Meet Trip Wright ’25 Wright chose to attend W&L after witnessing how the school stresses communal and academic relationships between students and faculty with its small class model.
Trip Wright ’25Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Major: Undeclared
Q: Why did you choose to come to W&L?
I chose to attend W&L after witnessing how the school stresses communal and academic relationships between students and faculty with its small class model. Dedicated professors further reinforced the benefits of a small, liberal arts education. It checked all the boxes for what I was looking for in a university.
Q: What are you most looking forward to during your time at W&L?
I’m really looking forward to exploring my singing ability with the University Singers. I auditioned on a total whim last March and managed to land a spot in the choir despite never having sung professionally. This year we are headed Derry in Northern Ireland for an international choral festival, as well as Hawaii over February break to tour! Already, University Singers has been the highlight of my sophomore year, and I’m excited to see how much I am able to grow with the group.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment since arriving at W&L?
Learning to say “no.” I love being involved with many groups here at W&L, so learning to prioritize myself over trying to do too much has been hard. Yet this past year I discovered how important it is to give yourself a break and to build time in your schedule for self-care — shout-out to Leah Beard for helping me understand the value of this skill. I have been a better friend, classmate and student because of it.
Q: Who at W&L has been most inspiring to you so far?
Easy. Professor Jon Eastwood. I would be lying if I said I was not here because of him. Professor Eastwood was the first professor that I met at W&L and has quickly become an important role model and mentor for me. It became evident very quickly that he prioritizes his students and wants them to succeed in all facets of one’s college experience. As my adviser, he has inspired me to “get uncomfortable” and take courses outside my comfort zone. He also preaches the idea of not chasing the “shiny stuff” — take a class because you love it, not because of what it might turn into.
Q: What inspires you?
I’m inspired by people with ambition. I don’t like to sit around and be sedentary with so many problems waiting to be solved in the world. I tend to have some “side project” always going on, whether it’s reading about the trials and tribulations of social media, wanting to help make W&L accessible for students with disabilities, or simply cleaning up around my fraternity house. It’s tasks like these that make me “tick.” Most of the time they go unnoticed by the general populous, but as long as positive change is made, I am content.
Q: What are your hobbies/interests?
Squash, biking, Spotify/discovering new music, mental health awareness, architecture, sustainability, reading op-eds and the news, mindfulness, and backpacking/hiking in exotic locations
Q: What book has made the most significant impact on your life?
“The Stranger” by Albert Camus
Q: What is your favorite movie?
“The Truman Show”
Q: If you could have a conversation with anyone, who would it be and why?
Tristan Harris. I would love to pick the former Google design ethicist’s brain about the limitations and harms of social media and technology on humanity. Tristan is an incredibly knowledgeable figure in the realm of “humane tech,” and he has been advocating for Big Tech companies to place “people over profits” in their practices since social media and technology have become commonplace as part of our everyday lives.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself?
My first name is a homonym, and my last name is a homophone.
Q: What is your Instagram username?
@tripwrght
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