Andrea Hadsell
Who would believe that the Alpha chapter has its very own steampunk specialist?
Andrea Hadsell grew up in New Castle and made her way to Bloomington to study political science at Indiana University. When she went home that first spring break, she told her parents that poly sci wasn’t for her. But her big bombshell was when she told them she wanted to switch her major to folklore and ethnomusicology. Her undergraduate thesis focused on cosplay in steampunk culture.
Her parents, who met in show choir at Ball State University, had raised her to be a “ham.” They eventually came around to her uncommon field of study.
After attaining a master’s degree at the University of Oregon in arts administration and museum studies, Andrea eventually ended up back in Btown, where she serves as education manager at the Monroe County Historical Society.
“I actually used my degrees,” Andrea says. “Most people can’t say that!”
At the historical society, Andrea wears many hats: she does K-12 and public programming; schedules field trips; runs the lecture series and the marketing department; and schedules walking tours and volunteer opportunities.
Andrea affiliated with the Alpha chapter when she moved back to Bloomington for her job. She comes from a huge Tri Kappa family – her mother, grandmother, sister and two aunts are in the sorority.
“My first folklore paper was about interviewing my grandmother about her Tri Kappa quilting group,” Andrea says. “She pinned me at my initiation.”
Andrea says her decision to join the Alpha chapter was a good one.
“When I was coming back to Bloomington, I wanted to have a fairly easy way of making friends,” Andrea says. “I wanted friendships that were based on purpose.”
When Andrea reached out to affiliate, Trish Smith quickly set up a lunch date with several members. That sealed the deal.
“My mom came down for my affiliation ceremony,” Andrea says. “Afterward, she said she knew our chapter was a great fit for me.”
Andrea co-chaired the Scholarship Committee for Tri Kappa and especially loves Cheeseball Day. She currently serves on the Executive Board for Alpha chapter.
“Nothing says ‘sisterhood’ like being elbow-deep in a ton of cheese,” Andrea says.
“I love that every single time you get together with any of the Tri Kappas, you know there is going to be laughter, lots of joking. You’re also going to run into those moments where, no matter what, because of your interactions, (your sisters have) got your back.”
More About Andrea:
Participates in Dementia Friendly Bloomington
Has sung on a recorded holiday CD
Is an avid “Supernatural” fan
Won’t eat chocolate and peanut butter together
Prefers pie over cake