DURHAM, N.C.— Hannah O'Sullivan arrived at Duke in the summer of 2017 as one of the top amateur golfers in the world. She will leave Durham, N.C., next December with a degree in Economics with a bright future head in the finance industry. O'Sullivan will take a NCAA Championship with her along with great memories over the last three seasons with the Blue Devils.
Recently, O'Sullivan took time to look back at her Duke career, what lies ahead and how she has matured as a person during her time in Durham.
GoDuke.com: How was the transition for you with remote schooling and having to conclude the spring season in March following the onset of the coronavirus?
Hannah O'Sullivan: Thank you for asking about this. First, my thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have and continue to be affected by the ongoing pandemic. I feel very blessed to say that the transition was relatively quite smooth for me. I'm very thankful to have professors that went above and beyond to communicate and empathize with all of us students. It was a very abrupt, shocking, and even emotional end to the season, but the support and ongoing communication from our team, Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus, and the Duke Athletics Department at large have been very meaningful and have certainly helped to make the transition as smooth as it has been.
GD: You will graduate in December of 2020 from Duke with a degree in Economics. What are you going do with your degree?
O'Sullivan: I'm planning on starting my career in the Finance industry, specifically in the Investment Banking function. Within my Economics major, I've really enjoyed learning about this industry by way of classes I've taken, interacting with Duke alumni, and my participation with on-campus student organizations.
GD: What was it like being a member of the Blue Devil women's golf program?
O'Sullivan: It's hard to find words to explain how incredibly special it has been to be a member of the Blue Devil women's golf team. It is first and foremost an honor to be a part of a team with such a historic legacy, both of golf achievement and also an undeniably strong character. Our program is a family, and each individual involved in the program, from my teammates, coaches, advisors, and so many within our Athletic Department, have monumentally impacted my growth and development as a student, golfer, and person. Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus have been incredible leaders and mentors during my time at Duke, and I am so thankful for everything they've done and continue to do for me. My teammates have become like sisters to me, and the bonds we've built are so strong. The experiences I've had with my teammates are memories I'll cherish forever, and I know our relationships will live on far beyond our years on campus.
GD: What makes Duke so special?
O'Sullivan: When I was first visiting Duke as a recruit, there was a very strong common quality or culture that resonated with me in every conversation I had with individuals at Duke. I could clearly see the strength of the Duke Athletics community, and it really felt like being welcomed into a family. I felt that every member of the Duke women's golf program and the athletics department at large cares deeply about each student-athlete and their development as a person. This was a large part of what made Duke stand out as a place I would love to be. Now, reflecting on my years as a Duke women's golfer, I see that what I originally felt is so true and positive, and I think it is one of the key characteristics that makes Duke so special. Time and time again I've experienced members of the Duke community put fellow Dukies first. Duke is one of the best universities in the world, and I've been so fortunate to have crossed paths with some of the smartest, most talented people in the world during my time here. The community is incredibly collaborative and people support one another, which makes Duke and the student experience immensely special.
GD: You were a member of the 2019 NCAA Championship team. How much fun was it to be a part of that team?
O'Sullivan: It was so much fun and a huge blessing to be a member of the 2019 NCAA Championship team! Our team worked so hard every day of the season, so to finish the year in that way was so exciting, rewarding, and humbling. Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus are amazing, inspiring leaders, and my teammates are some of the strongest, most talented, and hardest working people I know. I'm humbled to have been a part of this and it is a memory I'll cherish for the rest of my life.
GD: Do you have a special class/professor at Duke that stood out that you enjoyed having?
O'Sullivan: It's so hard to pick just one or even just a couple. Econometrics with Professor Duncan Thomas was a class that completely transformed the way I think and approach problems. Professor Thomas cares so deeply about his students and dedicates so much time to making the class an outstanding experience for learning and growth. I've also had several incredible professors within the Duke Financial Economics Center (DFE) that have been such integral drivers of my growth over the past few years. Last but certainly not least, Professor George Grody has become an incredible mentor and friend. I first took a class with Professor Grody during the summer after my freshman year, and I was so excited by the knowledge and stories he shared with us from his global business experience. Professor Grody has also helped so much to make our Birdies for Babies initiative possible as he initially worked with Virginia Elena Carta to launch the program a few years ago, and he continues to help so much as our Duke Golf program hopes to grow Birdies for Babies for many years to come. I'm excited to be taking another class with him this fall as well!
GD: Since the coronavirus shut everything down, have you developed any new hobbies?
O'Sullivan: I've certainly had more time than I think I've ever had before, so I've really enjoyed using it to both develop new hobbies and dedicate more time to long-held passions as well. In terms of new hobbies, I've gotten creative with some new recipes in the kitchen and I've experimented with graphic design as well. I've really enjoyed finding different online tools for creating visual content, whether it's for helping with some of the on-campus initiatives I work with or simply for fun. I'm thankful to have had more time to dedicate to reading as well over the past couple of months. I've finally been able to chip away at the very long list of books I've been wanting to read and it's been very fun and fulfilling.
GD: Have you been able to get out and practice golf very much in Arizona?
O'Sullivan: I've been certainly keeping note of all guidance from health officials when it comes to social distancing and being responsible about leaving my family's home. We're lucky in that Arizona golf courses have mostly all been open during this time, so while I can get out on the course every once in a while, I've also been mainly trying to focus on ways I can develop my game within my house as well. We have artificial grass in our backyard so it's fun to work on some short game back there, and we have a small putting mat inside which I've long used for practicing indoors during the hot Arizona summers.
GD: As your time with the team winds down, what are your reflections regarding the impact of the staff and coaches that support you and your teammates?
O'Sullivan: My teammates and I are so fortunate, blessed, and grateful for the immense impact that our coaches and staff have on our lives as golfers, students, and young adults. There are so many people that work tirelessly and contribute so much to our team, and I can't say thank you enough, though I certainly will try, for all of their time, efforts, and dedication. What our team is able to do on the golf course and in the classroom would not be possible without the incredible people we're so lucky to have supporting us. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Coach Brooks, Coach Whithaus, and all the staff that surrounds us (Coach Alex Merrill, Jen McCollum, Kenny King, Jacki Silar, Lindy Brown, and so many more, all of whom I unfortunately can't list out) for continuously working so hard and dedicating so much time and effort to helping my teammates and I grow to improve as people, citizens, and student-athletes. I am the person I am today because of the coaches and staff who have impacted my life over the past few years, and words cannot explain how grateful I am.
GD: Looking back, what have you learned about yourself during your time at Duke?
O'Sullivan: I have grown so much during my time at Duke, a large part of which is because of the staff and coaches I just mentioned. I think first and foremost I've learned that my identity is not defined by the sport that I play or any worldly "accomplishments" I may achieve. I've learned that my identity is defined by my character, my values, and my faith. I've learned that by grounding myself in my faith and values, I can be resilient beyond belief, and by never giving up and maintaining a positive, growth mindset no matter what obstacles may arise in my path, the greatest challenges can become the greatest opportunities for learning and growth. This key learning has been so integral and impactful on my time at Duke, and I know this will be immensely important to carry on for the rest of my life.
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June 07, 2020 at 06:53PM
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