Real People Profiles: Maddy Hall

I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Maddy Hall

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: 3 and a half years

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: Lead Sustainability Intern within the Student Government Association, general member of the Students for Environmental Awareness, and Teaching Assistant for the First Year Seminar: Global Warming.

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?

A: I work to create and encourage sustainable actions on campus that healthy usage of our resources so that people, the planet, and our profit are all given equal weight.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: I love being able to tell people about all the amazing things that UMBC is doing already to become a more sustainable campus! We may not have an Office of Sustainability (yet), but we are doing fantastic things like composting, recycling, heating/cooling upgrades, zipcars, and bio-diesel! I also love creating/working on new things for the campus like a sustainability plan, a bike-sharing program, energy use reduction programs, or having a wind-turbine on campus.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: While at UMBC I learned that you really are the "change you wish to see in the world." Since I was going to be here for 4 years I made UMBC my world and have made a ton of positive change! Along with some of my friends, I was able to bring composting to True Grits so that (to date) 7 tons of waste that would be put in a landfill is now put into compost! That compost then comes back on campus and helps make our trees grow nice and strong.

I have also learned to really listen to Dr. Hrabowski. Although I may not understand completely what he says at first, when I think about his words they really do mean a lot. Usually this will happen at the most random moments like when I was sitting on my couch while studying abroad (with my gym clothes on) and eating a giant ice cream bar. Ironic no?

Since college is a time in a lot of people’s lives where they grow not only as a student but also as a person having his small guidance is probably the best I could ever ask for. It took me a while to really take this to heart but my favorite saying of his is:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: Composting, recycling, reusable cups, fresh fusions, GOOD FOOD, New Zealand, ginger, breakfast and bingo, and the circus!

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A: I love the dining hall! Everyone is super nice and usually they have great food. Also, you can give them a recipe (like your dad's meatloaf) and they will work with you to make it in the dining hall to serve to everyone!

Also, pig pen pond is one of my favorite spots on campus. It is the perfect place to sit and eat lunch on a nice day. Plus, it actually used to be a pig pen when the campus was a farm way back when. But dont worry, it doesn't smell like pigs anymore.

BONUS VIDEO QUESTION: What else would you like to share? Ask yourself a question and answer it.