Statesman Scholar David Roane

Life is about finding a balance for David Roane, and it’s one he found while pursuing an education at Richard Bland College of William & Mary. As he fulfills his duties with the U.S. Army Reserves, Roane also carries a full course load at RBC and excels at his studies.

“College has always been my number one priority,” Roane reflects. “I like the Army for the benefits and opportunities it provides. I’ve traveled to more places, had more experiences than most people my age and met some amazing people.”

Completing basic training in Oklahoma and advanced individual training in Texas took a year, so Roane began college later than other students in his 2017 graduating class at Prince George High. To stay on track, he took extra colleges classes at RBC.

Roane had earned Richard Bland credits through dual enrollment classes in high school, and one of his older sisters attended RBC. He ultimately liked what he saw and decided to begin his own higher ed journey at Richard Bland.

“Just the whole atmosphere,” Roane explains. “When I came in two or three weeks before classes started to bring transcripts, it felt upbeat. That’s the vibe I got. I’m really happy I’m going here, and I still feel that vibe.”

The knowledge he gained about marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high school has increased thanks to business classes Roane has taken at RBC. These courses are giving Roane the foundation for the marketing degree he plans to pursue at George Mason University after graduating in May from RBC.

“The business faculty here, especially Professor Michael Lehman, have been wonderful mentors and provided opportunities through the Business Club,” Roane says. “Instead of focusing on small things that don’t really lead into the big world of business, Professor Lehman likes to concentrate on the bigger picture and how everything connects.”

Additionally, Roane has enjoyed realizing the overlap between the business and psychology worlds through a class taught by Dr. Barbara Morgan. “The classes are very thorough, and I like that critical thinking is really stressed because that’s important no matter what field you are pursuing,” says Roane.

Roane recently earned the Academic Excellence Award for Business/Economics.