Stories of Consequence

Introducing Why I Give—a new series celebrating the generosity of Washington and Lee alumni 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 values.

W&L cultivates values of honor, integrity, civility, critical thinking, an ownership mindset and personal responsibility, all of which are so vital to success and leadership outside the classroom.

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

I remember my senior year being really intrigued by the opportunity to pledge to the Annual Fund. I think the Development Office had a table set up there where we could fill out paper pledge forms, and that moment hit home for me that I was about to be an alum. Now I was moving from the “receiving side” of the benefits of W&L to being responsible for contributing to the university’s strength and success moving forward. I think I pledged $20, but it started a habit of prioritizing W&L in my giving.

How do you hope your support impacts current and future generations of W&L students?

My hope is that future generations continue to have the outstanding academic, cultural, social and developmental experiences that my peers and I had — and more! W&L cultivates values of honor, integrity, civility, critical thinking, an ownership mindset and personal responsibility, all of which are so vital to success and leadership outside the classroom. I’m especially proud that W&L has the financial resources that allow talented students from a wide variety of backgrounds to have that opportunity.

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

W&L has been at the center of so many formative moments in my life. I grew up going to local chapter events and events on campus because several members of my family are alumni. As a student, being part of the field hockey team during the transition from club to varsity sports was a really unique experience and showed me the power of persistence and advocating with conviction (shout out to Martha Cornbrooks ’01 for her leadership).

I discovered my occupation when a W&L alum, Paul Levy ’84, came to campus to give a talk about industrial/organizational psychology (I later went on to work with him as my Ph.D. adviser). David Elmes and Julie Woodzicka (my adviser and thesis adviser, respectively) left huge imprints on me as a person and also as I have developed in my career. If I had to list all of the W&L faculty and staff who have positively impacted my life it would require several pages.

I was pretty young when I became an alumni chapter president, then joined the Alumni Board and Science Advisory Board, all of which were very valuable professional development experiences. I also met my partner, Tim, because a W&L friend introduced us! In short, without W&L my life would be completely different than it is today.