Authors’ Foreword As recent graduates, we have been given the opportunity to gain perspective on our time at Washington & Jefferson College. It is bittersweet to look back on previous years’ experiences, including countless exams and papers, nights packed with club meetings, exhilarating sporting events, and enriching volunteer activities. We remember both the good times and the not-so-good times with our closest friends, most of whom we have met on this campus. More than this, though, we appreciate the relationships we’ve built with our professors, the discussions that challenged us to think, and the opportunities we’ve had to lead. With these memories rushing in, it is interesting to consider how we’ve been shaped, in a uniquely holistic way, by this institution we’ve come to call home. It only takes a brief glance at the ranks of our alumni for W&J’s mark to become clear. The College has graduated influential civic leaders, world-renowned scientists, and innovative business men and women. Yet personal success is not the only thing that makes these graduates special; in addition, it is their uncommon integrity and lifelong commitment to learning that makes them stand out as professionals and as individuals. As you will see, our alumni continue to serve as positive agents of change off campus— both in their own communities and across the globe. The liberal arts tradition at W&J helped to nurture the crafts and characters of these outstanding alumni. For us, W&J granted the freedom to take risks and expand our intellectual horizons. This freedom promotes stringent debate, deep reflection, and critical thought. This freedom also gives students the direction, opportunity, and responsibility to enhance the quality of their overall education; and this freedom fosters a love for learning that empowers graduates to tackle important challenges in their ensuing careers. Our conversations with the alumni compiled in this book certainly have inspired us. Indeed, their lives illustrate the realization of true potential. It is an honor to know that, as part of the newest class of W&J alumni, we are now among this inspiring group. We have no idea what awaits us, but we are leaving W&J prepared to contribute in meaningful ways. Whichi Coax! Bill Smearcheck ’10 Jourdin Barber ’10
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