If you asked me something I love about our school, I would tell you the Speaking Tradition is what makes Washington and Lee such a unique place.

Few things are as special, obviously inclusive and uniquely southern as being greeted by passing strangers with a warm “hello.” For at least 150 years, Washington and Lee’s Speaking Tradition has been an important tenet of campus culture. The tradition calls for individuals — strangers and friends alike — to greet each other when passing on campus. Participating in the tradition is one of the little things that makes W&L a home away from home, a place where one feels welcome, comfortable and connected to their community. 

The tradition is “very unique and hyperspecific to Washington and Lee,” said Campbell Shelby, ’29. “Since we have such a small campus, it really encourages people to broaden their connections and not just stay in their smaller bubbles with their closest friends.”

Shelby is not alone. My informal observation sadly indicates that the tradition might be dying. Walking around campus, one will frequently see community members ignoring passerby, hyperfixated on their phones, barely cognizant of their surroundings. The smart phone — which might be the root of all societal ills — entices people to check their emails, to respond to texts or to see what the next obligation is on their calendar during their walks to and from class.

Whatever the cause, a decline in participation in the Speaking Tradition is evident. And there seems to be a growing tension between those who aim to preserve the historic campus custom and those who are apathetic to the value the tradition brings.

At least one university organization, Kathekon, is working to preserve the tradition. Kathekon is a student organization designed to improve student-alumni relations and connect with the history and workings of the university, according to the university website. Members of Kathekon assist in many events for alumni and students. 

Mary Schleusner, ’26, a member of Kathekon, says that everyone in the organization feels a responsibility to keep the Speaking Tradition alive, especially because of alumni passion about it. 

“It really is one of my favorite parts about the school, and why I was originally so drawn to Washington and Lee,” Schleusner said.

One of Kathekon’s biggest events is “Say Hey Week,” a week where organization members set up tables across campus to encourage students to participate in the Speaking Tradition by handing out “Say Hey” stickers and providing flyers about the tradition. This year it was hosted from Nov. 17-20. 

“It’s clear that not everyone participates in [the tradition] these days. I think that if we want to preserve it we need to keep having those “Say Hey” days and really just keep encouraging it across the campus,” said Shelby. “If we keep claiming that it’s such a big deal to our campus, we really need to work to keep it alive.”