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. Students are given a framework to be involved in community
Bonners participate in service based on their career, educational, and service interests. Six Common Commitments guide Bonners:
- Social Justice - Advocating for fairness, impartiality, and equality while addressing systemic social and environmental issues.
- Civic Engagement - Participating intentionally as a citizen by actively engaging in public policy and direct service.
- Spiritual Exploration - Exploring personal beliefs while respecting the spiritual practices of others.
- Diversity - Respecting and embracing the many different dimensions of diversity in our lives and communities.
- International Perspective - Developing understanding to participate successfully and sensitively in a global society.
- Community Building - Establishing and sustaining a vibrant community through relationships and common interests.
Program Details
Education and Youth Empowerment
- RARO-river runners
- Rockbridge county high school
- Rockbridge regional library
- Rockbridge YMCA
- Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center
- Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center
- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
- Head Start
- Lexington City Office on Youth, Community Center
Health, Aging, and Ability
- Rockbridge Area Health Center
- Rockbridge Area Hospice
- Stonewall Jackson Hospital
- Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center
Hunger and Housing Insecurity
- Rockbridge area relief association
- The Community Table
- Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee
- Habitat for Humanity of Rockbridge
- Project Horizon
Community and Economic Development
- W&L Student Consulting
- Engineering Community Development
- Immigrant Rights Clinic: Washington and Lee University School of Law
W&L Bonners are eligible to receive work-study wages for service in the community and receive financial support for activities, such as conferences, internships, individual projects, and workshops. In addition to an interest in service, most students must demonstrate financial need as
Bonners are expected to participate during all four years at W&L, completing 1800-hours of service and leadership training. Bonners participate in at least 280 hours of service and leadership training each academic year and are encouraged to complete two summers of full-time service. Bonners also:
- Participate in Bonner Cornerstone activities, such as Orientation, First-Year Service Trip, Sophomore Service Exchange, and Senior Service Capstone Presentation
- Assume leadership roles
- Participate in a student developmental model that challenges each Scholar to develop skills, knowledge, commitments, and responsibilities
- Commit to making connections between service and education at W&L
- Receive work-study wages for service work
- Funded group service trips
- Peers who share a passion for social justice
- Mentoring from program staff
- Structured leadership development program, that includes guest speakers, focused-skills training, and leadership workshops.
- Funding for conferences and
training focused on social justice and leadership - Connections with students at other Bonner schools
While prospective students who have applied to W&L may apply to the Bonner Program, only those students who have been admitted to the University will be considered.
Applications for the program are accepted on a rolling basis from February 1 - April 10.
