Senior Circuit: Adrienne HammAdrienne Hamm was born and raised in Prosperity, S.C., a small town just off of I-26 about 60 miles southeast of Spartanburg. As the old saying goes, you can take the girl out of the small town, but you can’t take the small town out of the girl.
“We may not boom as a metropolis, but in our own way we live up to our name,” says Hamm. “Local businesses (including a hardware store, a newspaper, and a gym) and restaurants (with dishes ranging from German to barbecue) line our Main Street providing for the needs of the town. We even boast three stoplights. In Prosperity, everybody knows your name. My home extends beyond the walls of my house to include the entire Prosperity community.”
So what brought her to Wofford?
“In my early years of high school, I had no interest in Wofford,” she said. “When postcards and viewbooks from Admissions began arriving in my mailbox, I decided to give it a chance. I first visited Wofford as a prospective student during my junior year, and I fell in love. I told myself and others that I chose Wofford for its pre-med program, its size, and its welcoming community, but the connection went far beyond all of that. I felt destined to attend the college.”
Upon arrival, she made it her small town home away from home.
“Since my freshman year, I’ve actively participated in Wofford’s Ultimate Frisbee club team,” says Hamm. “I really appreciate the team because it provided me with a niche at Wofford soon after my arrival. I can’t boast much athletic ability, but the spirit of the club foremost emphasizes having fun. We play the game to make friends and socialize. We appreciate athleticism but do not require it (and thankfully so!).
“I also serve as a Wofford Ambassador. As an Ambassador, I introduce prospective students to life at Wofford by giving tours and hosting those who spend the night. I love giving prospective students an undergraduate perspective on the college. Serving as an Ambassador also provides me with the opportunity to give back to Wofford. I love this community, and I want others to understand its greatness as well.”
On top of that, Hamm serves as a residence assistant.
“I have served as a resident assistant for two years,” she says. “My sophomore year, I worked with freshmen in Greene Residence Hall. Now I serve students in the third phase of The Village (see her tour here). At times, the role of the RA proves trying, but I enjoy providing residents with a fun and healthy living community.”
Academically, she has shifted gears since her arrival here.
“I entered Wofford with a plan to major in biology with the goal of working in medicine, but in the back of my mind, I had hopes of pursuing a degree in religion,” she says. “I completed my freshman year before dropping the biology major completely. I realized that I liked the idea of working with medicine because it provided the opportunity to help others. I also realized that I thoroughly disliked studying biology.
“The switch to the religion department provided me with future opportunities to serve others without learning the parts of the cell or the species of the plant kingdom. We have a great religion program, with wonderful professors who truly care about their students. I feel fully prepared to continue with religious studies after graduation. I also love the camaraderie of the religion department. This year, we have eight religion majors in the senior class. We make a strong effort to meet at least once a month with each other and the professors for the sole purpose of enjoying each other’s company. We even hope to form a team for intramural softball.”
It’s simple, everyday activities such as playing softball that Hamm says she’ll remember most when she graduates.
“Watching movies, going swing-dancing during Interim, eating countless delicious meals at Monsoon’s…I think I will cherish those memories the most,” says Hamm. “I spent five weeks of the summer of 2008 in Israel working on an archeological dig with Dr. Byron McCane and four other Wofford students. The dig itself was amazing, but I definitely enjoyed experiencing the Palestinian and Israeli cultures. The visit taught me about intercultural relations and conflict, about international politics, and about my role in the global community through a perspective I could not have gained in the classroom. The trip definitely served as a life-changing experience.”
So what’s next?
“In the fall of 2009, I plan to attend Duke Divinity School for three years in the pursuit of a master’s of divinity degree,” says Hamm. “Beyond graduate school, I don’t know what God has in store for me but I’m excited to find out.”