Five questions with Adam Mayer, Carolina Productions president
Posted on: September 26, 2014; Updated on: September 26, 2014
By Whitney Smith , stucomm@mailbox.sc.edu
He's the president of Carolina Productions, a University 101 peer leader and one of the most dedicated people you will meet at the University of South Carolina, but Adam Mayer's talents and attributes don't end there. He may also have a future in competitive eating and aerial acrobatics.
What has been the most challenging part of being a college student?
I think my biggest challenge in college, and this is probably my biggest challenge in everything I do, is that I'm a people pleaser. It's always been a challenge for me to accept that I can please different people in different ways, but that not everyone will be satisfied with what I do 100 percent of the time. At Carolina Productions, we want to reach different audiences each time we host an event. With 30,000 people, it's impossible to please everyone. However, if we reach only a fraction of that population and make them happy, we've done our job.
What is your favorite part of being a Gamecock?
The environment. You get a D1 atmosphere with a D3 heart. It's amazing how much the faculty and staff care about you and care about your success as a student, but more importantly they care about you as a person. If I were to list off some of my best friends, I would give you the names of advisers that I've had, academically and through my organizations. I've been able to talk to them on a personal basis and have been able to say things to them that I wouldn't say to some of my other friends. It blows my mind how caring this university really is. The emphasis that is put on leadership on this campus shows how we are more than just a place to learn and that there is something to be said for stepping outside your comfort zone and excelling in all aspects of your life.
Where is your favorite spot at UofSC?
My favorite spot on campus is on Wednesday afternoon at Preston for Chicken Finger Wednesday. I never miss Chicken Finger Wednesday, and my record is eating 29 chicken fingers in one sitting. I've been cutting back to 12 or 13 every time I go, though.
What are you involved in at UofSC?
I am the President of Carolina Productions, the largest student programming board. I am also president of finance for Sigma Phi Epsilon, as well a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a University 101 peer leader and an orientation team leader. I have also been known to skydive every now and then. I've skydived three times now. Once you're in the air it just feels like this big fan is blowing on you. The most difficult part is just standing on the edge of the plane trying to force yourself to try and jump out. My third time sky-diving I started doing flips and spins. It's amazing the things you can do in the air, you feel like you're floating. A lot of people say that they're afraid of heights but for me it feels more like you're just floating mid-air.
What has been your most impactful moment at UofSC?
The most meaningful moments have come from my time spent with my fraternity. Sigma Phi Epsilon headquarters came to campus and recolonized the chapter here. Looking back, it was the best experience I decided to do. My little called me the other day and said, "Hey, what are you doing over Thanksgiving break?" and told me while I was half-asleep that his mom had bought two plane tickets for us to go to Puerto Rico together. That's just one example of the brotherhood you build with those guys and the relationships with the brothers that you create.
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