Program Description

The Leyburn Scholars Endowment is a permanent endowment at Washington and Lee University established in 1981 by alumni and friends to improve the teaching of anthropology at the University, including the support for undergraduate students doing research in anthropology. Donors established this endowment in part to recognize the enduring contributions that James G. Leyburn made to Washington and Lee. Dr. Leyburn introduced anthropology to Washington and Lee and played a key role in the development of teaching and research in anthropology.  Faculty and administrators should help recipients appreciate who James G. Leyburn was and how he established “a legacy of dedication to scholarship” for W&L students.

Purpose and Administration

Based on the intentions of the donors and with the agreement of tenured and tenure-track faculty with appointments in anthropology and with the approval of the Dean of the College, income from this endowment will

• provide stipends to undergraduate students to support research in anthropology. While the primary intention is to support student field research in the summer, it is acceptable to support student research during the academic year.
• provide students the opportunity to develop skills in research design, data collection, field work, analysis, and report preparation. As many of these activities require travel, students may receive Leyburn Fund support for transportation, lodging, and other travel costs associated with their anthropological research.
• fund faculty travel to support or visit students working in the field.
• support Washington and Lee alumni and students from other institutions who have made a commitment to W&L projects in anthropology.
• purchase equipment necessary to complete supported student research.
• help fund publication of supported student research if any funds remain after covering the actual student research or equipment needs. Leyburn Scholars should be either authors or co-authors.
• support the travel of outstanding students in anthropology to attend national meetings with faculty including the opportunity but not the requirement to present papers in specific areas of anthropology. When deemed appropriate by anthropology faculty, student travel to visit laboratories or faculty at other institutions relevant to one’s research.
• expose students to the latest research and scholarship in anthropology through visiting lectures in anthropology.
• recipients do not have to be majors in the department. 
• timing of student applications and their consideration will be determined by the tenured and tenure-track faculty with appointments in anthropology in consultation with the Dean of the College.  The faculty and Dean will determine if and how to coordinate with the process for reviewing University student summer research scholars program proposals.
• Leyburn Scholars will report on their accomplishments upon completion of their funded research. The format of such reports should be consistent with the reporting of the other students sponsored by University summer research grants.
• tenured and tenure-track faculty in anthropology might suggest in the future additional, meaningful, and creative ideas to fund anthropology beyond the primary ways outlined above, in consultation with and approval of the Dean of the College.