Q&A with Dr. Gary - Andrea Mattingly

Andrea Mattingly - Senior, Field Hockey MF/D, Spanish & Communication Major

Q: What is your favorite class experience/ professor experience at Wittenberg?

A: My favorite class at Wittenberg was Reasoning and Communication with Dr. Waggoner. I took it during the first semester of my sophomore year and this was the class that made me decide that I wanted to major in Communication. We learned how to form an argument with sufficient evidence and explored many facets of immigration, something I am very passionate about. And Dr. Waggoner made the class exciting to come to every day.

Q: What is your most memorable sports moment at Witt?

A: My most memorable moment, of course was with the Wittenberg Field Hockey Team. I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of girls. Last year, our team beat Wooster twice. This was the first time Wittenberg field hockey had beat Wooster on their own turf since I had been on the team. I was so proud of our passion and accomplishments on that day.

Q: Why do you enjoy being a Wittenberg Tiger?

A: I love being a Wittenberg Tiger! I feel fortunate to go to a school where I can thrive on and off the field. Being a Tiger means being part of an incredible family of athletes, looking up into the bleachers on a cold and rainy day and still seeing a group of supporters, and knowing that with each drop of sweat and with every sore muscle comes the reward of wearing the word “Tigers” across my chest and representing a school that means so much to me.

Q: What is the most valuable thing you have learned through your sport that is applicable to life?

A: To put others above yourself. Field hockey, like most sports, is a team sport. And sometimes, you must do what is better for the team, and not for yourself. You may have to push yourself harder to make someone else better, or cheer on your team while you stand injured. It’s not always about you, but how you can contribute to your team and make us as good as we can be.

Q: After Wittenberg, how will you pass your light on to others?

A: I was abroad in Santiago, Chile last semester and one night I was sitting downstairs after dinner with my host mom and showing her pictures of Wittenberg University. When I began to tell her about our motto, Having Light We Pass it on to Others, she looked me in the eyes and said "En la primera noche, yo sabía que tienes la luz/On the first night [that you arrived], I knew that you had light." I want to continue sharing Wittenberg and everything the University has offered to me to those who don’t know who we are. I have been given so much, and the least I can do is give a little back to those around me.

Compiled By: Carley Sullivan '16, Senior Woman Administrator Student Assistant