Stories of Consequence
Why I Give is a series that celebrates the generosity of Washington and Lee University alumni, students, faculty and parents. Discover the many reasons the W&L community supports Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee and how philanthropy shapes the university’s future while honoring its enduring value.
Kristen serves as the current president of the Washington and Lee Alumni Association.
“We hope to continue to support and celebrate the depth and breadth of W&L’s story, inclusive of the many voices and contributions that make it what it is.” - Kristen Youngblood Archer ’06 and Ted Archer ’06
What inspired you to make your first gift to Washington and Lee University, and what motivates you to continue giving?
If we’re being honest, peer pressure inspired our first gifts to W&L — but in the best way! It was meaningful to know our classmates who had similar experiences chose to support the school, and philanthropy is contagious. As we think of ongoing support, we think of the students who, like us, may not have seen themselves in the W&L masses when they first arrived but have worked hard, achieved success, defined themselves and their own W&L experience and contributed immensely to the richness of the W&L community.
How do you hope your support impacts current and future generations of W&L students?
W&L has a rich history, but it is sometimes narrowly told. We hope to continue to support and celebrate the depth and breadth of W&L’s story, inclusive of the many voices and contributions that make it what it is.
Is there a particular experience, faculty member or program at W&L that played a meaningful role in your decision to give back?
Professor [Ted] Delaney, Professor [Mohamed] Kamara, Dean [Tammy] Futrell, Professor [Harlan] Beckley and Burr Datz continue to play meaningful roles in our decision to give back. All of these individuals have poured into us throughout the years and continue to. Professor Delaney’s legacy is one of advocacy, lifelong learning, curiosity and storytelling. Professor Kamara supported our love of the French language, which we continue to share with our kids. Dean Futrell, there aren’t enough words to capture how impactful she has been in our lives and continues to be in the lives of current and future W&L students. Professor Beckley led our Shepherd Poverty pre-orientation trip to Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2002. It was both the origin of our relationship and a refreshing opportunity to understand socioeconomic and cultural experiences, privilege and need beyond the W&L bubble. Burr Datz — the ever ally — continues to ensure that those who may not see themselves in the W&L prototype feel seen.
Read more from the Why I Give series.