Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 7/11/24 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.

Communications & Public Affairs
July 11, 2024

Joel Adams, Assistant Professor of Business Administration – The Williams School

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I was raised in Connecticut and grew up in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. I received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, a Master of Arts in philosophy and linguistics and an MBA in entrepreneurship from the University of Louisville. I’ve just arrived from my doctoral studies in entrepreneurship from Indiana University. My wife, Yukari, and I have three young children (ages 6, 4 and 3 months) and my eldest son (23) lives in Cincinnati.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
I am excited to explore the region (mountains and rivers) and Yukari is excited to be within a day trip of the ocean. I’m still on the hunt for a gorgeous white boulder speckled hillside I found near here back in 2009 — if that sounds familiar, hit me up!

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love working outside, growing things and cooking them. For now, I’m trying to figure out how to grow food in a yard overrun with very resourceful deer, groundhogs, rabbits and squirrels.

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Bryan Brockbank, Assistant Professor of Accounting – The Williams School

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I received my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and obtained a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to coming to W&L, I was an assistant professor of accounting at Oklahoma State University for seven years. My wife, Sarah, and I have been married for 13 years and have three children – Caleb, Wesley and Hazel.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
Everything outdoors – hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking and running on the Chessie Trail.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love running and spending time outdoors. I’m looking forward to running the many trails around Lexington.

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Emmett Buckley, Visiting Assistant Professor of English – The College

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Richmond, but my older brother was actually born in Lexington.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
I’m looking forward to visiting Hull’s Drive-In and Boxerwood.

Q. Anything you want to share with the W&L community?
If you walk along the Woods Creek Trail in the summer, you can often spot a bunch of snapping turtles hanging out in the water. They’re cool.

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Drew Harrell, DeLaney Center Postbaccalaureate Fellow – DeLaney Center

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am from Collingswood, New Jersey and 2024 W&L graduate.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
My favorite hobbies include reading, playing basketball, lifting weights, running and traveling.

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Sarah Hollen, Assistant Cross Country and Track & Field Coach – Athletics

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I graduated from W&L in 2022 and spent the past two years teaching high school and coaching in Kentucky.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love being outside – spending time at Boxerwood, running on the local trails and exploring new places. I also like to play guitar, read and watch sports.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
I love Boxerwood, Hull’s Drive-In and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Lauren Oram, Accounting Manager, Accounts Payable and Capital Projects

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally from Southern California and graduated from California State University, Sacramento. I have a wonderful husband and a very spoiled dog.

Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities you are excited about?
St. Mary’s Wilderness is a beautiful place I recently found out about.

Q. Best advice anyone has ever given you?
“Don’t wait for the right time to live your life or it will pass you by.”

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Nicholas Salter, Assistant Director of Admissions and Director of International Recruitment in Admissions

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese language and international affairs and am finishing a master’s degree in business. I studied abroad and worked in China for several years before returning to the U.S., where I have worked in international admissions at the University of Florida, New College of Florida and Ringling College of Art & Design. In my free time, I like traveling, outdoor recreation and spending time with family and friends.