Spartan Spotlight

MBU beckons students of various backgrounds to engage in a well-rounded liberal arts education enhanced by a tight-knit community. Each week we shine the light on a different Spartan, helping our campus reach its greatest potential.

Graphic by: Stuart Slates

Photo by: Brittany Gammon

__________________________________________________

Name: Justin Hannel

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Year/Major: Junior, Business Administration

Activities: Barista, The Perk

♦ Why did you choose to come to MBU?
“I chose to go to MBU because at one point I wanted to be a youth pastor and I wanted to be close enough to my family to visit but too far for ‘the pop-in.'”

♦ How has MBU made an impact on your life?
“MBU has allowed me to meet some amazing friends and provide me with an opportunity to work in a field that I am interested in.”

♦ What is your favorite thing about MBU?
“My favorite thing about MBU is knowing that soon enough I’ll be graduated and able to leave with a piece of paper! All joking aside, I suppose my favorite thing is that I’ve been able to make (hopefully) life-long friends.”

♦ What is the best thing about being a Perk barista?
“The best thing about being a barista at The Perk is getting to people-watch. It’s amazing some of the things you can learn about someone by the way they treat you and watching the way they treat others. It’s also really nice getting to establish relationships with some of the customers as well as some of the faculty.”

♦ Best memory in your time at MBU?
“My best memory in my time at MBU would probably have to be getting to work at The Perk. I want to open my own coffee shop, so I’m getting to do something that feels like I’m furthering my career, rather than just a bunch of busy work.”

♦ Do you have a role model at MBU?
“I can’t say that I necessarily have a role model at MBU. However, one of the staff members did give me some advice that I won’t soon forget: ‘You’re only young once. Don’t be afraid to make some mistakes; as long as you learn from them, and have a story to tell.’”