Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 9/22/22 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce
Sydney Anderson, Director of Athletic Communications – Communications and Public Affairs
Sydney L. Anderson, Director of Athletics Communication Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I was born in Hawaii to two military retirees and grew up in Colorado after my father was stationed there. Lacrosse led me to the east coast following high school. I graduated from Shenandoah University in 2013 and taught in the public school system for five years before moving into an athletic communications assistant director role at Shenandoah. I am a fur mom to the best of girls, Scout (3-year-old heeler mix) and Tilly (8-year-old cat).
Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/ hidden talents?
I enjoy renovating houses and have a particularly green thumb.
Q. Anything you are looking forward to in particular at W&L?
I am looking forward to occupying this new position to impact and inspire as many people as I can in the athletics department and W&L community.
Maddie Coleman, Assistant Professor of Physical Education/Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach – Athletics
Maddie Coleman, Assistant Professor of Physical Education/Head Women’s Lacrosse CoachQ. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I have an energetic two-year-old lab named Hyland! I named her in nod of my favorite place in world, Scotland.
Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
Excited to return to my hometown and enjoy all the outdoor activities the Blue Ridge has to offer!
Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/hidden talents?
Spending time with my family and friends, staying active, and anxiously waiting for the new Ted Lasso season.
Brittany Fix, Library Assistant – Law Library
Brittany Fix, Library Assistant – Law LibraryQ. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I graduated from Mary Baldwin College with a Bachelor of Arts in English (minoring in history).
Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
When it’s warm, I like to walk the Chessie Trail. When it’s cold, I like to visit the Quiltery in nearby Fairfield.
Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/ hidden talents?
Reading is my biggest hobby, but I also enjoy listening to music (heavy metal, Korean pop and oldies are my most-played genres), singing, and crafting.
Paula Fritz, Producing Stage Manager – Theater, Dance and Film Studies
Paula Fritz, Producing Stage Manager,Theater, Dance and Film Studies
Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I am from a small town in west Texas (close to Abilene, for those curious) and I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre history from Texas Tech. I also have Master of Fine Arts in technical theatre from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I’ve lived in several cities and states, but I keep coming back to Virginia – it just feels like home!
Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I’m a massive history nerd – particularly America pre-1866, so I’m extremely excited to explore Lexington and the surrounding areas. Also, I’m a big fan of the Blue Ridge Parkway – I’m always a little stunned at how beautiful the mountains and forests are.
Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/ hidden talents?
I love watching football and soccer to have something completely unrelated to my usual day-to-day to focus on. If I have few hours free, I usually paint or knit with a movie/TV series on in the background. I tend to have a short attention span when it comes to craft hobbies, so I bounce around different interests fairly often.
Ashley Hamilton, Cook II – Catering
Ashley Hamilton, Cook II, CateringQ. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I grew up in Virginia Beach with my parents and older brother, who now has four sons of his own. I have a degree in hospitality management.
Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I enjoy visiting the Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery and the Seasons Yield Farm
Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/ hidden talents?
I like to visit breweries and coffee shops, knit and take pictures.
Judy Park, Admissions Counselor – Admissions
Judy Park, Admissions Counselor, AdmissionsQ. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I just graduated from W&L this past spring! I majored in American politics and environmental studies. I am from Anchorage, Alaska and I hope to go back soon to visit!
Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/ hidden talents?
I love going to the gym, road trips, watching TV shows (including “BB99”, “Friends”, “Community” and “New Girl”), cooking and spending time with my friends.
Q. Anything else you want to share with the W&L community?
I’m so glad to be staying and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else!
Mat Rapoza, Assistant Football Coach – Athletics
Mat Rapoza, Assistant Football CoachQ. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I played football for the Generals, graduating in 2003 after transferring in from Swarthmore College following my sophomore year. I also have a Masters of School Counseling from McDaniel College. I am married to Kelly and we have two children, Brody (age 11) and Porter (age 6). We also live in Fairfield.
Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
The ENTIRE valley! Downtown Lexington’s restaurants and watering holes – Just Games, Tommy’s Arcade, anywhere I can still feel like a kid with my family.
Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/ hidden talents?
Watching movies with my family, playing Wiffleball home run derby in the backyard, getting lost on car rides, milkshakes and true Eastern NC BBQ. Oh – and my wife has been introducing me to pickleball.
Heather Scherschel, Associate Director of Career Development – Career and Professional Development
Heather Scherschel, Associate Director of Career DevelopmentQ. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I completed a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, with a minor in business, at Indiana University. I also have a doctorate in social psychology, with a concentration in health psychology, from the University of Minnesota. Following the completion of my graduate degree, I held faculty positions at several different institutions. In fact, my first position was here at Washington and Lee! For two years I was lucky enough to join the wonderful and welcoming Cognitive and Behavioral Science Department as a visiting assistant professor. Most recently, I served as a lecturer at Indiana University’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. I’m excited to be returning to W&L in a new career role! Although I really enjoyed teaching, I greatly valued my time as an undergraduate career coach and careers instructor over the past few years. I’m looking forward to joining the Career and Professional Development Team here at W&L and assisting students in successfully reaching their undergraduate and career goals. I’m joined in Lexington by my fiancé Charlie and our 8-year-old dog, a Keeshond named Obi. We live close to campus and take lots of walks, so if you see us, I welcome you to say hi and get some Obi snuggles.
Q. How do you unwind/have fun? Any hobbies/ hidden talents?
One of my favorite ways to unwind is to bake — cupcakes, layered cakes, pies and cobblers. I’m known to spend the weekend baking and bringing in all the goodies to campus the following Monday so that my fiancé and I don’t end up eating it all ourselves! I also enjoying working out (thank goodness as something needs to balance out all the baked goods!) including cardio kickboxing, yoga, weight lifting, HIIT-style workouts and walking.
Q. Anything you are looking forward to in particular at W&L?
I am looking forward to being part of the welcoming W&L community once again. In particular, I’m excited to once again work with such motivated, talented and kind students — students here are truly one-of-a-kind. And I enjoy the speaking tradition on campus, but I’ll admit that until I have my first cup of coffee, my “Hi!” isn’t quite as energetic as usual.
Tanda Smith, General Services – Café 77
Tanda Smith, General Services, Café 77Q. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I am married with one child (Joshua Lilly) and one grandchild (Colton Lilly). I have lived in Buena Vista all my life.
Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
My husband plays in the band named, “The Pickup Band.” I enjoy going to hear them play and dancing to the music.
Q. Anything you are looking forward to in particular at W&L?
Taking advantage of the benefits.
Travis Tomlin, Copy Services Assistant – Auxiliary Services
Travis Tomlin, Copy Services Assistant – Auxiliary ServicesQ. Tell us a little about yourself. Education? Family? Any other “basics” you want to share?
I was born and raised in Rockbridge County and I enjoy watching/following sports.
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