News & Events

Why I Give is a series that celebrates the generosity of Washington and Lee University alumni, students, faculty and parents. Discover the many reasons the W&L community supports Leading Lives of Consequence: The Campaign for Washington and Lee and how philanthropy shapes the university’s future while honoring its enduring value.

"I look back on my time at W&L, and it was so joyful. And when you recognize the impact this experience had on you, you want everyone to know about it and experience it. That's why I give to Washington and Lee. I want everyone to experience that kind of happiness, growth, success and joy." - Katy Harding '01

What inspired you to make your first gift to Washington and Lee University, and what motivates you to continue giving?

When I graduated from high school, I was very shy and introverted. I got to Washington and Lee and — maybe it was the Speaking Tradition, maybe it was the nurturing teachers — whatever was in the air imbued me with this sense of confidence and self-assuredness. I look back on my time at W&L, and it was so joyful. And when you recognize the impact this experience had on you, you want everyone to know about it and experience it. That's why I give to Washington and Lee. I want everyone to experience that kind of happiness, growth, success and joy.

Is there a particular experience, faculty member or program at W&L that played a meaningful role in your decision to give back?

I think it's this amalgamation of the entire experience that makes it special. You reach a kind of critical mass and realize, “Oh, wait, that was all because of Washington and Lee.” I think the Speaking Tradition goes a long way towards that; it’s especially important in this day and age to be able to look someone in the eye and say hello. I don't think you find that at other universities. I've talked to people who had very different college experiences and don't feel that same kind of connection with people.

What does it mean to you to lead a life of consequence?

I think it can take many different forms. I think about being a mom — it's a role where you have to sacrifice yourself on behalf of someone else, and their happiness becomes your happiness, and their failures become your failures. That's a life of consequence — one where you can influence someone else, lift them up and then let them go into the world and do the same thing.

Watch Katy Harding's video interview.

Read more from the Why I Give series.