Meet Maddie Witt
With so many things going on the first few weeks of school, it’s hard to remember that, behind every cool on-campus event is a team of hard-working students. One of them is Maddie Witt, my friend and sorority sister who I sat down to interview this week. Maddie is always working hard to make Augustana the amazing community that it is, so I was really happy to have some time to chat about what she’s doing and where she wants to go in the future.
Name: Maddie Witt
Year: Junior
Major & Minors: Communication Studies; Minors in Theatre and Non-Profit Development
Hometown: Frankfort, IL
Campus Involvement: Student Organization Consultant (OSL), Camp Kessum Volunteer Coordinator, Live on Campus Co-Chair (OSL), Chi Alpha Pi, Augustana Choir
So, you’ve been working on campus all summer! What were you doing?
A lot! I’ve been working on updating the student organization directory and all the exec boards to make sure they’re staying active and involved. But the biggest thing I worked on this summer was the student activities fair.
It was amazing this year! What was the process like?
It was pretty risky since we decided to do it outside this year! But I think it paid off a lot! I feel like it gave students the opportunity to really experience what college is like in a way we’ve never really done at Augustana before. Honestly, that was my dream to do it outside, and to see it happen in real life was probably one of the greatest moments I’ve had at Augustana so far. Recruitment was so much higher this year, and the fair felt like a festival since people came to hang out instead of standing around a bunch of tables. We worried it wasn’t going to work, but I thought, ‘if it doesn’t go well, then we just don’t do it again’. But, after how amazing it was and seeing how happy and excited people were about getting involved on campus, I think we will definitely continue having it outside.
What’s it like working for the OSL?
Working for the OSL is honestly one of the best decisions that I made in college. Every single day I walk into work and I’m surrounded by such motivated and dedicated people who work so hard. And being surrounded by such amazing people makes me want to work even harder every single day. Because there are so many aspects to OSL that you can find a job that works for everybody, no matter what job you want after college. You can find everything at OSL, and it’s one of the most amazing thing I’ve gotten to experience in my life. I would recommend it to everybody.
So, you’re a Junior now! How does that make you feel?
More excited than nervous, which I wasn’t expecting. I’m finally settling in and realizing what I want to do and where I want to go, and that’s a nice feeling because last year I had no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. I finally started to figure things out this summer, and working at OSL has boosted my confidence and grounded me so much that I’m not nervous anymore, which is great.
What is the most valuable thing someone has said or done for you here at Augie?
My boss, Ken Brill, has had a lot of faith in me this summer. A lot of times, when you take a risk, and when you’re creating something completely new, it’s hard to have people behind you that will lovingly criticize you, who support you but push you to do better. He’s one of those people that is so supportive and encouraging, but also knows how to push people to do better than they ever thought they could do. That, to me, is the most valuable thing someone has done for me.
If there’s one piece of advice you have for your fellow students, what is it?
Just run with it. If you have an idea or a vision for something, anything you’re doing at Augustana. Don’t hold back, because you never know where it can take you, and you never know where you could go and what amazing things could come of it if you don’t try and put yourself out there. Freshman year me would dismiss this, but I’m so serious when I say that: don’t hold back, just do it, and run with it man, run with it.
Fun Questions:
Favorite Song?
Right now, it’s called “Honeybody” by Kishi Bashi, it’s the cutest song and it’s so fun and I listen to it every day that I walk to class. It’s such a feel-good song, you know?
Movie or Show that Makes You Laugh The Most?
The Office.
What’s your favorite meal to cook?
Pasta. My family’s super Italian, so my mom and I make pasta all the time. Pasta just makes me feel like I’m back home.
Any special talents nobody knows about?
No, but something interesting is that I have a freckle in my eye.
Favorite kind of Potato?
My favorite kind of potato is loaded baked potatoes.