Name: Brooke Freeman
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Year: Junior
Major: Journalism: Public Relations
Minor: Non-Profit Administration
HCO: What made you decide to come to UO?
Brooke: First and foremost, I love the Pacific Northwest. I wanted to move to an environment completely different from the desert where I have lived in my whole life. I also knew I wanted the experience of living in a college town with a lot of school pride. What especially drew me in was the idea that the UO offered many ways to explore new programs and activities, but at the same time still kept a laid-back atmosphere.
HCO: What are you involved with on campus?
I am involved with Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Ambassadors, Camp Kesem, and the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence.
HCO: Tell us about your experience as the president of the Theta Delta chapter of Delta Delta Delta on campus.
My experience as president of the Theta Delta chapter of Delta Delta Delta has been both the most challenging and the most rewarding experience of my life. In the winter, I had the opportunity to attend our Collegiate Leadership Conference in Texas with four other members, as well as the St. Jude Leadership Weekend in Tennessee with our philanthropy chair. These are only some of the eye-opening experiences that have taught me what it means to be a leader, and why it is we do what we do. It truly is a 24/7 job in that, in a sense, I am responsible for about 200 other people. I always keep the interest of the chapter in the forefront of my mind in everything I do, and take extremely seriously that my decisions affect so many others. Throughout this year we have truly focused on our purpose and our values as an organization, and it has been important to keep that in the core of everything we do. Every day brings a new challenge, and there is always a million things going on. Thankfully, I am not alone in any aspect of this. My team of officers, as well as the general membership, help grow the chapter every day and carry out the true experience of our sisterhood. My sisters inspire me all the time in how gracefully they continue to face any challenge, and how much I have seen them all grow as sisters and as individuals. I am truly grateful for everything this experience is teaching me. Although being president comes with extremely hard decisions, a few breakdowns, and an inbox full of emails, it has been worth it every step of the way.
HCO: What is the most fulfilling part of being a sorority president?
The most fulfilling part of being president is knowing that I can help shape a positive Tri Delta experience for all of my sisters. It is incredibly humbling to know that the friendships made here are lifelong, and the values we teach will stick with us as we grow old. And as I help make this experience the best it can possibly be for our members, the more I am becoming a better person because of that. Tri Delta teaches unselfish leadership, friendship, and assisting each other in every possible way. The reason I do this is for my sisters and it motivates me to know that the amount of work I put in will ultimately contribute to their Tri Delta experience. When my sisters tell me how much being in Tri Delta means to them, that is the most rewarding thing in the world.
HCO: What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment during your time at UO?
Where I am from, going to college right out of high school is not the norm, especially to an out-of-state 4-year university. I come from a lower income family, and neither of my parents went to college. So, when I started as a freshman, I was very insecure about whether or not I even had a place here and if I could succeed in this context. Therefore, I would say my greatest accomplishment is finding the confidence not only to stick with it, but to take full control over the experience I want for myself and what I want to get out of my four years here. Now, I am on track to graduate next spring, I’ve made so many valuable friendships, and I’ve learned so much about myself through all of the opportunities I’ve found at the UO.
HCO: What have you learned about yourself since you began college?
My time in college so far has helped me learn about myself in so many different ways, whether that be what I want to do in my career, what I truly value, or what my strengths and weaknesses are. The University of Oregon taught me not only what those things are but how I can use all of those things to better the world around me. It is super cliché, but I’ve learned that love is the absolute most important thing, and to always keep that at the core of everything I do.
HCO: What is a piece of advice that you’d like share?
To always stay humble. You never know what life will teach you next, so you have to accept that you don’t have all of the answers. Learning from others and your experiences will teach you so much about yourself. You have to accept your ignorance in order to grow.
HCO: Where do you see yourself after college?
I hope to take a year to go abroad. That is one thing I have yet to do! After that, I plan to work in the non-profit sector. My dream career would be a public relations professional for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.