Meet a Colleague: Rhianon Ham Rhianon Ham serves as director of special events.

W&L News Office
July 23, 2025

Q. How long have you worked at W&L?
I have been at W&L for a little more than one year, having started on May 1, 2024. I rolled straight into Alumni Reunion Weekend, Law Commencement, Board of Trustees, Baccalaureate and Undergraduate Commencement all in the same month!

Q. What do you like most about working at W&L?
Honestly, it’s the people I work with. Because I collaborate with a variety of departments to plan and execute events, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many individuals across campus. There are truly some exceptional people here with a wealth of knowledge, and their support to shake things up on campus when it comes to events and policies has been incredible.

Q. Where is your favorite location on the W&L campus?
Penial Farm — the sunsets are incredible.

Q. Where did you grow up?
I grew up just down the road in Staunton, Virginia.

Q. What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
That’s a tough one, I don’t have just one specific thing. It usually involves making something in the kitchen, dancing and singing with Stella (my four-year-old mini me), cocktails with friends, or seeing live music.

Q. What is your favorite recipe?
One of my go to recipes is French Onion Chicken Lasagna Roll Ups by How Sweet Eats. I have followed her since I was in college and fell in love with this recipe during the pandemic. It has become a staple and whenever I take a meal to a friend, this is typically what I make. I will say it is a true labor of love.

Q. What book are you reading now?
“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara — the audible version. Listening to him talk about his tenure as co-owner of Eleven Madison Park is something else. He is very intentional with how he manages, trains and interacts with employees and customers. He talks about how thoughtful gestures can leave lasting impressions, how fostering deep connections with customers and your team can change the trajectory of a business, and how he looks at every challenge from various perspectives. He observes before taking action, he listens to every side, he asks questions, he is diligent and methodical. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “It’s not about giving people what they want. It’s about giving them what they never dreamed they could have.” Something I truly keep in mind when it comes to designing events.

Q. What music are you listening to these days?
I have always been all over the place when it comes to music. Even in high school, my mixed CDs were a true work of art when it came to including so many different genres and artists. I can bounce between T. Swift to Ja Rule to JJ Grey & Mofro to Whitney Houston to Systems Of A Down all in one playlist.

Q. If you could have coffee with one person, who would it be and why?
My little brother, Zachary. He passed away 10 years ago this September, and I would love to sit and talk with him and hear him laugh again.

Q. What is your secret talent?
Playing the lovely game of Tetris when it comes to packing a vehicle for an event load out.

Q. Anything else you’d like to share?
If you still cannot figure out how to pronounce my name, just listen to the song “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac.