Venus Williams could rest on her laurels and coast along in life. She could do advertisements or tennis clinics and have no problem making a living. Venus knew that since she was capable of skillfully achieving a win at Wimbledon, she could also sweat it out in another court of life, school. In 2011, she decided to utilize the Women's Tennis Benefits Association member perk and attend Indiana University East.
NOW A RECENT GRADUATE
Ms. Williams enrolled in the School of Business and Economics and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She has received many accolades from the Dean of the School of Business and Economics, David Franz, who said, "Venus took concepts from the courses and tried them out in real life, and then she would learn more.".
EXPERIENCE HELPS US PERSEVERE
She overcame several challenges from growing up East Los Angeles' Compton, to achieving tennis greatness. Her attitude of success on the court spilled over into school. Franz reports, "Venus had a certain openness to learning that we cannot teach, and we celebrate. The drive and tenacity that Venus show on tennis court, we saw in her studies."
HER LATEST TROPHY
Showing us that glamourous smile, diploma in hand! Ms. Williams did struggle, but she kept going, she was motivated by what was possible and would not accept defeat!
HUGGING IT OUT
A celebratory hug with the Indiana University Mascot, Rufus the Red Wolf, on Graduation Day! In an official press release, Venus said of her victorious day, "I've learned so much, It was always my dream to have a business degree, and I ended up going to art school so many times, but in the back of my head I felt like I needed the tools to be a better leader, to be a better planner, to be a better at all of the things I wanted to do in my business because I'm so hands-on."
