Feature Stories Campus Events All Stories

Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 10/12/22 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.

Alex Henderson, Assistant Swimming Coach and Aquatics Coordinator – Athletics

Alex-Henderson-copy-600x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Alex Henderson, assistant swimming coach and aquatics coordinator

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I’m from the small town of Hopewell, Virginia, about two and a half hours from the W&L campus. I was a student-athlete at The College of William & Mary, studying kinesiology. I recently completed my master’s degree in recreation & sports management at the University of Arkansas, where I was a graduate assistant with the women’s swimming and diving program.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I am looking forward to fishing and kayaking in this beautiful area. I love the outdoors and can’t wait to explore all that Lexington, as well as the surrounding towns, have to offer!

Q. How do you unwind/have fun?  Any hobbies/hidden talents?
I spend most of my free time either enjoying the outdoors or exercising. I’m a huge proponent of maintaining a healthy lifestyle — one that is rooted in a well-balanced focus between fueling the mind, body and spirit.


Charlie Hostetter, General Services Marketplace

Charlie-Hostetter-1-scaled-600x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Charlie Hostetter, General Services, Marketplace

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I have lived in Glasgow, Virginia for my entire life and I am a graduate of Rockbridge County High School.

Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/hidden talents?
In my free time I like to draw or play video games.

Q. Anything you are looking forward to in particular at W&L?
Meeting all the new people here.


Johnnie Lewis, Public Safety Officer – Public Safety

Johnnie-Lewis-1-scaled-600x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Johnnie Lewis, Public Safety Officer

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I have a background in the correctional industry and with the military.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I like to watch local sports events.

Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/hidden talents?
I like to go to go fishing and kayaking and I also enjoy working out at the gym.


Connie Matthews, Receiving & General Services – Marketplace

Connie-Matthews-scaled-512x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Connie Matthews, Receiving and General Services, Dining

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I am a mom and a GiGi. I love my grand-babies — they are my world. As a hobby, I enjoy cooking and baking, particularly decorating cakes, cupcakes and cookies. I also love camping and vacations at the beach. I’m a people person so I talk to everyone.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I love camping and kayaking, especially Beans Bottom to Jordan’s Point. I also enjoy local live music.

Q. Anything else you want to share with the W&L community?
Working in dining services will allow me to help my friends who are on a special diet due to alpha-gal syndrome, a tick born disease. They are sensitive to any food that comes from a mammal.


Geoffrey Matthews, Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science – The College

Geoffrey-Matthews-copy-600x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Geoffrey Matthews, Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I received a Ph.D. in the history and philosophy of science from Indiana University in 1979. After working here and there, I settled into a position as professor of computer science at Western Washington University and worked there until I retired in 2019. My daughter, Liz, is an assistant professor of computer science at W&L. My wife and I live with her and eight cats here in beautiful Rockbridge County.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
We love the deep woods, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the waterfalls and the abundance of natural landscapes.

Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/hidden talents?
We like to travel, visit foreign places and exotic landscapes. I’m fluent in Spanish and speak a bit of French and German. We are reforesting our land and building a huge garden around our house. I can’t wait for post-pandemic times to have garden parties.


Austin Reter, Public Safety Officer – Public Safety

Austin-Reter-1-600x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Austin Reter, Public Safety Officer

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I graduated from Rockbridge County High School.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
The Chessie Trail.

Q. How do you unwind/have fun?  Any hobbies/hidden talents?
I like to play video games in my free time.


Jeena Spratlin, HR Generalist – Human Resources 

Jeena-Spratlin-2-600x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Jeena Spratlin, HR Generalist, Office of Human Resources

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I’m from Austell, Georgia. I earned a B.S. in exercise science at Valdosta State University and an M.S. in social work at the University of Georgia. My background in social work has given me a solid foundation in human resources to navigate situations and handle employee concerns.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I’m excited to take advantage of the walking trails around town.

Q. Best advice anyone has ever given you?
Small steps are the best way to tackle big goals.


Conner Williams, Academic Administrative Assistant II – Business Administration

Conner-Williams-2-600x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Conner Williams, Administrative Assistant II, The Williams School

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
My husband and I both grew up in Lexington and we now own a house here and have two dogs.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I love being near the Virginia Horse Center and all of the different wineries/breweries.

Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/hidden talents?
I enjoy sitting on my back porch reading a book and drinking a glass of wine.


Trevor Wright, General Services – Fieldside

Trevor-Wright-scaled-600x400 Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community - 10/12/22Trevor Wright, General Services, Fieldside

Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I was born and raised in Buena Vista, and I have two siblings — a brother and sister. I am currently finishing up my culinary degree with two credits left to take.

Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/hidden talents?
I enjoy cooking for friends, any outdoor activity and sports.

Q. Best advice anyone has ever given you?
If you want something, you have to put in the work to earn it.