40 Under 40: Sammy Nickalls ’14

Since freshman year, Dr. Michael Dwyer gave me the confidence I needed to foster my work and the courage I needed to pitch to magazines and apply for editorial jobs. He encouraged me to get involved with the University’s publications and gave me incredibly poignant advice about tricky career issues I experienced after graduation. 

During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Arcadia and the surrounding area lost power for several days. I was living in Oak Summit Apartments with several good friends. We made a cozy little fort-like setup out of couches and mattresses. We treated the whole thing like a spooky sleepover party, and when the hallways regained power, we camped out in the hall with other students and RAs, and we made a great time out of what could have been a scary situation. That’s what it was like for me at Arcadia—the people I met there always made everything so much fun. 

I’d love to publish a book. Cue my blessedly patient agent screaming, “Then do it!”