As a Virginia Wesleyan student, William ‘Bill’ Gobble majored in the Liberal Arts Management Program (L.A.M.P.)—now called Management, Business, and Economics—and served as co-captain of the basketball team under the leadership of Coach Dave Macedo. He graduated in 2003 and shortly thereafter went on to graduate school. Today the Charlottesville native lives in Virginia Beach and works in mutual funds at the American Funds Service Company as a control analyst within financial and operational risks. He spends his free time outdoors playing golf, softball, and these days, even some soccer.
How did your time at Virginia Wesleyan University shape the person you are today?
So many people helped me to succeed at Virginia Wesleyan, which certainly has had a lot to do with who I am today. Great teammates and coaches, professors and administration. I was taught early on that this school had lots to offer, and that my experience on campus would be driven by what I made of it. The academic and athletic programs at VWU are excellent, which prepared me to hit the ground running with my career, and later on a graduate degree. Managing multiple deadlines, initiative, and team work were all key parts of my experience at VWU.
What are some of your favorite memories of professors, mentors or friends at VWU?
For me, the approachability of administration and professors was great—along with a strong sense of community, albeit a smaller one, which was magnified later on with the opening of the Batten Student Center. Countless memories looking back, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dave Macedo and my academic advisors, business professors Dave Garraty and Linda Ferguson, were great mentors. On campus, Mud Games and Air Band, and I will never forget the first basketball game we played in the Batten Student Center, defeating Randolph Macon—another great moment of the community coming together to support our team and other teams or programs on campus.
How do you describe the Virginia Wesleyan experience to friends and colleagues?
Tight knit community, great faculty and staff there to help you succeed.
Share your thoughts about the value of a liberal arts education, the “small college difference,” or unique opportunities you had at Virginia Wesleyan.
Earlier, I mentioned the opportunity VWU afforded to me. A chance to earn a well-respected degree and continue competing athletically. The small college offers unique opportunities for individuals, and beyond campus, I think being in the heart of the large Hampton Roads region presents even more.