Washington and Lee University
Hometown: Poca, WV
Major: Geology and Environmental Studies
Extracurricular Involvement:
Off-Campus Experiences: I spent one spring term in Germany, one in Hawaii, and one in New Zealand. I researched on campus one summer through the R.E. Lee grant program, and I worked for the Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System in Washington, D.C. through the Geocorp program.
Post-Graduation Plans: Continuing my work at the Bureau of Land Management as a natural resource/GIS specialist.
Favorite W&L Memory: My pre-orientation rock-climbing/back-packing trip, on which I met some of my best friends.
Favorite Lexington-area Landmark: Either North Mountain or Goshen Pass. North Mountain offers such a great view of the Blue Ridge, and there's nothing like having a picnic on a rock in Goshen Pass with friends during spring term.
When I first visited Washington and Lee, I knew the atmosphere of a small school in a small town surrounded by beautiful scenery was perfect for me. It felt just like my home in West Virginia, where being outside and enjoying nature were two of my favorite things. At home, I attended small primary schools which taught me that one person can largely influence their community. W&L helped me realize that I could tie this principle to my love for the environment.
From the most obvious classes that involved the environment, such as geology, to other classes like religion that weren't directly related to the topic, I was able to apply what I was learning to my interest in the environment. Through involvement with extracurricular activities like the Outing Club and Student Environmental Action League, I did the same. That's what a liberal arts education at W&L is all about--finding what you love and studying it in a multidisciplinary way, inside and outside the classroom.
My experiences at Washington and Lee have allowed me to do more than just study what I love. Classes like Environmental Service Learning, where I went to a local garden to teach third and fourth graders about the environment, and my senior capstone seminar, in which I'm doing environmental consulting for small businesses downtown, have helped me make a positive impact on this small community. I have also learned that one person can make a great impact beyond the town they live in--last fall I had the opportunity to lobby for environmental justice in Washington, D.C., which influenced my constituents to vote for pro-environmental legislation!
I have always felt like I am more than just a student at W&L. I am a socially responsible citizen of Lexington, Va., who has had the opportunity to give back to the community through environmental service.
