Meet Caroline Dade: Our October Leading Woman

Name: Caroline Dade

Major: Broadcast Journalism

Hometown: Rogersville, Missouri

What are your career/life goals?

Although I’m a journalism major, I really like numbers. I eventually want to work for a network as a national economics correspondent, explaining how large policy decisions like tax reform or trade deals affect communities and people across the country.

What are you involved in at Mizzou?

In addition to being a 2019 Homecoming Tri-Director, I’m also a member of AASB, a campus tour guide and general assignment reporter for KOMU 8 News.

What is your favorite part of being a Tri-Director for Homecoming?

I love so much about SteerCo, but the two things that stick out to me are the people and the unique opportunity to plan the largest celebration at the University I’ve grown up loving. As a Director, I got to spend a lot of time with the 10 people on the committees I oversaw, and it was such a joy to get to know them all so well. The most striking memory from the past 11 months of planning was standing on the field at halftime, in a sold-out Memorial Stadium, and finally realizing the University had trusted me enough to put it’s most honored tradition in my hands.

How did you decide to take on this significant commitment?

I was a member of SteerCo last year, and I was on the Service Committee. Once Homecoming ended, I realized there was room for improvement in various aspects of Homecoming, and I wanted to help facilitate that positive change.

What were your main responsibilities?

I oversee the Blood Drive, Outreach and Parade Committees. In addition to meeting with them each week, I have several meetings with the other Directors and our advisor. Since Mizzou Homecoming is entirely student-run, the three Tri-Directors are responsible for making sure everything that needs to get done is done well!

How has your experience in Theta changed you?

Theta has impacted every single day of my college career, and it is such a part of my life that I sometimes forget it’s an organization in which I’m involved. The women I’ve met aren’t just my friends, they’re my favorite people in the world. 603 Kentucky isn’t just a house, it’s my refuge on campus. For me, Theta isn’t just an organization. It’s my support system, my motivation and my anchor in all the busyness and craziness that college can be. Being a Theta has helped me grow beyond the woman I thought I could be.

Tell us about why you chose your major?

I love information and I love when other people are informed. Broadcast journalism is the perfect opportunity for me to learn something new with each story I report, and I’m able to help viewers in my community learn, too.

What are you passionate about?

If you ask any of my friends, I’m pretty sure the first thing they would say is Mizzou. And it’s true. I absolutely love this University and believe in its mission as a land-grant, public research institution. Over my four years in college, I have also developed a great interest in representation and equity in journalism, particularly in regards to women in newsroom leadership positions.

What does Theta mean to you?

I can’t put into words what Theta means to me. Without Theta, I would be a different woman, and my college experience would be completely different. I have loved my time as an active member, and I can’t wait to see how I can continue serving our Fraternity as an alumna.

Do you have a specific favorite Theta memory?

My favorite memories include my roommates — my big, Savannah, and my room 303 roommate, Hailey. Living with Sav during the spring semester of my freshman year was absolutely incredible. Our room was tiny and had no windows, but our relationship grew so much. Savannah is now a reporter at KCTV 5 in Kansas City, and living with her was like getting to spend every day with your role model. Hailey and I lived in 303 for a whole year, and she became one of my best friends because of that experience. She and I would stay up until the wee hours of the morning talking about life, school, Theta, truly anything. Hailey helped me realize and embrace my power and determination, and she was the very first person I saw after I found out I was going to be a Tri-Director!