SHU Helps Student Make Tough Year a Great One

Theatre arts and campus involvement help Rhode Island native Brad Hutchison move past tragic loss

Sacred Heart University sophomore Brad Hutchison experienced his freshmen year differently than most others. He started it grieving and, over time, progressed to reflecting, growing and celebrating.

The 19-year-old English major from Johnston, RI, experienced shocking loss when his father unexpectedly died three weeks after the first semester started, leaving Hutchison with questions about his future. Though he could have taken the semester off, he returned to SHU after a brief hiatus, got involved in various campus activities and started some self-examination. “I was searching for who I was and who my people were,” he said. Yet, while he was overwhelmed with emotions and didn’t feel like himself at times, he said SHU helped distract him and lift him up. “I ended up having the best year of my life,” Hutchison said.

The Toussaint Hall resident and honors student joined the hall’s council and became vice president. He also participated in theatre arts, became community service chairperson of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, worked as an orientation leader and will be a student ambassador come this fall.

Working as an orientation leader was Hutchison’s favorite activity and the experience made him feel like himself again. “It made me realize my goals are achievable,” he said. “I’m never going to give up. I’ve learned if you want something in life, you just have to go get it.”

Finding SHU and so much more

When Hutchison was a senior in high school, he applied to Sacred Heart and 12 other colleges—many in California. When he visited SHU, he said, he just felt a “different vibe.”

“When I stepped onto campus, it really was a breath of fresh air,” Hutchison said. He also liked the fact SHU was relatively close to his family, and he could see it being his “home away from home.”

When Hutchison was on campus for orientation, he saw those who guided the incoming students working hard to make the experience as positive as possible for first-year students. He recalled the leaders running around in superhero costumes during his tour, entertaining and helping students. “The energy and passion the students had for the school really drew me to SHU,” he said.

Another perk for Hutchison was SHU’s theatre arts program. He has loved the stage since he was in fourth grade, when boys were needed for the school play and he volunteered. From then on, he was hooked, he said; he knew theatre was something he wanted to pursue in college.

“I believe it’s the perfect way to express all facets of my personality,” Hutchison said. “Being on stage makes me feel like myself, and having that outlet is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

The fact that SHU allows students to participate in performing arts while pursuing a degree in a different field appealed to Hutchison. “That was really important to me,” he said.

Hearing good reviews from older friends who were involved in SHU’s theatre arts program was also reassuring. “I knew that joining this program would allow me to be surrounded by people who are always striving to be better, and that’s exactly what I wanted,” said Hutchison.

While the past year’s theatre program lineup was cut back due to COVID-19, he performed in two shows and produced another.

“Brad started his freshman year as a devoted actor and storyteller, by auditioning for the very first show within days of moving on campus,” said Jerry Goehring, executive director of the performing arts department. “He was cast in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, The Flick. He had to act like he was sleeping and then deliver one line. Not an easy task under my crazy direction. Most importantly, it was during one of the hardest times of his life: the passing of his father. His dedication and commitment were flawless. He made his family, and his dad, proud.”

Hutchison also performed in the musical Once, playing a bit of a loner who owned a music shop. The role required Hutchison to shave his long, thick hair so he could look like a balding, out-of-shape, aging man.

SHU’s theatre arts program emphasizes new works, such as Ghost Quartet, for which Hutchison was a producer, overseeing the budget, casting and production value.

“Over the course of the year, Brad was involved in more theatre arts activities and instantly showed himself as a growing young talent and leader within the freshman class,” Goehring said. “From that humble, important, one-line beginning, he went on to play a major role in Once.”

To cap off the year, Hutchison received the “First-Year Pioneer Award” at the Campus Life Leadership Awards ceremony in May. He received an email in the spring notifying him he was nominated and informing him of the next steps. He was tasked with writing an essay about his leadership qualities.

“I really didn’t think I would get it, so when I went to the awards ceremony, it was in the back of my head,” Hutchison said. He knew many of the other students who were up for the award, and saw them all as “great kids.”

“I was so shocked when I heard my name called,” Hutchison said.

The day he received the award was the seven-month anniversary of his father’s death. “It was a very emotional day,” he said. “One of the last things my dad told me was to not put my life on hold, and after I won, I know he was looking down on me with a huge smile on his face.”

Hutchison recalls his father telling him to have passion in everything he does, and he has taken that advice to heart.  

“I could have been in my basement playing video games, but instead I came back to Sacred Heart,” he said. “I was able to find new passions while continuing to pursue old ones. I was able to meet so many incredible people, from the guys in my fraternity to my suitemates who I now consider my brothers. Being the First-Year Pioneer was extremely humbling for me, and I can’t thank Sacred Heart enough for the opportunities they have given me.”

Photos: (Top) Student Brad Hutchison, center, performs in Once along with cast members Charles Fusari and Rebecca Radisic. (Inset) Brad with his mom at Toussaint Hall.