Harshad Daswani ’98

When Harshad Daswani was considering the major factors he was looking for in a university, William & Mary was at the top of his list. The Mumbai native was drawn to the small class sizes, well-rounded liberal arts curriculum, location and small international student population. “I believed that I could make an impact at William & Mary – both as an ambassador of India and as a foreign student on an American campus,” Harshad says. As a student, Harshad was involved in the Cricket Club, as well as cultural organizations like the South Asian Student Association and the Reves Center for International Studies. “Attending William & Mary is still the best decision I made as a teenager," he says. "Its pace, people and lifestyle truly created a springboard for a lot of events in my life. My way of thinking was shaped during my four years at the university, not just in the classroom but in my time spent at the Student Center listening to live music and kayaking on Lake Matoaka.

After graduating, Harshad returned to India and launched the country's largest beach and swimwear apparel manufacturing business called The Beach Company. Through his organization, Harshad spearheads the “So More Can Swim” campaign, which aims to decrease cases of accidental drowning in India. “Drowning is the world’s third largest cause of unnatural death, and sadly there aren’t many resources dedicated to its prevention," he says. "Our organization works to fund schools to provide vocational guidance for underprivileged children to become lifeguards and place them at hotels, community pools and on beaches to prevent any further loss of life."

Learn more about Harshad

• Read his Alumnus Abroad feature.