Meet a Colleague: Rachel Rowland Rachel Rowland serves as a project manager in University Facilities.

W&L News Office
August 19, 2026

Q. How long have you worked at W&L?
I have worked at W&L for 3.5 years.

Q. What is the favorite aspect of your job at W&L?
My favorite aspect of the role is placemaking — I enjoy shaping the spaces that frame the Washington and Lee University experience. Beyond managing individual projects, I help curate and steward the vision for campus improvements, ensuring that buildings, landscapes and gathering spaces are balanced to create an environment that is both functional and memorable. Seeing a project evolve from an idea into a place that enriches daily life for students, faculty, staff and visitors is most rewarding.

Q. If you chose a different path, what other career would you have?
Something involving exploring the mysteries of quantum mechanics.

Q. Where did you grow up?
Tidewater, Virginia.

Q. What was your favorite subject in school?
Visual arts — in particular, sculpture, ceramics, painting and jewelry design.

Q. What three words describe you best?
Curious, industrious and adventurous.

Q. Name one person from history you would like to spend a day with and why.
Madeline Albright, the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. I was fortunate to see her speak in person and she was brilliant. Listening to her reflect on her relationships with world leaders was fascinating. She spoke with such candor that I would enjoy exchanging lessons-learned now that I have more years of experience to share.

Q. Who is the most famous person you have met and where did you meet them?
Morgan Freeman. I had a chance to chat with him at a blues club in Mississippi.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People talking on cell phones while pumping gas.

Q. What do you like to do away from work?
I enjoy gardening, reading, cooking and traveling.

Q. What is your least favorite chore at home?
Weed whacking.

Q. What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
My favorite family holiday is an annual reunion with my family where we attend the NAS Oceana Air Show and after the show we enjoy a tailgate dinner while the traffic clears. This year will be particularly exciting because we have VIP seats for the show.

Q. What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done?
One of the most memorable adventures I’ve had was riding a mule from the rim of the Grand Canyon down to the Colorado River and back up again. It was a challenging but incredible experience — especially for someone with a healthy respect for heights.

Q. What is your all-time favorite food or food dish?
Chicken paprikash with spaetzle.

Q. Where would you choose to build your dream home?
Italy’s Amalfi coast would be my choice. The scenery is spectacular — colorful villas, overlooking the sea, framed by mountains — and the local limoncello is outstanding.

Q. What is your all-time favorite book?
The “Tao Te Ching” would be an all-time favorite book I’d recommend because it distills profound wisdom into poetry. Its insights are timeless and continue to ring true as I reflect on its teachings throughout different stages of life. Each time I return to it, I find a new perspective or lesson.

Q. If you could choose one series to binge-watch, what would it be?
Anything with historical context that brings the past to life.

Q. What is your all-time favorite movie?
“Christmas Vacation.” It gets funnier with each passing year.

Q. What song or artist could you play on repeat?
If I had to choose one song it would be Reba McEntire’s “Pray for Peace.”

Q. Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I’ve recently developed an interest in microscopy. It is amazing how much intricate detail exists in ordinary, everyday things. Once you see something under a microscope, you never look at it quite the same way again.