Student Spotlight on Adam Back

By Kathy Adams Riester, M.S. Ed

Adam Back is a freshman from Toledo, Ohio who started his time at UA as an Astronomy major and quickly changed to Pre-Education because he discovered that Physics wasn’t for him. The strength of the Astronomy department was one of the reasons that Adam decided to come to UA who he feels is a “world wide mecca” for Astronomy. Despite changing his major, Adam has been able to continue pursuing his interest in Astronomy by working at Flandreau Planetarium where he helps to run the small telescope. He also loves hanging out on 4th Avenue and meeting people from different backgrounds on and off campus.

When asked what advice he would give to students Adam quickly said, “Get involved.” He is definitely a good role model for involvement. He is the Residence Hall Association (RHA) representative for his residence hall, Navajo, Pinal (also known as the Stadium); he is involved with ASUA and was selected to be a Resident Assistant (RA) next year in the Stadium Hall. When I asked him what he loves about the Stadium, he said, “The rooms are huge! And wherever I go I can say I lived in the Football Stadium and people will know what I mean.”

Adam shared that one of the things he misses the most in Tucson is water. He loves to sail and races sail boats. However, he has found a new hobby as he loves the mountains in Tucson and has climbed many of them. His favorite hike was Mt. Wrightson which is part of the Santa Rita mountain range.

Adam’s advice for parents was, “don’t pressure students into doing what they don’t want to do” and that parents “need to trust their kids because that is what going to college is all about.” This summer Adam plans to return to Toledo and get a job with a Temporary Agency to earn enough money to stay in Tucson next summer. He also plans to get in plenty of sailing.