Letter to the Editor: Unmindful of the Past

Letter to the Editor:

Recent Alumnus-

Dear W&L Spectator,

As a recent alum, I was present for the beginning of many of the changes that seem to be taking place at the university. The current trajectory of the university deeply saddens me. One of the primary reasons that I decided to attend Washington and Lee was its seemingly unrivaled ability to balance the university's unique history and tradition with the nuances that define modern society. In my mind, this was the school's most significant advantage relative to the multitude of top-tier liberal arts schools. Whereas other institutions swayed whichever way the wind blew, W&L appeared to stand firm in its convictions. It is clear that Kenneth Ruscio, wishing to leave a reputation which would be commended by his fellow idealistic academics, began the push for these types of changes. We witnessed the beginnings of the whitewash of our school's history, and I have no doubt that these attacks will continue. A comprehensive education on the duality of historical figures such as General Lee is something all should advocate for, though it seems in that accusing the university of historically promoting one narrative, the administration is actually pushing a singular narrative itself. Unfortunately, it seems that the new administration would rather continue, like much of our country, to become unmindful of the past, as if it has no bearing on the future.