As the academic year comes to a close, we bid a heartfelt farewell to two of our incredible student assistants, Zara and Sam, who are graduating this spring. They’ve been at the heart of Mortara’s day-to-day life: welcoming guests, supporting events, digging into archives, and helping the center run smoothly behind the scenes. In their own words, they share their favorite memories, the lessons they’ll take with them, and what comes next.
Sam Sieck
1) What is your favorite Mortara memory?
My favorite memory at Mortara is spending last summer getting the building ready for the next semester: clearing out storage spaces, organizing files, revising manuals and guides — basically just going over everything with a fine-tooth comb. Spending all that time and focus transformed what started as a desk job into a significant part of my life on the Hilltop.
2) What skills have you developed while working here?
Working the front desk at the Mortara Center teaches you to juggle a lot of different hats. Admittedly, some days here are slow. However, there are other days where you’re scrambling to do it all: restock the building, staff an event, answer the phone, answer the doorbell, assist professors, etc. Being asked to handle all these things at once has helped develop grace under pressure and taught me to anticipate needs before they arise, which will certainly help me in life going forward.
3) What is something you are looking forward to?
After graduation, I am looking forward to moving back home and attending law school at the University of Oklahoma.
Zara White
1) What is your favorite Mortara memory?
My favorite memory was spending most of last summer sitting in Madeleine Albright’s office going through the archives and trying to piece together the history of the center. It was really cool to see all the big names Mortara has hosted throughout the years and to be a part of preserving the legacy our center has had at Georgetown!
2) What skills have you developed while working here?
In addition to the technical skills I’ve honed such as WordPress and Canva, I think the most important thing I’ve learnt on the job has been the value of going the extra mile to ensure that everything is up to par. From the countless trips to Fedex for the book cover project to the numerous calls to facility management, taking an extra five minutes to send a follow up email or make a phone call to ensure that everything is running smoothly has made my job a whole lot easier in the long run.
3) What is something you are looking forward to?
I am looking forward to spending the summer in D.C. while I figure out what’s next for me post grad!
We’re so grateful to Zara and Sam for their dedication and professionalism. They are leaving a lasting mark on the Mortara Center, and we can’t wait to see all they accomplish next.