1865
August 4th, the Board of Trustees unanimously elects General Robert E. Lee as president of Washington College after receiving a report from family friends that no offer has been made to the general by which he can earn a living for himself and his family.September 18th, General Lee rides into town on Traveller to accept the presidency.Kappa Alpha fraternity founded at Washington College.
1866
The Lexington Law School is incorporated into Washington College.
1867
Construction of Lee Chapel begins.
J.B. Walker establishes Washington and Lee’s first business classes
J.B. Walker establishes a business school offering two courses of practical instruction in penmanship and the "Science of Accounts" given at times that does not conflict with the normal lecture schedule. The price for both classes is forty dollars.
President Lee proposes to the Board of Trustees the establishment of a commerce department
January 8th, President Lee proposes to the finance committee of the Board of Trustees the establishment of departments of agriculture, commerce, and applied chemistry, as well as an expansion of the engineering school to include mechanical engineering, machinery, and practical mechanics. The committee responds favorably.
1870
Scholarships for free tuition are offered to young men who plan to make teaching or the Christian ministry their profession.
October 12th, students and faculty mourn the death of President Robert E. Lee. Within days the Board of Trustees votes to change the school's name to W & L University.
1881
Mrs. Josephine Louise Newcomb gives twenty thousand dollars to erect Newcomb Hall in memory of her late husband, Warren Newcomb. The building will house an art gallery, the library, and reading rooms.
1884
Newcomb Hall built, which housed the business classes until they relocated in 1979.
1892
The Department of Physical Education is instituted.
1895
Calyx, the W&L yearbook, makes its first appearance.
1897
Ring-tum Phi begins publication.
Ms. Annie Jo White threw the first bal masque, which soon became known as FD