Washington and Lee University
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Majors: Mathematics, Physics
Extracurricular Involvement:
Off-Campus Experiences: Kansas State University’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2006
Post-Graduation Plans: Ph.D. program in mathematics at the University of Virginia
Favorite W&L Memory: In 2007 I played guitar in a band that won Battle of the Bands. That was possibly the best “W&L memory” I can think of.
Favorite Class: Real Analysis
Favorite W&L Activity/Event: I’m torn between the Pi Beta Phi/Phi Beta Sigma Dance-a-thon and the W&L Students for Life vigil for the unborn, both of which I put a lot of effort into, and both of which meant a lot to me.
Favorite Campus Landmark: Lee Chapel
When I was applying to colleges, I already knew that I would go on to pursue a doctorate in mathematics. I wanted a college that would allow me to reach that goal without stifling my other interests. I wanted a liberal arts education, which for me means more than just taking classes in a variety of departments. For me, a liberal arts education means learning to enhance all aspects of your life, from academic to social to spiritual, by allowing all of these aspects to influence each other.
W&L has given me a strong liberal arts education, particularly in terms of its academics. For me, the most important part of academic life is the intellectual activity outside the classroom. I used to sit in the dining hall with my friends, talking for hours after dinner about mathematics, music, ethics, history, theology—one of my friends actually used these conversations to help write his thesis in philosophy. I was excited when he finally defended his thesis, because I felt it had grown out of a sincere, personal quest for knowledge, whereas often philosophical ideas seem contrived. At W&L, I have been involved in lots of different academic areas, not only through general education requirements, but also through genuine friendship with people who truly thirst for knowledge.
W&L has also given me a chance to become a leader on social issues that matter to me. I served for two years as president of W&L Students for Life (SFL), the campus pro-life group. I had to step way out of my comfort zone to lead this organization. I would have preferred to keep my pro-life belief a mere intellectual opinion; but when I saw that no one else was going to step up and lead SFL, I knew I had to devote more to the pro-life cause then just my opinion.
I've gained spiritual nourishment at W&L through Reformed University Fellowship, a Christian organization on campus. Without this aspect of my college experience, I would not have been a complete person. For me, an active faith gives meaning and purpose to all aspects of life. At W&L, people of all faiths are encouraged to develop their spiritual lives--there are even awards for those students who demonstrate exceptional spiritual maturity.
In the end, W&L got me where I wanted to go: I will be attending graduate school next year in mathematics. But the journey itself has been priceless. The growth I’ve experienced in every major aspect of my life is exactly what I was looking for. I picked the right school.