Meet Kam Saalfrank ’25
Mentorship from his major and faculty adviser has helped Saalfrank challenge himself academically and professionally.
Accounting
W&L Outcomes: Lucy Donahue ’24
After graduation, Donahue is working as a financial analyst at Amazon and pursuing her CPA.
Taking Account of Sustainability Efforts
W&L’s Spring Term Sustainability Accounting class takes a deeper look at the practice of corporations factoring in societal and environmental impacts alongside their financial bottom lines.
W&L Outcomes: Michael Ott ’24
After a summer internship, Ott landed a full-time job as an investment banking analyst with Houlihan Lokey.
Meet Meg Liwag ’27
Growing up in Lexington, Liwag saw firsthand how members of the W&L community made an impact, and she knew she wanted to be part of that.
In Case You Missed It
Scott Boylan to Receive Award from the American Accounting Association
The professor of accounting will receive the 2023 Accounting Historians Journal Award at the organization’s annual meeting in August.
W&L’s Leslie Frederick to Present at the 2024 AACSB Assessment and AoL Conference in New York City
Frederick will serve as co-presenter for a session that demonstrates the beneficial uses of technology in the curriculum mapping process.
Finding Clarity
Liz Mira Santi ’24 came to W&L as a Gunn Scholar in 2023, and her time on campus has expanded her worldview and reinforced her ambitions.
W&L Students Claim First Place at University of Georgia Stock Pitch Competition
A four-person team comprised of John Schleider ‘24, Diwesh Kumar ‘24, Bradford Bush ’25 and Drew Thompson ‘25 claimed the $3,000 top prize for their pitch on CVS Health.
An Extraordinary Combination
Laura Murambadoro ’26 brings varied interests, a collaborative leadership style and a passion for community engagement to W&L’s campus.
Williams School Executive-in-Residence Howard Rubel ’78 to Speak on the Essential Nature of Equity Research
Rubel’s lecture will be held in Northen Auditorium on Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m.
VITA Program Returns
Washington and Lee students are applying their accounting skills in the community as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Meet Darya Philips ’24
Accounting major Darya Philips ’24 counts her semester abroad as one of the greatest experiences of her life.
For Ross Draber ’10, people come first
The United Bank senior executive engages with the W&L community through student recruitment and event participation.
W&L Professor Receives Award from the American Accounting Association
Megan Hess collected the award at the AAA Annual Meeting in August.
Josh Caraballo ’25 Receives National Accounting Scholarship
Caraballo is one of 369 students from across the U.S. to receive the merit scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
W&L Professor Quoted in Article About the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
Megan Hess offers perspective on the importance of determining the scope of inventory shrinkage.
W&L Students Tie for First Place at University of Georgia Stock Pitch Competition
Scott Holcomb ’23 and Josh Fingerhut ’24 claimed a $2,500 prize for their pitch on Diamondback Energy.
W&L Williams School Welcomes Five Additions to its Board of Advisors
New members will serve a six-year term supporting Dean Rob Straughan and the school’s faculty members.
In Memoriam: Professor Kevin Green
He taught in the Accounting Department from 1984 to 2007.
W&L Outcomes: Cole McPheeters ’22
By his sophomore year at W&L, McPheeters knew he wanted to go into investment banking after graduation. Today, he works as an investment banking analyst in Houlihan Lokey's Industrials group in New York City.
W&L Outcomes: Rob Rosen ’22
Rosen utilized summer internships to help land his current role as an analyst at SVB Securities.
The Williams School Congratulates Class of 2022 Award Winners
The Williams School congratulates the Class of 2022 graduates who received awards and honors for academic excellence during their time at W&L.
Four W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.
New Podcast Episode Features Megan Hess
Hess, associate professor of accounting at W&L, discusses her passion for teaching classes like "Anatomy of a Fraud," a popular Spring Term class about corporate fraud
A World of Possibility
Between the classroom and her community volunteer work, Katherine Ho '23 has built a W&L experience that is already paying off in the career world.
Registration Is Now Open for W&L’s 10th Annual Entrepreneurship Summit
The spring event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 29-30 on campus.
Making the Call to Give Back
John Adekola ’24 sees his role with Phonathon as a chance to make a difference at W&L.
W&L’s Ricciardi Talks Insurance
Victor Ricciardi, visiting professor of finance at Washington and Lee University, was recently interviewed for MoneyGeek.
W&L’s Fafatas Receives Accounting Research Award
Professor Stephan Fafatas was recently awarded the 2021 Alfred R. Roberts Memorial Research Award, presented by the Academy of Accounting Historians.
W&L’s Ricciardi Quoted in MarketWatch
Professor Victor Ricciardi was quoted in an article titled “You’re probably sabotaging yourself when it comes to finances. How to spot it — and stop it.”
Williams School Congratulates Class of 2021 Award Winners
The faculty and staff of the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics congratulate our 2021 graduates who have received awards and honors for academic excellence during their time at W&L.
W&L’s Ricciardi Quoted in The Street
Professor Victor Ricciardi discussed a new category in the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standard
W&L’s Hoover Offers Perspective on Secured Credit Cards
In a WalletHub piece, Scott Hoover, Washington and Lee University’s A. Stevens Miles Professor of Banking and Finance, answers questions about secured credit cards.
W&L’s Julia Poppenberg ’19 Awarded Fulbright Grant to Argentina
Poppenberg has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Argentina starting in March 2022.
W&L’s Vic Ricciardi Talks Behavioral Finance on Podcast
Ricciardi served as an expert panelist on behavioral finance and retirement planning for the podcast "That Annuity Show" earlier this year.
W&L’s Tanlu Publishes Article in Strategic Finance Magazine
Assistant Professor Lloyd Tanlu’s article is titled “Causal Language and Effective Performance Evaluations.”
Contact Committee Hosts Molly Bloom for Virtual Event
The Feb. 11 conversation with Bloom is open to the W&L community.
W&L’s Ricciardi Talks Personal and Behavioral Finance in Recent Interviews
Victor Ricciardi, visiting professor of finance at Washington and Lee University, shared his financial expertise and insight in two recent interviews.
Washington and Lee Hosts 9th Annual Entrepreneurship Summit in Virtual Format
The Entrepreneurship Summit will take place online on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2–3.
Parsing a Pandemic
Fifteen W&L faculty members and two alumnae have signed on to help teach a Fall Term course that will cover multiple aspects of the COVID-19 crisis.
‘Singapore in a Blink’
Internship and Study Semester in Asia-Pacific student Sam Smiley '21 reminisces about his stay in Singapore, which was cut short because of COVID-19.
‘A Gilligan’s Adventure’
Temi Adeyanju '21 describes her many adventures in Australia during her Internship and Study Semester in Asia-Pacific.
‘Upside Down in the Down Under’
Annie Echols '21 explores some surprising similarities between Sydney and Lexington while in Australia for the Internship and Study Semester in Asia Pacific program.
‘Studying on the Other Side of the World’
Foster Friedman '21 discusses the highlights of his experience with the Internship and Study Semester in Asia Pacific Program.
Accounting Research by W&L’s Colin Reid Accepted for Publication
The paper will be published in a journal of the American Accounting Association.
“Accounting Horizons” to Publish Research by W&L’s Megan Hess and Drew Hess
The paper investigates the relation between accounting failure and innovation.
W&L’s Afshad Irani Presents at Cass Business School and CeFARR Conference
The one-day conference on the role analysts play in today’s financial markets took place at Cass Business School in London on Sept. 13, 2019.
Bovay Named to Florida Bar Tax Law Board Certification Grade Review Panel
Bovay is one of approximately 200 board-certified tax lawyers in Florida.
‘Discernment for Future Adventures’
Wenle Mu '20 describes a typical week of living in Australia as a student in the Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program.
‘Immersing Myself into a Vibrant City’
Zander Kieu highlights his first three months in Sydney as part of the Sydney Study Abroad and Internship Program.
‘Livin’ Life as an Aussie’
Victoria Seymour '21 reflects on her time in Australia as part of the Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program.
Get in on the Spring Term Action!
We asked professors to share course materials and discussion questions to offer a sneak peek at the breadth of opportunities available during the best term of the year.
Tax Prep Course Helps Students and Community
Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, W&L students used their knowledge to prepare taxes for local low-income and elderly residents.
‘Down Under’ the Australian Sun
Claire Mackin '20 shares her experiences in Sydney as part of the Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program.
Special Edition of Pluma Features Local Immigrants’ Stories
Edwin Castellanos Campos '20 came up with the idea for the special edition after taking a Spring Term sociology/anthropology course about U.S. immigration and refugees.
Molly Sykes ’20 to Participate in German American Exchange Internship
Sykes will be working this summer with Ernst & Young in Frankfurt.
Bovay to Lead Family Business Panel at Florida Tax Institute
The panel, which will take place in Tampa on March 1, is titled “Functional Planning for the (sometimes dysfunctional) Family Business.”
‘Other Perspectives on Business’
As part of the Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program, Mariam Samuel '20 is taking courses at the University of Sydney and interning at Wheatley Wealth Management.
W&L Students Provide Income Tax Assistance
The students will provide basic preparation of state and federal income tax returns to qualified residents.
‘Fight for Change and Progress’
Dannick Kenon '19, who plans to attend law school and devote his career to positive social change, has co-founded a new student publication at W&L called The Vigil.
Up and Running
Molly Mann '20 combined fitness and service learning during her Shepherd summer internship at Back on My Feet in Washington, D.C.
W&L Welcomes New Trustee Bill Payne ’88
Payne joined the W&L Board of Trustees on October 5.
W&L Graduates Secure Highest Pass Rate of Any U.S. Institution on CPA Exam
Of the W&L graduates who took the exam, 89.5% passed one or more sections on their very first attempt.
A Well-Rounded Adventure
Danielle Spickard '19 is taking full advantage of what the Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program has to offer.
Washington and Lee Names New Associate Dean of the Williams School
Elizabeth Oliver will assume the role of associate dean beginning July 1.
A One-Man Special Projects Department
While studying in Sydney, Bradley Callaham '19 interns at LINK, the world’s largest international business brokerage firm.
The Path to Publication
Matthew Rickert '18 completed the daunting task of updating the "Outing Club Guidebook."
Starting a Lending Library
Edwin Castellanos '20 created a system that allows students to save money by borrowing donated textbooks.
Five W&L Seniors Receive CFA Exam Scholarships
A CFA credential gives students a distinct advantage on the job market.
Gaining Work and Life Experience in Sydney
Soon Ho spends his days in Australia studying at the University of Sydney and interning at Greencross Limited, Australia's largest pet care company.
A Leader Forged by Fire
As a first-year student at W&L, Jane Chiavelli '18 had no idea that she would face a huge challenge — and come out of it with strong leadership skills.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad: Teresa Aires Rodrigues ’19
Teresa Aires Rodrigues is spending her winter term in Sydney, Australia.
Notes from Lenfest
Hermione Wang '18 has spent so much time in Lenfest that people jokingly ask her if she lives there. Her job? Making sure that the show always goes on.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: Laura Gottschalk ’19
Laura Gottschalk moved from Lexington to Arlington to intern at EY during the Winter Term.
Social Responsibility
Kate Donnelly ’11 is using her education and Shepherd experiences to improve her local community.
Tracking Corporate Social Responsibility
Soon Ho Kwon '17 and Claire Meyers '18 spent the summer looking at how Corporate Social Responsibility plays a role in the bottom line.
Accounting Faculty and Students Represent W&L in U.S. and Denmark
This year, members of the accounting department and W&L accounting students attended conferences and workshops across the U.S. and Denmark.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: A Unique Study Abroad Experience
The Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program (SISAP) is the only program at W&L that provides students with both a study abroad experience and up to two internship opportunities during the same semester.
Inside the NYC District Attorney’s Office with Frances Coy ’18
Frances Coy spent her summer interning at the New York City District Attorney's office in the Forensic Accounting and Financial Investigation Bureau.
Accounting Alumni Profile: Inga Wells ’16
Inga Wells '16 is currently an analyst in the Financial Sponsors Group at Deutsche Bank.
Speaking with Confidence
Julia Poppenberg '19 spent the summer as a translator in Guatemala, helping doctors and patients alike and learning to "talk strong."
Accounting Alumni Profile: Alex Castelli ’86
Alex Castelli is an audit partner at CohnReznick LLP, a national accounting, tax and advisory firm. He lead's the firm’s Emerging Industries Practice which includes technology, life sciences, renewable energy and health care in addition to serving as the engagement partner on several clients primarily in the technology and life sciences industries.
Accounting Student Profile: Jane Chiavelli ’18
Jane Chiavelli '18 is captain of the Varsity Equestrian Team, president of Beta Alpha Psi, and president of Delta Society.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: Olivia Klosterman ’18
Looking back on the last four months in Australia, I cannot believe how much I have been able to experience in just one semester. My time in Australia has differed a little from the rest of the group since my sister just moved to Sydney with her Aussie husband. My brother-in-law, Calvin, was eager to show me the “real Australian experience,” which I quickly learned consisted of exploring beautiful places and eating meat pies while rooting for his favorite Australian rules football team.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: John Bozeman ’18
As I write this blog post, I have been outside our beloved United States for nearly five months, and what an exciting time it certainly has been...
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: Josh Malm ’18
Classes, internships, and sightseeing take up the majority of my time here, but so far it’s been a semester to remember.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: Samuel Taylor ’18
Now that we have lived in Sydney for over a month, I can tell you that there is no way to see it all. Although our small Washington and Lee group has made an effort to do as much as possible, we have barely scratched the surface of what Sydney has to offer.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: Charlotte Braverman ’18
Perhaps the neatest thing about Sydney is its seamless blending of a highly developed urban center and vast expanses of protected coastal land to hike and explore.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: Robyn Cleary ’18
My adventures in Australia officially began after surviving twenty-two and half hours in the air, and arriving to the Gilligan’s Hostel in Cairns, Australia.
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: Amanda Whalen ’18
Although I always imagined myself studying abroad in Europe, after a Spring Term in Copenhagen my sophomore year, I was ready to explore a completely different area of the world.
Five Seniors Receive CFA Exam Scholarships
Five seniors, Robert Conley, Mike DeLuca, Kaitlin Krouskos, Daniel Weld and Catherine Zhu, have received scholarships to study for level one of the exam to become a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA).
Sydney Internship and Study Abroad Program: Caroline Holliday ’18
While everyone else is screaming at their computers trying to weave through the web advisor woes and figure out how many times they are going to have to walk back to third-year housing that day, I have had the opportunity to do something that not many W&L students get to do right in the middle of junior year: explore a new, unfamiliar city and have an invaluable internship experience.
Alexander Named Inaugural Dean of the Bucknell University College of Management
Raquel Alexander, associate dean and Ehrlick Kilner Haight Sr. Term Professor of Accounting at Washington and Lee University's Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics, has been named the first Kenneth W. Freeman Professor and Dean of the College of Management at Bucknell University. She will begin her new role on July 1.
“The Election and Its Meanings: An Interpretive Panel”
Washington and Lee faculty participated in a panel discussion on Thursday, Nov. 17, discussing the 2016 election from a variety of perspectives.
My W&L: David Robinson ’15
David Robinson is an accounting and business administration major from Greenville, S.C. A member of the Class of 2015, he is chairman of the Student Judicial Council, a resident advisor for first-year students, a local elementary school volunteer and a member of @wluLex, W&L's student-run social media team.
My W&L: Lucy Wade Shapiro ’15
Lucy Wade Shapiro is an American history major from Memphis, TN. A member of the Class of 2015, she is president of the student-run Executive Committee, a peer counselor, a volunteer at the Rockbridge Area Health Center and a member of Tri Beta, WITS and Reformed University Fellowship.
Got Soup?: Brooke Peccie ’17
Accounting and Business Administration major lends her planning skills to the annual Souper Bowl benefit for the Campus Kitchen Backpack Program.
Ready for Launch: Elizabeth Robertson ’01
Elizabeth Robertson '01 takes childhood fascination with space to a career creating parts for rocket engines.
A Day in the Life: Cole Schott ’17
Johnson Opportunity Grant winner dives into local politics in Nashville.
Interns at Work: Andrea Owen ’16
Accounting and Religion major Andrea Owen '16 interns for Ernst & Young.
My W&L: Amanda Garcia ’16
"The university has instilled in me a curiosity that expands beyond the classroom."
Fall Renewal
The return of students in the fall elicits mixed emotions. We feel the absence of those who have moved on even as we welcome the fresh and eager, first-year (FY) students.
Looking for older stories? See the complete Accounting archive.
