About Mathias

Hobbies and Experiences that Have Shaped Who I Am
Mathias Haugner

Mathias Haugner

Business Developer, Copywriter, Designer, Marketing Specialist, Volunteer

Since a résumé provides little room for personal information, this section of the web site is dedicated to doing that. In particular, highlighted here will be hobbies and other aspects of my many experiences that helped define my personality and outlook on life.

Hobbies

Variety is the spice of life, and I believe in learning from different perspectives and life stories as much as possible. A common thread among my hobbies is working in creative endeavors, with a variety of people, and for personal development.

My hobbies include, but are not limited to:

Music Compositions

NOTE: A person with a musical background will recognize that throughout the scores there are a number of formatting mistakes. The scores have not been revisited and corrected since the time they were composed. Regardless, they are posted as a reference to the music.

Awards & Affiliations

Honors Received and Group Affiliations

Awards & Affiliations

From time to time, our actions and behavior are gifted by recognition of fellow coworkers, friends, peers, superiors, or members of the community. Here is a list of some of the awards I’ve received since I started high school in the United States, as well as organizations or conferences I was given the opportunity to join. While grateful for the recognition, I’m also mindful of the fact that more than individual achievement, they represent efforts by people in general to strive for a greater good.

College Awards
  • Business School Foundation Merit Award for General Business
  • FOCUS Essence Award
  • The Freedom Award (“For contributing every day to the creation of a campus environment that respects and supports diversity and inclusiveness.”)
  • Hollis Leadership Scholarship
  • Nominated for Volusia County Volunteer of the Year
College Affiliations
  • Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity (Formerly Public Relations and Community Service Chair)
  • Attended Florida Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values
  • Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society
  • Member of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI)
  • Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society
High School Awards
  • AP Scholar Award
  • Exchange Club Student of the Month
High School Affiliations
  • Close Up Program Participant
  • Debate Team
  • VBHS Chorus
  • Masterminds College Bowl Team
  • Math Tutor
  • National Forensic League
  • National Honor Roll
  • National Honor Society
  • National Society of High School Scholars
  • Volunteer for Humane Society
  • Who’s Who Among American High School Students
  • Yearbook Staff

Living Abroad

Places in which I've Grown Up that Have Influenced my Global Perspectives

Beginnings in Germany

My early childhood years were spent in the town of Warnemünde, a seaside resort and a district of the city of Rostock in Mecklenburg, Germany. It is located on the Baltic Sea and, as the name implies, at the estuary of the river Warnow.

Much of my time was spent enjoying the seasons, which could offer particularly cold winters. Memorable highlights also included joining my grandfather for behind-the-scenes views of his theater productions, going on bike rides along the coast, and watching sailing competitions and incoming cruise liners in the port. There were also many train rides to the city of Rostock, where I enjoyed frequent visits to family living there, and attending the city’s memorable botanical garden. Some other noteworthy details of the region eluded me until later years; for instance:

Rostock is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Rostock, founded in 1419.

Exploring an Island

Following my early years at the Baltic Sea, my family moved to a significantly milder region of the world that is Gran Canaria, Spain.

The island is the second most populous island of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago, with a population of 838,397 which constitutes approximately 40% of the population of the archipelago. Located in the Atlantic Ocean about 150 kilometres (93 mi) off the northwestern coast of Africa and about 1,350 km (840 mi) from Europe.

My family spent two years on the island, and I spent several years of middle school at the Colegio Oficial Alemán de las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a German international school that served preschool (vorschule), primary school (grundschule), and secondary school (sekundaria) levels 5–12. It was founded in 1920.

Beyond school, I enjoyed visits to the beach, as well as the memorable cuisine of the region, particularly “papas arrugadas” with red mojo sauce and “pan con aioli.”

First Time in the Americas

My first exposure to living on the American continent came with a year’s stay in Costa Rica. Most of my time was spent attending the Country Day School in Escazú. I also had the opportunity to visit several locations in the country, including the national’s capitol, the popular hot springs town of Arenal, and other sites. However, in my time there I never made it to the beach.

Memorable experiences included a great supply of Mango trees, but also no shortage of a variety of animals I had not seen in person before, including tarantulas that would come inside the home.

Florida and the U.S.

For more than half my life now, I’ve called Florida (and the United States) my home. From finishing middle school, to completing high school, college, and graduate school here, my experiences have been largely memorable and fulfilling. Florida so far has offered the most wide-ranging options in terms of places to see, volunteer and interest organizations to join, and experiences to be had. My closest friendships and most enriching educational experiences have been part of my time in Florida, and these have had the most significant impact on my upbringing.

Stetson is consistently named by the Corporation for National and Community Service to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll With Distinction for exemplary service initiatives; in 2014, Stetson was one of only two universities in the country to earn the “With Distinction” recognition in every category of community engagement.

For the past years my work has included efforts in the sustainability industry, with projects located around other parts of the country and world. I’ve been exceptionally fortunate to be able to have the experiences I’ve had so far.

Let’s Collaborate & Strengthen Communities

Whether through business development or service work, communities around the world can benefit from working together. Empowered with new ideas, project initiatives, or making connections, let’s explore ways of tackling challenges with innovative solutions!

Thanks for your interest, and I look forward to working with you!

–Mathias