Trinity in Four Acts: Tobias Williams

As their first year at Duke winds down, we’re checking in with our Trinity undergrads to see how they navigated the challenges of campus life, coursework and newfound independence. Four common themes emerged across their individual experiences — balance, adjustment, connections and growth — shaping a year defined by new beginnings and meaningful discoveries.

 

Tobias Williams
Tobias Williams (Elizabeth Richardson/Trinity Communications)

Beginnings and Discoveries: Spring Semester

May 19, 2025

 “My expectation when coming to a school like Duke as a student-athlete was that I would only be friends with people on my team and be looked at differently by the rest of the student body,” he says. “I find that to be the opposite of what has happened.”

When Tobias Williams first decided to come to Duke, the student-athlete wasn’t sure how he’d fit in. Coming from Minnesota to a high-powered academic environment with a strong sports culture, he expected his world to revolve around teammates and training. 

“My expectation when coming to a school like Duke as a student-athlete was that I would only be friends with people on my team and be looked at differently by the rest of the student body,” he says. “I find that to be the opposite of what has happened.”

Instead, he found friends everywhere he looked, not just on the track team.  “I have met so many good people that don't play sports and many of my best friends at Duke are people that don't play sports.” 

Williams’ experience shows how Duke’s environment encourages connection across disciplines, identities and interests. It’s a place where friendships form in the classroom, on the quad, or even during a rare Southern snowfall, one of his favorite memories from his first year. 

“In a way, it brought me back to Minnesota,” he said.  “I don't want to say I miss the Minnesota weather, but it was really nice to experience some snow without the negative temperatures.”

So far, Tobias is still planning on majoring in Economics. “My major, my summer plans and even what I want to do post-grad has stayed relatively the same, which I think is pretty rare among Duke students,” he said. 

This summer, Williams’ will be home in Minnesota, working at Dick’s Sporting Goods, training for track and field and spending time with friends, family and pets. 

“For the last two weeks of summer, I’ll be going up to a summer camp that I've been going to since I was little and working as a counselor, which is always a great time,” he said. 

He’s also looking forward to being an orientation leader for Project Edge. “I’ll be welcoming in the new class of first-years and helping them move in, and showing them around campus to get them situated before classes start.”