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Defending our Nation

After graduating from high school, Thornton Ray joined the Virginia Army National Guard. Now a Finance and Philosophy double major at W&M, how can he use his IPS to help defend our nation?

In addition to being a student, Thornton Ray is part of the Virginia Army National Guard.
About Me

I originally applied to William & Mary in high school, but I didn't get in. Three days after graduation, I joined the Virginia Army National Guard. After my initial training, I came back and received my Associates degree in Science from Richard Bland College. Afterwards, I transferred to William & Mary.

What's funny about my Individual Program of Study (IPS) is three months prior to starting at William & Mary, I didn't want to be a business major.  But when I saw that the Mason School of Business didn't want to only teach us how to crunch numbers and increase profit, but also how to be sustainable and help the people around us using business principles, I decided to apply. Now I am double majoring in Philosophy and Finance with a concentration in Marketing.

Thornton Ray enjoys running and competing in races.Basically my IPS has been learning how to take business principles and use them beyond the business context. Being in the Army now and commissioning as an officer in the next three years, the military has been the most immediate way for me to use the skills I have received thus far. However, as my life continues to progress I hope to use my business knowledge and expertise in other areas of society.

Outside of the Business school, I am an active member in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, an avid runner, a contracted cadet in the ROTC, and a soldier in the Virginia Army National Guard.

Highlights

Although I have only been here one semester, I have been given ample opportunities to engage and become a part of the Mason Experience. I am a part of Net Impact, which is a group committed to the idea of sustainability; how that looks in a social, economic, and environmental context, and also how to use business principles to accomplish these goals.

Thornton Ray enjoying spending time outdoors.

Through this club I have been given a chance to witness the heartbeat of many different issues and the ideas to tackle these issues. A great example of this is the Corporate & College Collaborative for Sustainability that was held at William & Mary in the fall. Thirteen different schools and corporations from across the nation came and attended a two day discussion on different aspects of sustainability.

This collaborative was one of the highlights of my business school experience. The opportunity to interact with not only business professionals but also with my peers from across the nation was eye opening. I learned a lot about sustainability, working in groups, and networking. I look forward to being a part of the Collaborative group next fall.

Next Steps

When I graduate I will be a commissioned officer in the United States Army, and I will use what William & Mary and the Mason School of Business have taught me to defend our nation.  I will also be on the lookout for any doors that should open up to me as I continue with my IPS.