Hoover has two RAs, or Assistant Resident-Heads. The abbreviation doesn't make sense. It should be ARs, but the problem is that might be pronounced "arse," and that's not right. Or maybe ARHs, and that sounds like pirate-speak. So leave it alone. They're RAs. We want to give them a chance to say hello.
My name is Caileigh Pudela. I'm a fourth year, and I'm majoring in biology/pre-med. On campus, you can find me hanging out in Hoover, playing sports, volunteering and working at the hospital, and trying to get people to participate in Relay For Life, a really cool fundraiser that I co-chair for the American Cancer Society. I guess I spend a lot of time in the library and the dining hall, too. My favorite Hyde Park places are the Medici Bakery, the point, and C-Shop, so you might have to join me in a trip or two there! I'm from Lombard, Illinois, but when I'm at school, room 322 in Hoover is my home. You will always be welcome to stop by to talk or hang out! I can't wait to meet you all!
My name's John Paul Thompson, I'm from Dallas, Texas, and I'm a third year majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Music. Speaking of which, hope y'all like music because I play guitar, piano and violin, and would love to jam! I also love to cook, so hopefully we can swap recipes once we all get to Chicago. Even if you don't play or cook, my doors will always be open so be sure to come hang out, chit-chat, play scrabble, or whatever. Can't wait to meet y'all! Safe travels.
Dear New Hooverites (As we like to call ourselves!):
Welcome to Hoover, the coolest house around! We’re the Hoover Resident Heads, Steve and Rebecca. We live on the second floor of Hoover with our two children: Jonah, (3 ½), and Ellie, (1 ½). This is our fourth year in Hoover and we love living here. Jonah and Ellie are particularly fond of playing in Hoover’s hallways and are always looking for Hooverites to hang out with them. Guitar jam sessions with Hoover friends are one of our favorite afternoon activities.
We’re excited that you’ll soon arrive at the University of Chicago. The University has played an important role in our lives. We met here. Steve earned his Ph.D. here. We got married in a beautiful historic building on campus. Jonah and Ellie were born at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Steve now works as an Associate Dean in the Graham School, the continuing education division of the University. Rebecca is Director of Events and Conferences at the Law School. We have spent many years in Chicago (Rebecca grew up in Hyde Park), but also have lived in Ann Arbor, MI; Oxford, OH; Cleveland, OH; Ithaca, NY; and Brooklyn, NY.
Hoover is a great house filled with spirit. Hooverites like to study hard and like to have fun. We enjoy going on all sorts of trips, whether it’s to a baseball game, the Art Institute, apple picking, or the north side for shopping. We like to turn-out for sporting events on campus and cheer for our Hoover athletes. We also like to play intramural sports: water polo, basketball, touch football, and broom ball to name a few, all of which are strongly encouraged but purely optional. Hooverites are also really fond of hanging out in our lounge for weekly study breaks and movie nights. Speaking of study breaks, it’s a good idea to bring a small plate, bowl or mug, fork, and spoon to campus. They come in handy for eating study break snacks.
Hooverites love to try all kinds of food and are big fans of traveling to Chicago neighborhoods to dine at different ethnic restaurants. Last year we visited Chinatown, Koreatown, and Devon Avenue for Indian and Ethiopian food. We also had Thai, Middle Eastern, and fondue dinners in our lounge. We’re seriously into fund-raising (and fun-raising!) for our House. Serf Auction is an annual tradition where we sell each other our labor and services. Several items for sale last year were a bagel and lox brunch, bathroom cleaning services (this comes in very handy right before your parents visit!), help with O-Chem homework, and lessons for ice skating, Irish dancing, swimming, and cooking. The t-shirts we designed with “Hell Does Freeze Over” emblazoned on them, sold out last year. (See the link to the right, where you can buy one!)
We throw annual Super Bowl and Oscar Night parties and we’ve been especially proud to claim our own independent Scavenger Hunt team. Whether that tradition continues will be a choice you'll weigh in on. The Hoover Concert is a spring tradition where Hooverities can show off their many talents! Making s’mores at the nearby “Point” (a beautiful park along the lakefront) is also a favorite activity.
Hoover has two great RA’s (Resident Head Assistants): Caileigh Pudela and John Paul Thompson. Caileigh lives on the third floor, while John Paul’s room is on the first floor next to Hoover Lounge.
