Platoon commander for the Gateway Army ROTC Battalion. Residential advisor within the Brookings Residential Community. Rural peer representative for the Office of Admissions. Senior Andrew Rudolph has donned many roles — and uniforms — throughout the campus.
“When I arrived here, I was very purposeful about not just engaging, but also seeking out avenues to lead with the intention of enhancing this campus community beyond what I discovered,” said Rudolph, who is majoring in global studies and political science in Arts & Sciences.
Rudolph was raised in a household of nine siblings in Monticello, Ill., a small town near the University of Illinois, where his father is a professor. After he graduates, he will undergo officer training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and subsequently attend WashU Law, intending to focus on international law.
Here, Rudolph shares insights on his journey at WashU and his evolution as a leader.
You were elected platoon leader by the Gateway Battalion cadre and recognized as Outstanding Residential Advisor in 2024 and Outstanding WUSA in 2023. How have you assisted these seemingly diverse groups?
I engage with a multitude of different individuals on a daily basis, whether they are first-year residents in the dormitories or captains in the Army. Regardless of the environment I find myself in, I strive to remain my genuine self, aiming to understand the real you. For my cadets, I’ve made it apparent that you can seek assistance at any time, whether it pertains to an ROTC-related issue or not. I’ve also been deliberate about enforcing discipline in a manner that caters to that cadet’s needs. Some prefer to be challenged, while others respond better to a softer approach. I’ve made efforts to forge similar relationships with residents. Occasionally, when students face difficult situations, my compassionate side wishes to find a resolution. What I’ve discovered is that sometimes I simply need to be a listening ear.
In what ways has your experience as a ROTC cadet shaped your classroom involvement?
ROTC has genuinely motivated me to confront challenges directly in a manner that translates into my academic life. I’ve become quite comfortable asking for assistance, something my high school self was hesitant to do. However, I have experienced failure numerous times — in executing tactical missions and during skills assessments — which has taught me how to rise from those challenges, solve problems, and leverage that knowledge to improve myself and those I lead.
As a Rural Scholars ambassador, you familiarized rural high school students with WashU and St. Louis through the Rural Scholars Academy. You have since helped establish the Rural Students Collective for rural scholars. What is your experience as a rural student here?
Being a rural student has always been a significant aspect of my identity. I was genuinely thrilled to help foster rural diversity by setting up a club and mentoring students who may have experienced, much like me, a bit of culture shock upon arriving here. Friends have expressed, ‘I adore St. Louis, but once you exit the city, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere.’ To which I respond, ‘that middle of nowhere’ is where I come from.’ Yet, a wonderful aspect of WashU is that people exhibit curiosity; they are eager to learn. Therefore, I strive to educate others about rural communities and ways of life.
Honestly, that’s how I approach every interaction at WashU. My upbringing involved distinctly different experiences — socially, economically, politically — than many individuals here. Often, as I lie down to sleep, I reflect on the various conversations I’ve had that day and the diverse opinions and perspectives I encountered, sometimes on quite sensitive topics. Those experiences motivate me to close the gaps while remaining true to myself.
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