This week, Her Campus is so excited to introduce Mike Tracy! You’ve probably seen or heard Mike around campus. He is an Admissions Ambassador and gives tours to potential incoming students very frequently. Besides giving tours, Mike is a Management Fellow, a Spanish Major, Philanthropy Chair for Beta Theta Pi, and he participated in Dance Marathon! Most recently, Mike dressed up as Santa Claus for Kappa Alpha Theta’s Chrismahannathetakah. Mike’s life is far from boring! His up-beat personality and contagious enthusiasm seems to bring holiday cheer to DePauw’s campus year round!
Her Campus: Mike! Thank you so much for taking the time to have an interview with me. I know you’re a busy guy and I really appreciate your time! I know that you are very involved on campus, what do you dedicate the most of your time to?
Mike Tracy: Anytime. I tend to have a lot going on so there’s not one particular thing that I devote the majority of my time to. Besides schoolwork, I am a tour guide and the Philanthropy chair of my fraternity Beta Theta Pi. I was also able to participate in this year’s Dance Marathon, which was great because we came away with many more donations than expected and all of the Executive Board was thrilled. I like having a lot going on so I don’t get too burned out on one particular thing.
HC: Wow! That’s awesome! I feel like you’re always so happy regardless of how much you have going on, do you have any advice for the rest of our student body, especially with finals approaching, for how to reduce stress and stay cool?
MT: That is something that I am trying to figure out also! What usually works for me is to get all of the prep work out of the way first- like making a review sheet of notecards a couple of days ahead of times. And then 1 or two days before I really focus on what I have laid out for myself. Although that doesn’t work for everyone, it seems to be beneficial to me. However, in extreme cases, there is always coffee and all-nighters.
HC: That’s great advice! Coffee definitely helps! Recently you were Santa for Christmahannathetakah, how was that?
MT: It was a really unique experience. I never imagined that I would dress up as Santa for college students (it was mostly my fall back plan in about ten years if nothing else has worked out). Theta ended up raising a ton of money so I was happy to be a part of that and help them.
HC: Very cool! I know that they were grateful for your help! I stopped by and it was a great event! Holiday parties are the best! Do you have any fun plans for your holiday break?
MT: I am very ready for holiday break. My birthday is over break, so I will celebrate that with family and friends. I wish I could be on campus for my birthday, but time with my family will be just as fun.
HC: Oh gosh, well Happy early Birthday! That’s so exciting! What are your plans for Winter Term?
MT: For Winter Term I am in the course called Tradition and Change. We are going to China and I cannot wait. We are going to a couple of different cities and will eventually end in Hong Kong. I am most excited to see the Great Wall of China. It should be a great trip.
HC: Wow, sounds like that will be an amazing experience! Well, that’s about all I have for you! Any final words as we close our interview?
MT: Thanks for interviewing me! I hope everyone has a great holiday break.