Issue # 17– October 16, 2010

Resident Spotlight: Charlene Hannah

Interviewer:  Tell me a little about yourself.  Where are you from? What’s your major?
Charlene: I'm originally from Manteca, California but moved to Brockport, New York when I was twelve. I am currently a third year student studying Medical Informatics. I have one younger brother who is a freshman at SUNY Geneseo, and a kitty cat named Tiger!

Interviewer: When did you join the Greek community and what made you decide to become a member of a sorority?
Charlene:  I joined the Greek Community last fall, going into my second year. I made this decision after attending RIT for a year and realizing that being a girl in GCCIS can get lonely! Also, I was really looking to get involved and saw all of the amazing things that Greeks did around and off campus and wanted to be a part of it.

Interviewer: You live in the Alpha Xi Delta house in Greek Circle.  What has your living experience been like there and how does it compare to the residence halls or to the campus apartments?
Charlene: I absolutely LOVE living in the Alpha Xi Delta house! There is always someone there to talk to or hang out with, and if there is no one in the house, there are five other Greek houses near us too. I think living in the house has been a much better experience than living in the residence halls and apartments just because I'm always near or with my sisters, and the house is big enough that I can escape if I need some "me" time. :)

Interviewer:  How does your membership in Alpha Xi Delta contribute to your academic goals?
Charlene: Being a member of Alpha Xi Delta has made me strive to Realize My Potential. It has taught me a great deal about time management, leadership, and patience - all useful skills for going out into the “real world”.

Interviewer: What would you like independents/potential new members to know about Greek life at RIT?
Charlene:  One thing I would like anyone who is looking into Greek Life to know is that we really are a community.  When you join a certain fraternity or sorority you are also joining the entire network of Greeks on campus. All of the houses really do like to help each other out, and you will get to know a lot of Greeks regardless of what letters you are wearing.

Interviewer:  Besides your academics and your sorority, what other things are you involved in at RIT? 
Charlene: I am also an active member of Women in Computing in the Golisano college, a Peer Mentor for FYE, and also work three jobs on campus.

Interviewer: What has been the most rewarding aspect of being a RIT student?
Charlene:   I think the best thing about being an RIT student is all of the opportunities we have. We have the chance to do things as simple as getting a ride to the Farmers Market on Saturdays to studying abroad for a quarter! There are so many interesting things that RIT has to offer us, you just need to take advantage of them.

Interviewer:  What do you like to do for fun?
Charlene:  On my down time I really enjoy hanging out with my sisters, reading, and occasionally going geocaching (Google it!).

Interviewer:  What is your favorite thing about the Rochester community?
Charlene:  Rochester is such an eclectic community; there is some sort of venue or escape for just about anyone here. It’s nice that RIT itself is in more of a suburban area, but the actual city is just a fifteen minute drive away.

Interviewer:  Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Charlene: In five years from now I hope I will be living in a warmer climate (specifically Arizona), married, and working at a hospital in their IT department.

For more articles from this issue, click here