Stories of Consequence
Why I Give is a series that celebrates the generosity of Washington and Lee University alumni, students, faculty and parents. Discover the many reasons the W&L community supports Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee and how philanthropy shapes the university’s future while honoring its enduring value.
Jayson Lipsey 01, P'30 is a 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.
What inspired you to make your first gift to Washington and Lee University, and what motivates you to continue giving?
I think our first gift was a way to stay connected to the university after we graduated. It wasn't about quantity but just about continuing that relationship with a place that was so special to us.
What has motivated us to continue giving is this deep gratitude for our past — for the way that this institution has transformed our lives. No other place has had a greater impact on our lives than Washington and Lee. We had transformational educations here; it’s where we met one another. We were married on campus, and we now have a daughter who's going to be a freshman at W&L next year. This place has run its course through our lives, and it's deeply impactful.
Secondly, we give because of our incredible hope for the future. We want people to have the same experiences we've had in terms of that transformational, deep impact. This university prepares young people of promise for positions of great leadership. Washington and Lee University prepares future leaders. And we want our giving to have an impact on the world. When you think about the best way to truly change the world, it's to invest in future leaders. And a gift to Washington and Lee is an investment in the leadership of the future.
"When you think about the best way to truly change the world, it's to invest in future leaders. And a gift to Washington and Lee is an investment in the leadership of the future." - Jayson ’01, P’30 and Catie Lipsey ’03, P’30
How do you hope your support impacts current and future generations of Washington and Lee students?
Giving is an exercise in faithfulness. There are opportunities for us to give to things that are very exciting and have a lot of momentum behind them. Sometimes it’s giving to the W&L Fund, which may not be the most exciting thing to do, but it keeps the university running. We want our gift to empower the current leadership of the university — they're the ones who have a vision for the future. All of these plans and strategies have been so thoughtfully developed and executed. We believe in what they're doing, and we want to lend our support to the initiatives of the university. That’s how we trust through giving.
Is there a particular experience, faculty member or program at W&L that played a meaningful role in your decision to give back?
Catie: One of the most special opportunities I had when I was on campus was being part of the Executive Committee and getting to experience the Honor System from that perspective. The university’s foundation of honor and integrity as a core value — I think our students and alumni go into the community with those values.
Jayson: I was so fortunate to be a part of a variety of different activities. One that I look back on with the greatest fondness is playing football. One of the things that makes this place special is that you can be a scholar and an athlete. It's amazing to think that perhaps I played a small role in the legacy that is Washington and Lee athletics.
I also think the school size and the ability to really get to know faculty members was very impactful. I was a liberal arts major, but some of my most impactful relationships were with faculty members in the C School or in other departments. I think the size and the model really enables you to get to know your professors in a way that you don't experience at other places.
Catie and I both had the opportunity to pursue graduate degrees. It’s in those contexts where you really appreciate how extraordinary the faculty of Washington and Lee are. This place is special. It’s not just their deep and incredible academic expertise, but it's the relational approach that they take to the students, the small class sizes and mentorships that's very difficult to replicate in other places.
What does it mean to you personally to lead a life of consequence?
Catie: When I was a student, I had a mentor who said that one of the primary goals in life is to attain positions of influence for the purposes of imparting value. I've taken that seriously and tried to pursue that in our lives. That’s what it means to me to live a life of life of consequence — to enter the world in a way where you genuinely are trying to impact others positively and to leave the world a better place.
Jayson: For me, leading a life of consequence is about being invested in your community, wherever you are. Sometimes it looks like very traditional leadership, but sometimes it's quiet leadership, and it's looking for those opportunities of where you can invest and where you can make an impact. Washington and Lee really prepares students to look for those opportunities and to find those places where they can make a positive impact.
Watch Jayson and Catie’s video interview.
Read more from the Why I Give series.