Co-President of the Campus Activities Board (CAB) Executive Board and Senior Management Major Adam Toppin has had a good run at Gustavus Adolphus College. He is an extremely dedicated and committed member of the Gustavus community. In addition to his work on CAB, he also is the Student Activities Intern, and he is devoted to the Leadership Development Program on campus.
“I’m really glad he is [Gustie of the Week] because I think he deserves it. I don’t think people realize how much work he does,” Senior Psychology Major and CAB Executive Board Co-President Maggie Hansvick said.
“I really like the level of engagement the students have on campus,“ Adam said. He attributes his decision to come to Gustavus partially to this fact. “I’m the eighth Toppin to come through Gustavus.”
Adam draws inspiration from one of those Gustie graduates in his family. “I’ve noticed [my dad’s] work ethic, and that’s something I really admire about him … He’s taught me a lot of lessons and responsibilities. What you do affects other people.”
Upon seeing his dad in the business world, Adam was motivated to become a businessperson himself. At three years old, he dressed up in business clothes for Halloween. “I’ve been interested in business ever since I was a little kid,” he said. “I have a knack for it. I really enjoy working with other people.”
He tries to put the lessons he has learned from his dad and from himself into practice in his life to have a positive effect on the world and on the Gustavus campus. “I volunteered at an orphanage for a few weeks in Mexico,” he said. For his work in the Leadership Development Program, he likes to lead by example.
Adam isn’t always business, though. He is also a really relaxed, cool guy. He says that, though he gets down to business when the situation calls for it, you will also see him chilling out in sweats.
“One thing that sticks out about Adam is that he is a supportive friend,” Senior Communication Studies Major Sierra Krebsbach said. “He is easy-going and caring.” When the Women’s Tennis Team won Conference, for example, he anonymously sent them a congratulatory cake.
Sports are also important to Adam. Tennis, basketball, football, hockey and golf are the sports he enjoys. Golf, though, is his favorite. “It’s nice, peaceful and relaxing,” he said. “It’s a mental game more than anything else.”
Motivated and grounded, Adam Toppin is the kind of person you can really look to when in need. He finds a balance between academia, activity and leisure that can be a model for all students.
“I think he’s an excellent role model for students on campus. It makes him a good candidate [for Gustie of the Week]. He exemplifies Gustavus’ five core values,” Senior Biology Major Steve Turner said.