Harry Lambert, '16

Harry Lambert, ’16, never expected to participate in a class discussion when he visited Richmond as a prospective student.

Then he walked into Dr. Tom Wren’s Leadership and the Humanities class. When the now-retired leadership studies professor called on him during a discussion on Plato’s The Republic, he “turned some deep shade of red. I was thinking about other things. I think I made something up,” says Lambert with a laugh.

An award-winning professor who preferred to “guide students by the elbow in the aisles” instead of lecture at the front of the room, Wren saw right through him. Lambert recalls his exact words: “If you’re a student here, I’m going to expect a whole lot more of you.”

“He told me after class in a kind, gentle way that he didn’t mean to put me on the spot, but he wanted me to understand that Richmond is not a school that allows slackers and, even as a visitor, I should be paying attention,” says Lambert.

Instead of marking Richmond off his list, the experience made him really consider the University and the Jepson School of Leadership Studies.

A scholarship helped him make the decision. He was awarded full-tuition as a Boatwright Scholar, one of the University's top academic distinctions.

Richmond was never the obvious choice for Lambert, who was born in the U.K. and moved to the U.S. with his family as a child. It only made his list of potential colleges because he wanted to apply to nine schools. He picked eight and let his parents choose the ninth. It turned out to be Richmond.

Lambert is glad it was. “I’ve really enjoyed it so far,” he says. “The professors are outstanding and really care about the students.”

He is gaining leadership experience as a senator on the Richmond College Student Government Association, director of training for the Spider Key Society and International Orientation Advisor. He also works with University of Richmond Emergency Medical Service (UREMS) and as a parking appeals supervisor on campus.

“I’ve heard it all when it comes to explanations for parking tickets,” he laughs.

He is exploring an interest in transportation by working with RVA Rapid Transit for his community-based learning experience for the leadership studies course Justice and Civil Society and Urban Americas course.

Lambert applied to the Jepson School in the fall and was accepted.

Students apply during the fall semester of sophomore year. A faculty committee reviews applications and chooses students based on essays and academic performance as well as faculty recommendations and extracurricular activities.

When he walked across the stage in November at Prelude, the School’s induction ceremony, he knew he had made good choices in coming to Richmond and applying to Jepson.

“The stuff we’re studying is so relatable to real life,” says Lambert, who is also majoring in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law (PPEL) and minoring in French. “Six months ago I would have told you I was going to become a diplomat. Now I’ve started to think more about medicine.

“The good thing is that what we’re learning is relevant to pretty much any field.”