Meet John Williams ’25 Williams is a self-starter, including founding several small businesses and a club squash team.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
April 1, 2025

John Williams ’25
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Majors/minors: American history and business administration double major

Why did you choose to come to W&L?
For starters, the school’s academic reputation places Washington and Lee among the top institutions in the country. The traditions such as Fancy Dress, Mock Con and Greek Life provide a fun and immersive experience outside of the classroom. W&L’s tight-knit alumni network looks out for students and for one another, making the school’s relatively small alumni network feel more impactful than the largest state schools. And, of course, the beautiful brick buildings and scenery of Lexington and Rockbridge County are unmatched. But, above all, the main reason I chose W&L is because there’s something special you feel the second you walk on campus. The history and tradition of the school is palpable, and it’s hard not to appreciate the aura of W&L when walking around campus. In short, it’s hard to find a school that checks so many boxes.

Where is your “home” on campus?
Coop. Especially following the renovations, Coop (formally known as Café 77) serves as the hub for the student body. When walking through to grab lunch or do some work, it’s hard not to immediately see dozens of familiar faces. This specific experience is representative of the broader W&L experience in which the small community enables students and faculty to get to know a large percentage of people on campus. Walking around and saying hey to people you know from a multitude of activities is one of the small joys of W&L.

What has been your most impactful experience at W&L, either on or off-campus?
Squash has always been one of my favorite sports to compete in as I started at a young age and played throughout lower, middle and high school. However, when I got to W&L, I was disappointed to find out that there was no competitive club team. I took it upon myself to organize all of the squash players I knew at the school and change this. With the help of the club sports department, we built out a budget and started hosting weekly practices while also playing against other schools.

In our first season, our team of about 15 players finished with a 4-4 record, playing in three events against schools such as the University of Virginia, Duke University and the University of North Carolina. In our second season, we expanded our schedule to 15 matches across eight events, traveling to cities such as Charlotte, North Carolina, Richmond, Virginia, and Philadelphia while also hosting two events on campus, finishing with an 11-4 record. This past year, we continued to grow, competing in 20 matches against 14 different schools (big names include club teams of Duke, UNC, Harvard, Navy, Vanderbilt and more), traveling to Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Charlottesville, Virginia, Philadelphia and New York City, while also hosting three events. The team competed in the U.S. Squash Club National Championship for the second year in a row, and for the second consecutive year finished in the top 20 among over 60 club teams. Looking ahead, we want to continue to improve the quality of our team and eventually become a varsity sport at W&L. Having the opportunity to start something new and represent Washington and Lee has been a truly impactful experience.

What was your favorite class and why?
Professor Barton Myers’ Civil War battlefield class was far and away the coolest class I’ve taken at W&L. For four weeks during my freshman year Spring Term, we traveled around Virginia and Pennsylvania touring significant battlefields from the American Civil War. The opportunity to learn from a former park ranger in a small group was easily the most immersive academic experience I’ve ever had. Professor Myers is an amazing example of a Washington and Lee teacher who is passionate about their subject and dedicated to ensuring his students understand the material but also create memories.

What are your hobbies/interests? How has W&L helped you develop and pursue them?
Entrepreneurship is an area I’ve been interested in since I was young, and I started several small businesses of my own. When I arrived on campus, I applied for and joined the Connolly Entrepreneurship Society and continued to pursue this interest. This year, I was able to take on the role of president of CES and am extremely excited to help continue to expand this environment here at W&L. Working closely with our faculty adviser, Jay Margalus, and the rest of the student executive team, we are working to give students real experience in developing business ideas, prototyping websites/apps/physical designs and raising money to grow their startups. We engage in class discussions to give students a strong toolbox while also bringing in guest speakers to give their experience and perspective.

How have your experiences at W&L prepared you for post-graduate success?
I believe my double major in business administration and American history allowed me to be a more versatile candidate when recruiting for full-time jobs. Not only is a double major very doable at W&L, but it also greatly enhances one’s experience and provides a broader skillset. My history major teaches me soft skills, like how to research and synthesize information through writing and public speaking, while my business major gives me the technical skills necessary for a career in finance. Thanks to W&L’s top-notch Career and Professional Development Office (which I work in as a Career Fellow) and our expansive alumni network, I have secured a full-time offer. Following graduation, I’ll be working in Washington, D.C., at KippsDeSanto, an aerospace-and-defense-focused investment bank owned by Capital One.

Fun fact: I like to get outside as much as possible, especially when the weather is nice. Whether it’s playing golf, tennis, hiking House Mountain or sitting around a fire with friends, I love to be outdoors.