Johnson Scholarship Program Annual Report 2013

The Johnson Scholarship Program 2013 annual report Introducing the Class of 2017

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY

Lexington, Virginia 24450-2116 1

3

— the johnson scholarship program 2013 — as its

265th academic year began in September, Washington and Lee University welcomed

into the community 40 new Johnson Scholars, whose voices will enrich classroom dialogue and campus life, even as these impressive young women and men seek to broaden their own experiences through the resources W&L affords them. The past year also witnessed the continuing prominence of the Johnson Scholarship Program, as top students from coast to coast and around the globe added Washington and Lee to their colleges lists.

In a world transformed by science and technology, globalization, and new economic, political and cultural realities, the solutions to today’s problems require a broad perspective and moral insight as well as analytical and technical skills. W&L prepares its students to meet today’s challenges through innovative programs that nurture strong leaders, visionary thinkers, compassionate citizens and ethical decision makers. Today’s students find in W&L and in the Johnson Program these same fundamental virtues that have drawn students here for over two centuries.

JOHNSON SCHOLARS follow in the footsteps of the many W&L

graduates among the top ranks of business, journalism, medicine, public service and almost every other field. Twentyseven W&L alumni have served in the U.S. Senate, 67 have served in the U.S. House and 31 have served as governors.

Four have served as Supreme Court justices and seven have been American Bar Association presidents. Forty-six have gone on to become college or university presidents.

W&L HAS A LONG HISTORY of recognizing leadership among its

William Adams

Jenna Biegel

Rocky Mount, N.C. Rocky Mount Academy

Mesa, Ariz.

Mountain View High School

Abby Block

Andrew Blocker

Cincinnati, Ohio Archbishop McNicholas High School

Ponte Vedra, Fla. Ponte Vedra High School

Alice Cannon

Elena Diller

Ocala, Fla. Forest High School

Rome, Ga. Rome High School

students and providing opportunities for its development.

One of the oldest such programs, Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), was founded by W&L students and faculty in 1914.

It was the first national college honor society to recognize extracurricular service and today has chapters on over 300 college campuses. Other leadership opportunities: 

The Nabors Service League connects W&L students with service opportunities on and off campus. In 2012, students gave over 54,000 hours of their time, earning the University a spot for the third year in a row on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.



The Athletics Leadership Development Program teaches leadership principles to underclass varsity athletes interested in taking on leadership roles on their team and in the wider W&L community.



The Campus Kitchen focuses on hunger relief in Rockbridge County using surplus food from campus dining services and area donations. To date, this effort has distributed over 136,000 meals to the disadvantaged in Lexington and the surrounding area.



Volunteer Venture is a student-organized service-learning program for incoming students, allowing them to confront poverty’s roots in the Mid-Atlantic region during the week before formal new-student orientation.

5

Brooke Donnelly

Austin Frank

Kennesaw, Ga. Marietta High School

Chagrin Falls, Ohio Kenston High School

Sam Gibson

Kinsey Grant

Jamestown, N.C. The Early College at Guilford

Tallahassee, Fla. Maclay School

Corey Guen

Daniel Johnson

Exeter, N.H. Exeter High School

Rossville, Ga. Ridgeland High School

OVERALL, THE CLASS OF

2017 includes 138 presidents of major

student organizations, 68 class or student body presidents or vice presidents, 56 publication editors, 229 varsity team captains, 34 Eagle Scouts or Gold Award recipients, and 32 who are the first in their families to attend college. The class also includes world travelers, researchers, pilots, black belts, entrepreneurs, musicians, congressional pages and debate champions.

5

Jeffrey Shay Johnson Professor of Entrepreneurship and Leadership The gift that established the Johnson Program

The Entrepreneurship Summit brings alumni,

for Leadership and Integrity also established two

students and faculty together to exchange ideas,

endowed professorships at Washington and Lee,

share information, and establish valuable con-

including one in the Williams School of Commerce,

nections for present and future entrepreneurial

Economics, and

endeavors.

Politics focusing on entrepreneurship and

The Venture Club provides real-world consult-

leadership.

ing services for entrepreneurial firms, including writing business plans and conducting market

Professor Shay is direc-

analyses.

tor of the J. Lawrence Connolly Center for

The Entrepreneurship Internship Program bridges

Entrepreneurship,

the gap between the classroom and the real world

which aims to advance

by providing opportunities for students to apply

students’ study of en-

knowledge, skills and abilities learned in the

trepreneurship by cap-

classroom in the context of an entrepreneurial

talizing on W&L’s successful integration of business

organization.

education with traditional liberal arts disciplines.

“Although my courses focus mainly on entreThe Connolly Center is home to several signature

preneurship,” Shay says, “I emphasize the role

programs. The annual Business Plan Competition al-

leadership, integrity, ethics and honor play in suc-

lows student teams to present their ideas for a new

cessfully launching a new business venture.”

business to alumni judges.

Jordan LaPointe

Harry Lustig

Will Mason

Ashburn, Va. Briar Woods High School

Virginia Beach, Va. Norfolk Academy

Virginia Beach, Va. Frank W. Cox High School

Stephen Mitchell

Chris Myers

Amirah Ndam Njoya

Columbia, S.C. Hammond School

Essex, Conn.

Valley Regional High School

Washington, D.C. American School Of Yaounde

6

Polli Noskova

Ashley Ooms

George Park

Raphine, Va. Rockbridge County High School

White House Station, N.J. Hunterdon Central Regional High School

Fairfax Station, Va. South County Secondary School

Rainsford Reel

Jake Roberts

Carley Sambrook

Spartanburg, S.C. Spartanburg Day School

Kansas City, Mo. Barstow School

Westmount, Quebec Lower Canada College

Nicolaas A. Rupke Johnson Professor of Leadership and the History of Ideas A native of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Rupke was trained in earth sciences in Groningen and in marine geology at Princeton University. After establishing an impressive research record in marine geology, Rupke turned his interests to the history of science, particularly to late-modern biological and physical sciences as they developed in Germany and Great Britain.

At W&L his teaching relates in part to the idea that tomorrow’s leaders will of necessity need a firm grounding in science and technology, given their prominent role both in shaping our day-to-day lives and in identifying solutions to the world’s biggest problems. He has employed a biographical approach to historical figures in science—an approach that blends historiography and the history of ideas to show the ways in which scientific leadership is a product not only of individual genius, but also of collective ideas and institutional forces.

7

Caroline Sanders

Kate Sarfert

Bogart, Ga. Athens Academy

Winston Salem, N.C. R. J. Reynolds High School

Shane Siebken

Kyle Singerman

Stuarts Draft, Va. Stuarts Draft High School

Solon, Ohio Solon High School

Cody Solomon

Shaun Soman

Norcross, Ga. Wesleyan School

Rewey, Wis. Iowa-Grant High School

Mac Strehler

Aalekhya Tenali

Moseley, Va. Trinity Episcopal School

Melbourne, Fla. West Shore Junior-Senior High School

Of the 3,091 applicants for the Johnson scholarship, 208

were selected as finalists on the basis of their potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the Washington and Lee community and to the world at large. Factors weighed included academic record, writing samples, teacher references, and records of leadership, citizenship and involvement in non-academic activities. The finalists were invited to campus for interviews with faculty, student leaders and administrators; their selection was truly a group effort.

Our entire community welcomes them to W&L.

8

Eleni Timas

Kyle Turpin

Middlefield, Ohio Cardinal High School

Gilbert, Ariz.

Chandler Preparatory Academy

Photo by John Robertson IV

Johnson LECTURE SERIES

Burke Ugarte

Jenny Wang

Columbia, S.C. Hammond School

Roswell, Ga. Centennial High School

EVERY YEAR, THE JOHNSON endowment brings to W&L national

and international leaders in business, politics, science, art and the humanities to discuss issues of importance. Through the Johnson program, W&L has hosted prize-winning writers, experts on the economy, prominent public servants, successful entrepreneurs, actors and luminaries from other fields, including: 

Stephen Vetter, president and CEO of Partners of the Americas



Terrence Roberts, civil rights leader and one of the Little Rock Nine

Emily Webb

Harrison Westgarth

West Fork, Ark. Fayetteville High School West

McKinney, Texas McKinney High School



Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History (jointly sponsored with neighboring VMI)



Jean Kilbourne, internationally known author, speaker and filmmaker

In addition, the Johnson endowment supported several other events and symposia at W&L in the past year: 

The W&L Entrepreneurship Summit



The fifth annual Science, Society and the Arts research conference

Logan Wilson Carlsbad, Calif.

Santa Fe Christian School



The second annual Nobel Symposium

9

Anna Catherine Bowden

JANEY FUGATE

LAUREN HOWRY

— johnson opportunity grants—

In 2013, 30 rising juniors and seniors received Johnson Opportunity Grants to support internships and independent research projects all across the country and around the world. Their interests ranged as wide as their destinations.

VICTORIA ANDREWS undertook art

VICTORIA CERVANTES worked on a cul-

She participated in the CET Shanghai

conservation research in Europe. In

tural anthropology research project in

Study and Summer Internship at

France she helped with synchrotron

Malta, on the Mediterranean island of

Donghua University.

research on cadmium sulfide paint

Gozo. janey FUGATE was an intern in Quito, Ec-

degradation. In Italy she collaborated on hyperspectral imaging, and in the

CURTIS JAY CORRELL traveled to the

uador, for the Generals Development

Netherlands she worked at the SRAL

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in

Initiative (GDI), W&L’s student-led

in Maastrict.

Karlsruhe, Germany, where he collabo-

micro-finance group. GDI has made

rated on a research project on nano-

loans to Fundacion Casa Victoria, a

ANNA CATHERINE BOWDEN was a World

technology and the use of the term

foundation supporting community

Vets Project intern in Nicaragua at a

“nano” in commerce and marketing.

programs and after-school tutoring for

veterinary clinic in San Juan del Sur.

kids in San Rouque, Quito.

SHANNON CUSACK did a clinical and

JENNIFER BULLEY studied economic

research-based internship at the

NICOLE GUNAWANSA worked on improv-

development at the UNESCO World

Yale Parenting Center, which focuses

ing the quality of medical access and

Heritage Area in Ilulissat, Greenland,

on child and adolescent treatment

education for the underprivileged

home to the largest tourism destina-

practices.

population of Ghana, focusing on the

tion in Greenland and to the most-

Apostolic Academy in Ashaiman and

researched glacier in the world, the

ERIN DENGLER did a medical internship

on a clinic in the small coastal town

Sermeq Kujalleq glacier.

at UNC Horizons in North Carolina. The

of Ada.

organization is associated with the LINDSAY BURNS undertook art conserva-

UNC Chapel Hill ob-gyn department

CORT HAMMOND took a leading role in an

tion research in Europe. In France she

and provides resources for pregnant

Engineers Without Borders service trip

helped with synchrotron research on

women and young mothers suffering

to improve water quality in the Boliv-

cadmium sulfide paint degradation. In

from substance abuse.

ian community of Pampoyo.

tral imaging, and in the Netherlands

STEPHANIE DO was a business and ac-

KATHERINE HINTZ was a public health

she worked at the SRAL in Maastrict.

counting intern in Shanghai, China.

intern with Global Crossroad. She

Italy she collaborated on hyperspec-

participated in their Healthcare and 10

Medical Project in Cusco, Peru.

Daniel hsu

Sally platt

Alvin Thomas

MIKAEL HORRISIAN volunteered at the

the skills and materials necessary to

InStrive, whose mission is to revo-

National Cardiovascular Hospital in

allow regular U.S. citizens to engage

lutionize on-line learning by provid-

Sophia, Bulgaria, and he shadowed

in advocacy that relates to poverty

ing students of all ages access to a

a surgical team at the National Heart

issues.

reward-based curriculum compiled by

Hospital in Sophia.

global educators.

CYNTHIA LAM was a Civic Fellow for the

LAUREN HOWRY was a casting intern

International Leadership Foundation

for Telsey and Co., a premier casting

(ILF) in Washington, D.C. The ILF is the

agency in New York City. She par-

nation’s most prestigious civic leader-

ticipated in a wide range of company

ship program designed specifically for

functions and prepared for her honors

the next generation of Asian-Pacific

thesis work on actor interactions on

American leaders.

stage and in pre-production.

JAMES MCCULLUM lived and worked in DANIEL HSU participated in a medical

an intentional ecological community,

internship in Pokuase, Ghana. He

or “ecovillage,” in Illinois. He also at-

worked with Volunteer Partners for

tended a permaculture design course

West Africa, an organization dedicat-

in Vermont at the Whole Systems

ed to improving health-care opportu-

Design Research Farm.

nities for people in underprivileged communities.

DAPHINE MUGAYO participated in

clinical research at the Uganda Cancer JORDAN KEARNS traveled to Estonia to

Insitute, which deals with especially

study the field of oil shale production.

difficult cancer cases in Uganda.

There he immersed himself culturally to learn about the research and help

SALLY PLATT conducted independent

facilitate transnational technological

research in Dubai, UAE, in support of

and intellectual exchange in this field

her transportation development proj-

between the U.S. and Estonia.

ect focusing on public transportation systems and models.

VINCENT KIM attended the 25th IUPAP

International Conference of Statistical

MAX QUELLHORST participated in an

Physics conference in Seoul, Korea,

internship at the High Desert Heart

where he presented his research on

Institute in Victorville, Calif. He was

cooperative sequential adsorption

involved in a wide range of clinical

models on a Cayley tree.

studies with patients at the institute and nearby local hospitals.

KATJA KLEINE was a U.S. Anti-Poverty

Policy intern at RESULTS in Washing-

NATHANIEL REICHEL worked to develop

ton, D.C. The organization provides

his own education-based business,

Juli Sorenson participated in wildlife veterinary experience in in Southern Africa. The African Conservation Experience provided the opportunity to work with reserve animals at the Shimongwe Wildlife.

Lisa Stosier worked at a neuroscience

lab in Dresden, Germany. Her collaborative research dealt with chemosensory perception in the lab of renowned German Scientist Thomas Hummel.

Katherine Strickland interned at Speaker John Boehner’s political office in Washington, D.C. She also worked at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (a global security think tank in D.C.), which helped to broaden her own understanding of engineering science’s impact on foreign policy and global security.

Alvin Thomas participated in the

Engineering World Health Summer Institute in Rwanda. The aims of the program are to work side-by-side with community members to repair and learn to operate major medical instruments donated for use at the medical facilities.

Angelica Tillander worked on a parent integration project in Rockbridge County, Virginia. The aim of her research was to increase parental involvement at a local county middle school.

11

— the class of 2017 —

The Johnson Scholarship Program has drawn widespread attention to Washington and Lee from the world’s top student leaders. The 6,222 students who applied for admission represented 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam and 90 countries. In its academic record, citizenship and leadership experience, the 480-member class of 2017 is among W&L’s most accomplished—thus far.

HISTORY

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

Need-based Aid

The ninth-oldest school in the country, Washington and Lee University recognizes and embodies the direct contributions of two of the most influential figures in American history. George Washington’s 1796 gift of James River Canal stock ensured the fledgling school’s survival; Robert E. Lee’s presidency, 1865–70, brought innovation and national recognition to the school.

Honor System—Entirely studentrun; based on the fundamental principle that students attending Washington and Lee will not lie, cheat, steal or otherwise violate community trust.

To ensure that a W&L education is available for all deserving students regardless of their financial background, all admitted students applying for financial aid by the relevant deadline (see go.wlu.edu/ datesanddownloads) will have their institutionally determined financial need fully met with grants, not loans.

STUDENTS

Undergraduate—1,838 students from 48 states, representing citizenship in 56 countries (85 percent from outside Virginia) Ratio of men to women is 50:50 Ethnic minorities: 11 percent The School of Law—425 students FACULTY

Of the 190 undergraduate faculty members, 95 percent hold doctorates or terminal degrees.

The student-faculty ratio is 9:1. The average class size is 15. Twentytwo percent of classes have fewer than 10 students, 90 percent have fewer than 25 students, and 97 percent have fewer than 30 students.

Office of Admissions

Curriculum—W&L is the only leading liberal arts college to have a nationally accredited journalism program or a nationally accredited business school, and it is one of the few offering an engineering program.

Speaking tradition—As a matter of civility and mutual consideration, members of the W&L community say “hello” to one another— whether passing on the historic Colonnade on the way to class or meeting in the dining hall of Elrod Commons.

Academic calendar—12-12-4: two 12-week terms; one four-week Spring Term to allow for focused study, research, travel or internships.

FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARSHIPS

W&L will spend more than $37 million on aid in 2013-14; 47 percent of first-year students receive grant assistance from W&L.

Lexington, Virginia 24450-2116

admissions@wlu.edu

Johnson Scholars

The prestigious Johnson Scholarship Program provides awards of at least tuition, room and board for up to 44 students in each class on the basis of academic achievement and leadership potential. More information about the Johnson Scholarship Program and the other components of the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity is available at go.wlu.edu/ johnson.

Contact Us

Washington and Lee University Office of Admissions Lexington, VA 24450-2116 admissions@wlu.edu www.wlu.edu (540) 458-8710 (540) 458-8062 fax

www.wlu.edu

(540) 458-8710

Washington and Lee University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment. See complete statement at go.wlu.edu/eeo

12