The student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

The student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

The student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Hannah Denham, 20.

Hannah Denham, Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Denham, '20, is the incoming co-editor-in-chief. She is majoring in journalism with a minor in women, gender and sexuality studies. She's from Mobile, Alabama, and is passionate about covering diversity issues on campus. Besides the Phi, Hannah is also involved with the Bonner Program and Society of Professional Journalists.

All content by Hannah Denham
Hannah Denham, 20, (left) and Maya Lora, 20, (right) in the Ring-tum Phi office.

For the last time

Maya Lora and Hannah Denham, the 2019-20 editors-in-chief of the Ring-tum Phi, sign-off
Maya Lora and Hannah Denham
May 18, 2020
Charlie Radcliffe (left) and Caroline Buckley (right) took early graduation photos on the Colonnade. Photo courtesy of Charlie Radcliffe.

Students respond to one-year graduation postponement

Some seniors won't be able to come back to Lexington in a year to walk across the stage. Others are counting on it.
Hannah Denham
May 18, 2020
Washington Hall, from the steps of Lee Chapel. Photo by Hannah Denham.

Judge requires university to turn over redacted Title IX records in federal lawsuit with former student

Attorneys have requested the trial date for John Doe v. Washington and Lee University be moved to November due to coronavirus
Hannah Denham and Maya Lora
May 18, 2020
Washington and Lee University President Will Dudley was interviewed by Kelly Evans, 07, on CNBC on Wednesday, May 13. Screenshot of the interview.

Dudley tells CNBC ‘we are doing everything in our power’ to bring back students in the fall

Kelly Evans, host of "The Exchange" on CNBC and a 2007 graduate of Washington and Lee, interviewed him on May 13
Hannah Denham
May 13, 2020
Two sophomore students quarantined themselves in a Gaines Hall apartment. Photo by Coleman Martinson.

Quarantining together won’t work without communication

It isn’t a joke you can take lightly, Hannah Denham writes
Hannah Denham
May 4, 2020
Photo by Hannah Denham.

University wrestles with financial impact of remote learning

Washington and Lee has a committee dedicated to the development of a contingency plan in the case of remote learning extending through fall 2020
Hannah Denham
May 4, 2020
From left to right: Elizabeth Thompson, 20, Kathryn Gerbo, 20, and Elizabeth Underwood, 20 pose for early graduation photos on the Colonnade. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Underwood.

Washington and Lee pushes back graduation ceremonies to spring 2021

Undergraduate and law classes of 2020 are scheduled to walk the stage nearly a year after virtual graduation
Hannah Denham
May 1, 2020
Linda Floyd (left) sews the two pieces of cloth together to make the base of the mask. Mary Katherine Lawrence (right) tests out the sizing on her face. 
Photo by Hannah Denham.

How three Rockbridge area women are sewing masks for first responders

Their goal is to supply two masks each to any local first responders in need
Hannah Denham
April 13, 2020
Lee Bernstein, ‘20, has taken the opportunity with staying in Lexington for Passover to call extended family and cook her own kosher food for seder.

Empty pews: Celebrating Easter and Passover during a pandemic

Christian and Jewish students find ways to stay connected to their religious communities, at home and in Lexington
Hannah Denham
April 13, 2020
Rafay Hassan, ‘22, volunteered with Rockbridge Area Relief Association
during the two-week recess. Photo by Hannah Denham.

The students who stayed: A day in the life of social distancing at Washington and Lee

The university approved 26 students to move into Woods Creek West after sending the rest of students home
Hannah Denham
March 30, 2020
The novel coronavirus. Photo illustration courtesy of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lexington has its first coronavirus case

City Manager Jim Halasz said the first case in the Rockbridge area is a 60-year-old woman
Hannah Denham
March 21, 2020
Huntley Hall, where the Williams School is located. Photo by Kaelan McCabe, 21.

Washington and Lee University moves classes online for rest of academic year

The decision impacts both undergraduate and law students and comes as a response to the growing impact of the new coronavirus
Hannah Denham
March 12, 2020
Washington Hall. Photo by Hannah Denham.

How professors are navigating canceled spring term courses and the potential of online classes

The university is expanding spring term class numbers to account for students who were enrolled in cancelled abroad courses
Hannah Denham and Avalon Pernell
March 12, 2020
Photo by Hannah Denham.

Here’s a list of which university events are canceled and which are still on

Some Washington and Lee University events have been canceled as part of a growing response to the new coronavirus
Hannah Denham
March 12, 2020
Chavis House. Photo by Maya Lora.

Casa Hispánica and Chavis House proposed as site for new institutional history museum

Students, professors concerned over timeline for demolition and plan for replacement
Hannah Denham
February 12, 2020
Photo by Hannah Denham, 20.

Faculty calls for university to clarify political activity policy

Faculty Affairs Committee is concerned by Gender Action Group, Pink Elephants recent interaction with general counsel
Hannah Denham
January 28, 2020
The #iScream4Equality bus tours around campuses in Virginia to educate voters on the Equal Rights Amendment. Photo by Hannah Denham.

Free speech rights on campus are murky, feminist leaders say

Campus discussion of political activity policy has increased with upcoming election
Hannah Denham
January 28, 2020
University cracks down on student organizations to protect nonprofit status

University cracks down on student organizations to protect nonprofit status

General Counsel reminds student of political activity policies as election season nears
Hannah Denham
November 4, 2019
Lewinsky spoke on survival, resilience, digital reputation and equality, according to the events advertisement. Photo by Kevin Remington.

Monica Lewinsky captivates campus

Contact Committee gave out 514 tickets for her speech on Oct. 16.
Hannah Denham
October 22, 2019
The complications of student advertising that features black music artists

The complications of student advertising that features black music artists

When pop culture meets a dialogue about inclusion
Hannah Denham
October 21, 2019
Generals football team beats Sewanee Tigers 42-7 in first win of the season

Generals football team beats Sewanee Tigers 42-7 in first win of the season

The home game at Wilson Field on Saturday, Sept. 14 was Washington and Lee’s first win of the year.
Hannah Denham
September 22, 2019
Washington Hall. Photo by Hannah Denham.

Washington and Lee denies it acted with anti-male bias in 2017 sexual misconduct case

The former male student is suing the university after he was suspended for non-consensual sexual penetration of a female student, denied readmission
Hannah Denham and Maya Lora
July 18, 2019
Photo courtesy of Washington and Lee University

Politics professor Tyler Dickovick has died. Here’s how the W&L community is remembering him.

Students, alumni and faculty submitted memories with Dickovick to the Ring-tum Phi. Here are their stories.
Hannah Denham
July 8, 2019

Two students file Title IX complaints against professor

One of the complaints originated with English professor Kary Smout’s winter term literature class on the American west
Hannah Denham
May 7, 2019
Professor Ted DeLaney outside his office in Newcomb Hall. Photo by Hannah Denham, 20.

Professor Ted DeLaney’s swan song

The history professor's legacy touches campus and community
Hannah Denham
April 1, 2019
Marty Baron. Photo by Hannah Denham, 20.

Q&A with Washington Post executive editor, Marty Baron

Baron spoke on the state of local news, advice for student reporters covering private universities
Hannah Denham
April 1, 2019
Gary Staab, the keynote speaker for the 2019 SSA, presented “Digital Dinosaurs: Fleshing out the Past” on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Hannah Denham, ‘20.

Science, society and the arts unite on campus

This year's SSA keynote speaker combines paleontology, sculpture and early society
Hannah Denham
March 18, 2019
Washington and Lee yearbooks depicted blackface too

Washington and Lee yearbooks depicted blackface too

A review of old Calyx yearbooks archived in Special Collections showed racist photos, jokes and drawings, as well as references to sexual assault.
Hannah Denham
February 27, 2019
President Dudley hosts student game night

President Dudley hosts student game night

About 70 students attended The Hub's weekly game night at President Will Dudley's home on Saturday night.
Hannah Denham
January 27, 2019
Sorority row at Washington and Lee University. Photo by Hannah Denham, 20.

Panhellenic Council reflects on this year’s rush

Sixty-six percent of female, first-year students joined sororities, a smaller percentage than last year.
Hannah Denham
January 21, 2019
A night at Friday Night Underground, a popular party alternative for students, in January 2019. Photo by James Ricks, 21.

Student’s controversial FUDG comedy act currently under Title IX Assessment

Robert Griffin, ‘20, performed jokes at Friday Night Underground that some students felt were discriminatory against LGBT and disabled people.
Hannah Denham
January 21, 2019
Posters and banners that said Suicide is NOT something to hide were hung up around campus this week. Photo by Joe OConnor, 22.

Students, administrator respond to lawsuit against university and counselor by W&L student

The school addressed the lawsuit for the first time in an email to the campus community, saying the university was unable to share information regarding an individual student or active litigation.
Hannah Denham
January 16, 2019

Q&A with New York Times senior writer David Barstow

“My first piece of advice [for young journalists] is not advice at all. It’s a plea: God, we need you.”
Hannah Denham
December 3, 2018

University Public Safety officials say investigation into KKK fliers is ongoing

Washington and Lee Public Safety shares information gathered about the leaflets found on campus in October
Hannah Denham
December 3, 2018
Public Safety is investigating leaflets a KKK chapter left on Washington and Lees campus. Photo by Hannah Denham, 20.

University public safety says investigation into KKK fliers is ongoing

Washington and Lee Public Safety shares information it has gathered about the leaflets found on campus three weeks ago.
Hannah Denham
November 14, 2018
David Barstow is a senior investigative reporter for the New York Times. Photo by Hannah Denham, 20.

Q&A with New York Times Senior Writer David Barstow

"My first piece of advice [for young journalists] is not advice at all. It’s a plea: God, we need you, right?"
Hannah Denham
October 31, 2018
A banner hangs in Elrod Commons that says, Love Will Win! Photo by Hannah Denham, 20.

University community gathers on Sunday to address Friday’s KKK leafleting on campus

Student Affairs, the Executive Committee and the Student Judicial Council organized the event to challenge the community to support each other.
Hannah Denham
October 29, 2018
Photo courtesy of two students, with permission.

Students find KKK chapter fliers on W&L’s campus

Some fliers implore Washington and Lee to keep its name the same. Others say that “race is much more than skin color” and that “Yahweh commands racial segregation.”
Hannah Denham
October 26, 2018

University store now offers black hair care products

Products include Cantu shampoo and conditioner and black bobby pins, among others
Hannah Denham
October 22, 2018

Robinson Hall and Lee-Jackson House renamed, changes made to Lee Chapel

W&L honors trailblazers in university history with name changes to Robinson Hall and Lee-Jackson House
Hannah Denham
October 22, 2018
Robinson Hall will be renamed Chavis Hall to recognize John Chavis, the first African-American to receive a college education in the United States. Photo by Sutton Travis, 19.

Robinson Hall and Lee-Jackson House renamed, changes to Lee Chapel effective immediately

Among the changes, Robinson Hall will be renamed to Chavis Hall and Lee-Jackson House will be renamed to Simpson House.
Hannah Denham
October 9, 2018
The products offered now include Cantu shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner and many other options. Photo by Hannah Denham, 20.

W&L’s University Store now offers black hair care products

The products offered now include Cantu shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner and curling cream, edge stay gel, Eboline coconut oil and Evolve satin wrap scarves and bonnets, as well as two different wide-toothed combs and black bobby pins.
Hannah Denham
October 7, 2018

Young Alumni Weekend, campus and athletic events canceled for hurricane

This marks the first on-campus reunion event to be canceled in Washington and Lee’s history, according to the Alumni Affairs Office.
Hannah Denham
September 17, 2018
The Hungry General: A look at the university’s new food pantry

The Hungry General: A look at the university’s new food pantry

The new campus food pantry gives students the chance to anonymously pick up what they need during the school year and over long breaks
Hannah Denham, News Writer
May 18, 2018

W&L Dance hosts viral feminist poet

Guest poet Nina Mariah Donovan performed with the dance company this past weekend
Hannah Denham, Arts & Life Writer
March 19, 2018

Rebranded student literary magazine hosts open mic night

Formerly known as Muse, Ampersand hopes to attract new students
Hannah Denham
February 16, 2018
Photo courtesy of The Columns.

Second annual Social Impact Summit bridges alumni and students

Participants discuss incorporating personal interests, advocacy into professional work
Hannah Denham
November 7, 2017

The Undocumented General

Termination of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, is possible in 2018. Undocumented students are seeking clarity from W&L about what might happen to their mostly invisible population.
Hannah Denham
October 10, 2017

W&L hosts reps from famous European research organization

Physicist, journalist from CERN speak on importance of teamwork, diversity in workplace
Hannah Denham
October 10, 2017

‘FLIP’ provides resources for first-generation, low-income students

What began as an online conversation has become a formal support partnership at W&L
Hannah Denham
September 22, 2017
FUDG Records Recording Session. Photo Courtesy of WDBJ7

Friday Underground Records debuts new EP

Dana Gary’s “Scholasticism” EP draws from her Tennessee and Virginia roots
Hannah Denham
May 19, 2017
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