Business Administration Department
The Business Administration Department at Washington and Lee University prepares students to understand how organizations work, how they create value, and how they can serve society responsibly. Rooted in the liberal arts, the major combines analytical rigor with communication, ethical reasoning, and an appreciation for the broader economic, human, and global contexts in which business operates.
Students learn to think critically about markets and organizations, to interpret data and make evidence-based decisions, and to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences. Students may gain experience applying theory to practice through courses, research, internships, and experiential learning. Our goal is for students to graduate with the knowledge, skills, perspective, and judgment to lead thoughtfully in complex and evolving environments.
Soo Yon Ryu Publishes in the Journal of Advertising
The assistant professor of business administration’s research examines how consumers make inferences based on package design.
Pooja Thakur-Wernz Publishes Paper in the Journal of Business Ethics
The article examines deliberate exceeding of legally mandated requirements for corporate social responsibility at firms in India.
Meet Malik Hardy ’26
Hardy discovered his business administration studies allow him to work closely with others to solve real-world problems.
Bright Frimpong Awarded Mednick Memorial Fellowship
The assistant professor of business administration will receive funding from the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges to support his research on artificial intelligence washing.
Michelle Cowan, Gavin Fox and Keri Larson Receive Honors for Their Published Article
The business administration faculty members were cited for their article that appeared in the August 2025 issue of the Journal of Marketing Education.
Meet Eleanna Giannoula ’28
Giannoula, an international student from Greece, said W&L’s genuine community drew her in.
Finding the Why
Phil Marella ’81 is the founder of Dana’s Angels Research Trust, an organization dedicated to funding research on Niemann-Pick disease type C.
Meet Bella Ferrate ’26
Ferrate chose W&L for its accredited Williams School and the ability to embrace the liberal arts experience.
Pooja Thakur-Wernz and Aliaa Bassiouny Collaborate to Publish Paper in the Critical Perspectives on International Business Journal
The professors co-authored an article titled “Family Ownership and Institutional Voids: Evidence from SMEs in Egypt.”
Career Connections
The W&L network is perhaps most illustrative in the early-career assistance and opportunities our alumni provide to current students.
Refining an Industry
Eric Herrera ’20 was recently named to the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his work with chemical manufacturing startup MaverickX, which he cofounded with Jesse Evans ’20.
Two W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.