the Green Room. Mainly used during shows, the Green Room is a great hidden study spot for anyone. Since there are not many classes in that direction, it is almost always silent. Plus, the lights are dim for a cozier atmosphere. While not many are aware of this option, it will quickly become a favorite in the rotation.
Hillel
Come in welcomed by the smell of bagels in this cafe-type study spot. Hillel, or e-cafe, is a great spot for an early morning catch-up on work before class. As a treat, get a bagel or smoothie between assignments.
Tea House
For those who prefer a livelier study spot, the tea house is perfect for you. Get a spot at a table or tuck away in one of the booth seats. Enjoy the sound of students chatting and coffee brewing as you read. As the Tea House closes and students leave, you will have the silent atrium to yourself.
Mattingly House Living Room
Located upstairs of Mattingly House, grab a chair or couch in the living room. While staying out of the crowd, you can look through the windows and watch the commotion of students and Lexington residents below while you work.
HOME SWEET REMEDY
Quick At-Home Tips for Sickness
Lately, the weather has been dreary, cold, and uninviting. On top of that, it seems as if the entire university is sick. Whether you’re just experiencing allergies or something more intense, you’re probably thinking that there has got to be something that can be attributed to an easy fix. Some people take the natural supplement route, while others attempt to boost their health in the most simple ways. While ultimately, medication is the best option, there are many at-home remedies that serve as quick boosts to both your immune system and overall well being.
Aside from taking standard precautions to maintain a healthy space, such as using hand sanitizer, disinfectant, and washing your hands, you can pay close attention to other lifestyle habits to aid in a healthy and quick recovery. It’s especially important to drink water and electrolytes; aim for roughly 64 ounces. Adding lemon and ginger to your water can supplement your immune system with additional vitamins. Some health researchers suggest adding citrus fruits, red bell pepper, and green leafy vegetables to your diet when sick with the flu. These foods contain high levels of vitamin C, which isn’t known to treat disease alone, but can aid in reducing the duration of a cold.
Additionally, taking a warm bath, steamy shower, or keeping a humidifier in your room will relieve congestion and sinus pressure. Essential oils and topical ointments, like lavender, eucalyptus, VapoRub, peppermint, and tea tree all have beneficial properties that aid in opening up your sinuses and relieving pain. These essential oils also contribute to fighting off bacteria in the home setting too. Taking a warm compress to your forehead, nose, and neck can help bring relief to sinus pressure, headaches, and other pain related to inflammation.
Adding honey to your tea, or anything in your diet, can serve as a cough suppressant. If you have a sore throat, one of the best ways to address this is hot tea, or warm water, with lemon and honey steeped into it. It’s the perfect drink for a cold night too!
Above all, one of the most important home remedies is to rest. Many people tend to neglect this, especially young and busy college students. If you don’t allow your body adequate time to fully rest and recover, then you’re cutting yourself short of the ability to fight infections.
ALLISON YOUNG ‘27
SallyMann
Exploring her beginnings and lasting impact in photography
ABY JOYNER ‘28
Sally Mann is a remarkably talented and renowned large-format film photographer. Her most famous works focus on what is closest to her: intimate portraits of her family and evocative landscapes. Some of her portraits of her children were considered controversial or provocative because they featured nudity, but her intention was never to sexualize them. Instead, she sought to capture the raw, uninhibited essence of childhood—children immersed in nature, free from the burdens of responsibility and the pressures of modern society. While some chose to project their own interpretations onto these images, I see them as a beautiful representation of life in its purest form.
Born in 1951 in Lexington, Virginia, Mann continues to reside there today on a farm filled with animals. Her first photography job was at Washington and Lee University (W&L), where her husband also studied. The couple later donated the darkroom that W&L students still use today. Her ties to the W&L community run deep—not only through her work at the university but also through her father, who was a physician here, making the campus a familiar place for her since childhood.
Special Collections, housed in the university library, contains an extensive archive of her early work. After spending hours sifting through these materials, I could clearly see the seeds of her artistic vision taking root. For instance, I found photographs she took of sculptures brought to W&L by an artist early in her career. These images bear a striking resemblance to her recent project, Body Farm. This collection documents the natural decay of human bodies at a local facility where individuals choose to decompose in the open, allowing
nature to reclaim them. Her fascination with the human body— throughout its various stages, from youth to death—is a recurring theme in her work. She also contemplates life cycles and the environment, which aligns with her close friendship with Leah Green, a poetry professor at W&L. They have collaborated on numerous projects, blending their artistic expressions. It was fascinating to see that the compwositions of her early sculpture photographs were almost identical to those in Body Farm, demonstrating how inspiration can persist and evolve over decades. (See the comparison photos here.)
While Body Farm offers the most striking example of artistic continuity, more subtle echoes of her later work appeared throughout her archives. Her early portraits, for instance, already reflected the same striking style that would make her famous. Exploring her old negatives—many with her handwritten notes—was a profound experience. It was inspiring to witness how passion can manifest into greatness, especially in a field like art, which is often dismissed as an impractical career. Mann’s journey is proof that art is valuable, that creative expression matters, and that dedicating oneself to a craft can lead to a life of profound impact. Her story serves as a reminder not to give up on what you love, no matter how society may undervalue it. Thoughts are worthwhile. Feelings are worthwhile. Art is worthwhile.
Among the archives, I found photographs of her as a young woman—
about the same age as current W&L students—capturing life through her lens. Seeing these images alongside recent ones of her, still photographing the world with the same passion, was incredible. She has spent a lifetime using her art to create beauty, inspire change, and document the human
Photography is a powerful act—it allows us to capture moments, recognize what matters, and evoke emotions in others. It also serves as a historical record. One of the most unexpected discoveries in Special Collections was raw, unedited photographs of a young Joe Biden speaking at W&L with Sally’s handdrawn circles marking the image for editing to be done later. Looking at that photograph, knowing that he is now a former president of the United States and that she is now one of the best photographers of all time, was surreal. It was a reminder of how photography not only preserves the present but also helps us reflect on the past and help the future.
Sally Mann has fearlessly shared her vision with the world— shamelessly, confidently, and beautifully. She embodies the kind of artist and individual that society should admire: someone who follows their passion without hesitation and uses their craft to reveal deep truths about life,
THE TINY GALLERY: WHERE STUDENT ART COMES TO LIFE
CATE WACHHOLZ ‘26
Nestled in the third floor of Wilson Hall is the Tiny Gallery, a small room dedicated to giving students a space for gaining gallery and exhibition experience, and to learn how to curate and visualize their art in a gallery space. The gallery features both art and art history classes and mini-grants, research projects, senior thesis exhibition projects, and individual students’ art.
The Tiny Gallery is a very special space, giving students the opportunity to showcase their work for the W&L community. Christine Carr, director of the Tiny Gallery, views the gallery as a place to empower students. “It gives them a venue to share their hard work and gives them a voice,” Christine shared.
The idea for the Tiny Gallery came about in 2018 when the art and art History faculty felt there wasn’t enough space for displaying student work and wanted a space that felt more like a gallery than a classroom space. In 2020, the Tiny Gallery was sectioned out from a larger classroom, but was primarily used as a critique space. Finally, in 2022, the first independent show opened, featuring an Independent Summer Research project.
I had the chance to roam around Professor Sandy de Lissovoy’s Sculpture 1 class exhibition “Line and Volume; Wire and Paper” featuring sculptures ranging from ice cream cones to dragonflies. The class’ objective was for each student to design a unique structure out of wire and paper that incorporated volume in an interesting way.
Sophomore Molly Brown is in the sculpture class, and her honeycomb sculpture is featured in the gallery.
“Seeing everyone’s work in the gallery felt very rewarding because they all complement each other yet are unique in design and shape,” Molly said. The sculptures were spread all across the room, and being able to wander around the student’s art created a very immersive experience.
To have your work featured in the gallery all you have to do is develop an idea for an exhibition or performance, find a faculty sponsor to sign off on the idea, and submit a submission form.
First-Year Dorm
Interior Design Inspiration
As students move into their college dorm room, which they will call home for the next school year, it is important to make it an environment they love. To decorate this 9 by 11 foot home away from home, freshman at W&L are creative and thoughtful when designing that will make the environment amazing for the great freshman year to come. Let’s see how W&L class of 2028 chose to decorate their dorm rooms!
1. Match with your roomate
Roommates MK Jarvis and Ellery Mcknight decided to room despite not knowing each other before deciding to go to W&L. However, they both knew that one way to make a strong foundation in their friendship was to talk about how they wanted their room to look. So they chatted constantly about the color scheme, pillows, lamps. And before they knew it, they were making memories in the room that they had planned together. Matching with your roommate is not a must, but it can also make a collaborative and united environment between you and your roommate!
2. Homemade art
Hanging in Cecilia Robert’s Glees room is homemade art made by her sister. Seeing her sister’s favorite flowers and their childhood dog, Pancho, everyday brings Cecilia a sense of home and comfort. There is something so special about hanging up meaningful art – either something you made and are proud of or something a loved one made you.
3. Decor to remind you of home
Freshman Lily Spector hung this custom matchbook graphic in her freshman room that featured different places in her hometown of Altanta, GA. She said that seeing these familiar places where she would love to go with her family and home friends makes her feel connected to the place where she grew up.
CHARLOTTE HEAD ‘27
I recently visited our Special Collections to read about the banned school magazine and newspapers and let me tell you--there is some CRAZY stuff to unpack. The Southern Collegian became a well-known magazine to the W&L student population in the late 1800s and slowly became a crowd favorite for its derogatory jokes. The edition had relentless jokes degrading women. For example, the edition displays images throughout many copies of the magazine of women being evidently sexualized. Without crossing a line, I can tell you there are some incredibly disputable things in the magazine, especially in comparison to a “hot takes” article. The magazine was eventually banned in 1998, but the editors managed to get one more appalling copy out to the student body after the prohibition, which is still kept in our schools archives today.
The Trident was introduced shortly after, which was a schoolwide newspaper also including some pretty crazy remarks. One copy I found contained explicit images of students with incredibly blunt questions and answers for its readers. To think about the difference between what’s written at our school today (i.e.hot takes about DINING) versus the content years ago that students got away with is crazy. Seriously though, if you ever want some hot, juicy gossip, head to Special Collections--they’ve got some unhinged stuff for you!
SIMMONS LEE ‘27
HOT TAKES
Since it’s getting warmer outside, how about we continue bringing the temperature up with our school’s hottest takes? W&L is known for its academic rigor, and therefore each student has respected opinions on campus, but what are some opinions that aren’t so respected… or a little too… hot?
Best On-campus Dining: The Marketplace Smack Down
Starting off strong… “The Marketplace is the best dining option on campus.” Okay, let’s unpack this. This is a formally debated take. Yes, ‘dhall’ has its good days, but let’s be honest, it has a lot of bad ones. I know the first years can vouch against this one. Not being able to swipe anywhere else on campus before 8pm could make someone a little sick of repeated dining hall food (yes, I am speaking from experience). I am definitely against this take, but, to play devil’s advocate, I could see the appeal, there’s definitely a ton of options. I have to argue though, that it’s definitely a real hot take to say Dhall is the “best” dining choice we have.
E-Cafe Beef: Bagel, Smoothie, and Tuna. That’s it?
Another contender for a hot take against campus dining; “Hillel is overrated”. Now this is one I consider HOT. Maybe I’m just a huge bagel/smoothie person, but Hillel might be a top 2 in my book. Anytime I’ve heard this take, it’s usually backed up with something about their lack of substantial protein options, which is a fair reason to dislike it if you’re not a huge tuna fan (which I can say I’m definitely not). However it is Hillel after all, and I’d say our “E-cafe” does a pretty good job of creating Kosher menu items that aren’t super “overrated.”
Honorable Mentions
Some more W&L hot takes that I’ll just leave here to simmer are that “sorority salmon is better than dhall salmon.” Isn’t it the exact same as dhall? “Coop is the best place to study” How do you get anything done in there? “Glees is better than Gaines.” A classic feud between the first years. “The law library is better than Leyburn” and “Third year is overrated”. It’s funny how all of our debatable topics seem to circle around dining options or places on campus. What happened to all the interesting gossip this school used to have? Well actually, I can tell you. It got banned. Ever heard of The Southern Collegian? Or the Trident? If you want to read about some wild topics- wow.
SIMMONS LEE ‘27
GROUNDING Connecting to the Campus’ Earth
JACKSON DOANE ‘27
University students are often given a wide range of advice on how to foster connections during their time at college. People liberally give tips about making friends, networking with professors, and joining student groups, all of which are ways to foster lasting kinship. While all of this advice is important, and all of these manners of developing personal rapport are useful, the colloquial advice extended to college students leaves out an important aspect of connection. This refers to connecting with the land our campus is on, an objective achieved through an act called grounding.
Grounding is the practice of physically connecting with the Earth’s surface to promote well-being, such as walking barefoot, gardening (without gloves), or touching trees and other plants. Recently, this practice has exploded in popularity, with many of the country’s biggest wellness influencers lauding the activity online.
At the risk of sounding like a new-age hippie, I fully endorse the power of grounding as a tool of connection, and there are many scientists who would agree with me. In 1804, a German physicist named Paul Erman was the first to hypothesize that the Earth is negatively charged. His research was the foundation to proving that the Earth’s surface has an excess of free electrons, which, if accessed, can neutralize an imbalance of electrical charge in a living being.
All humans have electrical charges since we have molecules and atoms that make up our bodies. These molecules and atoms contain charged particles (electrons and protons), which are responsible for the electrical instructions and interactions that power our nervous system and other important biological functions.
Without getting too bogged down in the 8thgrade Earth Science of it all, it’s important to understand that our modern human lifestyle causes an outsourcing of positive electric charge in our bodies and prevents us from easily balancing our internal electrical charge. In fact, most of our electronic devices generate electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which can lead to electron displacement in the body, causing an imbalance that increases
cortisol, chronic inflammation, and stress. Because of this, it is increasingly difficult for people to feel present in their daily lives.
As college students, we don’t take much time to live in the present. We are always chasing deadlines and job opportunities and working towards our next stepping stone. The lifestyle of high-achieving college students, combined with the increasingly disconnected way we socialize, makes it our default to live outside ourselves. In my opinion, if we wish to return to living in the present, we ought to take advantage of the free meditation offered by the practice of grounding.
If you are someone at Washington and Lee looking to try grounding for yourself, you’re in luck, as many places all over campus make a great setting. The Colonnade and Hopkins Green are good options if you want to be with friends and close to the main campus. The Woods Creek Trail is another great option if you want to go on a barefoot walk, but always make sure to look ahead and see what’s on the trail in front of you.
You’re not limited to places on campus, however; you can also ground anywhere there is open Earth. Anywhere you can get direct skin contact with soil, grass, sand, or naturally occurring surfacebound water can contribute to furthering your absorption of our planet’s free electrons. By doing this direct contact, your body’s electrical field can work towards neutralizing positive imbalance and help in lowering your stress levels significantly.
In my own experience, I enjoy grounding shortly after I wake up or shortly before I go to bed. This way, I can slow down my nervous system and prepare for the day (or my night’s sleep). I truly urge everyone to try grounding intentionally at least once. The difference felt after just fifteen minutes is noticeable.
In a day and age where wellness and connection often come with a price tag, we should take advantage of any free opportunity to reign ourselves into the present. So, if you see me with my shoes off on campus, just know that I’m balancing my electrical charge, not because I’ve joined the Manson family.
MAKING THE RIGHT
The Athletic Cheating Scandal that Rocked Washington and Lee’s University Division Identification
MADELYN VENABLE ‘25
Washington and Lee University, a school deeply rooted in its commitment to academic rigor and integrity, traditionally upholds these values and standards in its student-body. The honor system, traced back to the 1840s, establishes trust and high standards of integrity between students, professors, and faculty. Yet this trust and integrity once faced threats from the university’s previous standings as a Division I athletic program.
The shift from Division I to Division III was not just a matter of competition, it was a consequence of an academic cheating scandal involving studentathletes in the 1950s. As shockwaves rocked the campus, university officials had to reconsider the role of athletics in alignment with its academic mission. What followed was a decades-long transformation which reshaped W&L’s sports culture into what it is today, one defined by rigorous academics, unsubsidized competition, and a deep commitment to student-athlete integrity.
Legends of the Colonnade
Research from the university’s athletic communication department as well as a Digital Culture and Information project by Miller
Humphreys, Riley Parker and Ryan Kempske maintains W&L’s rich athletic history as teams played a major role in early athletics during the 20th century. Top name institutions now such as University of Virginia, Virgnia Tech, and Virginia Military Institute were no foes to the general’s athletics teams. W&L challenged and competed against these big player universities multiple times and often came out successful.
Washington and Lee University historically was a male-only institution with women first admitted into the undergraduate program in 1985 resulting in early defining, athletic moments being male-dominated.
According to the 2009 NCAA Division I Records, W&L played VMI in the first collegiate football game believed to have been played in the South in 1873. The blue and white secured the win with a 4-2 victory over VMI. Only eleven colleges competed in organized football across the United States in the 1873 season.
In 1921 according to “The History of the Southern Conference” on SoCon’s website, W&L would become one of the founding members of the Southern Conferences joining Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, North
Carolina State, Tennessee, Virginia, and Virginia Tech in what, today, is one of the fifth oldest athletic conferences in the United States. By joining the Southern Conference, W&L became a member of the university division which is known today as National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I.
Other historical feats by the generals included the 1950 football team as this team was the first intercollegiate football program from the commonwealth of Virgina to compete in a New Year’s Day Bowl game.
Victories and Violations: When General’s Football Made Headlines
Despite the highs surrounding these athletic pioneers, turmoil soon struck W&L’s athletic department.
According to the DCI Project by Humphreys, Parker and Kempske, “In 1952, Chancellor Gaines declared that athletes must “meet the same standards of academic performance and economic need” compared to the rest of the student body.”
The Ring-tum Phi reports on June 2, 1954, that the executive committee investigated cheating situation that resulted in the withdrawal of 15 students. The newspaper wrote that twelve of the students were athletes and the other three were watchdogs.
The student newspaper said, “the students involved had obtained advance copies of quizzes and exams from the mimeograph office and professors offices by using pass keys.”
In the same edition, a note from the Honor System says, “Washington and Lee has faced its greatest crisis and has survived a greater university than ever.”
The Honor System note confirmed the role of athletes in the cheating scandal saying, “We realize that athletics will suffer from the loss of eight of the 13 men but we feel this is a small price to pay for the Honor System.”
The September 1954 edition of The Alumni Magazine of Washington and Lee University shows, on September 15, Dr. Gaines announced a series of changes to be implemented to intercollegiate at the university including immediate amateur status of the 1955 football team and no financial boost of the football team.
The football team began practicing in September of 1955 and played their first amateur game in October 1955 according to the October 1955 Alumni Magazine Article.
The football team would continue to compete in the college division alongside other General’s sports teams. W&L’s men’s Lacrosse would continue to play in the university division until 1987 before also
joining teams in today’s Division III level. Washington and Lee would become another founding member when it joined the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODACs) in 1957 according to the ODAC’s history website.
Built on Sweat and Spirit: W&L’s Athletic Philosophy Today
At the time, the decision to switch divisions stirred high controversy among students and alumni. Yet, today, many students and administrators praise university administration for making the tough but necessary decision to preserve the universities integrity. Riley Parker ‘23, a former member of W&L’s wrestling team, and student who worked on a Digital Culture and Information project investigating the football-cheating scandal said that the decision to change division helped shaped the cultural of the university. “More importantly, it reinforced the Honor System, which is truly the backbone of the university’s mission. Had the football program only received a slap on the wrist, the history of the Honor System would have been tarnished, and its reputation wouldn’t be as strong as it is today.”
Photo of Washington and Lee Football Team at 1951 Gator Bowl, Courtesy of Washington & Lee University Special Collections and Archives.
Photo of 1951 Gator Bowl, Courtesy of Washington & Lee University Special Collections and Archives.
Jan Hathorn, Athletic Director at Washington and Lee University, said she is thankful and grateful to work at a university where administrators chose to preserve academic integrity.
“I don’t believe that we’re settling for lesser athletic ability. I think what we’re doing is we’re putting our mission out there and we’re mission driven. And so, our mission is that we’re going to do great. We’re going to seek excellence in academics and we’re going to be of a certain standard and expectation there,” said Hathorn.
According to the September 1954 edition of The Alumni Magazine of Washington and Lee University, on September 15 the physical education department would have full oversight of varsity teams including coaches official become faculty members.
Brian Laubscher, former Director of Athletic Communications at W&L, said that the institution made the best decision regarding preserving the university’s reputation and philosophy. However, one downfall of the division switch is the decrease in school spirit and student attendance at sporting events, Laubscher said.
“It reinforced the Honor System, which is truly the backbone of the university’s mission.”
Hathorn said that today the university is successful in intertwining athletics with academics. Coaches continue to be faculty on campus often responsible for teaching physical education courses which are one of the Foundation and Distribution Requirements for students to graduate. Additionally, Hathorn said that the placement of the athletic center on campus and close to academic buildings helps to maintain strong connection between academics and athletics.
Hanthorn says she meets with every varsity team at the start of their season to discuss goals and the meaning of excellence. She also has regular meetings with coaches to help maintain the cultivation of excellence and prioritize academics. Additionally, Hathorn said she attends games and practices with President William Dudley to merge the different areas on campus.
Cole Sheppard, a first-year defensive end on the football team, said he feels supported by coaches as well as professors in his pursuits as a studentathlete. The football coaches require student-athletes to create and maintain a schedule block during the season showing what times they attend practice, attend class, visit office hours and complete homework said Sheperd. The coaches hold meetings with students to ensure they are sticking to the schedule block.
During his time as Director of Athletic Communication, Laubscher tried to encourage student attendance at athletic events through different initiatives such as attendance competition between Sororities and Fraternities for a spirit cup and selling special t-shirts in the bookstore that entered students into raffles to win prizes like Fancy Dress packages.
The university continues to see dominating success among its student athletes since joining the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in 1975.
According to the ODAC’s announcement of the 2023-24 All-Academic Team, Washington and Lee University led with a conference all-time high of 537 student-athletes meeting academic team standards.
During the 2023-2024 athletic season, the generals swept the ODAC Commissioner’s Cup, an annual award given to the top athletic programs in the conference based on regular season and championship season finishing ranks, winning its 22nd straight overall title, 21st consecutive women’s title, and reclaiming the men’s title according to the ODAC’s official website and announcement.
While student-athletes continue to demonstrate the dominance of General’s athletics in competitions as well as the classroom, it is undeniable that athletics plays a fundamental aspect of the university allowing students to balance multiple facets of college life.
“I think D3 athletics are perfect for a school like W&L. While Ivy League and other prominent academic institutions find success at the D1 level, by competing in D3 athletics, W&L athletes can prioritize being students first, rather than athlete-students. They also can enjoy a fulfilling social life, which is important for mental health and the overall college experience,” said Parker.
Jams with Cam w/ Camille Gillum (Thur. 11AM - 12PM)
Photo of Walt Michaels ‘51, Courtesy of Washington & Lee University Special Collections and Archives.
DAY IN THE LIFE
OF A STUDENT ATHLETE
At W&L about 34% of our student population consist of varsity student athletes. Many of them are some of our friends, classmates, and mentors. The generals’ athletics is a main reason why so many of our athletes choose W&L as it provides such an enjoyable work-life balance. William Fitch ’27 for example, shares his perspective as a student athlete on campus while he’s in season. Fitch is a member of the cross country and track team here at W&L and walks us through a day in the life in season:
“A normal day starts with waking up and likely having received a text from my coach in our team’s group chat detailing either the training plan for the rest of the week, or detailing the specifics of our workout for that day.” This way he’s able to plan the day around his workouts and what he needs in order
evening around 7 p.m. into late that night. “I try and get 8-10 hours of sleep at night. Overall, it’s not hard to balance work and running, you just have to be very good at time management.”
Being a varsity athlete is often a much larger commitment that can easily go unnoticed. W&L fosters such an engaged environment where many students heavily prioritize their numerous involvements, making it even more challenging with an already busy schedule. Yet so many of our athletes only have good things to say about their experience as a student
FRANCES TIFFEY ‘27
The man who puts out Marketplace fires (figuratively)
Have you ever wondered who keeps the Marketplace’s drink machines filled, dishes replenished, and floors spotless? Assistant Manager, Brian Balkey, dots every ‘i’ and crosses every ‘t’ when he opens and closes the Marketplace each day.
What does a typical day look like managing the Marketplace to ensure what feels like an infinite food and beverage experience?
Balkey usually opens three mornings and closes three nights a week.
At 6:30 a.m. Balkey gets the safe money counted and ensures the beverage lines are set up properly. He makes sure the coffees, teas, and other breakfast items are out and ready for the morning service.
He then usually checks on paperwork and emails. “You know how the emails are. It never ends,” said Balkey
“But then there’s always something to do,” said Balkey. “Like this morning, I had to do a count because we were short on bowls the other night.”
just keeps it interesting. It’s not mundane, that’s for sure.”
If Balkey is closing the Marketplace for the day he arrives at 12:30 p.m. Closing for the day means Balkey must ensure everything is cleaned appropriately, and sanitation paperwork logging temperatures and pH levels is completed.
Balkey also organizes the schedule. “There’s constantly: someone needs off, or someone needs to change a schedule,” said Balkey. “It’s a headache, but you know, we know it’s going to happen.”
When the day begins to get busy, Balkey said he jumps in wherever he is needed. Usually at the island, helping out at the salad bar or the deli.
“Its just juggling. Every day is different. But then you know, I enjoy that part of it,” said Balkey. “It
Balkey said it is very important to him that the Marketplace remain clean.
“We try, and for me, I’m like, it’s not always clean in here,” Balkey said. “I get picky about the tables, especially when it gets very busy.”
Similarly to opening, when Balkey arrives to close the Marketplace at 12:30 p.m., his tasks vary depending on the night.
“I’ll be helping wherever I need to help putting out fires. Like the other night, something got jammed in the dish machine,” said Balkey.
On closing nights, Balkey does not usually leave until around 9:30 p.m. after he’s completed his closing supervisor notes.
“These notes help the other supervisors know what’s going on or what to be aware of when they open the next day,” said Balkey.
While he enjoys that every day managing the Marketplace is different, interacting with students is what he loves most.
“I really enjoy seeing how everyone’s doing,” Balkey said. I like to find out what’s going on, and how everyone’s doing, and how your class are going, and if you have any tests coming up.”
His second and third favorite parts of his job: the free food and riding the floor machine.
ISABELLA CUSTARD ‘26
Barhopping in the 540: Lexington’s Best Friday
Night Spots
Barhopping in the 540: Lexington’s Best Friday Night Spots
From craft beers to cocktails, here’s your next friday night mapped out.
1. Purveyor’s on Main, 29 S Main St.
There’s no better way to start your weekend than with a complimentary wine tasting at Purveyor’s on Main. Although it’s not a bar, this wine store is a great spot to warm up your tastebuds for the night. Stop in any time from 5 – 7 p.m. to sample four different wines (and maybe bring home a bottle for yourself).
2. Macado’s, 30 N Main St.
Take a walk down the block to Macado’s for your sit-down spot. Take a seat at the bar and get the real feel of Lexington and you sit down with Lexington locals and VMI cadets. I’d recommend sticking to beer and cider for this spot, and if you’re hungry, split an appetizer with your crew (also, check out their specials menu, going on every day)
3. Juniper Lounge, 30 S Main St.
Make your way back up Main Street and order a wine or cocktail at Juniper Lounge. Located above the Gin Hotel, this spot is a great for getting together with small groups and has a beautiful view of Downtown Lexington from its rooftop patio – you can even enjoy drinks under heat lamps during the winter.
4. Hardens, 7 N Jefferson St.
Walk a couple of blocks down to Jefferson Street to get to Hardens. Now that you’ve been drinking for a while, you’ll need something good to eat to keep you going. You’ll get here around 8:30p.m., so there should be a table open for you and your group. This is the place to order a signature cocktail with your meal.
5. SkyBar, 125 W Nelson St.
Finish off your night at Skybar. This underground venue offers specialty cocktails and all your favorite beers and wines at affordable prices. This stop, which is open until 12:30 a.m., has more of an upbeat, younger vibe, and it’s great for a late-night sip. Check the SkyBar Instagram @skybar.lex to see when they have live music and DJs.
Blue Ridge Taps, 11 E Nelson St.
Similar to Macado’s, this spot is ideal for grabbing a bear and casually hanging out. If Macado’s is too busy, or if you want a change of scenery, check it out.
Honorable Mentions
The Palms Restaurant, 101 W Nelson St.
If you can snag a spot at the bar, The Palms is excellent for chumming with friends over a casual wine or beer. Depending on the time, you can squeeze it in between Hardens and SkyBar; it’s on the way and open until 11 p.m. in Fridays.
MADS KWASNIK ‘25 AND VIC ERNST ‘25
LEX MAKE A DEAL!
How Heliotrope and other Local Businesses Came to Be
In April of 2018, over 250 people gathered at VMI’s Hall of Valor for the “Launch Lex Pitch Competition.” In what was similar to an episode of Shark Tank, eight Lexington entrepreneurs competed for a total of $60,000 in state grant prize money for their business. In addition to money, the winning businesses received free or reduced-cost services, such as legal assistance, marketing services, Chamber of Commerce memberships, social media training, and more. The Launch Lex competition featured many of the classic Lexington businesses we have all now come to know and love.
The competition was a program created by Main Street Lexington, a grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and funds from the City of Lexington’s Industrial Development Authority. 33 applications for the program were received. 24 of them began the six months of business training classes, with 21 finishing the program. After that stage, 13 businesses submitted final business plans to the judges and eight of them were selected as finalists to make pitches at the competition.
At the competition, each of the finalists gave the audience and judges a three-minute pitch about their idea and answered questions from the judges for another two. Six semi-finalists
were selected and had to give another 30-second pitch. The judges then selected four grant winners. They were Heliotrope Brewery, Lex Running Shop, Make It Sew, and Just Games Lexington.
The first-place winner, taking home $20,000 of the prize money, was Jenny Davies and Erik Jones for Heliotrope Brewery. According to Erik Jones, the business plan for Heliotrope was almost finished before the program began, so they had additional time to fine tune it and practice negotiating with potential investors. Heliotrope used their prize money on electrical upgrades to their building on Main Street. Jones called it an expensive necessity in order to get their space ready for producing beer. Winning the competition was extremely helpful for Heliotrope’s further business development.
“Being one of the competition winners served as sort of an official seal of approval and signal to potential investors and small business lenders that our plan was viable,” Jones said. “Being able to approach people and show that someone else had already agreed to back our business made subsequent asks a lot easier and more successful.”
HEALTHY RECIPES YOU NEED THIS WINTER
ANNIE WHITMAN ‘26
Date “Snickers”
For dessert that loves you back
Ingredients
Medjool dates
Peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
Chopped peanuts (or other nut of choice)
Dark chocolate
Flaky sea salt
Pit the dates (if not already) and cut a slit down the middle. Line a plate with parchment paper. Open each date slightly, fill with nut butter about ¾ full, and top with chopped nuts. Pinch closed and freeze for 1520 minutes.
Melt dark chocolate in the microwave. Dip dates in chocolate or drizzle over them. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freeze until hardened. Enjoy!
Healthy Hot Cocoa
For cozy afternoons
Ingredients
3/4 cup milk of choice (I like almond milk)
1/2 cup water
1 heaping tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Splash maple syrup, honey, or sweetener of choice (to taste)
Pinch of sea salt
Add all ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the mixture starts to simmer, whisking constantly to avoid burning. Pour into a mug, top with whipped cream and melted chocolate (if you want) and enjoy!
Banana Crumble Yogurt Bowl
For breakfast that tastes like dessert
Ingredients
1 banana, sliced
1 tsp coconut oil or butter
¼ c. rolled oats
A good drizzle of maple syrup or honey
1 tsp of cinnamon (adjust to preference)
Pinch of salt
¾ c. plain Greek yogurt
Toppings of choice (drizzle of nut butter, chopped nuts, coconut flakes, dark chocolate chips, etc.)
Melt the coconut oil or butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the banana slices, oats, maple syrup or honey, cinnamon, and salt. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the banana is caramelized and the oats are crispy.
Put the yogurt in a bowl and top with the banana oat mixture and toppings of choice.
Salmon Grain Bowl with Turmeric Sunshine Sauce
For sunshine in the winter
This recipe makes two servings: scale up or down to your personal needs!
Bowl Ingredients
Two 4 oz. filets salmon
1.5 tsp. Cajun seasoning brown or white rice to serve
1 carrot, shaved into ribbons or shredded purple cabbage, shredded spinach leaves
sliced avocado
zest and juice of a lime
Turmeric Sunshine Sauce Ingredients
(makes extra for leftovers)
1/3 c. olive oil
2 Tbs rice vinegar
2 Tbs fresh orange juice
1 Tbs honey
2 tsp. grainy mustard
1 tsp. fresh ginger
1 clove garlic
½ tsp. ground tumeric salt and pepper to taste
Prepare the salmon:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place salmon skin side down on the parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the salmon. Use your fingers to rub the spices evenly over the whole thing. Bake for 1520 minutes or until salmon easily flakes with a fork and is no longer translucent. Do NOT overcook the salmon or it will become dry. Meanwhile, cook the rice according to package directions.
Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs
For an extra protein boost to your go-to
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 heaping spoonfuls of cottage cheese
1 tsp. butter or coconut oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes and dried rosemary to taste
Heat the butter or oil in a small frying pan over medium low heat. While the pan is heating, whisk the eggs with the cottage cheese in a bowl. Add the egg mixture to the pan and stir constantly until the eggs are cooked through but soft. Serve with salt, pepper, rosemary flakes, and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Prepare the toppings (carrot, purple cabbage, spinach, avocado, lime zest and juice).
Make the turmeric sunshine sauce: In a high-speed blender, blend the turmeric sunshine sauce ingredients together till smooth.
Assemble the bowls: layer the rice, salmon, and toppings in a bowl. Drizzle with the turmeric sunshine sauce and enjoy!
Chocolate Banana Muffins
For healthy decadence
Ingredients
2 mashed bananas
2 eggs
¼ c. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 c. oat flour (just blend oats)
¼ c. coconut sugar
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ c. dark chocolate chips
In a large bowl mix together wet ingredients, then mix in dry ingredients. Divide into greased muffin tins and bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!
POST CARDS FROM LEX
W&L is a beautiful campus, with its winding, red-brick paths, classic columns, and peeks of the mountains in between buildings. We all know and love pictures of the Colonnade after a snowfall or the Chapel covered in ivy, but the W&L campus and Lexington still have plenty of hidden gems and secret spots. Here are some postcards of my favorite spots I can’t stop taking pictures of.
This picture is from the back campus trails, overlooking the Maury River. I love this view because of the picturesque rolling hills and the six Pole houses all lined up in a row. The overlook is just a short walk up from the Woods Creek Trail, behind VMI’s campus.
BREAD DAY BACK CAMPUS TRAILS
Everyone knows about Bread Day! The beloved biweekly tradition has started again for 2025 at Season’s Yield Farm and Bakery. It’s a great place to get some fresh pastries and coffee, but when the weather’s nice, I love to hang out near the pond and talk with my friends for hours.
HOUSE MOUNTAIN
CLAIRE DICHIARO ‘26
SUNRISE AT THE GAZEBO
This one was taken a while ago at a sunrise walk across back campus to the gazebo. It’s a perfect place to start the day watching the sun come up with some hot chocolate or pancakes! The Outing Club does sunrise hikes to the gazebo pretty frequently, so make sure you’re signed up and have your email notifications on!
1993 MURAL
I’ve seen this mural at the corner of Main and Washington Streets in downtown Lexington a million times, but I don’t think it gets the appreciation it deserves. It was painted for the 1993 Civil War-era movie Sommersby, which was filmed in Lexington. The mural was advertising a fictional hat shop, but it was never painted over, and so it stuck around. Plus, the old “Buena Vista” sign pointing down Washington Street is worth a mention. It only took me two-and-ahalf years of living here to pronounce it property (Bewnah Viss-tuh).
STAIRWAYS IN TOWN
If you wander around Lexington and start looking up around you, you might notice that some doors are a little off-kilter. When Lexington first became a city, there was a big hill on the intersection of Main and Washington Streets. In busy times, or in bad weather, the hill would disrupt travel. In 1852, the city decided to level the streets by around eight to ten feet, getting rid of the hill. This left many businesses to turn their basements into first floors or create stairways to the original doors. This picture outside of The Georges shows one of these stairways.
Which Coop Special Are You?
Here at W&L we all know and love our fast-food dupe: Coop! And what’s better than a piping hot Coop special after a long day of classes? Whether it’s the crispy chicken caesar wrap, or the pesto grilled cheese, there’s a Coop special for everyone. But there’s one burning question that we’ve all had at some point: Which Coop special am I? Take the quiz below to find out!
InGeneral Crossword
Across:
1: Spot in the desert where water is found
5: Could mean profound or not shallow
8: W&L athletic conference
9: Product of petroleum
10: Popular restaurant in town connected to a hotel
14: ___ houses are found on Furr Mills Road
15: Blue Sky, Palms and the movie theater are all located along
17: Where religious sacrifices are made
18: Acronym for office located above Coop
19: Prefix for third year’s previous food rotation
21: Small bug
23: W&L’s mascot
25: Cake level
27: Basketball player that died in a helicopter crash
29: Three minus two
30: Cafe 77 is known by students as
33: Someone who logs in 35: Coral formation
37: Powerpoint abbr
39: Marketing messages
41: Friend
42: Cafe in CGL
44: Plural of is
45: City in Brazil or movie with blue birds
46: W&L’s safe ride system
47: Man’s best friend
48: Clothing label/ playground chase game
Down:
1: Expression for a mistake
2: Without further ___
3: Popular charcuterie meat
4: Winter slipping hazard
5: Keto or paleo for example
6: Popular girls name
7: Paid time off
9: Amazon shipment for example
11: Single musical sound
12: Phi kappa ___
13: Science focused field
16: Short for sorority
17: A lumberjacks tool
20: Outer limits
22: Your siblings daughter
24: ___ gammas, help girls through rush
26: P in MPH
27: If you ____ on a test you’ll be meeting with the EC
28: Fancy persons servant
31: Husband of cardi B whose name means balance out
32: Sorority, pi ___
34: Snack or dine
36: Dark, moody aesthetic similar to punk rock
38: Piece of something
40: Past tense of says
43: What UVA students are known as but plural
FUN FACT:
Washington and Lee baseball fans dubbed the Virginia baseball players “Wahoos” during their rivalry in the 1890s.
Across: 1: oasis, 5: deep, 8: ODAC, 9: oil, 10: taps, 14: pole, 15: Nelson St., 17: altar, 18: OIE, 19: mex, 21: ant, 23: trident, 25: tier, 27: kobe, 29: one, 30: coop, 33: user, 35: reef, 37: ppt, 39: ads, 41: pal, 42: teahouse, 44: are, 45: Rio, 46: trav, 47: dog, 48: tag Down: 1: oops, 2: ado, 3: salami, 4: ice, 5: diet, 6: ella, 7: PTO, 9: online order, 11: a note, 12: psi, 13: STEM, 16: srat, 17: axe, 20: edges, 22: niece, 24: rho, 26: per, 27: kappa, 28: butler, 31: offset, 32: phi, 34: eat, 36: emo, 38: part, 40: said, 43: hoo
EASTERLY YEAMAN ‘28
