Happy Birthday, George Washington!
Today, we celebrate the birth of George Washington: soldier, statesman, founder, philanthropist, and the first namesake of our university.
Washington once wrote to his nephew, Bushrod Washington, that “a good moral character is the first essential in a man.” In that letter, he urged the young student not merely to pursue learning, but to cultivate virtue, because education without character is incomplete. For Washington, knowledge and morality were inseparable. Intellectual excellence mattered, but integrity mattered more. The habits of character formed in youth would shape a lifetime of leadership.
As Washington and Lee alumni, we are deeply indebted to him, not only for the name which our university bears, but for the model he set. His courage in war, restraint in victory, humility in power, and willingness to relinquish authority established a standard of leadership rarely equaled. He remains a hero not simply because he won independence, but because he demonstrated that moral character must guide ambition. For students today, his life stands as a blueprint for principled leadership in a restless age.
At The Generals Redoubt, we are working to ensure that Washington’s example — much like Robert E. Lee’s — is not restricted to history books or the confines of a small art gallery. Rather, he should be rightly restored as a living, guiding presence on campus.
This is why I make a point, personally, of encouraging students to refer to their current week away from classes by its proper title: Washington Break. The shorthand “Feb. Break” may be convenient, but names matter. The week is scheduled around Washington’s birthday, a subtle reminder that this institution was preserved through his extraordinary generosity. It is fitting that, even in rest, we remember — and speak the name of — the benefactor whose liberal gift secured our university’s future.
But The Redoubt’s initiatives go well beyond intentional language.
Through our monthly Following Washington series, we examine the leadership and moral clarity exhibited by General Washington exactly 250 years ago. Through free merchandise (SWAG), student sponsorships, and related initiatives, we are revitalizing Washington’s campus presence and strengthening visible reminders of his enduring contributions.
We continue to produce educational videos and podcasts exploring his character, statesmanship, and the principles that shaped the American experiment.
At Fancy Hill, our George Washington Parlor stands as a dedicated space honoring the Father of our Country, featuring prominent depictions of the founding generation and serving as a gathering place for reflection, education, and conversation rooted in his legacy.
This work is urgent, and so is today’s opportunity.
A generous alumnus, in celebration of Washington’s legacy, has issued a decisive challenge. Because the task before us is pressing, he has committed to a short-duration TRIPLE MATCH.
From TODAY, February 22 through February 24 only, every gift will be tripled. A $1 gift becomes $3. A $100 gift becomes $300. Gifts made online or checks postmarked by February 24 will qualify. This match is intentionally brief, a focused call to action for those ready to act now and make a stand for our university’s heritage.
Washington believed moral character requires decision and resolve. This is our moment to demonstrate both.
If you believe his legacy deserves not hesitation but action — not quiet remembrance but confident affirmation — we ask you to give today. Your support sends a clear message to the university that the legacies of our namesakes continue to define who we are and will continue to shape our alma mater’s future for the better.
Stand firm. Multiply your impact. Strengthen Washington’s legacy for the next generation.
Thank you, and Go Generals!
Kamron M. Spivey, ‘24
Executive Director
The Generals Redoubt