Washington and Lee University
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Environmental Studies and the Shepherd Poverty Program
Extracurricular Involvement:
Off-Campus Experiences:
Post-Graduation Plans: Will be an Investment Banking Analyst at Deutsche Bank in New York
Favorite W&L Memory: Winning the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis National Championships freshman year
Favorite Campus Landmark: The view of the Colonnade from Lee Chapel
Describing why W&L means so much to me should not be difficult. Yet articulating the qualities and experiences that have transformed me over the course of these past few years seems nearly impossible. I've certainly learned from textbooks, papers and exams, but W&L has pushed me to develop interests and passions beyond these academic tools. Professors, programs, and resources are all aligned to help us investigate the world.
When I first took on a student consulting project focused on creating a business plan for a community in the Brazilian Amazon, I thought 'how can a college girl halfway around the world do that?' After three trips to Brazil, co-writing a chapter in a book, and improving the lives of the people in the community with our study, I was ready to tackle anything.
So what has W&L taught me in a mere three and a half years? To look forward not back, to think of opportunities not barriers, to build relationships during the journey, and to create change in the world for those in need of change. I could not have grown into who I am without W&L, but more importantly, I would not have been presented with the opportunity to grow into who I will be in the future without the fundamentals that W&L has taught me. Yes, you will find books and exams here, but you will also find energy, challenge, friendships, achievement, drive and desire.
These unique dynamics, coupled with endless opportunities to pursue interests of any sort, create an indescribable perfect storm at W&L. I've built relationships, confidence, and unforgettable experiences in competing on a nationally ranked athletic team. Interdisciplinary programs like Environmental Studies and the Shepherd Poverty program have uniquely contributed to my understanding of the core business curriculum. My Shepherd internship in Washington D.C. both enhanced my business knowledge and provided a one-time opportunity to see the world from a new perspective. Here I was humbled yet gained maturity in living with individuals from different backgrounds surviving on $11 per day.
So what is "my W&L?" Certainly it's great academics and a beautiful campus; but perhaps more importantly, it's the relationships and opportunities. The opportunity to grow as a person, to build passion, and to set the stage to achieve something unique in the world. This is my W&L.