When anyone hears of Washington and Lee, they think of one of two things: the really small school in some random small town in Virginia with crazy smart kids, or the school they have never heard of. However, any student who calls himself or herself a W&L General knows it's the best college around. Here are 10 ways you know you go to Washington and Lee.
1. You are always wearing the W&L logo. With a university store that sells brands from Nike to Vineyard Vines, you don’t stand a chance walking out the door without at least a W&L trident on your socks. As hard as you try, it is nearly impossible to find anything in the store that doesn’t have the W&L logo on it, even in its tiniest of forms.
2. You leave valuable things everywhere. W&L’s honor system is what the school is famous for. The school’s faculty and administration leave it to the students to behave with an honorable and moral character, both inside and outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, this means W&L students are the ideal victims for petty thieves outside the school’s columns. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t leave my laptop, $20, my iPhone, and my car keys sitting unguarded on a public table with complete trust all of my items will be there when I return.
3. The Barbour. If you don’t own a Barbour jacket or even a vest, you can get out of Lexington, Virginia. Fall and winter terms are flourishing with a sea of the brown and green waxed cotton material.
4. "Za” from “Dom’s.” If Domino’s looked for its #1 fan, the pizza franchise wouldn’t have to look further than Lexington, Virginia. Being the only chain restaurant in Lexington’s city limits, Domino’s never has a moment’s rest. Just one pizza emoji sent to Domino’s number and I can have a hand tossed pepperoni pizza and an order of lava cakes at my door in 20 minutes. Any W&L student can agree there is nothing better than some “Za” from “Dom’s” on a Friday night.
5. Fast food opportunities cannot be missed. W&L sits in a town with two restaurants and a Kroger. So when a sign indicating a Chick-fil-A at the next exit offers the image of an Original Chicken Sandwich and waffle fries, you reroute your trip to Roanoke or a long drive home for the holidays to the drive-thru for a little slice of heaven.
6. Cowboy boots.Summer or winter. Spring or fall. Cowboy boots are a must. Late night Windfall and muddy nights at the Poles after a hard rain will ruin any shoes you put on. So throw on your kicks and a sundress and call it a day.
7. Sleep is a distant memory. W&L is infamously a work hard, play hard school. You’re up by 8 a.m., have your head in a book until 5 p.m., out at Windfall by 9 p.m., and back in bed by 2 a.m. Only to do it all over the next day.
8. Robert E. Lee is your home boy. The legend. Say what you want about Bob but any W&L student will tell you that General Lee is the man.
9. A small school means a small world. That regrettable hookup last night? Yeah, he’s in your Introduction to Film class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That ex-girlfriend you could go without seeing for the rest of your life? You see her under the Colonnade every day on your walk to Washington Hall. W&L students have to embrace it -- there’s no avoiding anyone in a school with 2,200 undergrads.
10. Traveller bus drivers are your best friends. Whether it isTrav John, Dennis, or Chris, the men of the Lexington roads are our heros. The Traveller drivers are angels in disguise and the guys you make you have on speed dial. They are at your beck and call no matter the season. Plus, the constant replays of Darius Rucker’s rendition of “Wagon Wheel” can always put you in the right mood on a Friday night.
