To The Class of 2026

May 28, 2026

(Students march to their seats outside Lee Chapel during the 2026 Undergraduate Baccalaureate ceremony. | Washington and Lee University) ‍

Today, we celebrate the Washington and Lee Class of 2026 — and the traditions of honor, leadership, scholarship, and service they now carry forward.

In his 1962 Commencement remarks, President Fred Cole urged seniors to look beyond the visible customs of campus life and consider the deeper inheritance behind them. The Honor System, he said, grew from “the character of the honorable men who have taught and studied at Washington and Lee,” and from the “confidence and faith” each student must have in one another.

Cole also emphasized the lasting influence of W&L’s professors, whose devotion to scholarship and teaching was “inscribed permanently on the lives of students.” It was a reminder that Washington and Lee’s traditions are not abstractions. They are formed through daily acts of trust, mentorship, friendship, discipline, and service.

As another class graduates today, we are especially thankful for the mentorship and example W&L faculty continue to provide to students — or, as President Cole memorably described them, “young associates in an adventure of learning.”

The Generals Redoubt has had the privilege of joining in this adventure with several members of the Class of 2026. Their stories, captured in the podcasts shared below, reflect the very best of the Washington and Lee experience.

In the inaugural episode of On My Honor, Tim Johns reflected on the Honor System in an age of uncertainty and rapid technological change — and why integrity and trust still matter.

In the premiere episode of Generals on the March, football captain and two-sport athlete Will Knight shared what it means to pursue excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership while embracing the opportunities created by the W&L community.

And in another episode of Generals on the March, basketball All-American Mary Schleusner spoke powerfully about mentorship, perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of finding joy in the success of others.

Together, these conversations remind us that Washington and Lee’s greatest traditions are not relics of the past. They are renewed in the lives of students who choose honor, pursue excellence, and find joy in lifting up those around them.

To the Class of 2026 — congratulations, and thank you for the example you have set! We are honored to welcome you into the ranks of Washington and Lee alumni.

Sincerely,
Kamron M. Spivey, ‘24
Executive Director
The Generals Redoubt