Southmayd Center for American Ideals

Promoting free speech, civil dialogue and intellectual diversity

The Southmayd Center for American Ideals is dedicated to promoting free speech, civil dialogue, and intellectual diversity throughout Washington & Lee University. Our vision is to nurture a campus environment where ideas collide and diverse viewpoints contend, making Washington & Lee the most exciting university in the country to learn, teach, and grow.

Mock Convention 2024

Special Thanks to Jeff Southmayd, Center for American Ideals, for your steadfast financial commitment to our organization and long-term desire to support students and free speech on campus.

People standing in front of the American flag

Improving The Conversation

For too long, America has been riven by divisive public discourse creating fault-lines that can feel impossible to cross. The Southmayd Center seeks to address the discord by creating a place students, faculty, and community can go to share their thoughts and get support for initiatives that make our community stronger.

Learn More

Lex Fest II 2025

May 2 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Marcus King is the Headlining Act, with Coby Acuff and The Wilson Springs Hotel.

Featured PAST Event

The conservative commentator will discuss traditional values during his on-campus speech.

The W&L Spectator, Southmayd Center for American Ideals and College Republicans are proud to present conservative commentator Michael Knowles in Evans Hall at 7:00 PM on September 16, 2024.

Building Bridges

All successful free societies champion the ideal of unity in diversity. At the Southmayd Center for American Ideals, we seek to highlight our commonalities and facilitate respectful dialogue and open debates between diverse points of view.

We’re creating an environment that respects the achievements of our founders while continuing to learn and grow into the future. But we’re not all talk. We actively build bridges between students, faculty and community at Washington & Lee University by supporting service-oriented student groups and community initiatives that benefit us all.

Past Events

The Southmayd Center for American Ideals works to ensure the accurate preservation of President Lee’s legacy, while providing student groups with funds needed for their activities and events that are otherwise not available.

The W&L Spectator

Thank you again for all you have done for The W&L Spectator and on campus over the past year. The speakers you funded mean W&L’s student population is undoubtedly far better exposed to key conservative perspectives than their counterparts at other elite institutions.

Young America

Thank you for your generous support of Young America’s Foundation.

-Governor Scott Walker, President

Ambassador Michael Oren at The Steamboat Institute’s Freedom Conference

This interview was made possible by the Southmayd Center for American Ideals. The Spectator thanks them for their support.

I just wanted to thank you for your generous sponsorship of our event. Your generosity helped us make a good event even better for our community. I just want to be sure you knew how very much we appreciate your support of our efforts.

-Jennifer Tingley

Contributor for the W&L Spectator

Jeffery Duke Southmayd is a contributor and is on the editorial advisory board for the W&L Spectator.

Washington & Lee Spectator

W&L alumnus Jeffery Duke Southmayd recently founded a non-profit, the Souhtmayd Center for American Ideals.

-W&L Spectator

Mock Convention 2024

Thank you for your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment to Mock Convention.

-Gabreil Stulce, Fundraising Chairman

Steamboat Contribution

Dear Jeffrey & Nancy, Thank you very much for your generous investment in the Steamboat Institute. We are in a huge flight to preserve our freedom, and we intend to win!

-Haley Supergan, Vice President of Development

Generals Redoubt

Jeff, for all you have done for TGR and all you are doing for the future of Washington and Lee University

Thank you! You will make a difference.

– Elizabeth Barry Brown

Lime Kiln Theater

Mr. Southmayd , Thank you for hosting a fantastic evening here at Lime Kiln Theater – It was a blast!

-Chuck Smith, Lime Kiln Board

Jennings Letter

Dear Mr. Southmayd, Thank you again for these impactful gifts that help prepare Washington and Lee graduates for lives of personal, professional, and civic success.

-Tom Jennings, Vice President for University Advancement

George Washington Forum

Dear Jeff, thank you so much for your support of the George Washington Forum and we look forward to working with you in the future!

-Jordan Kach, Patrick France, Owen Murray, Drew Thompson