ÄûÃÊÊÓÆµ

The Bonner Program

The Bonner Program

The Bonner Program is a unique leadership development program for students with an interest in service and social responsibility. 

The Bonner Program is offered through W&L’s Shepherd Department which works to understand and address the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality in ways that respect the dignity of every person. Students are given a framework to be involved in community service while receiving financial support. 

In addition to the financial support through federal work study, there are ample benefits in terms of leadership development, professional development, and intentional connections between academic and community engagement. Our students generally have some of the most robust resumes among recent graduates.



The Setting

W&L is located into the Shenandoah Valley in Lexington, Virginia. Our campus is surrounded by the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountain ranges. We are just a few hours drive from major cities, including Washington D.C. and Richmond, Virginia.

The Experience

The Bonner Program at Washington and Lee is one college chapter out of more than 67 colleges and universities within the wider, national Bonner Foundation. Bonners are expected to participate in the Program all four years at W&L, completing 1800-hours of service and leadership training.

The People

Our students are the Bonner Program. Learn about who we are.

Community Partners

W&L Bonner Scholars work on site based teams with our Community Partners. These Partners work closely with their Bonners providing professional development and increasing levels of responsibility over their four years together.

W&L Stories


The professor of cultural anthropology and director of the Community-Based Learning Program experienced a 10-day residency at Trinity College in Dublin.

The weekend’s seminar will feature Jayne Anne Phillips discussing her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “Night Watch.â€

Mariam Drammeh ’25 has approached research, internships and campus involvement with an eye toward a future rooted in service to others.

The visiting assistant professor of chemistry will serve a one-year term for the 2024-25 academic year.

Three W&L students partnered with an NGO in Ghana this summer to create a training program for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Adhip Adhikari ’27 spent much of his summer creating a library at a secondary school near his family’s home in Katmandu, Nepal.

The public talk will take place in Kamen Gallery on Sept. 27 and is part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.

W&L students share their experiences getting to know the larger Lexington and Rockbridge community during the summer months.

Sai Chebrolu ’26 and Valentina Giraldo Lozano ’25 are among 13 students chosen for the Zero Hunger Internship program.

Ben Bankston '25

Ben Bankston ’25 is finding opportunities at W&L to challenge himself in and out of the classroom.

Jay Margalus tackes his Design Thinking class for a site visit at the Virginia Innovation Accelerator.

The 2023-2024 academic year at W&L saw the proliferation of several new course offerings for students through a new faculty development initiative offered by the Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL).

Students in Accounting 452 VITA program Winter Term 2024

Washington and Lee students are applying their accounting skills in the community as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.