Washington and Lee University has announced a transformative $30 million anonymous donation that will fund the construction of Founders Hall—a new state-of-the-art building that will serve as a central location for Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity. The project is a significant milestone in W&L’s ongoing $650 million "Leading Lives of Consequence" campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort in the university’s history.

The donation includes a $10 million challenge component intended to inspire further contributions from alumni and supporters to complete the project and ensure long-term impact.

Located at the corner of Washington Street and Lee Avenue, Founders Hall will replace the Early-Fielding building and is designed to act as a welcoming gateway to the university. The 28,600-square-foot facility will feature a prominent lobby, outdoor patio, and dedicated space for university events and prospective student programming. Its design will mirror the university's historic brick classical revival architecture, aligning with the aesthetic of the front campus.

Transforming the Admissions Experience

The new facility is envisioned as more than just a building—it will serve as the first point of contact for future Generals and their families. By integrating the offices of Admissions and Financial Aid with the Johnson Program, the university aims to create a more seamless, informative, and inspiring first impression.

“Founders Hall will symbolize access to a Washington and Lee education, offering a space as welcoming and intentional as the community it introduces. Every journey at W&L begins with a sense of possibility. Founders Hall will give that feeling a home, creating a space where our values are put into practice — where access, integrity and opportunity shape the first moments of a lifelong connection. With matching support from the W&L community, we will create not just a building but an invitation to join a community defined by purpose,” said Sally Stone Richmond, Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid.

The building will also address persistent accessibility and space limitations that have impacted the university's current facilities. With the Admissions and Financial Aid offices located together at the campus entrance, W&L aims to make navigating the college application and decision-making process smoother for prospective students.

“Admissions is often the first point of contact for prospective students and families, and financial aid is often a critical factor in their decision-making process. It’s essential that we make that experience as seamless, informative and inspiring as possible. Locating both offices in Founders Hall at the gateway to campus will help us do just that,” Richmond added.

A Hub for Events and Community Engagement

Beyond its admissions-related functions, Founders Hall will serve as a much-needed flexible space for university programs, conferences, and special events. It will be the new home for key campus traditions, including the Johnson Scholarship Selection Weekend, Admitted Students Day, the Entrepreneurship Summit, Alumni College lectures, and the Institute for Honor Symposium.

The layout of the building will strategically divide functions: the side facing Washington Street will host Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Johnson Program, while the Lee Avenue side will provide facilities for meetings and events. It will also connect with Evans Hall, enabling the use of additional event space and campus dining services.

“This important new facility will make a first impression on prospective students and families that reflects the excellence of our academic and campus experience. Founders Hall is where students with extraordinary potential will begin their W&L journeys, which prepare them for impactful lives of leadership and service. The donor’s generosity reflects a deep belief in our commitments to educational excellence and to helping young people learn to conduct themselves with honor, integrity and civility. It will help us attract the strongest students who are drawn to Washington and Lee’s distinctive opportunities and values for generations to come,” said W&L President Will Dudley.

A Strategic Investment in the University’s Future

The Founders Hall initiative is a cornerstone of W&L’s Leading Lives of Consequence campaign, which publicly launched in October 2024. The campaign supports priorities such as scholarships, faculty excellence, campus enhancements, and curricular innovation.

“Founders Hall advances several of the campaign’s top priorities. By bringing our Admissions, Financial Aid and Johnson Program under one roof, we will be well-positioned to attract outstanding students and demonstrate how affordable W&L can be, thanks to our generous financial aid. At the same time, it will enhance our campus infrastructure to support important university programs and nurture the personal and professional connections that define the W&L community,” said Susan Wood, Vice President of University Advancement.

The university encourages alumni and friends to take part in the project by contributing toward the $10 million matching challenge. More details about the campaign and giving opportunities can be found on the university’s website.

Originally reported by Rebecca Barnabi in Augusta Free Press.