First-year Andrew Stumbo has already made an impact on the Gustavus community in his first few months on campus.

Andrew is a student-athlete, involved with the theater, and is an admirable student on top of his extracurricular activities. He is an inspiration to his fellow classmates, faculty and anyone he comes in contact with.

He participates in both athletics and the arts while simultaneously focusing on his studies as well taking time for himself, and making a mark on campus.

Andrew is from a small town in Iowa, west of Ames called Ogden. He is excited to be on the Gustavus campus and enjoys many aspects of the campus from the people to the weather.

“I’ve found friends in numerous social circles and every single one of them makes me glad I chose Gustavus. Also the campus is gorgeous after a snowfall,” Andrew said.

Andrew is planning to major in music education with a minor in theater.

His love for music also translates into some of his hobbies, which Andrew views as some unique ones.

“I’ve… dabbled in composition, which is not so standard,” Andrew said. In his free time he enjoys any activity that includes video games, reading, or spending time with friends.

“One thing that makes him unique is the hunger to learn more about, well, everything.” — Terena Wilkens

In addition to composing music and his classes, Andrew participates on both the cross country and track and field teams.

“I’ve done [cross country and track and field] almost as long as singing. I’m competitive, and running makes me push myself, to find and expand my limits,” Andrew said.

Not only is he on both of these teams, but is a successful team member.

“We love having Andrew on the team. He brings a fun energy to practice everyday and delivers his best efforts on race day,” Coach Brenden Huber said.

His peers also love to be in the classroom with him because he helps to make their experience a more enjoyable one.

“I loved being in a story telling class with Andrew, he was very expressive and fun to listen to.

“He also listened intently and was very understanding with everyone’s stories,” Isabel St. Dennis, fellow classmate and First-year said.

His love for music and theater can also be seen through his work on both his set building for Our Country’s Good as well as being the master electrician for both Cabaret and this year’s spring dance concert.

Terena Wilkens, a lab instructor in the Theater Department as well as the technical director and lights and sound designer, has overseen Andrew’s work in the theater productions and recognizes his ability to work with others and take on projects head on.

“Andrew is one of those students who gets along with everyone. He jumps in to projects and comes up with great ideas,” Wilkens said.

Wilkens also appreciates Andrew’s eagerness to ask and learn. “Andrew asks the best questions! He is always looking to learn more and figure things out.

“He went from not knowing theatre lighting existed at the beginning of the year, to being able hang and focus a light, check for problems and even solve many of them on his own,” Wilkens said.

“I loved being in a story telling class with Andrew, he was very expressive and fun to listen to. He also listen intently and was very understanding with everyone’s stories. ” — Isabel St. Dennis

He also is someone who loves to share what he learns.

“One thing that makes him unique is the hunger to learn more about, well, everything. While working on Cabaret he did some research on one of the songs to get to know the history of the song and how it was being used in the show.

“That spread to others around him and soon we had all sorts of interesting facts about the show—some I had not heard before- flying around and in great discussions that made the show even more interesting,” Wilkens said.

Andrew is admired by many, especially faculty members, and fits the attitudes of being a Gustie.

“I think Andrew’s a great fit for Gustie of the Week because he embodies so much that is Gustavus. He’s involved in multiple things on campus and greets every aspect with excitement,” Huber said.

Andrew has made a large impact on the Gustavus community even during his first couple of semesters in college.