ELMIRA, N.Y. -- During his four years as a member of the Elmira College baseball team, teammates referred to Zach Williamson '20 simply as "Doc."

Why? Because he wanted to be a doctor.

After graduating from EC in June, Williamson continued the pursuit of his dream as a member of the inaugural class of medical students at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) at Elmira, which opened its new campus in July of 2020. Through EC's Early Acceptance Agreement with LECOM, students who meet acceptance requirements have access to reserved, early acceptance spots at LECOM sites.

Williamson, a pitcher Cicero, New York, excelled in the classroom during his tenure as a Soaring Eagle. He was named to the Empire 8 Conference President's List on seven occasions, was elected president of the TriBeta Biology Honor Society, and served as vice president of Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society. On the mound, the 2020 Margaret Locke Citizenship Award winner appeared in 28 games over four seasons. Although his senior season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he opened the spring with the best outing of his career, during which he pitched 8.0 innings in a 6-4 win over Bates on the team's spring break trip in Florida.

In this edition of our EC Athletics Alumni Spotlight, Williamson answered a few questions about his undergraduate studies at Elmira College.

Q: Why did you choose to attend Elmira College?
A: I chose Elmira for the small class sizes due to coming from a very big high school. I also wanted to be able to continue playing baseball, while also being able to build a resume that would give me a good chance to get into medical school.

Q: What did you major in at Elmira College?
A: I majored in Biochemistry. I couldn't have anything better to say about Elmira's science department. Within your major, you also have to take courses in many different disciplines of science, which I am so grateful for when it comes to medical school because it gives you a leg up on students from larger universities that had a very specific education in just one science.

Q: How has your experience as an EC student-athlete influenced your life since graduation?
A: The best thing I learned being a student-athlete is time management and being able to know myself and my study habits. It has also helped me with perseverance and even when I'm getting burnt out, you have to keep giving your best.

Q: Is there anyone at Elmira who had a profound impact on your time as a Soaring Eagle, either academically and/or athletically?
A: Dr. Betsy Smith, my advisor and Biochemistry professor. I took four or five classes with Dr. Smith and I cannot thank her enough for the knowledge I gained through those classes. They were some of the hardest classes I have taken, but it was knowledge that I continue to use every day in medical school and those classes taught me how to deal with material that seemed impossible at first.

Q: What drove you to pursue a degree in medicine?
A: My mom. She is a registered nurse and, since a young age, I was immersed into medicine through watching her. Watching her help people and being able to help anyone who ever had questions when medical issues arose is something that I always wanted to help with as well.

Q: Is there a specific branch of medicine you are interested in?
A: I'm open to many fields, but as of right now I really am looking into cardiology, family medicine, and pediatrics.

Q: What is the best advice you would give to a current Soaring Eagle student-athlete?
A: Get involved, make friends, and take it all in while you can.
 
The Elmira College Department of Athletics alumni spotlight series was launched to showcase the student-athlete experience and the unique paths our alumni have taken to very successful careers, both in and out of the sports industry. If you are interested in sharing your story, or the story of a fellow EC graduate, please complete a submission form by clicking here.