1. From Mentee to Mentor

From Mentee to Mentor Inspired by Washington and Lee University while still in high school, Frankie Maloof '25 embraced his W&L experience through leadership, honor and integrity.

Amanda Minix
September 15, 2025

"We are taught to become leaders with honor and integrity; we are taught to be friendly to those around us; and we are challenged in and out of the classroom. Above all, W&L has a culture that has helped us cultivate relationships with each other that will last a lifetime, and no school can match it." - Frankie Maloof '25

From the moment Frankie Maloof '25 first learned about Washington and Lee University's Honor System, he understood that integrity and ethical leadership were central to the W&L experience. Two friends from his Atlanta high school - one a Johnson Scholar and the other Executive Committee president - embodied these values. Still, it wasn't until Johnson Weekend that Maloof knew he had found his place.

"I realized how special W&L is, and my conversations with current students only reinforced that the culture is unique and unrivaled," he said.

As a Johnson Scholar, Maloof embraced both sides of the program's mentorship tradition, first as a mentee learning from peers and faculty and later as a mentor guiding fellow students. "I have had so many people pour into me over these last four years, from my peers to faculty, staff and alumni, and I credit much of who I am today with these people who I surrounded myself with," he said.

That spirit of service extended to the heart of W&L's culture of self-governance. Maloof joined the Hearing Adviser Program, supporting students navigating the university's honor and conduct processes. Eventually serving as head hearing adviser, he played a central role in sustaining the university's single-sanction Honor System. "I have been honored to play a role in upholding one of the foundational systems that define W&L's culture - one that has lasted more than a century," he said.

His time at the university also showcased his ability to balance achievement and community engagement. Though not recruited to play baseball, Maloof worked his way onto the varsity team and competed throughout his four years. He also served as a university ambassador, participated in Kathekon and contributed to multiple campus organizations, deepening his connections and leadership experience.

Maloof graduated with degrees in accounting and American history, with a minor in classics - a course of study that blended technical expertise with the breadth of a liberal arts education.

As he returns to Atlanta to begin his career as an investment banking analyst at Croft & Bender, Maloof points to W&L's alumni network as a vital source of guidance and opportunity. The connections he formed, he said, will continue to shape his personal and professional journey.

"I have had the best four years of my life at W&L, and I would not trade it for the world," he said. "We are taught to become leaders with honor and integrity; we are taught to be friendly to those around us; and we are challenged in and out of the classroom. Above all, W&L has a culture that has helped us cultivate relationships with each other that will last a lifetime, and no school can match it."