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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.
"Because I benefited from the generosity of people who went before me, I was pretty passionate from day one about making sure that I would be giving to help other students like me in future years." - Lizanne Thomas ‘82L
What inspired you to make your first gift to Washington and Lee School of Law, and what motivates you to continue giving?
I was self-funded, and so every scholarship dollar that I received made my life that much easier in funding my law school education. I had a fair amount of student loan debt, but the way that got reduced was through maximizing my scholarship opportunities, and, frankly, it was one of the reasons I chose Washington and Lee — certainly not the only reason — but it did make my graduate school experience more achievable. So, because I benefited from the generosity of people who went before me, I was pretty passionate from day one about making sure that I would be giving to help other students like me in future years.
How do you hope your support impacts current and future generations of W&L law students?
During the interview season at my law firm, a student presented her résumé, and it said she was the recipient of the Lizanne Thomas scholarship at Washington and Lee University School of Law. I started receiving all sorts of phone calls and emails from colleagues asking, “Is this you? Are you the ‘Lizanne’ of the Lizanne Thomas scholarship fund?” And I said, “In fact, I am.” And that young woman was hired as a law clerk and then as a first-year associate, and she is now about a fifth- or sixth-year associate and is doing great at our law firm. But what happened that I didn't expect was that learning about my scholarship inspired others in my firm to give back in similar ways. And the young lawyer who received my scholarship told me that as soon as she's able, she's going to establish a scholarship for those who follow her.
Is there a particular experience, faculty member or program at W&L Law that played a meaningful role in your decision to give back?
I had so many great classroom experiences, but the story I want to tell today is about Professor Andrew “Uncus” McThenia. He was a double General and was someone who built up some faith in me that I don't think I really had earned during my third year of law school. Because I was a self-funded student, I ran out of money, and I was delinquent on my tuition payment for the final semester. The treasurer was after me about that and, unbeknownst to me, Uncus walked across the ravine to the treasurer's office and said, “You'll give her time to pay. She will be good for it. She's somebody we have confidence in.” He never told me that he did that; I'd learn that story 20 years later. The idea that a professor would advocate for me personally just tells you about the personal connections that make Washington and Lee special. So, I'm determined — to the extent that I can — that I'm going to keep paying it forward for other students like me.
Watch Lizanne Thomas' full "Why I Give" interview.
Read more from the Why I Give series.