Emma Lankford
Murray 1693 Scholar
Hometown
Harrisonburg, VA (Harrisonburg HS)
Majors
Integrative Conservation and Biology
Why W&M
While I often struggle to make decisions, choosing William & Mary as my new home was something that just felt right. Growing up in Virginia, I always knew that I would at least apply to W&M, and during high school I always regarded it as a serious option. Although I had visited Williamsburg before, I took my first tour of the school in November 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic made such opportunities close to impossible. Despite spending limited time there, I distinctly remember telling my mom on the way home that I did not know why, but I had a feeling W&M is where I would continue my education.
Throughout the college application process, that feeling never subsided. Even when I thought that I would rather attend another institution, I could not shake my gut sense that W&M was the school I would ultimately choose. By the time decisions were being released, W&M had risen to the top slot on my college list. At this point, I had already begun the process of submitting my materials for the 1693 process and was chosen as a finalist for the scholarship. While it still seemed like a long shot after receiving the semi-finalist notification, reaching the top 25 made me realize getting the scholarship was a possibility.
I was no longer able to deny that W&M was the school for me after the virtual finalist week. Despite never meeting any current scholars in person, the welcoming community that I experienced was a stark contrast to any other school’s event I had attended. Almost every school I was choosing between had advertised their strong communities, but W&M was the only one where I was actually able to believe it by experiencing that kindness first-hand. I already knew that W&M had what I wanted––perfect size, interesting programs, access to faculty, research opportunities, etc.––and more, but your school has to feel like home. That feeling of really “clicking” with a school was something I only experienced with W&M, which meant that the decision was practically already made. When I heard back about receiving the scholarship, everything fell into place. It truly seemed meant to be, and I am so excited to start my journey as a member of the Tribe!
W&M Activities
- 2023 IIC Conservation Research Program
- Tribe Adventure Program Trip Leader
- Applied Conservation and Ecological Research (ACER) Lab
- Club Rock Climbing
- Virginia Master Naturalists
- Park Ambassador for ParkRx
- Phi Sigma Pi (National Honor Fraternity)
- Intramural sports (Flag Football and Soccer)
High School Activities
- President of Governor’s STEM Academy
- Captain of Debate Team
- Girl Scouts
- Technology Student Association Secretary
- Varsity Swim Team
- Envirothon Team Captain
- Summer Governor’s School Mentorship with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science
- Research with Massanutten Regional Governor’s School
- National Honor Society
- Computer Science Honor Society
- Mu Alpha Theta
- Shenandoah Youth for Climate
- Gardening/Horticulture Club
Awards / Distinctions
- Girl Scout Gold, Silver, Bronze and Triumph Awards
- George Washington Book Award
- 1st Place 5D Regional Debate Tournament (VHSL)
- 1st Place 5CD Super Regional Debate Tournament (VHSL)
- 3rd Place State Debate Tournament (VHSL)
- National AP Scholar with Distinction
- Departmental Academic Excellence Awards: English, Math, Science, Social Studies
- 3rd Place TSA Dragster Design
- 1st Place TSA Debating Technological Issues
