Students Encouraged to Apply for a Johnson Opportunity Grant in 2025
The grant provides funds to support W&L student projects worldwide.
The Johnson Program Archive (201 Stories)
Opportunity to Thrive
Adhip Adhikari ’27 spent much of his summer creating a library at a secondary school near his family's home in Katmandu, Nepal.
Where the Wild Things Are
Marcie Bernard ’25 explored the different avenues of veterinary medicine in the Amazon Rainforest as she worked to rehabilitate and rewild animals at Hoja Nueva.
Unearthing Answers
By enlisting guidance from the W&L science community, Emma Marvelli ’27 combined a Spring Term abroad class with summer research to better understand Virginia meta-basalts and their potential for combating climate change.
Banking on Women
Siya ’27 married her passions for service with her economics and mathematics majors to intern this summer at Grameen Bank in Bangladesh through the Shepherd Program.
Lending a Healing Hand
With the support of a Johnson Opportunity Grant, Sofia Iuteri ’27 is expanding the reach of the nonprofit she founded at 16.
Flying High
Misha Lin ’25 is taking her dance education to the next level this summer with intensive aerial dance training, finishing with a two-week international festival in August.
Roots Pilgrimage
Ryan Doty’s summer passion project explored his family lineage through poetry and photography.
Saving the Sea Turtles
At the New England Aquarium, Julia Luzzio ’25 is expanding her horizons and gaining hands-on experience working with wildlife.
Making Space
Cole Gershkovich ’24 found his purpose studying spaces that foster belonging and empowerment among individuals with mental health challenges.
Leading By Example
Ben Bankston ’25 is finding opportunities at W&L to challenge himself in and out of the classroom.
Meet Brad Singer ’24
A Washington Term class with a real-world focus prepared Singer for post-graduate work in the federal government.
W&L’s Katie Yurechko Among 2024 Class of Marshall Scholars
Yurechko ’24 is the university’s first Marshall Scholar.
Meet a Colleague: Elizabeth Knapp
Elizabeth Knapp serves as director of the Johnson Program and professor of earth and environmental geoscience.
Students Realize Dreams Through Innovative Summer Internships
Grant funding through W&L's Johnson Program allows student recipients to pursue passion projects and career development around the world.
W&L Student Attends Association for Computing Machinery Web Conference in Austin, Texas
Katie Yurechko ’24 presented on how algorithm awareness impacts algospeak use on TikTok.
W&L’s Avalon Pernell ’23 Awarded Fulbright to Germany
Pernell has been awarded a Young Professional Journalist Program Award to conduct research and gain career experience in Germany.
Maximizing Her Network
Avalon Pernell ’23 credits the mentorship she received on campus as she launches her career in business journalism.
Building Her W&L Experience
Sadie Charles Calame ’23 has built a well-rounded college experience through campus and community involvement.
W&L’s Tahri Phillips Among 2023 Class of Rhodes Scholars
Phillips '23 is the university’s 18th Rhodes Scholar.
Summer Opportunities: Off the Beaten Path
Washington and Lee students blazed their own trails this summer to pursue their passions.
Stepping Stones in STEM
Bonner Kirkland '23 conducted biomedical research this summer in the Children’s National Hospital’s Department of Genetic Medicine.
Levelling Up in London
Brendan Smith ’24 worked in the British House of Commons as a parliamentary research intern in London.
Becoming a Better Scientist
Lucy Worthy ’24 is conducting clinical research and shadowing a physician at the Mayo Clinic.
Adding Value
Diwesh Kumar ’24 is developing investment banking expertise at his summer internship at Boxwood Partners in Richmond, Virginia.
W&L’s Mansi Tripathi ’22 Awarded Fulbright to Colombia
Tripathi will teach English to students in Colombia for 10 months.
The Flow of Influence
After receiving a great deal of support from upperclassmen at Washington and Lee University, Hannah Puckett ’23 pays it forward by dedicating her time to mentoring and counseling first-year students.
‘The Honor of Learning’
Lauren Hoaglund '22 has parlayed her passion for medieval and Renaissance history, literature, classics and theater into a busy but rewarding four years at W&L.
‘Chasing After Curiosity’
Allie Stankewich '23 spent summer 2021 learning about public health in Uganda and green roofs in New York City.
An Advocate for Recovery Resources
Katana Evans '22 used summer enhancement funds to intern with Rep. Julia Brownley's office and Recovery Organization Resources.
The Bluebird of Happiness
Chris Tucker '23 spent the summer researching Western Bluebirds in Missoula with a biology professor from the University of Arizona.
‘One More Song’
Paige Anderson '22 is spending the summer recording an album of classical violin music in memory of her grandmother.
‘A Serendipitous Experience’
Everything has fallen into place at W&L for Alankrit Shatadal '21, who complemented her academic experience with research, peer counseling and membership in University Singers.
Elizabeth Knapp Talks Rocks in New Podcast Episode
In a new episode of "After Class," W&L’s Lifelong Learning podcast, Elizabeth Knapp, geology professor and director of the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity, discusses her love of geology and the impact of the Johnson Program.
W&L’s Muensterman Awarded Prestigious Beinecke Scholarship
Kathryn Muensterman ’22 has won a $34,000 Beinecke Scholarship to help fund her graduate studies.
A Place That Checked All the Boxes
Rafay Hassan '22 was looking for a liberal arts university that would give him individualized attention and put his critical thinking skills to the test. He found that and more at W&L.
W&L’s Ricks Receives Davis Projects for Peace Grant
James Ricks ’21 plans to work this summer with the Oda Foundation in Nepal.
W&L Presents Senior Recital Featuring Coletta Fuller ’21
On April 3 at 8 p.m., Fuller will showcase her insight and creativity in a series of original compositions performed by W&L student performers.
W&L Presents Senior Recital Featuring Hyun Song ’21
Song will perform selections by composers J. S. Bach, Antonín Leopold Dvořák, Dmitri Shostakovich and James Stephenson for her senior cello recital on April 2 at 8 p.m.
Washington and Lee’s Troy Larsen ’22 Awarded Goldwater Scholarship
Each scholar is awarded $7,500 to support undergraduate research in their junior or senior year.
‘A Sense of Meaning’
At W&L, Lorena Terroba Urruchua ’21 found her purpose — helping people with disabilities — at the intersection of psychology, Romance languages and poverty studies.
No Limits
At W&L, Mary North Jones has been able to pursue interests in both European history and medicine as she builds a foundation for her career.
An Intersection of Interests
At W&L, Katherine Ingram '20 found a research interest—and a future profession—where environmental studies meets economics.
The Human Side of Health Care
A class in Denmark, an internship in India and lots of eye-opening experiences in the Lexington community have encouraged Amanda Dorsey '21 to advocate for inclusion in the public health field.
The Value of Community
Lainey Johnson '16 values connections with a variety of people from different backgrounds, which is something she learned to prize at W&L.
‘No Small Task’
Luke Basham '20 parlays a passion for politics into the challenging role of Democratic Party analyst for Mock Con 2020.
W&L Journalism Student Wins Hearst Award
Hannah Denham ’20 won first place in a prestigious feature writing competition for a piece she wrote during an internship at The Washington Post.
W&L’s Rossella Gabriele Among 2020 Class of Rhodes Scholars
Gabriele, a 2019 graduate, is the university’s 17th Rhodes Scholar.
‘Finding My Place at W&L’
Senior Laura Calhoun looks back at her W&L experience and celebrates the community she's built here.
Status and Justice in Law, Religion and Society Conference Presents Two Keynote Speakers
Clifford Ando’s and Winnifred Fallers Sullivan’s lectures are free and open to the public.
Eric Chaisson to Give Public Lecture at Washington and Lee
Chaisson’s lecture, which is free and open to the public, is titled “Cosmic Evolution.”
The Future is Bioplastics
Julianna Keeling ’19 applied her passion for the environment to build a company focused on biodegradable consumer products.
London Calling
For students like Lourdes Arana '21, the London Internship Program combines course work, internships and alumni support to create an unforgettable educational experience.
Racing Through Summer
Ben Peeples '21 is enjoying a chemistry internship at Brown University while training for the World Canoeing Championships in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Lunch with a Side of Love
Through coursework and connections, Hannah Archer '20 helped to create a school food service program to ensure that local children have enough to eat during the summer.
‘Intellectual Curiosity Without Boundaries’
James Ricks '21 is spending the summer working for The Oda Foundation in Nepal, where he is researching tobacco use and working with children to create a mural that represents health in their town.
Washington and Lee’s Laura Bruce ’20 Awarded Goldwater Scholarship
Each scholar is awarded $7,500 to support undergraduate research in their junior or senior year.
Laurie Lee ’22 Awarded William Jefferson Clinton Scholarship
The scholarship was created to encourage more American students to study in the Middle East.
W&L’s Kathryn McEvoy ’19 Earns Fulbright Award
Washington and Lee University senior Kathryn McEvoy ’19 has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Spain for summer 2019.
W&L’s Katherine Dau ’19 Awarded Fulbright
Dau will live and work in Vienna for nine months.
At the Forefront of Economics
Margaret Kallus ’19 will be the second W&L alumna to join a team of economists at the Harvard University research institute, Opportunity Insights.
Passion Points to the Perfect Profession
Hannah Denham '20 has combined business journalism with women and gender studies at W&L to create a liberal arts education that suits her interests and ambition.
‘Entranced by Science’
Deepthi Thumuluri '20 won a Virginia Academy of Sciences grant to continue her research into the relationship between diet-induced obesity, exercise and the gut microbiome.
‘My Time in Nicoya’
Daniel Rhoades '19 spent the summer immersed in the language and culture of Costa Rica.
Building Blocks
Virginia McGhee ’19 spent the summer at Stanford University building polymers in Bob Waymouth ’82’s chemistry lab.
Nothing like a Password: Trial and Resilience in the American Asylum System
Anne Rodgers '20 completed a 2018 summer internship with Asylee Women Enterprise (AWE) through the Shepherd Program. These are her reflections.
Studying Medicine in Pakistan
A grant from the Endeavor Foundation allowed Midha Ahmad '21 and Sawera Khan '21 to spend the summer in Pakistan, where they compared alternative medicine to traditional treatment.
Scaling the Entrepreneurship Summit
Jesse Evans '20 spent his summer ensuring that this year's summit, which took place Sept. 21-22, would be a success.
Summer in Kyrgyzstan
The Critical Language Scholarship Program has allowed Riley Ries '19 to strengthen his Russian and learn more about politics and culture in Kyrgyzstan.
Green Solutions for a Modern World
Attending the Princeton Environmental Ideathon was a natural progression for Julianna Keeling '19, who started a sustainable packaging company when she was still in high school.
Summertime Stints
Washington and Lee students utilize their summers through research, volunteer work and internship opportunities, both on campus and across the globe.
Loughery ’18 Awarded ORISE Research Fellowship
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) research fellowship will allow her to conduct research at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense.
The Value of Wandering
More than any other experience at W&L, the Outing Club has taught Bowen Spottswood '18 about living life joyfully.
Ready for the Next Adventure
As she prepares to work for the Equality of Opportunity Project, Amanda Wahlers '18 is grateful for the education, opportunities and research experience she has had in Lexington.
Shely Awarded Fulbright Grant to Colombia
Jared Shely '18 will use the grant to continue his work teaching English to students in Latin America.
‘A Stronger Sense of Self’
At this small-town university, Nora Devlin '19 has been exposed to viewpoints from all over the globe.
An Education in Place
Kat Oakley '19 has spent a lot of time contemplating the idea of "place" - both in Lexington and across the world.
Building Your Own Dream Job
Graham Novak '19 may only be a junior at W&L, but he has already lined up a job — at his own company.
Chances Behind the Microphone
Broadcast journalism opportunities have been plentiful at W&L for Ford Carson '18, but the highlight of his college career has been founding a satirical publication, The Radish.
Connecting the Dots of the Liberal Arts
Monica Musgrave '18 is already double-majoring, but that didn't stop her from spending six-weeks in England studying two completely different subjects.
In the Belly of the Beast
Skyler T. Zunk ’19 was an intern at the White House's Office of Political Affairs.
Researching Beyond the Library
The best place to research your thesis? Some would say the library, but for Jacqueline Moruzzi '18 that place is the Cambridge University's Medieval Studies Summer Program.
Climate Change and Sharks
As a research assistant at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Rachel Steffen ’18 gathered data on the environmental thresholds of juvenile sandbar sharks.
Healthcare and Community in Ecuador
Jackson Roberts '19 had the opportunity to intern in Quito, Ecuador, exploring local customs, becoming part of the community, and learning the ins and outs of healthcare.
‘My Time in Thailand’
Shadowing surgeons in Thailand made neuroscience major Emily Ellis '18 even more excited about her chosen career path.
Small Company, Big Internship
Marta Regn ’19 used her internship to throughly explore all aspects of a sustainable, ethical jewelry startup.
Women in Charge
Laura Stagno '18 saw the faces of America's future leaders, including her own, through an internship on Capitol Hill.
Funding Hope in Memphis
Vicky Kazmierczak '18 spent the summer in Memphis, learning the ins and outs of non-profit work — and how to hope.
Falling for Filmmaking
Working for the documentary filmmaking company Ark Media allowed Claire Hoffert '18 to exercise her research muscles and learn new skills.
‘Grateful Every Step of the Way’
Over 1,200 miles of biking and hiking trails led Ralston Hartness '18 from Spain to Ireland, discovering the meaning of pilgrimage along the way.
Language and Life Lessons in Chile
Alex Meilech '18 spent the summer in Santiago, Chile, learning the language, exploring the culture, and caring for the people of the country.
Getting Ahead in the Garment District
Julia Kaczmar '19 spent a summer in New York City, learning the logistics of the latest fashions.
Art in the City
Mandy Witherspoon ’18 combined her love of art with her expertise in business at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Summer at Oxford
Danielle Hughson's honors thesis will be focused on male editorial control and how it affects female writers, within a familial and patriarchal context.
Open for Business
A grant from the Endeavor Foundation allowed Yoko Koyama '19 and Maren Lundgren '18 to open a store in Cameroon that will fund transportation for local children to go to middle school in a neighboring town.
Georgetown Professor Continues Equality and Difference Series with Research on Pregnant Women
Maggie Little, director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics (KIE) at Georgetown University, will speak on “Research With Pregnant Women: A Moral Imperative.”
Adventures in the Alaskan Wilderness
As a summer counselor with the nonprofit Camp Fire Alaska, Chase Wonderlic '18 got in touch with his inner child and his adventurous spirit.
Lions, Giraffes and Photos — Oh My!
Olivia Kubli '18's summer volunteer work included photographing lions, giraffes and elephants in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Psychologist Zanna Clay to Speak as Part of Questioning Intimacy Series
Clay uses a comparative approach with primates to investigate the evolution of human behavior.
Visiting George at Home
Anna Milewski '18 has spent time in fields, labs, carpenter shops and seminar rooms - and it was all part of one internship at the home of George Washington.
It’s All Greek to Her
Hannah Palmatary '18 spent the summer discovering the ancient ruins of Greece, as well as her own talent and passion for creative writing.
Investigating Protein Synthesis
Yavuz Durmaz ’20 worked with Professor Kyle Friend to probe mRNA instability.
Empowering Youth to Be Leaders
Lorena Hernandez Barcena '19 had an eye-opening summer internship with Harlem Children’s Zone, an education nonprofit in New York.
Making Sense of the Jungle
Liz Todd '19 was able to extend her Spring Term Abroad and spend the summer in Brazil, where she worked for an environmental agency.
Making the Leap to an R1 Institution
A summer at UC San Diego gave Katie Volk '18 experience working in a big research environment
Poet Susan Stewart Second Speaker in Questioning Intimacy Series
Stewart’s talk will include readings from her poetry collection “Cinder.”
Greeting Opportunity with Open Arms
Shadowing doctors in Peru allowed Bryan D'Ostroph '19 to practice his Spanish and firm up future career plans in health care.
Livestream: Fall Convocation 2017 with Dr. Danielle S. Allen
Dr. Danielle S. Allen, Director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics and James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, presented “Democracy 101: We Hold These Truths....” at Fall Convocation on Sept. 6, 2017.
W&L’s Williams School to Host Sixth Annual Entrepreneurship Summit
Washington and Lee University’s Williams School will hold its sixth annual Entrepreneurship Summit Sept. 29-30.
‘The Quality of the People’
Swimmer, computer coder, and Speaking Tradition advocate Will McMurtry '18 chose W&L over nine other schools, in large part because of its community.
Health Care Fieldwork in South Africa
Through the U.Va. Field School for Public Health Research, Julie Sklar '18 was able to work with a medical anthropologist and epidemiologist in South Africa this summer.
Eric Klinenberg Opens W&L’s Questioning Intimacy Series
Klinenberg's talk, “The Sociology of Connection: From Going Solo to Modern Romance,” is open to the public.
Harvard Professor Danielle Allen to Address Opening Convocation
Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and director of Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, will address W&L's 2017 Fall Convocation.
There’s No Place Like (a New) Home
After spending Spring Term in Ethiopia, Jack Kaelin '19 is in Austin, Texas, helping refugees find a place to call home.
Speaking with Confidence
Julia Poppenberg '19 spent the summer as a translator in Guatemala, helping doctors and patients alike and learning to "talk strong."
The Call of the Wildebeest
Jack Miller '19 has spent his summer in the bush of South Africa, learning about wildlife and conservation - and having a few close calls in the field.
Learning to Lobby
Jason Renner ’19 interned this summer for two lobbying firms in Washington, D.C.
Going With the Flow
Will Schirmer ’20 investigates the fluid dynamics of periodic water surges.
‘Perspectives’ on Leadership: Elena Diller ’17 & Caroline Todd ’17
Elena Diller '17 and Caroline Todd '17 saw a need for more perspective in academics — so they got to work.
Studying Health Here and Abroad: Jake Roberts ’17
Jake Roberts' study abroad trip started with an earthquake, and ended with him finding a passion for public health.
Consulting a Career: Stephen Mitchell ’17
Stephen Mitchell '17 credits students, alumni, and W&L academics for helping him to find the right career path.
Leadership Through Experience: Amirah S. Ndam Njoya ’17
Amirah S. Ndam Njoya ‘17 believes leadership, travelling, service, and scholarship are all vital parts of the W&L experience.
Kitanna Hiromasa ’19 to Serve as Delegate to Japan-America Student Conference
JASC is a student-exchange program, initiated in 1934 by university students concerned by the breakdown of bilateral relations prior to World War II.
Creating Balance: Isabella Sparhawk ’17
Isabella Sparhawk used her Johnson Opportunity Grant to spend five weeks in India, studying vinyasa yoga and photojournalism.
Taking Care of (Music) Business: Austin Frank ’17
What can you do in four years at W&L? How about manage a radio show, start a service organization, found a club, or publish an EP? Austin Frank ’17 has done them all.
Design, Build, Fly: Alexander Rurka ’17
Alexander Rurka '17 knows the ups-and-downs (and loop-de-loops) of flying and competing in an international plane building competition
Smiles for Miles
Brett Becker '18 and the W&L Pre-Dental Club teamed up with Rockbridge Area Health Center to distribute dental supplies to more than 700 local children.
Corey Guen ’17: At Home in a ‘Stellar Community’
Guen splits his time between hiking the mountains of Rockbridge and traveling the world.
A genuine General: Jordan LaPointe ‘17
LaPointe, who says his personal motto is "being genuine goes a long way," is a world traveler, professional debater, and Johnson Scholar.
Harrison Westgarth Awarded a Fulbright Research Grant to Brazil
W&L senior Harrison Westgarth has been awarded a Fulbright grant to Brazil, where he will study the “Development of an Animal Model of Direct and Congenital Zika Virus Transmission.”
Thriving at Home and Abroad: Karishma Patel ’18
Karishma Patel '18 loves finding the intersections of technology and business - while studying abroad in Madrid.
Five W&L Alumni Win National Science Foundation Pre-Doctoral Fellowships
For the 2017 competition, NSF received over 13,000 applications and made 2,000 award offers.
W&L to Host Reception Honoring Rhodes Scholar Paqui Toscano
Washington and Lee will host a reception celebrating Paqui Toscano's selection as a Rhodes Scholar on Friday, March 17, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the Commons Living Room.
Meet the Johnsons: Shlomo Honig ’18
Meet Shlomo Honig ‘18, whose day consists of analyzing rocks, protecting the environment, and ultimate frisbee
Meet the Johnsons: Harry Lustig ’17
Meet Harry Lustig ‘17, a scholar-explorer who’s hiked everywhere from the Blue Ridge to Alaska.
Shaping Traditions: Alex Meilech ’18
Alex Meilech '18 has experienced tradition - from Lexington, Virginia to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Michael Hill to Lecture on “‘American Dreamin’: Adolescence in the Black Imagination”
Michael Hill, associate professor of English at the University of Iowa, will deliver a public lecture on “‘American Dreamin’: Adolescence in the Black Imagination.”
Meet the Johnsons: Ryder Babik ’19
Meet Ryder Babik '19, a student who enjoys college as much as he enjoys helping others apply to college.
Meet the Johnsons: Graham Novak ’19
Meet Graham Novak '19, an aspiring - and already accomplished - entrepreneur
Meet the Johnsons: Harrison Westgarth
Meet Harrison Westgarth '17, a pre-med varsity athlete with a passion for teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages.
Meet the Johnsons: Stephanie Chung ’18
Meet Stephanie Chung '18, an anthropology major with a passion for women's health advocacy.
Meet the Johnsons
Meet some of Washington and Lee University's talented crop of Johnson Scholars.
The Intersection of Art and Science: Lauren Sturdy ’11
Finding answers in the space where science and art intersect.
Meet the Johnsons: Andy Cuthbert ’18
Meet Andy Cuthbert '18, a pre-med neuroscience major with a serious love of the outdoors.
Interns At Work: Michael Sullivan
Michael Sullivan spent his summer interning at the Cultural Heritage Institute of the Netherlands in Amsterdam
W&L’s Pasquale Toscano Among 2017 Class of Rhodes Scholars
Pasquale “Paqui” Toscano, a classics and English double major, is Washington and Lee’s 16th Rhodes Scholar. The Rhodes Trust announced Sunday that Toscano, 22, of Kettering, Ohio, was one of 32 scholars chosen this year. The scholarships, valued at between $50,000 to $200,000, fully fund two to four years of study at the University of Oxford in England.
W&L Researchers See Coral Decline
Geology professor Lisa Greer, who has been taking students to Belize since 2011 to monitor the health of coral reefs, said their research indicates that the latest El Niño, on top of global climate change, may be harming the Belize Barrier Reef.
Passionate About Public Health
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Cameron Lee interns at the Cluj School of Public Health in Romania.
Catching Waves
Jamie Hayes ’17 spent two summer months in New Zealand, where he conducted research that could eventually help to improve the diagnosis of gastrointestinal ailments.
A Day in the Life: Bogdan Bors ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Bogdan Bors '17 interns with Community Empowerment Solutions, a social entrepreneurship company focusing on microconsignment opportunities in Ecuador.
Harrison Westgarth
Westgarth spent the summer interning at the NIH researching the rare congenital lysosomal storage disease, Neimann Pick Type C.
One Fish, Two Fish
Above or below the water, Sasha Doss '13 studies and connects with fish and their environment.
A Day in the Life: Sonia Brozak ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Sonia Brozak '17 Travels to Florence to Study Art History.
A Day in the Life: Prakhar Naithani ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Prakhar Naithani '17 conducts research at North Carolina State University's Forestry Biomaterials Department.
Interns at Work: Gray Rixey ’18
Gray Rixey '18 spent part of his summer interning for a member of the British Parliament as part of the London Internship Program. He had no idea it would happen during one of the most tumultuous periods in British history.
Matt Simpson ’12 Represents the U.S. at the 2016 Paralympics
Matt Simpson, a 2012 graduate of Washington and Lee University, posted a photo of himself and the U.S. men’s goalball team decked out in their Team U.S.A. uniforms just before the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which runs Sept. 7 – 18.
Around the World with Jordan LaPointe ’17
Meet Jordan LaPointe '17, an East Asian Languages and Literatures major with a sense of adventure. A lifelong dream comes true in Japan.
A Day in the Life: Franklin Wolfe ’16
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Franklin Wolfe '16 Travels to Europe to Gather Data for 3D Geologic Models.
A Day in the Life: Sara Jones ’18
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Sara Jones '18 Travels to India to Study Maternal and Child Health.
A Day in the Life: Kayla Sylvester ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Kayla Sylvester '17 Volunteers with a Local Literacy Council in South Dakota.
Interns at Work: Harrison Westgarth ’17
Biology and Spanish major Harrison Westgarth '17 researches a rare congenital disease at the National Institutes of Health.
Philosophy of Leadership: Paqui Toscano ’17
ODK National Leader of the Year Paqui Toscano talks about his approach to leadership.
A Day in the Life: Meera Kumar ’16
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner connects interests in economics and art history at famed auction house.
A Day in the Life: Cole Schott ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner dives into local politics in Nashville.
A Day in the Life: Anna Paden Carson ’16
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Anna Paden Carson '16 Helps Detained Immigrants Navigate the Immigration System.
A Day in the Life: Jenna Faude ’16
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner tries her hand at brand marketing in Charleston, S.C.
A Day in the Life: Stephen Himmelberg ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant Winner Stephen Himmelberg '17 Studies Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury.
A Day in the Life: Mary Ciera Wilson ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner gets a taste of state politics the Tennessee State Capitol.
Sutton and Hagberg to Keynote W&L's 2016 Entrepreneurship Summit
The 2016 Washington and Lee University Entrepreneurship Summit, hosted by the J. Lawrence Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship at W&L, will take place Sept 23–24. The keynote speakers are Ben Sutton, co-founder and chairman emeritus of IMG College and Erika Hagberg, the head of Food and Beverage at Google.
Changing Perspectives: Ram Raval ’18
Ram Raval '18 interns for the Cooper's Ferry Partnership.
Alumni Registration Open for 2016 Entrepreneurship Summit
Registration is now open to Washington and Lee alumni for the 2016 Entrepreneurship Summit, hosted by the Williams School’s Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship. The Summit will take place Sept. 23–24 and is open to all alumni, students and friends of the university. Attending the Summit is free but all attendees must register by Sept. 16.
Pasquale Toscano Awarded Beinecke Scholarship for Graduate Study
Pasquale S. Toscano, of Kettering, Ohio, an English and classics double major at Washington and Lee University, has been awarded a Beinecke Scholarship for graduate study.
Matt Simpson’s Road to Rio
When Matt Simpson '12 rang in the new year of 2016, he knew it was going to be one that would change his life.
My W&L: Paqui Toscano ’16
"I have come to love W&L for . . . the people I have met here and the sense of community we have fostered together."
A Day in the Life: Daniel Rodriguez Segura
Johnson Opportunity Grant Takes Daniel Rodriguez '16 to Bangladesh to Study Microfinance
A Day in the Life: David Heinen
Johnson Opportunity Grant Recipient David Heinen Learns to Teach English in Chile
A Day in the Life: Nancy Stephen
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner works on women's empowerment initiatives in Abuja, Nigeria
A Day in the Life: Rachel Solomon
Johnson Opportunity Grant Takes Rachel Solomon '16 to Argentina for Medical Fieldwork
Changing Perspectives: Mason Grist ’18
Shepherd Intern Mason Grist '18 worked for the Guilford County Public Defender's Office
A Day in the Life: Emma Swabb
Johnson Opportunity Grant Recipient Emma Swabb Explores Alternative Education Models in Washington, D.C.
Eric Schwen ’15 is Apker Award Finalist
Eric Schwen ’15, a Washington and Lee University valedictorian and physics major from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, has been chosen as a finalist for the American Physical Society’s LeRoy Apker Award, recognizing outstanding achievements in physics by an undergraduate.
W&L Announces Winners of 2015 Johnson Opportunity Grants
Washington and Lee University has announced the students who will receive 2015 Johnson Opportunity Grants. The 29 students will work within the United States and travel to variety of countries.
Mitchell ’17 Wins Phi Beta Kappa’s Goehring Award
At its March 19 convocation, the Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Washington and Lee University gave Stephen C. Mitchell Jr. '17 the Phi Beta Kappa J. Brown Goehring Sophomore Award.
Did an Apple Inspire Newton’s Law of Gravity? Not So!
Scientific historian Nicolaas Rupke discusses the scientific myths that form one of the biggest obstacles to improving public understanding of science.
W&L Announces Final Winners of 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants
Washington and Lee University has announced the final round of students who will receive 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants. The grants cover living, travel and other costs associated with the students' proposed activities, which are designed to help them with their future careers and fields of study.
W&L Conference to Debunk Scientific Myths
Two dozen historians of science from around the world will debunk 26 commonly-held myths of science at a conference at Washington and Lee University May 8 – 11. The keynote address by John L. Heilbron of the University of California-Berkeley will take place in Lee Chapel at 6 p.m. on Fri. May 9 and is open to the public.
W&L Announces Winners of 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants
Washington and Lee University has announced the first round of students selected to receive 2014 Johnson Opportunity Grants, and the second round of selections is underway.
Student Researchers Travel the World to Preserve Iconic Paintings
A team of students traveled between France, Norway and Denmark this summer to determine why certain pigments in iconic paintings are fading, and to determine how to stop the process.
W&L Announces Eight Johnson Opportunity Grants for 2013
Washington and Lee University has announced the first round of Johnson Opportunity Grants for 2013, naming eight undergraduates to receive awards to support their research activities during the upcoming summer
Stephen Vetter Is Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow at W&L
Stephen Vetter, president of Partners of the Americas, will be the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow at Washington and Lee University this month.
W&L Announces Final Johnson Opportunity Grant Recipients
Washington and Lee University has selected 21 students to receive Johnson Opportunity Grants for 2012 summer research activities. This is in addition to the eight students announced earlier. The students will receive the grants for a wide variety of activities both in the United States and abroad. These include working with great white sharks in […]
W&L's Nicolaas Rupke on WMRA's “Virginia Insight”
Ants practice democracy … penguins are monogamous … bonobos honor female sensitivity. If animals do it, does that mean humans should? That's what Nicolaas Rupke, the Johnson Professor of History at Washington and Lee University, discussed when he appears on NPR affiliate WMRA’s “Virginia Insight” show on Thursday, May 3. Nicolaas, who joined the W&L […]
W&L Named to The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
For the second time in as many years, Washington and Lee University has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction. The honor roll, launched in 2006, annually highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community problems and in placing students on a lifelong path of civic engagement, […]
W&L Announces Winners of 2012 Johnson Opportunity Grants
Eight Washington and Lee University students have been selected for the spring/summer 2012 Johnson Opportunity Grants.
Johnson Scholarship Program's Impact Significant at W&L
When Washington and Lee University announced that most of the $100 million gift it received in June 2007 would establish a new scholarship program, Bill Hartog, W&L's long-time dean of admissions and financial aid, knew things were going to change. He had no idea just how much. In September, W&L welcomed its fourth, and largest, […]
Fresh Water for Bolivia
Students and professors from Washington and Lee and VMI spent two weeks this summer in the village of Pampoyo, Bolivia, to oversee the construction of a multi-phase water delivery system that will bring fresh water to the villagers. The clean water will be used for crop irrigation, and those working on the project hope the […]
Rupke Named Johnson Professor in the College
Washington and Lee University has appointed Nicolaas A. Rupke, currently of the University of Göttingen, Germany, to the Johnson Professorship in the College, where he will focus his teaching and scholarship on the intersections of leadership and the history of ideas. Hank Dobin, dean of the College, announced Rupke's appointment, which will be effective on […]
Lord Butler to Discuss Iraq and Intelligence in Johnson Lecture
The Right Honourable Lord Frederick Edward Robin Butler of Brockwell, who led a major investigation into the British decision to go to war in Iraq, will give a public lecture, "Iraq and the Lessons for Intelligence," at Washington and Lee University on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 4 p.m. in Stackhouse Theatre.
Health Care Expert Shannon Brownlee Presents Johnson Lecture at W&L
Journalist and U.S. health care expert Shannon Brownlee will deliver the opening address of this year's Johnson Lecture Series at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the Stackhouse Theater. Brownlee's talk is titled "After Reform: How We Can Transform Medicine, Improve the Nation's Health, and Avoid Going Broke."
Winners of Johnson Opportunity Grants Announced
The Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity at Washington and Lee University has announced the eight inaugural recipients of the Johnson Opportunity Grants. The grants are funded by a gift to W&L which also created scholarships, a lecture and symposia series focusing on leadership and two endowed professorships.
First Johnson Scholars Arrive at Washington and Lee
Aug. 30, 2008, the first 41 Johnson Scholars will arrive for orientation at Washington and Lee University. The Johnson Scholarship Program was established through a $100 million donation to the university in 2007. It is highly competitive and recognizes students with outstanding academic qualifications and the promise for leadership in their chosen careers and future endeavors. Scholarships are valued at between $150,000 to $200,000 over a four-year period.
