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The W&L Spectator
The W&L Spectator
News
Opinion
Academic
Cartoons
Interviews
About
Search
Subscribe
News
Opinion
Academic
Cartoons
Interviews
About
Search
Subscribe
Featured
The President W&L Needs
May 5, 2026
The President W&L Needs
May 5, 2026

Washington and Lee’s next president must possess certain traits to maintain the university’s prestige and traditions, and to  avoid repeating recent mistakes.

Washington and Lee University is undertaking a leadership search that could define the university for years to come, and W&L community members cannot trust the administration to put the school’s best interests ahead of its ideological preferences.

Following the announcement of President Dudley’s resignation, the Washington and Lee University administration established the Presidential Search Committee, composed of students, alumni, faculty and other members of the W&L community, to identify potential candidates.

The Committee has recently published a profile outlining what they are looking for in the next president. The Spectator agrees with most of this profile. However, The Spectator also believes the Committee is omitting essential characteristics that the next president must have.

The Spectator calls on the Presidential Search Committee to ensure that the next president is someone with a prior connection to the university, fairly supports academic freedom and inquiry, and commits to political neutrality. 

May 5, 2026

News >

Featured
Three Candidates Compete for EC Presidency 
April 2, 2026
Three Candidates Compete for EC Presidency 
April 2, 2026

By the end of today, John Beekman Youngblood ‘27, Stepan Onyschuk ‘27, or Zane Openshaw ‘27L will be President-Elect of the Executive Committee.

April 2, 2026
Is Grade Inflation a Problem?
March 27, 2026
Is Grade Inflation a Problem?
March 27, 2026

W&L and universities nationwide question if and how to handle rising expectations and results.

March 27, 2026
As Endowment Underperforms, W&L Questions Investment Approach
February 27, 2026
As Endowment Underperforms, W&L Questions Investment Approach
February 27, 2026

University Investment Committee examines Makena Capital partnership and conservative investment strategy after endowment underperformance contributes to budget constraints.

February 27, 2026
The Spectator Presents: Guy Benson
February 4, 2026
The Spectator Presents: Guy Benson
February 4, 2026

As part of The Spectator’s America 250 speaker series, Benson will discuss his experience as a professional journalist and the need for a free press in the era of America’s 250th anniversary.

February 4, 2026
The Spectator Presents: Jonathan Arnott
February 3, 2026
The Spectator Presents: Jonathan Arnott
February 3, 2026

The Spectator and the College Republicans will host Jonathan Arnott, a British politician and former Member of the European Parliament

February 3, 2026
W&L Faculty Pay Declines Relative to Peer Institutions
January 19, 2026
W&L Faculty Pay Declines Relative to Peer Institutions
January 19, 2026

Washington and Lee experiences declining faculty pay compared to peer institutions, but still outperforms with cost-of-living adjustments.

January 19, 2026

Opinion >

Featured
Curriculum Reform and Diversifying Faculty Hiring: A Necessary Reform in Higher Education
April 21, 2026
Curriculum Reform and Diversifying Faculty Hiring: A Necessary Reform in Higher Education
April 21, 2026

Washington and Lee and other universities should return to a more traditional course offering and intentionally diversify their faculty.

April 21, 2026
Reject a Two-Tiered Honor System
April 9, 2026
Reject a Two-Tiered Honor System
April 9, 2026

Proposed amendments to the White Book will shift responsibility for enforcing the Honor System away from elected representatives, creating two separate honor standards for law and undergraduate students.

April 9, 2026
Reject a Two-Tiered Honor System
April 8, 2026
Reject a Two-Tiered Honor System
April 8, 2026

Proposed amendments to the White Book will shift responsibility for enforcing the Honor System away from elected representatives, creating two separate honor standards for law and undergraduate students.

April 8, 2026
Continued Action in Iran Preserves American Hegemony
March 16, 2026
Continued Action in Iran Preserves American Hegemony
March 16, 2026

Although Operation Epic Fury is a start, further action is needed in Iran to recapture the regional security promised by the Carter Doctrine and to gain a strategic advantage on our rivals.

March 16, 2026
From Omaha Beach to the Colonnade
February 22, 2026
From Omaha Beach to the Colonnade
February 22, 2026

Mr. Thomas P. Rideout ‘63 describes his recent trip to the French World War II memorial and military history in universities.

February 22, 2026
Court Packing: Democracy’s Dagger
February 21, 2026
Court Packing: Democracy’s Dagger
February 21, 2026

A core threat to the rule of law moves in silence, and it is up to us to expose it.

February 21, 2026
Open Up “Open” Hearings
February 20, 2026
Open Up “Open” Hearings
February 20, 2026

We must address the needlessly and self-defeatingly secretive process.

February 20, 2026
The Single Sanction is the Essence of the Honor System
February 19, 2026
The Single Sanction is the Essence of the Honor System
February 19, 2026

The two institutions are inseparably linked, a reality we must acknowledge to improve the Honor System.

February 19, 2026
The Faithful Speak, the Sovereign Trembles
January 27, 2026
The Faithful Speak, the Sovereign Trembles
January 27, 2026

Moderate Catholics are one of the most consequential segments of the electorate.

January 27, 2026
The Department of Education Must Go
December 3, 2025
The Department of Education Must Go
December 3, 2025

The crisis of the national debt and repeated failures show that the Department of Education must no longer exist.

December 3, 2025

Academic >

Featured
Lexington Reacts to Lee’s Death
October 16, 2025
Lexington Reacts to Lee’s Death
October 16, 2025

October 12 served as the 155th anniversary of the death of Robert E. Lee.

October 16, 2025
Washington Given Command
October 13, 2025
Washington Given Command
October 13, 2025

George Washington confides in his wife about the daunting task of commanding the ragtag Continental Army.

October 13, 2025
A Presidential Defense of the Honor System
August 26, 2025
A Presidential Defense of the Honor System
August 26, 2025

Former university president challenges law professor’s censure of Honor System.

August 26, 2025
Historical Highlight: A Student Under General Lee
May 7, 2025
Historical Highlight: A Student Under General Lee
May 7, 2025

An aged alumnus looks back at the stern yet kindly leadership of President Robert E. Lee.

May 7, 2025

Cartoons>

Featured
Washington Takes a Ride
November 17, 2025
Washington Takes a Ride
November 17, 2025
November 17, 2025

Interviews >

Featured
Rockbridge-Area Election Candidates Discuss Their Races
December 19, 2025
Rockbridge-Area Election Candidates Discuss Their Races
December 19, 2025

Statewide race results reveal sweeping changes, but  local races mostly preserve the status quo.

December 19, 2025
Mary Kissel’s Advice to W&L Students
December 12, 2025
Mary Kissel’s Advice to W&L Students
December 12, 2025

The former Pompeo staffer and journalist advises students on curiosity, credentials and their careers.

December 12, 2025
President Dudley Reflects on Uniqueness of W&L
November 22, 2025
President Dudley Reflects on Uniqueness of W&L
November 22, 2025

Dudley argues that institutions like the Honor System and Speaking Tradition continue to positively shape W&L’s culture. 

November 22, 2025
Alumni Congressmen Discuss the Honor System
November 12, 2025
Alumni Congressmen Discuss the Honor System
November 12, 2025

How the Honor System has shaped two alumni in the halls of Congress.

November 12, 2025

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“My only object is to endeavor to make them [students at Washington College] see their true interest, to teach them to labor diligently for their improvement, and to prepare themselves for the great work of life.”
— Robert E. Lee, August 4, 1866
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