Washington and Lee University to Consider Possible Name Change

In June, Washington and Lee University will announce whether or not it will change its name.

Named for George Washington and Robert E. Lee, Washington and Lee University was once Washington College. Following General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, he was appointed President of Washington College where he served for five years. In 1870, the University was renamed to honor him. In recent years, students have been petitioning the University to change its name once again.

Lilah Burke’s article in Inside Higher Education details the circumstances behind the possible name change.