Another year is ending here at the University of South Carolina, and the time has come to say goodbye to our seniors. Many younger students have been been affected and even inspired by members of this year's graduating class, and I am no exception. Before he moves on to even bigger and better things, I want to recognize a senior who has not only been an example of excellence for me, but for literally hundreds of other students here as well: Adam Mayer.
Born and raised in a tiny Wisconsin town called Avoca, Adam comes from a small family consisting of his parents, David and Tina, and his younger brother Austin. Avoca is located right on the Wisconsin River, where he grew up swimming, canoeing and camping. Adam has small-town roots, and he accredits his character as a man and his appreciation for life to that tiny Wisconsin town and his family upbringing.
After graduating from his small high school, Adam made a leap of faith and arrived at USC, a school fifty times as large as his entire hometown. He had never planned on coming to such a large university. He always thought he'd end up at a small, private college. But, like many of us Gamecocks, his opinion was swayed during his campus visit by the incredible group of students, professors, and leaders here.
Adam, an Exercise Science major with a Business Administration minor, immediately became involved on campus. He joined Student Government, where he was an integral part of officers' staffs, in addition to being a Russell House advisory board chairman and the USCConnect VP of Faculty Outreach and a founder of several programs.
Two other organizations that Adam made a huge impact on and influenced most greatly are vastly different: Carolina Productions and Greek Life.
Adam joined Carolina Productions with a friend of his back when they shared an office with Student Government. They wanted to get out of their comfort zone and try something new, and it ended up becoming one of the most important choices Adam made in college. He rose through the ranks of the organization, from a crew member to an events coordinator, meeting tons of people, influencing them with his positivity and work ethic, and winning several awards along the way. Finally, his senior year, Adam was elected president of Carolina Productions, where he was in charge of one of the largest budgets on campus.
At the same time, Adam decided to join a fraternity. He was originally completely against Greek Life, due to its usual reputation in the media. However, Adam's mind was changed by brothers of the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter here. Just like with Carolina Productions, Adam became a leader for his chapter, as he was a founding father when the chapter was re-established on campus, as well as becoming VP of Finance his senior year.
Adam's college career culminated this year in receiving the university's highest honor given to an undergraduate student, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. Given to one male and one female each year, it honors students for "outstanding achievements, campus leadership, exemplary character and service to the community."
The list of Adam's positions, awards, and achievements could go on for several more paragraphs. But that's not what makes him so special. The titles and awards are nothing compared to the impact he's had on the people here. As a senior in a fledgling fraternity, Adam was a role model for younger brothers in how to be a student, a brother, and a gentleman. He helped build the chapter from the ground up, and showed us it was possible to get the best grades possible while still having a fun time. As a U101 peer leader, he helped freshmen find their way during an intimidating time at USC. As a Service Saturday leader, he helped those in need, and gave back to the community. He even began an initiative to restore Moore Gardens on Blossom St, so students would feel safer walking through there at night.
I decided to ask Adam some questions to allow students to get to know him better through his own words:
Who, or what, motivates you?
While this may seem a little cliché, I am motivated by every individual around me. I enjoy bringing happiness and joy to others. Waking up each morning knowing that I have the opportunity to make someone's day gives me the motivation and drive to continue on. Let me tell you, it is not always easy to please everyone around you, but if I can make a difference in at least one person's life, I know that I have succeeded in what I set out to do. And the reason I find motivation through others is because I am most thankful for the people who have gotten me to where I am today.
What are your thoughts on Greek Life's current situation in the nation?
I think that Greek Life as a whole has been given a negative connotation over the years, and rightfully so. Although Greek organizations continuously raise money for charity, partake in numerous community service hours, and build a community for students to network and connect, it is not an excuse to cover up or hide the negative effects of pledging, hazing, sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse. While this is not every Greek Life chapter/organization, we have a moral and civic responsibility to uphold an oath of obligation, an oath that sometimes is put to the side by the social, partying aspect.
What are your plans for the future?
After my graduation, I will be staying in Columbia to work at the USC Specialty Clinics Department of Orthopedics in the administrative office before moving to Charleston. There I will pursue a Masters in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. In the long run, I would love to graduate from MUSC and work my way up to a chief executive position within a hospital. After working numerous years in the field, I would love to retire at a decent age to come back to the University of South Carolina to teach as a professor to give back to the university that has given so much to me. As I stated earlier, I enjoy helping others find what they are passionate about and assist in setting goals and objectives that will get them there. By being a professor and relaying on my knowledge and expertise, I would be doing just that.
When you go to the University of South Carolina's home webpage, there's a quote from Mohandas Gandhi that says "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others." If there ever was a Gamecock that did all they could to live up to that quote, it's Adam. He did what he loved throughout his four years here: he served others and made a difference. I'm proud to be his brother, and I strive to be even a fraction of the student and person he is. That's the reason I decided to write this article and tell his story. Adam should be recognized. So, Adam, here's to you. Thank you for what you did here at USC.
