W&L Outcomes: Luke Fountain ’25

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
July 15, 2025

Luke Fountain '25

Majors: Politics and journalism
Minor: Education policy
Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

What are your post-graduation plans?

After graduation, I'll be moving to New York City for a year-and-a-half-long fellowship at CNBC, where I'll be doing business reporting for both digital and television platforms. I'm incredibly excited to dive into financial journalism at a national level and to continue telling impactful stories that help people better understand the economy and the world around them.

How did your career plans evolve throughout your time at W&L? Did you always know what you wanted to do?

When I first came to W&L, I was focused on a career in government and even hoped to run for office one day. I was passionate about public service and making change through policy. However, after spending a summer working in Congress in Washington, D.C., I realized that one of the most powerful ways I could drive change was through journalism by shedding light on important issues and holding those in power accountable. While politics remains a strong interest of mine, I now engage with it differently than I expected when I arrived at Washington and Lee. My reporting has allowed me to explore political topics from the ground up, telling stories that directly impact communities and individuals. For example, during my internship at The Daily Progress in Charlottesville, I reported on the challenges inmates face inside the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. At the Washington Business Journal in D.C., I covered a local business involved in a mass shooting, revealing security flaws that led to the suspension of their alcohol license. More recently, at the Charlotte Observer, I uncovered millions of dollars in private equity investments in charter schools across North Carolina, highlighting the intersection of education, business and policy.

Is there one class that ended up changing your perspective or that really surprised you?

One class that truly changed my perspective was JOUR 280 - Covering Courts and the Law with Professor Toni Locy. It opened my eyes to the realities of the criminal justice system, especially the systemic barriers faced by people of color and the harsh conditions many incarcerated individuals endure. Those lessons stayed with me well beyond the classroom. That summer, while interning at The Daily Progress, I pitched and reported a story about life inside the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. I worked hard to gain access to inmates who were willing to share their experiences, and I built relationships with public defenders, policy advocates, jail officials and experts. Through their help and trust, I was able to report on the daily struggles inmates faced - from affording edible food to maintaining contact with loved ones and coping with the jail's living conditions. The story I published sparked renewed local discussion about the need for renovations at the jail, and it ultimately won the Virginia Press Association's award for best public safety reporting in the state in 2023. That experience taught me how journalism can shine a light on overlooked issues and push for meaningful change, and it all began with that one course.

Which faculty member had the most impact on you, and what did you learn from them (either inside or outside the classroom)?

Countless faculty members have shaped who I am today, but two in particular stand out: Professor Alecia Swasy and Professor Haley Sigler.

I first met Professor Swasy during Johnson Weekend. I sat in on one of her Zoom classes and later met her for coffee after receiving the scholarship. That conversation was the final confirmation I needed to commit to W&L. Since then, she's been a mentor, teacher and role model. I took many of her classes, including Beat Reporting, all of which pushed me to dig deeper and work harder. With her guidance, I reported real local stories for the Rockbridge Report. One moment that stands out was covering a bomb threat at Rockbridge County High School. I was live on the air from the scene and later produced a series of investigative stories uncovering serious security failures. I also reported on the national wave of book bans as they reached our local community, securing an exclusive interview with a school librarian who was targeted for defending "Kiss Number 8," a book eventually banned by the school board. Our outlet was the only one to capture both sides of the debate on camera. Professor Swasy also played a crucial role in helping me secure multiple internships, including by assisting with funding. Her support didn't stop there - she's been instrumental in preparing me for my post-grad plans, including my role covering business at CNBC. She's the kind of professor who champions her students both in and out of the classroom, and I couldn't be more grateful for her mentorship.

Professor Sigler has also had a profound impact on me. Coming from a family of teachers, I always knew I wanted to study something related to education, but it was Professor Sigler who helped me fall in love with education policy. She first interviewed me during Johnson Weekend, and since then, I've taken three of her classes: one in Lexington and two during Spring Term abroad in Copenhagen and Tuscany. In Denmark, we studied the country's education system; in Italy, we explored global approaches to learning. Professor Sigler has been like a second mother to me on campus. Her insight has deeply informed my education reporting, and her belief in me has been a steady source of encouragement throughout my four years.

How did the Office of Career and Professional Development support you, and which resources did you find most helpful?

The Office of Career and Professional Development was a cornerstone of my W&L experience. From my first year through senior year, I regularly met with Brooke Pierce and Lauren Vance, sometimes for big conversations about career direction, and sometimes just to get quick feedback on a resume or cover letter. They always welcomed my questions, offered honest advice and helped me see opportunities I might have otherwise missed. Their guidance was both personal and professional, and I'm incredibly grateful for their support. I also had the privilege of giving back to the office by serving as a Career Fellow. In that role, I worked one-on-one with students on everything from interview prep to job search strategies, and I led workshops on professional development. That experience not only helped me grow as a mentor, but also deepened my understanding of the job market and the value of clear, confident self-presentation. The office's resources, from resume reviews and mock interviews to alumni networking opportunities, played a key role in helping me secure internships and ultimately land my post-grad fellowship with CNBC.

Did you connect with alumni during your career development process? How did they help you on your path?

W&L's alumni network has been one of the most valuable resources in my career development. Many alumni in the journalism field have gone out of their way to offer guidance, share their experiences and help me navigate my post-grad plans. It was through alumni connections that I landed an internship in Washington, D.C., last spring, and I've had countless conversations with alumni about career paths, reporting and life after W&L. I'm especially grateful to Kelly Evans '07 and Leslie Boyd '17, whose support and advice were instrumental in helping me secure a position at CNBC. Their encouragement and insights gave me both the confidence and the practical tools to take this next step.

What career-related advice would you give to next year's graduating class?

My biggest piece of advice is to stay open to the unexpected. When I first got to W&L, I had a completely different career path in mind. It was only through internships, conversations with professors and alumni and real-world reporting experiences that I discovered where I truly thrived. Say yes to opportunities that scare you a little - those are often the ones where you grow the most. I studied abroad twice and interned doing political reporting abroad, and it reshaped my career path. Another piece of advice is to reach out to alumni, even if it feels intimidating. W&L alumni genuinely want to help, and so many of them have been instrumental in helping me figure out my path.

What's your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment during my time at W&L is a five-part podcast on Virginia's foster care system that I produced with a team of fellow journalism seniors as our capstone project. Over the course of 12 weeks, we investigated the complex, often heartbreaking realities of the state's foster care system, interviewing parents, attorneys, lawmakers, social workers and advocates to uncover the systemic barriers that families face. One of my key roles in the project was building a database of appellate cases related to the termination of parental rights in Virginia, dating back to 2019. I compiled and analyzed over 200 cases and found that in less than 1% of them were parents successful in regaining custody of their children once those rights had been terminated. That data helped frame a broader story about how difficult it is for families to stay together once they've entered the system. Working with Emma Malinak, Melos Ambaye, Claire Hamlet, Ruby Gregg and Chas Chappell, under the guidance of Professor Toni Locy, was an incredible experience. I'm so proud of what we uncovered, but even more proud of the stories we were trusted to tell. It was journalism at its most meaningful.