PRESIDENT: NATHAN HERSHBERGER
President
My name is Nathan Hershberger, and I’m a third year majoring in Psychology from Winchester, Virginia. If you catch me in my free time, chances are that I’ll be playing golf, guitar, or watching the Premier League (or any sports, really.) Some of my favorite saints include St. Joseph, model of masculinity, St. Cecilia, patron of music, and of course Our Blessed Mother. Over the summer, I participated in FOCUS Summer Projects in Big Sky, MT, and there developed a love for Luke 5:11: “And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.” I can’t wait to serve the ministry in this role and see what the Lord has in store for Catholic Hoos in 2024. St Joseph the Worker, pray for us!
NORA SHANAHAN
Ministry Council Member, Chair of Prayer Committee
Hi everyone! My name is Nora, and I am from Rocky Mount, Virginia. This ministry of relation and reception has played a pivotal role in teaching me to love and live boldly the Truth of Christ, and I pray I can share the wealth that has been afforded to me thus far. In my free time, you’ll find me offering unsolicited fun facts about the Kennedy family, reading a good book, discussing healthcare as a ministry, or baking up a(nother) batch of snickerdoodles for my housemates. I’ve devotions to St. Mary of Bethany, St. Scholastica, and Blessed Solanus Casey because of the way that their simplicity of faith sets my soul aflame. It is my greatest delight to hear how the Lord is moving in others’ lives, so if you ever feel your heart burning with graces and wish to share, know that I am all ears.
DALTON HAYDEL
Ministry Council Member, Chair of Communications Committee
Hi here! I’m Dalton Haydel, a first-year and proud New Orleanian at heart. When I’m not writing an essay for one of my politics or philosophy classes, you can find me perfecting my French, playing ping pong in the STA common room, or meeting new people on Grounds. Deeply formed by my Jesuit education, I strive to live by the motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (“for the greater glory of God”) and my favorite Bible verse, “… ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40). As I aspire to serve in public office one day committed to doing God’s work, Saint Thomas More serves as one of my greatest inspirations and my favorite saint. Passionate about promoting the Gospel of Life, I also serve on the board of Hams for Fams, a New Orleans non-profit that feeds Christmas meals to several hundred families each year, and I look forward to cultivating a community of service at STA. Thank you for this opportunity to serve our Lord.
STELLA HIGGINS
Ministry Council Member, Chair of Social Committee
My name is Stella Higgins, and I’m a second year originally from Yonkers, New York. I’m currently undeclared but am on the path to law school! You will probably see me dancing any chance I get or talking about the latest legal term I’ve learned. A fun fact about me is that I converted in high school, and I love sharing how the Blessed Mother led me to Christ! My favorite saint is Saint Catherine of Alexandria (my confirmation saint!) but I also really love Pope Saint John Paul II and Saint Catherine of Siena. My favorite Bible verse at the moment is Jeremiah 29:11. I can’t wait to serve with y’all this year, so please feel free to reach out whenever!
OLIVER FITCH
Ministry Council Member, Chair of Service Committee
My name is Oliver Fitch, and I am a 2nd year hoping to obtain a degree from the McIntire School of Commerce. I’m from Goochland, VA, so I grew up spending most of my time in the Richmond area. My favorite saint has to be my confirmation saint, St. Matthew; I always find myself returning and relating to St. Matthew being called by Jesus to be a disciple and how, being a tax collector, he felt undeserving of such a call. I guess it’s not such a coincidence then that my favorite Bible verse is Matthew 9:13. As all of my close friends and family will annoyedly attest to, I am an avid UFC fan. In what little free time I don’t spend watching Dustin Poirier, I enjoy lifting weights, boxing, running, writing poetry, and watching movies.