DCI 201: Coeducation (Fall 2023)

Photo taken of the Class of 1989 during Orientation Week at the Ruins.

Class photo of the Washington and Lee Class of 1989 on the Colonnade

The image shows the 2014 Washington and Lee graduating class. It is the 30th class after the decision to become coed.

An image taken at VMI's 2022 commencement ceremony. The image is taken of 3 female cadets in the 25th class of coed.

An image taken in September of 1985 depicting the first Washington and Lee orientation featuring women.

A photo of Mark Troni

This is a photo of Pierson Gammage

Thesis produced by student David Bowen in 1983 surveying faculty, students, and alumni on the issue of coeducation.

Thesis produced by student David Bowen in 1983 surveying faculty, students, and alumni on the issue of coeducation.

This is a paid ad in the Ring Tum Phi paid for my the Inter-fraternity Council making a public statement and rationale for being against coeducation.

This article outlines problems and counterarguments to coeducation that Matrazzo is seeing on campus and arguing that coeducation is necessary step

This article speaks to the results of student survey about the issue of coeducation. This survey reveals general support among students as coeducational as a means of improving the university

This article speaks to the results of alumni and faculty about the issue of coeducation. This survey reveals overwhelming results that alumni oppose to the idea of coeducation and breaks down different issue areas.

These tables overview applicant numbers, acceptances based on SAT scores, and enrollment stats of students from 1985-94.

This table shows the admission statistics for Washington and Lee from 1965-92 and shows the difference in admission since education, making W&L a much more competitive/selective institution.

In letter from Mark Davis, he explains his rationale for supporting coeducation and how continuing to be single sex advantages our competitor schools Davidson and Vanderbilt. Davis speaks to how this might be a difficult transition but, in the long term be an important initiative of the university.

This letter written by Edgar Shannon expresses his support for education and argued that by admitting women it would support the university;s goal of academic excellence and enable it to better compete with other peer institutions.

UVA female student line up outside of a classroom in 1974.

The image of freshman Megan Smith being shouted at by male cadets came to symbolize VMI's struggle to integrate women into its ranks

The image is a representation of the undergraduate poll on whether or not the institution should become coeducational.

The letter is a response to President Wilsons support to become coeducational. Blanchard focuses on the tradition and community that is built by being coeducational. Saying COED with lose W&L destiny.

The letter is a response to idea of becoming coeducational. Baldwin voices his despise for coeducational, and calls for president Wilson to leave office.

This item consists of one report by James Farrar in the form of a PDF and a text file.

John Wilson, in response to President Wilson's previous reply, about coeducation at W&L. Blanchard again states that he does not support the adoption of coeducation. The second letter is President Wilson's response.

This is a letter from James Blanchard, III to President John Wilson, in response to President Wilson's previous reply, about coeducation at W&L. Blanchard again states that he does not support the adoption of coeducation.

The following is an article from the Executive Committe president, about the student body reaction to the school becoming coed.

This is a letter from Skip Nottberg to Alumni Board President Peter Agelasto, III about coeducation at W&L. Nottberg supports the adoption of coeducation.

Ring Tum Phi is Washington and Lee's independent newspaper. This is an edition published May 16, 1986. This image depicts 200 year University anniversary cartoon about coeducation

Frank Parsons is a member of the Class of 1954 of Washington and Lee University who in this interview accounts his experience specifically as a member of the coeducational steering committee and university administrator

The Ring-tum Phi is the student newspaper of Washington and Lee University. This is Volume 83, Number 8X from Thursday, November 3, 1983. This edition evaluates the question and concerns of coeducation from the student perspective.

This is a letter from Russell Hewit '74, '77L to President John Wilson about coeducation at W&L. Hewit supports the adoption of coeducation.

This is a letter from Clinton Morse '67 to President John Wilson about coeducation at W&L. Morse supports the adoption of coeducation.

The image shows the first class of women arriving to campus and partaking in the move in process.

Trustees Announcement outlining the process of coming to the decision and process of starting to admit women

Since the admission of women at W&L the academic standard has increased. The addition of women has created a social and academic change.

Image of "No Marthas" banner on the top of Washington Hall

Pictured are 4 signs that represent the new look to the Warner athletic center, following the addition of women's sports.

Article published in Ring Tum Phi reflecting on Class of 1989

The following is a newspaper article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, written July of 1984 that writes on the Washington and Lee board that voted in favor of Coeducation. Making Washington and Lee a coed school.

Magazine article published by Newsweek outlining the co-education process one year before women formally came to W&L

Pictured is a Ring Tum Phi newspaper clipping that demonstrates the undergraduate's opinion on making Washington and Lee a coeducational institution. The image shows that 60% of students oppose the decision.

Three freshmen women of the W&L Class of 1989 are interviewed by a TV crew upon their arrival in Lexington.