2016 Senior Gift Co-chair Profiles
Hannah Gallagher, C’16, Maggie Irby, C’16, and Erin Neil, C’16
1. Why did you choose to attend Sewanee?
Hannah: I knew that I wanted to attend a small liberal arts college where I would be able to form
great relationships with my professors and peers. I also loved the campus and the top-notch
equestrian program.
Maggie: I chose to attend Sewanee for its size. Being a small school allows for our community here
to be close-knit and supportive of each other. Because I have small classes I have been able to
form close relationships with many of my professors, which is something that could never happen
at a school of say 30,000 students. Going to a small school has also given me the opportunity to
get involved in many different organizations. I haven't had to choose only one club or group to
dedicate my time to, I've been able to be a part of many!
Erin: I grew up visiting Sewanee since my dad, aunt, and sister all attended school here. I always
knew it was where I wanted to go; in my mind, no other schools were competitive with Sewanee.
2. Why did you choose your respective majors?
H: I chose to double major in Economics and French. I chose Economics because I really enjoyed
my ECON 101 class, and the department offers a wonderful array of courses, from Social
Entrepreneurship to Econometrics, which continued to convince me that I had chosen the right
major. I chose to add French simply because I love the language and wanted to continue
developing my proficiency.
M: I am an Art History major and a Business minor. I never anticipated being an Art History major; I
always thought I would end up majoring in something like Environmental studies. I took my first Art
History class as a freshman with Professor Brennecke, and I fell in love with it. When I declared my
major, I had no idea what kind of career path I could possibly pursue with a major in Art History but
the further I get into my studies and the more work experience I gain I realize how many valuable
skills I have developed being an Art History major at a liberal arts college.
E: I honestly had no idea what I was going to major in until I took Abnormal Psychology my
sophomore year. That class made everything click and so I declared psychology as my major.
3. Who was your hardest/most admired professor?
H: Professor Mohiuddin has been an incredible professor. She holds all of her students to a very
high standard, and because of that, we rise to meet it. She first challenged me in Macroeconomics,
where I learned a great deal, but it was taking the Bangladesh trip with her that really showed me
what an admirable professor she truly is. She is incredibly passionate about her work and pushing
her students, not only to learn more but to become better people.
M: I have always admired Professor Brennecke. She was my first Art History professor here, and
when I declared my major, she became my academic advisor. But our relationship exists beyond
the classroom. Professor Brennecke helped my with my study abroad program, European Studies.
She helped me pick classes that she thought I would enjoy or do well in, and she let me sit in her
office and cry when I was struggling with one of those classes. She has helped me find professional
connections with other Sewanee alums, and she is always there for me when I need a letter of
recommendation at the last minute! Every so often we will even meet at Stirling’s for lunch and
coffee just to chat and catch up on what's going on during the semester. I have admired her not
only for her teaching capabilities, but I also look up to her as a life mentor and as a friend. Her
never-ending support has gotten me through many difficult moments while here at Sewanee, and I
want to thank her for that.
E: I’ve had many amazing professors here, but Dr. Noffsinger-Frazier is my most-admired professor.
Because I admired her so much and wanted to impress her, she pushed me to work my hardest.
4. How would you define your Sewanee experience?
H: I would define my Sewanee experience as one of growth. Sewanee has been an incredible and
supportive environment, perfect for pushing boundaries, trying new things, and learning more about
what path I want to take. These past 4 years have been full of wonderful experiences and
invaluable lessons, all of which will stay with me long after I graduate.
M: Define my Sewanee experience...this is a tough one. My experience has been so incredible and
so much more than I ever could have imagined as an 18 year old driving through the gates for the
first time. From my experiences with PRE, studying abroad, the Admissions Office, and in the
classroom, this place has been nothing short of magical. The good times and memories will always
outweigh the moments of being homesick or frustrated with school work, and Sewanee will always
have a very special place in my heart. I have grown so much in my four years here and I wouldn't
trade my Sewanee experience for anything. I am so thankful to this place for giving me the best
friends I could ask for, the support from faculty, encouragement from our incredible alumni
network, and of course for giving me a diploma!
E: My experience at Sewanee has been nothing short of magical. From the scenery, to the people,
to the variety of classes, everything here is so amazing and unique that it almost doesn’t seem real
sometimes.
5. What is your favorite Sewanee memory?
H: Last year, I hiked the Perimeter Trail right before Grad Week with some friends that were about
to graduate. Although not one of my most "fun" memories (...it's a really long hike!), it's definitely
one of my favorite. I had an incredible opportunity to bond with friends that would be leaving the
Domain soon while seeing so many beautiful parts of Sewanee...heading to Shenanigan's after was
an added bonus!
M: So many favorite memories to choose from! Many of my favorite memories come from being a
PRE staff member. To me, the people who participate in PRE are some of Sewanee's best. As
leaders, it's about a week of hard work and lots of fun. I'm proud that I helped the PRE orientation
program go off without a hitch twice during my Sewanee career and that I got to meet many people
that I probably would never have gotten to know had I not done PRE. This past PRE, when Dr. Potter
was singing around the bonfire, it was so hard not to tear up listening to him playing his guitar while
thinking about how amazing Sewanee is and how lucky we all are to have gotten to spend four
incredible years here. This 13,000 acre domain really is Arcadia.
E: My favorite Sewanee memory is when I got gowned by my dad and sister. They passed on their
gown to me, which let us all share in the unique tradition and experience.
6. Why did you volunteer to serve on the 2016 Senior Gift Committee?
H: I volunteered to serve on the Senior Gift Committee because I love Sewanee so much and truly
appreciate all that it has given me: countless opportunities, lifelong friendships, and the chance to
grow into a better version of myself. I saw this committee as a way to start giving back to a place
that has given so much, not only to me but to the Class of 2016 as a whole.
M: I had always heard about the committee from older friends, and it sounded like something I
would be interested in. My love of Sewanee makes it really easy for me to bug people to donate so
that this school can continue to operate. In my opinion, the experiences and memories I gained
here at Sewanee are priceless. It was important to me as a member of the committee to put this
into perspective for my friends who were stubborn to donate. As students, giving back at least $5
could never pay for the lifelong friendships we made here, could never pay for those hilarious
conversations we had while sitting outside of Stirling’s, or for the countless clear night skies we all
saw while walking out to Cheston for a concert.
E: I knew I wanted to get involved and help leave a mark on Sewanee. The Senior Gift Committee
was a great way to do that as well as a great way to help give back to a university that has given me
so much.
7. How has Sewanee changed since you were a freshman?
H: I think the Internet is significantly more reliable than it was when I was a freshman. I definitely
miss The Globe, and there are a few new buildings on campus. Overall though, it's the same
Sewanee; some things change, but the people and sense of community stay the same.
M: I think there are pieces of Sewanee that have changed both for the better and for the worst. I
think that it's great our class sizes are growing because it makes us a more competitive school to
get into, and that makes every alum's degree from Sewanee stand out even more than it already
does. I feel like in my four years this school has become more inclusive and has fought to make
everyone feel like they are being treated equally in every situation here. Over time I have watched
my friends and classmates emerge as strong campus leaders who take initiative to stand up for
what they believe in and also serve as role models for underclassmen. Change is inevitable, and I
think that the changes Sewanee is making are for the greater good of this university, especially in
the grand scheme of things. As much as this place might change in the next 30 years, I think that
when I come back for reunions, it will feel as though everything has changed, but at the same time
nothing has changed at all. This place will always remain strong and true and traditional, and it will
certainly always feel like home.
E: Sewanee has made me a more driven person. I have found something I’m passionate about and
I want to do what I can to achieve my goals.
8. What are your plans for life after Sewanee?
H: After Sewanee, I plan to continue developing my birth control distribution start-up, ZABI
(ourzabi.com), and trying to find a "real" job where I can gain relevant experience before going back
to school at some point to get my MBA.
M: As of now, I will be in Wyoming working on A Bar A Ranch until the end of September. After that I
hope to move to Washington, D.C. and find a job there!
E: The summer after Sewanee I will be working at A Bar A Ranch, and after that I will be an au pair
in Italy for a few months. I hope the year will help me figure out which path I want to take to get
where I want to be in life.