EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in a series of profiles on GCU's Ingram Honors College Student Advisory Council.
To Adison Hamele, the key to making the most of your college years is to get heavily involved with the campus community.
That is why the Grand Canyon University junior serves on the homeless ministry with GCU Local Outreach, participates in College of Humanities and Social Sciences research projects, serves as president of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society and works as an undergraduate teaching assistant for Ingram Honors College.
But the list doesn’t stop there.
The Wisconsin native is now the vice president of the Ingram Honors College Student Advisory Council. In her role, Hamele supports honors students in their involvement with the college's programs and other opportunities. She also leads the Leadership in Action fellowship alongside president Kaylee Aschbrenner and promotes collaboration between Honors and the university's other colleges.
1. What is the best thing about college in Arizona?
I love the heat here. It is kind of ridiculous to the point where it will be 110 outside and I will get the heat advisory notice and think, "OK, it is my time to go out." I will go over to my manager and be like, "So can I work outside for the rest of the day?" She’s like, "Whatever. You are so weird."
2. You love being outside in the Phoenix heat. What is the best brand of sunscreen?
This is so bad, but I don’t wear any.
I have one bottle, and it’s Supergoop. I’ve had the same bottle since I moved here my freshman year, so it’s over 2 years old. Last summer, I thought I got cancer on my nose because it was really bad. I had a patch on my nose, so now I wear sunscreen on my nose sometimes.
3. If you could have a spot on campus named after you, what would it be?
It’s a tie between two.
The overhang that used to be under the Education Building, facing the Quad. That used to my study spot. That is always where I was. If people couldn’t get a hold of me, that is where they could find me. That specific standup table would be named after me.
Second, I would love to have the Papago pool named after me. I am usually there in summer, doing homework, reading or hanging out.
4. In your role, you often have to speak in front of a large crowd. What is the key to delivering a perfect speech?
I am still trying to figure that out.
Definitely working on my um’s, but’s, especially my like’s. I really like my like’s. You have to leave room for error and change and not just read off the script. I had an opportunity to speak at the beginning of last year, and during that, I had practiced multiple times on FaceTime and to my stuffed animals. They heard my speech a lot.
If I practice in the same spot, looking at the same room, then I get to the new atmosphere and I’m like, I don’t know what to do … So, either go where you are going to be doing the speech, or if you don’t have that luxury, change rooms or walls you are facing every time you practice.
5. What is your best study tip?
So many people don’t read the textbook, but I read the textbook. I have found that working through it, highlighting in it and really interacting with the textbook has helped me in my classes.
6. If you could be someone on the Honors staff for a day, whose shoes would you fill?
I would love to be in Dr. Bre’s (Naegeli, Ingram Honors College dean) shoes for a day. She is constantly in meetings, and I don’t even know how she handles all meetings that she is in. She is running from one end of campus to the other end of campus all while wearing heels and a purple dress. Always looking so good in 120 degrees.
She meets with so many people. I feel like her connections never end. Every time I ask her, hey, I am interested in this. She is, well, I know someone, and I’m like, of course you do.
7. Describe a “that’s so Adison” fact.
Studying outside in 120 degrees.
8. Favorite game-day outfit.
Top two-pieces that are essentials – a purple tutu and purple high-top Converse.
9. The incoming freshman class will be the first one to step into Ingram Honors College. What is one message you want to relay to them?
Dr. Bre says it every Welcome Week, Honors is what you make it, and I truly do believe that. There is so much that Honors offers, and if we are taking advantage of what they are pouring into us, that makes it all worth it.
GCU staff writer Izabela Fogarasi can be reached at [email protected]
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