Meet Elizabeth Marshall ’25 Marshall has embraced many extracurriculars as a math tutor, University Ambassador, equestrian team student-athlete and more.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
April 8, 2025

Elizabeth Marshall ’25
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Majors: Mathematics major, data science minor

Have you discovered a course or topic that you didn’t expect to study when you first came to W&L?
Yes — while I am fond of reading and writing, I most anticipate my theory-based math classes. This was a surprise given that I was confident that I would be an engineering major when applying to college. I expected to go through college in applied math and engineering courses. However, I found that the mathematics and computer science departments were much more engaging to me, which led to my eventual declaration of a mathematics major and a data science minor. Interestingly enough, while I didn’t like the applications of math in my physics classes, I came to enjoy its applications in computer science. Similarly, I was surprised to find that I was drawn to the theory behind mathematical proofs. Math encompasses a variety of the characteristics that I most align with, such as the strategic structure of complex proofs and finding the optimal way(s) to solve multifaceted problems.

The department has been nothing but supportive and furthered my passion for problem solving not only in math, but in other subjects such as logic and computer science.

Where is your “home” on campus?
Coop, aka Café 77, is my favorite place on campus. Students of all years congregate between class periods to grab a snack and hang out. Oftentimes, I will sit in Coop if I have a long break to do work and talk to friends who briefly walk through. As a senior who lives off-campus, I have a profound appreciation for Coop because it represents the close-knit community that W&L fosters. No matter the time of day or the number of close friends that share your class schedule, there will always be an acquaintance that is happy to chat and say hey. Coop has provided me the opportunity to get to know more of my peers in a casual, comfortable setting.

What has been your most impactful experience at W&L, either on or off-campus?
The pride associated with going to Washington and Lee is unmatched to any other accomplishment that I have achieved. There will never be one singular activity or semester that defines my experience as a student. Every day on campus reminds me of the gift I have received in attending W&L. The way our students gather to achieve a goal, create a sense of community and support one another is unparalleled.

During my freshman year spring break, I was swimming in the ocean with one of my closest friends when he suffered a spinal cord injury on a sandbar. Following the impact, W&L friends and acquaintances alike came to the rescue to help bring him to shore. As a community, the university faculty, families and students came together to support a fellow General in his recovery through raising funds, adjusting campus accessibility and placing an importance on his recovery timeline and needs.

Attending W&L signifies something larger than myself. To be a General means that I am a support, resource and friend to those around me. It means that I am an active participant in the betterment of our society on and off-campus. And, most importantly, it means that I will make a positive impact on others — all thanks to the great fortune I’ve been afforded at W&L.

What are your hobbies/interests? How has W&L helped you develop and pursue them?
On campus, I am a student-athlete (equestrian team), a member of a sorority, the club squash team, a University Ambassador, a math tutor and a fitness instructor for W&L’s group exercise program. Many of these extracurriculars would not have been possible without the inclusive nature of the university’s programs exposing me to new activities, such as squash. I nervously joined the club squash team during the fall semester of my senior year, and I was warmly welcomed despite my lack of experience. As a student-athlete, I have limited time to participate in all of the matches, travel trips and practices, but I appreciate the welcoming nature of the team, and I am grateful for the friends it has brought me along the way.

Similarly, W&L has given me the opportunity to become a spin instructor for the group exercise program. Because the classes are led by certified students and faculty, they are free to all undergraduates. I have gotten to know the other instructors as well as the regular class attendees; their presence and input has made me a better instructor and communicator on and off the bike.

Being a math major has its perks, but one of the downsides is having to leave calculus for higher-level classes. Thankfully, the math department makes up for this by allowing me to be a math tutor. Not only does this position allow me to revisit nostalgic topics that remind me of the classmates and professors that had a profound impact on the start of my college career, but being a tutor introduces me to new students that I wouldn’t frequently encounter and helps them find success in the curriculum.

How have your experiences at W&L prepared you for post-graduate success?
W&L is a special campus for many reasons. However, the two aspects that stand out to me most are the well-roundedness of students and the shared love for the university. These two characteristics play a large role in upholding the best parts of our community, such as the Speaking Tradition and the supportive and vast alumni network.

As a University Ambassador, when tour groups are walking through campus, one thing that they frequently notice is the level of interaction between current students, tour guides and prospective families. From these interactions alone, visitors get the sense that the W&L student body is not only focused on academics, but they are outgoing enough to welcome potential students and show them the fortunes of our culture.

This sentiment does not stop upon graduation. Our campus-wide alumni weekends, networking events and professional interactions are supported by a strong appreciation for the university and the opportunities that it affords us.

The shared experience of being a proud General is reflected in the way that students take the social and academic atmospheres of W&L beyond graduation to be independent, successful and productive members of society.