Grace Loughhead

Associate Dean of Admissions
(she/her/hers)

Home Admissions & Aid Contact Us Find Your Counselor Grace Loughhead

Email: gloughhead@wlu.edu
Text: 540-254-5812
Regions: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York (Tri-Cities, Hudson Valley, Rockland, Westchester) Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia (Richmond, Tidewater)

Short Answer Prompt

To help jumpstart your brainstorming and to demonstrate that we empathize with the challenges you face in applying to college, our staff has published their own responses to our supplemental short-answer prompts. We hope you'll enjoy learning a bit about us and will feel more comfortable showcasing something new about yourself. Remember, these are optional, and you are asked to submit only one.

Prompt #4 (Max 250 words or 2-Minute Video)
On a residential college campus with a Speaking Tradition that encourages connections between individuals, using each other's names matters. Please share the story of any name you go by and what significance it holds for you. The hill I died on in kindergarten was an “ie” attached to my name. “No nicknames, Grace” Mrs. Sagegian shared as she took away the paper I was about to lovingly attach to my class mailbox. “But my name IS, Gracie.” Back and forth we went, with my indignation growing. My first day of kindergarten ended with Mrs. Sagegian sharing not only her official roll, but the official registration form my parents had filled out, showcasing that my legal name was, in fact, Grace. Dad was working the night shift that first day of school and was particularly chipper during pick-up. As I loaded up onto the deep red bench seat of the station wagon, he quipped the usual “How was your day, Gracie!” and I turned on the poor man, “My name is Grace, Dad.” Back and forth, he and I went about my name, how he did not feel like he lied to me (did I mention I was indignant?), and he conceded that he would now call me Grace. Just Grace. I’ve softened my “Just Grace” policy over the years, and Gracie has been reserved for those who love me best—it is the ultimate term of endearment for me. Slowly, I’ve let Dad call me Gracie again. I know he wanted to have a name for just us, and for that care, I am grateful — I wouldn’t be the Grace I am today without being his Gracie first.

Prompt #4 (Max 250 words or 2-Minute Video)

On a residential college campus with a Speaking Tradition that encourages connections between individuals, using each other's names matters. Please share the story of any name you go by and what significance it holds for you.

The hill I died on in kindergarten was an “ie” attached to my name.

“No nicknames, Grace” Mrs. Sagegian shared as she took away the paper I was about to lovingly attach to my class mailbox. “But my name IS, Gracie.” Back and forth we went, with my indignation growing. My first day of kindergarten ended with Mrs. Sagegian sharing not only her official roll, but the official registration form my parents had filled out, showcasing that my legal name was, in fact, Grace.

Dad was working the night shift that first day of school and was particularly chipper during pick-up. As I loaded up onto the deep red bench seat of the station wagon, he quipped the usual “How was your day, Gracie!” and I turned on the poor man, “My name is Grace, Dad.” Back and forth, he and I went about my name, how he did not feel like he lied to me (did I mention I was indignant?), and he conceded that he would now call me Grace. Just Grace.

I’ve softened my “Just Grace” policy over the years, and Gracie has been reserved for those who love me best—it is the ultimate term of endearment for me. Slowly, I’ve let Dad call me Gracie again. I know he wanted to have a name for just us, and for that care, I am grateful — I wouldn’t be the Grace I am today without being his Gracie first.

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