A Credit to W&L Young alumnus Alden Schade shares why he gives back to W&L.

By Amanda Minix
May 19, 2021

Experiences like my Spring Term trip and relationships that I formed with professors and classmates — that is what the W&L experience is all about, and that common bond is what I want to ensure for future generations.

~ Alden Schade ’18

Even before Alden Schade graduated in 2018, he gained knowledge of the importance of philanthropy as a member of the Senior Gift Committee. Since then, he hasn’t missed an opportunity to support W&L. After two years working in investment banking, Schade is now an incoming credit associate at Owl Rock Capital in New York City. He is active in the New York City Alumni Chapter and volunteers for the Alumni Admissions Program and as a class agent. His dedication as a young alumnus is inspiring and uplifting in the wake of the uncertainty and turmoil that the coronavirus pandemic has wrought.

“W&L and its alumni have shown me nothing but consistent support over the years, so I feel that my support in turn should be consistent,” Schade said. “I care deeply about the university and future generations of W&L students and alumni.”

Schade chose to attend W&L because the unique combination of an undergraduate business school within a liberal arts institution appealed to him. He was drawn to the small size and tight-knit community that exists on campus. With the ability to nurture his varied academic interests, Schade majored in business administration and geology.

“While there are many greats, one of my favorite professors was Jeff Rahl,” he said. “He is a big part of the reason I majored in geology, as he has incredible enthusiasm for his academic discipline and his students.” During Spring Term 2016, Schade traveled to southern Utah to study the geological properties of the Colorado Plateau and had an opportunity to raft through the entire Grand Canyon.

“Experiences like my Spring Term trip and relationships that I formed with professors and classmates — that is what the W&L experience is all about, and that common bond is what I want to ensure for future generations,” he said.