Skip to Main Content
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

Julianna Stephenson, Editor-in-Chief

Julianna Stephenson, Editor-in-Chief

Julianna Stephenson is a junior majoring in journalism, with minors in education policy and digital culture and information. She spent the summer in her hometown as a newsroom intern for The Roanoke Times and is excited to return to Lexington to lead the Ring-tum Phi’s team. In Julianna’s free time, you can find her downing crab rangoons at Golden Garden or whipping around Lex in her miniature school bus (her yellow jeep).

All content by Julianna Stephenson
Rockbridge County's proposed policy will ban phones in all classes for the whole day.

Rockbridge County Public Schools plan to ban cell phones

The policy would ban cell phone use during the day. School board members will vote on the proposal on Dec. 10
Julianna Stephenson, Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2024
The percentage of domestic students of color has been on the rise for decades. It hit an all-time high with the class of 2027, but that number decreased with the first admissions cycle after the affirmative action decision.

First post-affirmative action admissions cycle results in diversity decline

The class of 2028 is comprised of 22% domestic students of color, which is almost a 2% decrease from the class of 2027
Julianna Stephenson, Co-editor-in-Chief
October 21, 2024
For the past two school years, abstenteeism rates at Rockbridge County High School have been nearly double the Virginia average.

Rockbridge County students are missing too much school

Rockbridge County Public Schools adopted a new attendance policy, but parents say they failed to communicate it
Julianna Stephenson, Co-editor in Chief
October 7, 2024
A student scans their ReusePass code to return a to-go box.

Students and dining services staff at odds over new reusable to-go box program

Dining services officials say the program is more environmentally responsible and promotes community engagement. But students are frustrated by the change
Julianna Stephenson, Co-editor-in-Chief
September 23, 2024
A behind-the-scenes look at administration

A behind-the-scenes look at administration

The president and his cabinet keep “the small city that is W&L” running smoothly
Julianna Stephenson
April 8, 2024
Dean of Students Sidney Evans is retiring after 24 years at Washington and Lee University. 
Photo courtesy of the W&L website

Dean of students will retire after 24 years at W&L

Sidney Evans says goodbye to the students who she's helped, and who have helped her
Julianna Stephenson
March 28, 2024
The University Registrar’s office started the new year with two of its highest positions vacant. Photo by Julianna Stephenson, ’26

Registrar’s Office loses top staffers

At the start of the new year, the office’s two top positions were vacant
Julianna Stephenson
March 12, 2024
Governor Glenn Youngkin shares his vision for what the Republican Party needs to do to make America “a nation with no rivals” again.

Glenn Youngkin encourages Americans to vote to support ‘a nation with no rivals’

Virginia’s governor said he wants Republicans to lead America back to having a dominant economy and education system
Julianna Stephenson
February 14, 2024
Ruthless Podcast hosts sit back and discuss conservative politics during the final session of Mock Convention.

Conservative podcast jokes about Biden, journalism

Hosts of the Ruthless Podcast share conservative opinions, saying they did not come to bring facts
Julianna Stephenson
February 14, 2024
The university assigned a full-time staff member to fellowships for the 2018-19 academic year. Matthew Loar was hired in 2019.

Number of fellowship applicants, recipients on the rise since the hiring of Matthew Loar

The Director of Fellowships and Student Research connects W&L students to prestigious postgraduate programs
Julianna Stephenson
February 5, 2024
Graphic by Julianna Stephenson

Washington and Lee University drops in rankings when methodology emphasizes social mobility

Even though the university dropped in ranking, admissions officials are not concerned about prospective student applications
Julianna Stephenson
February 5, 2024
Timmy Hill vacuums the rugs at the Tennis Center at 6 a.m.

Day in the life of Washington and Lee’s facilities and grounds workers

In our “Day in the Life” series, reporters take a look behind the scenes of the most important, yet overlooked, jobs at W&L
Julianna Stephenson
January 22, 2024
Nearly half of the students who applied to enter Washington and Lee’s Class of 2025 did not submit test scores. Graphic courtesy of Juilianna Stephenson, ‘26

Washington and Lee will remain test-optional for the time being

Students and admissions officials alike weigh in on the positives and negatives of requiring test scores
Julianna Stephenson
December 11, 2023
Some children of alumni grow up with Washington and Lee as a central part of their lives, especially when they attend events such as Young Alumni Weekend. Photo by Julianna Stephenson, ‘26

W&L to keep legacy admissions after affirmative action strike-down

The admissions office is facing new challenges this year. Legacy admissions isn’t one of them.
Julianna Stephenson
November 30, 2023
Washington and Lee University’s ranking among national liberal arts colleges varies by source, ac-
cording to President Dudley’s statement.

Washington and Lee falls 10 spots in U.S. News and World Report college rankings

University administrators say the rankings are an incomplete reflection of the quality of a W&L education
Julianna Stephenson
October 9, 2023
W&L’s diversity could decline after affirmative action decision, admissions says

W&L’s diversity could decline after affirmative action decision, admissions says

The Supreme Court prevented race-conscious admissions programs. W&L is still navigating the implications
Julianna Stephenson
September 25, 2023
Three brick sorority houses with white columns.

Female transfer students face social barriers in sorority recruitment

Rush rules leave older students feeling isolated, especially those without campus connections
Julianna Stephenson, Staff Writer
May 8, 2023
Load More Stories