Hannah Carroll can often be found baking her famous peanut butter M&M pie, hiking trails in the mountains, dreaming of backpacking through Europe or reading her favorite Charlotte Brontë novel, Jane Eyre—just a few of her wide variety of hobbies and interests.
Carroll is currently an undeclared major, but she is searching for a major that allows her to be a part of a greater ministry.
“I just want to work in an environment of ministry,” Carroll said. “I want to be able to help other people because that is what I am the most passionate about.”
Carroll is also passionate about music; she has declared herself as a vocal performance minor.
“I’ve been singing ever since I can remember,” Carroll said. “I also took piano lessons for 10 years. I packed all of my piano books from home and brought them to school with me. I still love to play. It’s kind of like a de-stresser for me.”
Carroll’s favorite things to play on the piano include a wide spectrum of pieces ranging from old hymns to songs from the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack.
Carroll calls the close-knit, southern town of West Moreland, Tennessee her home, but she has quickly been able to adjust to calling Union University her home thanks to the wise and welcoming honors community.
“Honors was one of the main things that made me want to come to Union and easily set Union apart from other schools,” Carroll said. “For someone who wanted to grow deeper intellectually as well as spiritually, the honors program was really attractive to me. I love the honors community so much. The students and professors are all so kind and full of wisdom.”
Justin Barnard, associate dean of the Institute for Intellectual Discipleship, has been a professor who has already impacted Carroll during her first month at Union.
“Dr. Barnard is just the kind of person I could talk to for hours about anything,” Carroll said. “I value his opinion so much because he is so wise. He and his wife had my honors seminar group over for dinner and were so kind and welcoming. We played piano, discussed theology and just had a great time.”
Carroll’s favorite part about Union so far has been the people that surround her.
“The Union community is amazing, especially the honors community,” Carroll said. “I am proud to call Union my new home.”
