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Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

All content by Catherine McKean
Students perform in the Robert O. and Elizabeth M. Bentley Opera "Dido and Aeneas” in Wilson Concert Hall. Photo courtesy of the W&L Facebook page

Students make their opera debuts with Henry Purcell’s Greek tragedy ‘Dido and Aeneas’

This year’s Bentley Musical portrays the love affair between the titular characters adapted from Virgil’s “Aeneid”
Catherine McKean
March 28, 2024
Donald Trump addresses students and praises Washington and Lee in a pre-recorded video.

Donald Trump wins Mock Convention’s GOP nomination

Trump’s win was no surprise, students said. But the speakers sparked disagreement and conversation
Emma Malinak, Catherine McKean, and Shauna Muckle
February 14, 2024
Wesley Hunt addressed Mock Con on Feb. 10.

Wesley Hunt calls for a restoration of the nation’s soul

The Army veteran turned Congressman said the left is trying to divide the U.S. based on racial lines
Kristen Soltis Anderson kicked off the first session of Mock Con.

Pollster says Generation Z voters are up for grabs

Kristen Soltis Anderson says the GOP can win over Gen Z voters by presenting itself as a stabilizing force in politics
Catherine McKean
February 14, 2024
“Homage to Basquiat 2” by Mohammad Omer Khalil, 2022

“Musings” features work of Sudanese printmaker

Mohammad Omer Khalil uses his art to pay tribute to the people and places that have inspired him in W&L’s student-curated exhibit
Catherine McKean
January 22, 2024
Consignment store joins Lexington’s fashion scene

Consignment store joins Lexington’s fashion scene

Curator Sheila Glaeser talks fashion, sustainability and community after six months of operation
Catherine McKean
November 6, 2023
A view of House Mountain and the Woods Creek Apartments show off Lexington's signature fall foliage.

Lexington is a dish best served in fall

A senior’s reflection on the best season in Lexington
Catherine McKean
November 6, 2023
Students and alumni bond before a history talk by Jake Winston, ‘24.

Jewish students celebrate 13 years of Hillel House

Alumni, students and families gathered to reflect on a century of Jewish life at the university
Catherine McKean
October 23, 2023
Elizabeth Marshall, ‘25, and Bailey Jordan, ‘26, table for North Carolina.

1,500+ students join Mock Convention delegations, preparing to predict GOP nominee

Mock Convention leadership shares updates and vision for the 2024 cycle
Catherine McKean
September 25, 2023
Students observe a table where two people are showing sustainable items.

SEAL celebrates sustainability with inaugural campus-wide garage sale

W&L’s sustainability office partnered with student groups to showcase the university’s environmental efforts
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
May 8, 2023
A group of female dancers stand or sit on stage, surrounded by floating picture frames.

W&L Dance Company, Rockbridge Symphony Orchestra celebrate African American artists

Guest artists helped the company tell African American stories through dance and music
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
April 11, 2023
A woman singing into a microphone, a man playing guitar, a man playing bass, and a man on the drums perform on stage.

Time Trav brings energetic punk rock to FUDG

The group of first-year musicians had their debut show in March
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
April 11, 2023
A woman in a leotard raises a leg above her head. She is in a large metal cage on a stage. A crowd of people in formal wear surround the stage.

Students kick off end of semester with Sean Kingston concert, 116th Fancy Dress

The circus-themed ball brought a taste of the big top to Washington and Lee
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
March 28, 2023
A group of people in wetsuits and flippers sit on the edge of a dock, by water. Swamp trees are visible in the background.

Students explore careers, culture and the outdoors

Campus organizations brought students to New York City, Hawai’i and Florida during the week of Feb. 20
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
March 13, 2023
Three people touch and look through a rack of colorful clothing.

Professor’s passion for fashion draws students to vintage pop-up shop

Professor Beth Staples invited the community to browse her vintage clothing collection
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
February 14, 2023
Three Black women wearing colorful draped robes dance on a stage.

Students explore legacy, mental health through Black History Month programming

Campus groups celebrated Black identity and focused on long-term support for the community
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
February 14, 2023
A white artwork with red tubes connecting to five small pickaxes arranged in a circle.

Sam Blanchard’s “Futile State” explores the connection between humans and technology

The contemporary art exhibit features machines that visitors can interact with
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
February 7, 2023
A person's hands holding a phone with the Fizz app open.

New app “Fizz” launches on campus

The anonymous app has sparked curiosity and concern among student users
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
January 23, 2023
Lechner’s “The Way We Were” represents conceptions of Earth’s culture. Photo by Catherine McKean, ’24

Amanda Lechner explores social and scientific connection in ‘Terra Ignota: Land Unknown’

Lechner’s paintings explore subjects “beyond the range of human understanding”
Catherine McKean, A&L Editor
December 14, 2022
Dr. Mueller stands on a stage with screen behind her.

Collaborative project encourages students to “paws” and reflect on human-animal relationships

“Compassion and Connection Across Species” lecture links Mudd Center for Ethics, Museums at W&L and University Library
Catherine McKean, A&L Editor
November 15, 2022

Kim Stanley Robinson talks climate change

The author of Ministry for the Future explained connections between his novels and current environmental threats
Blake Ramsey and Catherine McKean
November 15, 2022
Choir stands on stage in semi-circle wearing blue dresses and black suits. Director stands in front, waving his arms.

W&L University Singers take third at international competition

The University Singers are the first American choir to compete at the Derry Choir Festival
Catherine McKean, A&L Editor
November 8, 2022
Table set with three pieces of adorned toast in the middle, a morning bun on one side and a croissant on the other. Utensils and a coffee cup also frame the food.

Seasons’ Yield expands into Lexington 

“Bread Day” family brings new café to downtown’s Main Street
Catherine McKean, Arts & Life Editor
October 26, 2022
“The Lantrum” premiers at Film Society’s evening of student-produced films

“The Lantrum” premiers at Film Society’s evening of student-produced films

Director Nolan Zunk, ‘22, discusses filming, science fiction and the queer experience through his latest film
Catherine McKean
May 17, 2022
Briston Maroney performed at GAB's spring concert.

Briston Maroney, DOUBLECAMP and Annie DiRusso perform at GAB’s 2022 Spring Concert

Spring festival returns to W&L for the first time since May 2018
Catherine McKean
May 17, 2022

Staniar presents Kathleen Olson’s Passage in a new and colorful exhibit

Staniar Gallery celebrates W&L professor Kathleen Olson’s career during Alumni Weekend.
Catherine McKean
May 17, 2022
Students taking German 332 deliver a twist to the fairy tale classic, “Rumpelstiltskin.”

German-332 students perform self-written plays based on German fairytales

Generalprobe celebrates 30th anniversary with variations on Grimm Brothers’ stories
Catherine McKean
April 12, 2022
Charlene Nsengimana, ’24, models a Rwandan umushanana. Photo courtesy of @africansocietywlu.

Student organizations celebrate African music, fashion and culture

Black Ball returns and African Society hosts inaugural fashion charity showcase
Catherine McKean
February 15, 2022
“Donald Nield: American Surrealist” will be on display in Staniar Gallery from Jan. 10 to Feb. 9.

Staniar exhibit explores the definition of surrealism

American artist Donald Nield’s works merge Old Master painting, surrealism and pop art styles
Catherine McKean
February 1, 2022

100 years of women’s suffrage in America

“A Yellow Rose Project” invites artists to reflect on the centennial of the 19th Amendment
Catherine McKean
October 26, 2021
Aislinn Niimi, '24, prepares egg rolls.

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and PAACE co-host community dinner

Students bond over homemade Asian dishes.
Catherine McKean
October 12, 2021
Dr. Shane Lynch addresses the audience at the choral performance from University Singers, Glee Club and Cantatrici on Oct. 1. Screenshot from livestream provided by Catherine McKean, ’24.

University ensembles perform for parents and family weekend

Music groups perform first public concert in 18 months
Catherine McKean
October 12, 2021

Staniar hosts first in-person gallery event in over a year

“To See Color First” showcases work by American artist Louise Herreshoff Eaton
Catherine McKean
September 29, 2021
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