W&L’s Legendary Volunteers: Andrew Tate ’98 Max Weaver ’23 interviewed Andrew Tate ’98 to learn more about his service and commitment to Washington and Lee.
Andrew Tate ’98W&L alumni give their time to their alma mater in many ways, including serving as class agents, on reunion committees, as chapter leaders and on advisory boards. This winter, the Development Ambassadors, Annual Giving’s student volunteers, interviewed some of the university’s longtime, high-achieving, legendary volunteers.
Max Weaver ’23 interviewed Andrew Tate ’98 to learn more about his service and commitment to Washington and Lee.
Volunteer Roles: Tate and his wife Carson ’98 have both been active volunteers and began serving together on a reunion committee. Tate served on the 5th, 15th and 20th reunion committees and chaired his 10th reunion committee for his class. He was a class agent for seven years. After a short break, he joined the Annual Fund Council in 2016. Tate took on the role of Annual Fund Chair in 2017 and has held the position for five years. He is also serving on the campaign council.
W&L Background: Tate majored in business administration and was a member of Kathekon.
Career: Tate is the senior vice president for wealth management at UBS. He joined UBS in 2014 after working at Sterling Capital Management LLC, where he served as a fixed income strategist, a member of the investment committee, and leader of the institutional and retail distribution teams. Prior to Sterling, he worked in the debt capital markets group at Bank of America. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2001.
“When Carson and I give a gift, we don’t know the line-item impact it made, but when we return to campus, we see and feel the benefits to the W&L experience. We all have an opportunity to be part of that.”
~ Andrew Tate ’98
Q: How did you first get involved in volunteering for W&L as an alumnus?
My wife and I are classmates and got involved together. We thought it was a great way to keep in touch with our classmates. Carson started out as a class agent. I later joined her, and we became reunion committee volunteers together. Later, the university contacted me to see if I would be interested in joining the Annual Fund Council, and of course, I said yes.
Q: What inspired you to become a volunteer?
W&L gives alumni an instant, supportive professional network, and it is so valuable. I got a whole lot out of my time at W&L, and volunteering and giving to the Annual Fund has been a way for me to repay that debt. I have not missed a year giving to the Annual Fund, and I happily give my time because it means that more opportunities exist for impressive students who want them.
Q: What has been your proudest moment as a W&L volunteer?
When I was serving as a class agent in the early 2000s, we were working hard to meet our target fundraising goal, and I didn’t think we were going to get there. We came together and pushed our class across the finish line. It felt great to rally as a class to meet our goal.
Another would be the first year I served as Annual Fund Chair, when our community raised a record $10.8 million for W&L’s Annual Fund.
Q: When were you last on campus?
Most recently, I came to campus in February, and before that, I visited last October. In my current role, I provide an update to the Board of Trustees, so I enjoy getting back to Lexington regularly.
Q: Why should alumni consider giving their time as a volunteer for W&L?
As students, we are given so much at W&L. As alumni, volunteering and donating are great ways to show gratitude and to support today’s amazing students. When Carson and I give a gift, we don’t know the line-item impact it made, but when we return to campus, we see and feel the benefits to the W&L experience. We all have an opportunity to be part of that.
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