Stories of Consequence
Richard and Wimberly McPhail P’24 expected their son, Walker, to make lifelong friends when he joined the Washington and Lee Class of 2024. They did not expect that they would do the same.
Last June, the McPhails completed a two-year term as co-chairs of W&L’s Parents Leadership Council, a select group whose generosity is an integral part of philanthropy at the university. PLC members are invited to campus each spring for a weekend that includes updates on the university from senior administrators and faculty as well as opportunities to spend time with their children and their friends and socialize with other parents.
They had assumed Walker would attend her alma mater, the University of Virginia, but when he was recruited to play golf at W&L, he took one look at the campus and knew it was the place for him.
“He told me right there. It was definitely the right decision,” Richard recalls.
The couple became aware of the PLC through word of mouth. “As soon as Walker was accepted, a number of our friends called to tell us we had to join the PLC,” Richard says. The main draw initially was the PLC Spring Weekend and the contact with administration and faculty.
The McPhails quickly became leadership donors to the Parents Fund (now the W&L Fund Parent Giving).
“After we gained a better understanding of how W&L provides one of the best liberal arts educations in the country, we wanted to support the school,” Richard says. “It seemed unique how positive the experience was for students from the first moment. There was so much energy. Walker was involved in so many ways — the golf team, Mock Con, the Williams Investment Society, his fraternity. He loved all his professors.”
Wimberly believes W&L sells itself. “It is easy to support when you feel part of a family. There is such a strong sense of community.”
Walker’s first year was a challenge, as COVID-19 restrictions curtailed most activities, including the PLC Spring Weekend. Even so, Wimberly notes that the PLC helped parents stay in touch. “As it turned out, in the following year when things started to open up, there was so much pent-up demand to come to Lexington to see the students and meet each other,” she says. By the time the McPhails became PLC co-chairs during Walker’s junior year, everything was pretty much back to normal. “We were lucky to lead the PLC when we did — we feel like we saw a truly happy two years on campus,” Richard says.
“Annual support from parents at W&L is vital. It ensures that we can meet the evolving needs of our students and provide them with the transformative, unique experiences that shape their futures,” says Tara Hackenberg, director of parent giving. “Alongside their generous financial support, Richard and Wimberly have dedicated time and energy to our programs. Their enthusiasm to engage with W&L leadership, staff, parents and students has cultivated strong relationships within our community, showcasing the remarkable impact of philanthropy and service.”
Not only did the McPhails visit during Parents and Family and PLC Spring weekends, they traveled around the country to watch the golf team compete and became close with Walker’s teammates and their parents. They attended Mock Convention 2024, which they had also supported financially. And they visited campus four additional times during the last semester of Walker’s senior year. “Now that he has graduated, we miss it. Maybe we need a PLC emeritus,” Richard laughs.
Walker is now working at Bank of America as a first-year investment banking analyst in New York City, where he had an internship during the summer before his senior year. His parents were amazed by the level of support students receive, not only from university faculty and staff but also from alumni and their fellow students.
“I didn’t think I would make so many friends at my child’s school,” Wimberly remarks. “There are some parents with whom we will remain friends forever, and not just parents of Walker’s friends. We were surprised at what we got out of it. We hadn’t expected to get anything out of it personally.”
“We are grateful we were able to be a part of PLC. We gained so much from our relations with the school, President Dudley and his staff and students. We were lucky to have a chance to be part of it. W&L will always be part of our lives,” Richard says.