G. EDWARD CALVERT, M. D.
[address redacted]
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501

Phone [phone number redacted]


November 23, 1983




Mr. Peter A. Agelasto, III
[address redacted]
Norfolk, Virginia 23501

Dear Peter:

As requested by you and President John D. Wilson,
this letter is written as a response to his reflec-
tions on the question of undergraduate coeducation
at Washington and Lee.

His paper is a thoughtful review of the subject not
only with regard to Washington and Lee but also with
regard to higher education generally.

An examination of his thoughts reveals that the pros
for maintaining the status quo at Washington and Lee
appear to fall into a category which might be
entitled "Tradition" or "Past Social Practices."

In any reference to tradition the appeal to emotion
is powerful. Alumni, and to a lesser degre students
also, tend to view the past with emotion. Who can
fail to be influenced by Lee, that "rare human
being who in five years left an indelible mark"
upon Washington and Lee?

From my sampling of opinion I would say that alumni
would vote overwhelmingly to preserve the present
all-male undergraduate program. But "with his eye
closely focused upon the future needs of Virginia,
the South, and the nation," Lee would favor coedu-
cation today, I suspect.

Given the pros and cons as expresed by President
Wilson, I tend to favor making the change.

[pb]

G. EDWARD CALVERT, M. D.
[address redacted]
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501

Phone [phone number redacted]





The changing role of women in society is not likely
to regress and is certain to progress. Women will,
and should, have an opportunity to the same uses of
the mind in society which have previously been
enjoyed almost exclusively by men. Eventually they
Will participate in every form of activity except
those from which physical differences alone exclude
them.

Whether Washington and Lee can maintain its position
of excellence without admitting women is not of
overriding importance. (The demographic projections
lead me to believe that it would be unlikely to do So.)

What is of greater concern is that if Washington and
Lee remains all-male it may eventually find itself
to be an anomaly and an anachronism. Its graduates
may cease to be a source of unique pride. It will
no longer supply society with people who are special,
and Washington and Lee will no longer itself be special.

For these reasons, while my heart votes "all male,"
my mind votes "coeducation."

Sincerely yours,

[G. Edward Calvert]

G. Edward Calvert, M. D.