GENERAL ORDERS

INTRODUCING GENERAL ORDERS

President Henry L. Smith (1912-1929) was fondly remembered, among many reasons, for the regular bulletins he issued to students and alumni, keeping them closely informed of the life, history, and traditions of Washington and Lee. During his tenure, the Alumni Magazine was established, and Smith himself wrote and distributed updates across the country on subjects ranging from the Honor System and student conduct to George Washington's benefactions to education and the presidential legacy of Robert E. Lee. Through these efforts, members of the W&L community remained closely connected to the heart and soul of their alma mater, with a shared understanding of both its present life and its historical foundations.

A century later, alumni engagement looks much different. The Alumni Magazine and other communications more often highlight the professional accomplishments of graduates than the traditions and institutional life of the University itself. While valuable, these do not always provide a clear window into the ongoing character and culture of Washington and Lee, nor do they fully capture the continuity between past and present that has long distinguished the institution.

It is our hope that General Orders will help fill that gap. Issued quarterly, this publication is intended to keep alumni and friends informed about what is taking place in Lexington — from policy matters and institutional developments to student life and enduring traditions. In doing so, it aims not only to report on events, but to provide context, drawing connections between the University's present activities and its enduring principles.

At the center of this effort is a desire to preserve and share the lived experience of Washington and Lee as it exists today. Whether through accounts of formal debates, reflections on institutional governance, or moments of fellowship at Fancy Hill, this offers a more complete picture of the University and its community.

The name General Orders is drawn from a longstanding military tradition, in which commanding officers issued formal written orders to communicate guidance, priorities, and important developments to their command. Such orders were meant to be clear, widely distributed, and authoritative — ensuring that all were informed and aligned in purpose. In a similar spirit, this publication seeks to provide a regular and reliable account of the work, traditions, and life of The Generals Redoubt, and of the broader Washington and Lee community.

In each issue, we hope to offer not simply updates, but a record — one that reflects the enduring principles of the University while capturing the present moment in its ongoing history, and one that, like Smith's bulletins a century ago, keeps alumni closely connected to the life of their alma mater.