Student Profile: John Mamas
During my first year at Chatham, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23) have noticed that so many interesting people attend Chatham, and our sense of community is strong, even during hard times. In an effort to showcase just a few of these great people, I’ll be doing a series of student interviews in the coming weeks. These highlights are for students, about students, and by students. This week we have John Mamas ‘23!
John is one of the most outgoing people I have ever met. He is an avid reader, writer, advocate for environmental issues, and all around great guy. I caught up with him via Zoom to talk about his love for his major, hummus, and his upcoming plans at Eden Hall Campus.
John Mamas ‘23
Hometown: Irwin, PA
Major: Sustainability
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I want to pursue a masters degree and work in the field and eventually go on to teach sustainability courses at the collegiate level. Another goal of mine is to write and self-publish a few books in my lifetime. This summer, I am working at Eden Hall as a lab-tech with Dr. Utz. I will be conducting water quality assessments and research on invasive species in the woodlands. I’m really excited to get hands-on experience in the field!
Q: What is your go-to on a typical
Chatham Target run?
A: Hummus! Hummus and pretzel chips are the best studying snack.
Q: What do you find special about Chatham?
A: I worked last summer as a camp counselor for Eden Hall’s Sustainability Leadership Academy teaching high school students about environmental issues and community building. Seeing first-hand Chatham’s initiatives to build a space for people who care about the same issues that I do really solidified my decision in going here. Plus, Chatham is in an important part of its history right now; its changing and growing rapidly and I want to be a part of that.
Q: Is there a faculty or staff member
who brightens your day?
A: Carrie Tippen is such a delightful soul! I had her for my first-year writing class last semester,
and this semester I am in her women’s literature course. Her classes are so enlightening and engaging.
I love how all of the faculty here have niches in their fields like Dr. Tippen’s study of cookbooks as a form of literature.
Q: What's one awesome thing
that you've learned recently?
A: I recently learned that there is a society of Welsh women that are trying to publish stories and manuscripts written by
fellow Welsh women that have been lost in time. I think that’s a really great way to reclaim one’s history and preserve literature!
Q: How are you staying connected to the chatham community during these times?
A: I am Zoom calling my friends all of the time! This past weekend, we held our own virtual Spring Formal since we couldn’t be on campus for it. We all dressed up and played music, it was really fun!