Meet Will Joseph ’26

By Jessica Luck
November 5, 2024

Will Joseph '26
Hometown: Wilmette, Illinois
Majors/Minors: double major in accounting and classics

Why did you choose to come to W&L?
In high school, I played soccer super competitively and knew that I wanted to play collegiately at a university with great academics. When I got the offer and opportunity to come play soccer at Washington and Lee, which has one of the best nationally ranked soccer teams in DIII soccer, great all-around academics and a great business school, it was a no-brainer for me to go to W&L. I'm also originally from the Chicago area and wanted the chance to get an escape from the more urban/suburban area and go to a beautiful university engulfed with nature all around.

Have you discovered a course or topic that you didn't expect to study when you first came to W&L?
I did not expect to be taking Latin at Washington and Lee. Because W&L requires students to take a language, I decided to take Latin since I had already taken it from fifth grade all the way through high school. After my first semester freshman year taking Latin with professor Caleb Dance, I fell back in love with the language and am now fully set on double majoring in classics!

Where is your "home" on campus?
I came to W&L to play soccer, and Watt Field (the soccer field) is my home. Nothing is better than stepping on the field with packed stands knowing everyone is rooting for us. We have arguably the best DIII fanbase in the NCCA, and it is a fantastic experience to play in front of all your friends.

What has been your most impactful experience at W&L, either on or off-campus?
During my sophomore year in the winter, I went through the investment banking recruiting process, and there was honestly nothing like this process. It was super competitive, extremely time-consuming and hard to balance with other commitments. However, our W&L alumni network is so strong, and they were so helpful to me in my job search. W&L is such a good spring for people who want to get into the world of finance, and I am so thankful for utilizing such an amazing network! I landed an internship at Lincoln International for the summer of 2026. I will be working as an investment banking summer analyst and returning home to Chicago.

Have you found a mentor on campus? Who is it, and how have they helped you develop as a student?
Professor Kary Smout was my freshman year Writing 100 professor, and I consider him one of my mentors. We had tons of great conversations about life and philosophy in his office hours. He helped me hone my writing skills and helped me communicate my ideas more effectively. He also gave me tons of important feedback that I will carry forward throughout my career.

What was your favorite class and why?
The Writing 100 class I mentioned above was my favorite class because the professor was extremely charismatic and assigned us amazing books that are important for my generation to read. These included books such as "Man's Search for Meaning" and other titles. My class was very small, and people bonded because of the small size of the class. I thoroughly enjoyed this class and am so glad that I took it during my freshman year of college.

What are your hobbies/interests? How has W&L helped you develop and pursue them?
I had always been interested in religion before coming to Washington and Lee and since going to Washington and Lee, I've gotten more involved in Grace Presbyterian Church and the community there. I have had great conversations with fraternity members during Bible study and with the school minister, Willis. I am so thankful and blessed that I have fostered a relationship with God since coming to W&L, and the people I've met at W&L have helped me through my journey.

Have you studied abroad during your time at W&L? Where did you go, and how was your experience?
I applied for a Spring Term Abroad (STA) opportunity in Rome, where professor Dance (my adviser) will lead the trip. I am waiting to hear back on my application status and am excited about the potential opportunity.

What do you like about being a DIII athlete?

Being a DIII athlete is amazing. First, my academics are prioritized at the top, which is the most important thing. Within the realms of DIII, I got the chance to become an impact player as a freshman, and after two very successful seasons, I am now one of the captains of the men's soccer team, which is an opportunity I'm beyond excited about. In addition to academics and athletics, I've had the chance to join a fraternity and have a rich social life outside those two obligations.

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