Around 200 law students and faculty members of Washington & Lee University Law School (W&L) have signed a petition addressed to W&L University president William Dudley. The petition requests that W&L diplomas don’t feature the University namesakes on their diploma.

The Washington & Lee University diploma displays the portraits of the first President of the United States, George Washington, and Confederate war hero, Robert E. Lee. The students say they are asking the University to give students an “option to have a diploma without portraits.”

The petition states that it will give students a “diploma that alumni are proud to prominently display in their homes and places of work.” The petition reasons that changes have been made to diplomas in circumstances to meet student demands in the past, such as switching from sheepskin to paper diplomas.

The petition lists a variety of minority organizations that back the petition, such as: the Women Law Students Organization, the Black Law Students Association, the Jewish Law Students Organization, the Latin American Law Student Association, the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, the Disabled Law Students Association, Phi Alpha Delta Staples Chapter, the Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, and other organizations.

The petition says it seeks to make Washington & Lee an “inclusive and compassionate environment to all students.” The petition further states that the petitioners believe the request “provides alumni the ability to honor their alma mater without the presence of the portraits that some may find controversial or offensive.”

Statue of Robert E. Lee astride his horse Traveler.

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But, not all students and alumni believe the removal of the W&L diploma portraits is a good idea. An alumni group at Washington & Lee, The Generals Redoubt, in a statement said, that they “strongly disagree with this petition which seeks to provide an option to remove the likeness of our namesakes George Washington and Robert E. Lee from the law school diploma.”

The alumni group is comprised of W&L alumni spanning over 50 years. They stated they are very concerned that the petition is “supported by several employees of W&L.” That support also includes a member of the careers services program.

The General Redoubt (TGR) President is W&L alumni Tom Rideout. Rideout said many in the alumni community have “supported the law school with generous financial contributions and jobs for graduates of the law school.” He said many are “very disturbed” by the petition. He continued that, “the petition is a symptom of strong undercurrents within the University to dismantle the traditions, values and history of Washington and Lee.”

“The removal of the likeness of George Washington and Robert E. Lee, which adorns the offices and homes of many of our alumni is a severe affront to the generous and loyal alumni who respect the character and values of our namesakes.”

He said the petition represents a clear demonstration of why his alumni organization is necessary to “bring sanity to W&L” on behalf of alumni and friends of W&L. The General Redoubt statement urged the “Dean of the Law School, President of the University and our Board of Trustees to quickly and summarily reject this petition.”

Washington & Lee University is named for two of the most influential men in U.S. history: George Washington, whose generous endowment of $20,000 in 1796 helped the fledgling school, then known as Liberty Hall Academy, to survive, and; Robert E. Lee, whose presidency and innovative leadership brought the University into the national limelight.

BOOKS ON LEE (Click photo link):

Following the War in 1865, Robert E. Lee, accepted an offer to serve as president of Washington College where he was president from 1865 until his death in 1870. Lee married George Washington’s step great granddaughter Mary Anna Randolph Custis.

Lee transformed Washington College into a leading Southern college, expanding its offerings significantly, adding programs in commerce and journalism. The sad irony is that Robert E. Lee incorporated the Lexington Law School into Washington College in 1866. Because of the reputation of General Lee the Law School attracted noteworthy faculty. It has since become one of the most prestigious law schools in the country thanks to the reputation of Robert E. Lee.

Another legacy of Robert E. Lee at the school is that of the Honor System. The Honor System is, and has been, run by the student body since 1905. Robert E. Lee is credited with creating the honor system during his tenure as President of the University after he assumed the presidency in 1865. It is based upon the ideals of “honor, civility and integrity”. There is one penalty for violation of the honor code by any student found guilty by his or her peers: expulsion. This single code sets the tone and ensures trust in all areas of the university setting.

After Lee’s death in 1870, the trustees voted to change the name to Washington and Lee College to commemorate the significant changes and additions the former Confederate general brought to the school. Lee and many of his family members are buried in Lee Chapel on the campus. Lee was buried underneath Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee University, where his body remains.

Interestingly, George Washington Custis Lee, son of Washington College President Robert E. Lee, followed his father as 9th president of Washington & Lee College serving until his death on February 18, 1913.

Rideout urged alumni and friends to contact “the Dean of the Law School, President of the University and our Board of Trustees to quickly and summarily reject this petition.”

Those wishing to contact the University may do so at:

Office of the President:
Washington Hall, 2nd Floor
president@wlu.edu

Mailing Address:
204 West Washington Street
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia 24450
(540) 458-8700

Michael Reed is Editor of The Standard, a pastor, businessman and conference speaker.

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