Alumni Spotlight: Andrea Hay ‘08 by Andrea Hay ‘08
We often hear about alumni who fell in love with Marian on the first campus tour, but some Sabres take longer to feel at home on campus. Andrea Hay ’08 talks about how Marian wasn’t her first choice, but it was the choice that led to her success. A news anchor, a professor, and manager at a television station — I’m living the career dreams of my college self. Back then, my life was hectic and busy; a good set-up for what I’m doing now. Marian built me into the hard worker I am now. But it definitely didn’t start that way.
on that first meeting with fits of laughter. By the time I graduated in 2008, I don’t think I could’ve been more involved in campus life. Sabre Show, the dance team, women’s chorale, jobs at Common Grounds, Naber Desk
know how much he has influenced my life and career. And he continues to. I remember making so many mistakes becoming a newspaper editor — and Jim would patiently sit down and listen to my rants. He would patiently offer up solutions and suggestions. I still ask him questions and seek his advice, because I trust him, and I know he isn’t bothered by helping me. And I know I’m not alone in having such close friendships with my professors at Marian!
My Marian education has taken me far. Marian taught me to manage my time, work hard, and have confidence. At 18, I competed for the I strongly believe if it Miss Wisconsin 2005 “Marian taught me to manage weren’t for those people, title and took away a my time, work hard, and have that campus,and that scholarship to Marian. community, I wouldn’t be With sights set on confidence,” Hay said. where I am. I had no bigger, out-of-state schools, problem getting into I decided on Marian, but New York University’s I’d be lying if I called it my graduate school of journalism, first choice. I wanted bright lights, and Sabre Central. Then, my getting great internships at big city; I wanted to be someone passions: Marian College Fox 6 Milwaukee, Inside and make big-time connections. Communication Association Edition and CNN. A year into The very first thing I remember (founding president — two years) and my first real job as a TV news at Marian is sitting down with my Sabre Newspaper (co-editor with reporter and anchor, my current advisor and making it clear that my best friend: Nina Harrelson ‘08). employer, NTV News (an ABC I didn’t think I was going to be affiliate in Nebraska), was hiring I’m not going to take credit for there long. I said, “Look, this is for a web position, and I being so involved. My four pillars obviously a great campus, but to suggested my college bestie grounded me: Dr. Jim van Dyke, be honest, I was looking for a bigNina. She was a shoe-in. Dr. Mary Klein, Peter Toeg, ger campus. I just want to graduMarian set us up for the jobs and Barb Ramstack — those ate fast, and move away.” we wanted in our field. professors made me passionate Years later, my then-advisor Dr. We had the experience we for journalism and communicaJim van Dyke and I think back needed to succeed! n tion. Jim van Dyke will never MARIAN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE 28 28MARIAN