Rana Hamad
When Rana Hamad began considering colleges, she knew she wanted an IU degree. After looking at all the IU regional campuses and Bloomington, she decided IU South Bend was the best fit.“I felt the most comfortable here,” she said.
Hamad is a biochemistry major, and she plans to go on to medical school after she earns her undergraduate degree at IU South Bend. One of her future goals is to help people in other countries who do not have access to good healthcare.
In addition to studying dance for nine years and graduating in the top five percent in her class at Whiting High School, Hamad was an alto in the choir and the editor of the school yearbook and newspaper. She was also the president of the National Honor’s Society and a member of the Human Activist Club and the Spanish Club.
When Hamad learned she was named a 2018 Herbert Scholar, she cried tears of joy. She’s thrilled to be living on campus. “I love how close I am with my roommates,” she said. She also enjoys more freedom in college to choose her courses. “For the first time, I’m excited to go home and do my homework,” she said.
She’s interested in volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House or St. Margaret’s House to fulfill her community service requirement in her Honor’s Seminar. She’s also looking into joining a sorority and is considering volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “I want to help people,” she explained.
Hamad is the youngest of four children, and she has one sister who also attends IU South Bend. She and her siblings are the first generation in her family to attend college. Her father, who was born in Israel, immigrated to the United States and owns a grocery store in Chicago’s Hyde Park.
“I’m very excited to spend my next four years here,” she said. “It already feels like home.”