Meet Will Knight ’26 Knight says the opportunity to pursue different extracurriculars, including football, track & field and fly fishing, has been invaluable.

Will Knight ’26
Major: Economics
Hometown: Durango, Colorado

Why did you choose to come to W&L? 

I chose to come to W&L to be a part of two outstanding athletic programs — the varsity football and men’s track & field team — while also benefiting from the academic quality and access to professors and the social opportunities on campus.

Have you discovered a course or topic that you didn’t expect to study when you first came to W&L? 

I ended up taking so many courses surrounding Latin America. By accident, I took Art of Mesoamerica and the Andes with Professor LePage my freshman year and loved the history of the region. Since then, I’ve studied the economy and politics of the region and its historical memory and was fortunate enough to study abroad in Buenos Aires while studying Bitcoin. This unexpected topic has made my academic pursuits here far more meaningful than I anticipated.

Where is your “home” on campus? 

Such a tough question because I have found so many great friends and peers in all areas of campus, but my first group and some of my closest friends and mentors have come from the football team. It’s an amazing brotherhood, and our coaches run an excellent program that I was fortunate enough to be a part of. It would be wrong not to mention the throws crew and Coach Gibson, as well.

What has been your most impactful experience at W&L, either on or off-campus? 

I’d say my most valuable experience in my time here has simply been having the opportunity to participate in so many different extracurriculars. These opportunities, ranging from sports, clubs and work-study positions, introduced me to so many wonderful people. They have influenced the way I work, think and approach life, and I’ll forever be grateful to the individuals I’ve developed relationships with throughout campus.

Who is your mentor on campus, and how have they helped you develop as a student? 

Aliaa Bassiouny has been an incredible teacher for me in my time here. I admire her dedication to the school and helping students — I have taken up so much of her time in office hours. She has pushed me to explore different topics in finance and given great career and academic advice. She is a great teacher whose energy and passion for her courses capture students once class begins.

What was your favorite class and why? 

I have a couple: Bitcoin in Practice with Professor Cantey, International Finance with Professor Bassiouny, Creative Writing with Professor Oliver and The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Future of Work and Society with Professors Casey and Goldsmith. They were all fascinating topics taught by excellent professors.

What are your hobbies/interests?

I love to fly fish (though I’ve had bad luck the last three months), I love movies, and I’m getting into cooking, but I don’t have enough confidence in my craft to say it’s my hobby yet.

How has W&L helped you develop and pursue them? 

Lexington has so many outdoor opportunities, and the Outing Club and Fly Fishing Club have provided me with the resources to explore the fisheries of Rockbridge County. I’ve loved going on floats on the lower Maury and fishing for smallmouth.

What has been your greatest accomplishment since arriving at W&L? 

I’m most proud of the friends and relationships I’ve made at W&L. I’m incredibly lucky to have the people I do around me, and I know those relationships will remain one of the most meaningful parts of my time here.

Have you studied abroad during your time at W&L? Where did you go, and how was your experience? 

I went to Buenos Aires with Professor Cantey to study Bitcoin’s adoption in developing countries. It was an eye-opening course, challenging my previous beliefs on economic and monetary theory. Professor Cantey was an excellent professor and constructed a great course. Argentina was an amazing place and culture to experience, and I loved getting to know more people at W&L that I didn’t know prior to going on the trip. It was also fun getting to practice my Spanish, though I feel for anyone who had to have a conversation with me in the language.

How have your experiences at W&L prepared you for post-graduate success? 

W&L has taught me the importance of developing meaningful relationships, being involved in one’s community and always approaching life with curiosity. I know these lessons will allow me to be a valuable team and community member in the future.

Who or what inspires you?

My parents and sister inspire me. They are the most important people in my life, they are my strongest support system, and I hope to make them proud with my future endeavors.

If you are a student-athlete, what do you like about being a DIII athlete?

You get the best of both worlds as a DIII athlete: the opportunity to compete at a high level while still having unrestricted access to other extracurricular and social opportunities.