Stories of Consequence
Why I Give is a series that celebrates the generosity of Washington and Lee University alumni 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 values.
"W&L is always changing, but its core commitment to providing students the best education and opportunities for character and leadership development remains constant." - Lacey & Bill Jordan P'25
What aspects of your child’s experience at Washington and Lee have inspired you to support the university?
We are so incredibly thankful for our daughter Lilly's four fantastic years in Lexington. As parents, we have been truly impressed by the ways in which students at W&L support one another, cheering each other on to success — W&L is such a welcoming community of students, faculty and staff who genuinely care about each other. The most memorable highlight was Mock Con — the most remarkable student-led political event put on by any school in the country. We were inspired to see firsthand the incredible opportunities for student leadership within this important tradition at the school and the national recognition that they deservedly received.
What impact do you hope your support will have on the student experience at W&L, both for your child and for future generations?
We are delighted to contribute in some small way to the student experience at W&L through the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign. When you first step foot on campus, it is humbling to remember that you are walking on the same paths that countless others have gone before. The current campaign has thoughtfully preserved the important historical architecture of W&L’s campus while inter-weaving much-needed classroom spaces and new technology. W&L is always changing, but its core commitment to providing students the best education and opportunities for character and leadership development remains constant.
What sets W&L apart from other institutions and makes you feel confident in supporting it?
There is something really special about the W&L community. The students, the faculty and the staff are “all in,” and this shows up both in small gestures of honor, kindness and respect, and in larger efforts such as Mock Convention where the entire community has to work together in the national spotlight. In today’s contentious political climate, W&L serves as a beacon of civil discourse and critical thinking that prioritizes its mission to provide a liberal arts education for its students. Over the past four years, we have seen how W&L is always improving and growing while holding fast to its guiding principles. None of this happens without having the sound leadership we have witnessed at the university that works to bring out the best in the students, faculty and staff.
Read more from the Why I Give series.