Antelope Intros is a recurring GCU Today feature that introduces some of our new employees to the people around them in a way that is fun and informative. Employees are eligible to be featured in the month following their orientation.
LINDSEY “HAMMER” HAMILTON
Job title: Enrollment counselor, Northwest Division
Job location: Tempe
What attracted you to GCU? I was initially attracted to GCU a few years ago when a couple of my friends told me they worked here and how much they liked it. From there my interest grew as my sister attended school online at GCU and spoke of how helpful everyone was and how much she enjoyed her experience.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? For fun I hang out with my 6-year-old son, Gauge, and find any new adventure we can. We have a basketball court behind our house that we use a lot. I love spending the time with him, and it’s a good bonding experience for us. I want to be the element of surprise in my next game of H-O-R-S-E with friends. I am a taller girl (5-foot-9), so everyone expects me to be good at basketball, but I don’t have much experience. When I was younger my parents encouraged me to play because of my height at my age. I played one season, and it came to a dramatic halt when I scored against my own team on the wrong end of the court playing against my sister’s team. She was a year younger than me but much shorter, and apparently she had more basketball skills than I did. After that level of embarrassment I put my hopes for a basketball career to rest and decided to stick with Double Dutch (jump rope) and rollerblading.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about success! I am a single mother and I am determined to create a life for my son and myself that is based around God, being responsible, having fun and working hard!
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? I love going to the Chandler BBQ and Beer Festival each year. There’s tons of fun stuff to do for kids, good music and awesome food. I also like going hiking around the Valley … although unfortunately the last trail I went on won. I’ll be back to conquer.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: Most people don’t know that I hate root beer more than anything. When I was a server years ago I couldn’t even bring it to a table for fear of smelling it. My friends once sneaked it into what I was drinking, and I’m not going to lie – I cried. Cat’s out of the bag … please don’t try to do that to me. Here’s how I got my nickname: In my fifth-grade talent show, four of my best friends and I did a really bad music remix, with dancing and lip synching. My main part was MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This,” and although it is an embarrassing tale to relive, it is actually what got the nickname started for me. It originated as Hammer Time but over the years has shortened to Hammer. Just so happens to go really great with my last name, too.
What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my family, particularly my parents. They were such good role models for us kids as we were growing up. They’ve shown me what a happy, healthy, God-centered marriage should look like, how to work hard, how to let the small things go (and laugh it off) and how to dance in the kitchen when life just gets a little too stressful. The work ethic they have instilled in me has really impacted my life and aided in my successes. My dad always said, “Whatever you do in life, work as if you are working for the Lord and you will succeed,” and thus far I’ve done pretty well.
PETER “EGGS” JOHNSON
Job title: State compliance administrator
Job location: 27th Avenue
What attracted you to GCU? I have a passion for higher education and think giving people the tools they need to succeed in life is paramount to the future of our country. But the secret reason I came here is that my favorite color is purple.
What do you do for fun and where do you find that outlet? I’m a really happy guy, so whether it’s golfing, fishing, playing with my dog, board games, video games, work, school or working out, I choose to make it fun. Dentistry and yard work have proved to be pretty tough ones, though, so I try to avoid both.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about sports – namely, football and hockey – and love to sing and play the cello. I’ve played the cello my entire life and enjoyed playing in my college orchestra. I used to be in the Phoenix Boys Choir and had the opportunity to travel and sing in five different continents by the time I was 12. Currently, I sing in a community choir called the North Valley Chorale. It’s a fun and relaxed choir made for anyone who is interested in singing – young, old, new or veteran singers. If you’re interested in joining, let me know!
What are your favorite places or events in the Valley that you like to visit? My fiancee and I really like to eat. Our favorites are Windsor and Nori (our favorite sushi place). Another favorite place is the living room, where there is Mario Kart and LEGO Harry Potter.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I’ve won a Grammy (as part of the Phoenix Boys Choir) and been shot. Not at the same time, though. How did I get my nickname? My full name is Peter Edwin Benedict Johnson – thus, that became “Eggs” Benedict.
What are you most proud of? I’m most proud of my decision to go back to school and get my M.B.A.
