CHICAGO--Adriane Walther '16 was a member of the Illinois Tech women's volleyball, and track & field teams (2012-16). The biomedical/neural engineering major from Chicago was named the 2015 All-Association of Division III Independents Setter of the Year, and earned a spot on the 2015 All-AD3I First Team. Walthier landed a spot on the 2015 USCAA All-American Women's Volleyball Second Team.
What is your favorite memory about your time as a Scarlet Hawk, on or off the playing surface?: My favorite memory is winning a very competitive senior day in 2015! The team dog piled into the middle of the court and the fans flooded the stands! The support and celebration was heartwarming and memorable.
What are you most proud of from your time as a Scarlet Hawk?: I am most proud of the team comradery that we built throughout our four years as a Scarlet Hawk. Commitment, respect, and accountability were the backbone of our team, and I am proud to say those were our strengths. Few in numbers, we only had each other to lean on, and I'm proud to say that we lived by those rules by the end of my career.
What advice would you give to your college self or current Scarlet Hawks?: Every touch is an opportunity to get better. Be open to change, be a good listener, and reflect. Never stop learning! Always seek out the best version of yourself.
Where do you currently live and what do you do for a career?: I currently live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I work for GE Healthcare as a Global Materials and Program Management Transfer Leader.
How did your collegiate career prepare you for life after college?: To me, college was a test of resilience and grit. My courses taught me how to think critically, while work and extracurriculars taught me to manage time. Sports and Greek Life taught me to manage relationships and build leadership skills. The marriage of these with a constant desire to learn granted me the opportunity to not only develop myself professionally, but deliver results in a corporate setting. I am blessed for the opportunities presented me in college, and no matter how hard it seemed to "get by", the experience has molded me into the person that I am. If I had to change something, I would DO MORE.
What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated from Illinois Tech?: Most recently, I had the privilege to speak in front of my CEO and his staff on inclusion and diversity at a closed leadership conference. This was a beyond rewarding experience. To have a candid conversation with your CEO on bold and provocative topics, and have them respond with respectful, genuine feedback energizes me to push for continuous improvement. I love being an advocate for change, and being the change needed.
How are you still involved with your sport?: Since graduating, I have coached nine seasons of volleyball: • Boys 15 Black Head Coach—Milwaukee Sting • two seasons: Boys 16 Lightning Head Coach—Milwaukee Sting •, Boys 17 Adidas Head Coach—Milwaukee Sting • two seasons: Men's Assistant Coach—Milwaukee School of Engineering • three seasons: Girl's Sophomore Head Volleyball Coach—Catholic Memorial High School. Additionally, I play competitively in a league every week, participate in Adult Nationals, and play adult tournaments at least once a month.
What attribute from your time as a student-athlete has helped you in your professional career the most?: I believe the most impactful attribute of my collegiate career was overcoming adversity as a whole. Conflict resolution, situational leadership, accountability, respect and competitive drive are inherently attributed to my involvement in sports/extracurriculars. Keeping a positive, growth mindset is the key to progress. Having the passion to learn will open many doors if you work hard and stay true to development.