E. Marshall Nuckols Student EC Room

E. Marshall Nuckols Jr., ’33, ’35L, was a prominent Washington and Lee University alumnus, businessman, and university leader. After serving as president of the Alumni Association from 1965 to 1966, he became the first trustee elected through the university's alumni nomination process, established in 1969. Five years later, he was selected as rector of the Board of Trustees, a position he held until 1981.

A successful fundraiser, Nuckols co-chaired the university's 1971–1980 Development Campaign, which raised more than $67.5 million for Washington and Lee. Together with his wife, Patricia, he also supported the construction of the Lewis F. Powell Jr. Archives in Lewis Hall, alongside other philanthropic contributions to the university. Following his death in 1994, the Barra Foundation established the E. Marshall Nuckols Jr. Honor Scholarship in his memory.

A memorial plaque honoring Nuckols was installed in the Executive Committee Room of the Early-Fielding Memorial Building, which opened in 1969. The Generals Redoubt has been unable to determine when the plaque was installed, although possible occasions include Nuckols's retirement as rector in 1981 or his death in 1994.

University officials demolished Early-Fielding during the summer of 2026. The Generals Redoubt have made multiple requests for an inventory of memorial plaques removed from the building, but the university has not responded to any of these inquiries. Consequently, TGR has been unable to confirm whether the Nuckols plaque or other memorials from the site were preserved before demolition.

THE
E. MARSHALL NUCKOLS, JR. ‘33 ‘35L
STUDENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ROOM
NAMED IN RECOGNITION OF
HIS GIFTS AND SERVICE
TO
WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY

As of November 5, 2026, Washington and Lee University has not issued a public statement regarding the condition of the Nuckols plaque or any plans for its reinstallation following the demolition of Early-Fielding. The university has not responded to multiple inquiries from The Generals Redoubt seeking information about the status of memorial plaques formerly displayed in the building.

In September 2026 correspondence with The W&L Spectator, Museum Director Matt Davis stated: “Our storage facility is not open to the public, nor do we make a list of our collections inventory available to the public.” He further explained that “the size and weight of some of these artifacts are not conducive to public viewing.” Regarding their future exhibition, Davis wrote: “It is possible that some or all of these artifacts will eventually be incorporated into temporary or permanent exhibits once the new museum is open, and we hope to have online databases and viewing rooms in the future.”

1. https://digitalarchive.wlu.edu/islandora/ring-tum-phi-october-7-1969

2. https://digitalarchive.wlu.edu/islandora/ring-tum-phi-october-17-1974

3. https://digitalarchive.wlu.edu/islandora/ring-tum-phi-january-16-1975

4. https://digitalarchive.wlu.edu/islandora/ring-tum-phi-october-29-1981

5. https://wlu.plannedgiving.org/clients/327/newsletters/fall10.pdf

6. https://columns.wlu.edu/celebrating-an-extraordinary-legacy/