November 4, 2025

Getting the Most Out of College with Washington and Lee President Will Dudley

Washington and Lee University President Dr. Will Dudley makes the case for the enduring power of the liberal arts. He shares how W&L’s need-blind admissions and no-loan financial aid make a top-tier education affordable for families, and why smaller, close-knit colleges can offer the richest experiences. Dudley also reflects on how liberal arts prepare students not just for their first job—but for a lifetime of curiosity, adaptability, and purpose.

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About the Episode

In this episode, Washington and Lee University President Dr. Will Dudley joins host Will Geiger to discuss the benefits of a liberal arts education, and why it’s more relevant than ever. Dudley explains how top liberal arts schools make themselves affordable through need-blind admissions and programs like the Washington and Lee Promise, which ensures families earning up to $150,000 pay no tuition.

Dudley also describes how a liberal arts education provides a lifetime of value, arguing that while it’s not job training, it’s the best preparation for long-term career success and personal growth. He reflects on how students can assess campus culture when weighing different college options, why smaller colleges often offer richer experiences, and how Washington and Lee continues to evolve—adding programs in areas like data science and entrepreneurship while remaining true to its mission.

Mentioned in This Episode

Washington and Lee Promise
Dream School by Jeff Salingo

Guest

William Dudley

William C. Dudley has served as the 27th president of Washington and Lee University since 2017, leading one of the nation’s top liberal arts institutions with a clear vision for academic excellence and expanded opportunity. Under his leadership, W&L has implemented a comprehensive strategic plan, enhanced its academic programs, and achieved a major milestone: becoming need-blind in admission as of 2024. A philosopher by training and a champion of student-centered education, Dudley previously served as provost at Williams College and holds degrees from Williams and Northwestern. At W&L, he’s helping shape a model of higher education that pairs timeless values with bold, forward-thinking goals.

Host

Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut.Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.