Thomas Hetman Profile

Thomas Hetman still recalls the summer he spent running for his life. A trip through national parks on the West Coast proved to be more than he could bear.
Hetman’s vacation started last summer in the casino city of Las Vegas where he traveled with his friend and girlfriend. From there he went through Idaho, the Redwood National Park, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to do what he likes best: hiking. Hetman said that hiking has been a challenge for him, but a bigger challenge awaited him in the Sequoia National Park.
As he and his friends were setting up their camp, a 350-pound black bear appeared, ready to tear it all down. Joshua Thompson, Hetman’s friend, was more concerned about taking pictures while Hetman was busy running for his life.
“Thomas was so scared of that bear,” said Thompson. “It wasn’t even after us; it was on our car and food.”
That night’s camping trip ended with everyone in a hotel room safe from harm and bears.
Hetman says he enjoys camping because it is challenging.
“It is a way for me to be competitive with myself,” said Hetman. “I also enjoy the scenery.”
Hetman, 24, is a thrill seeking senior from Fredericksburg. Hetman began hiking at a young age and was a member of the Eagle Scouts. In high school Hetman says he became a devout and intense player of football. He first picked up this pastime in the fourth grade which was a sport he played until his freshmen year in college. Hetman’s athletic prowess have earned him titles such as Offense Lineman of the Year, All District Center, and Best Defensive Player of the Year.
After high school, Hetman attended Salisbury University in Maryland. There he studied engineering. After one semester he realized that he disliked football’s grueling schedule and the out-of-state tuition fees.
“The major factor was that I hated getting up early in the morning,” said Hetman. “It was not that rewarding. I had to go to tape sessions, practice and then class. I had no free time.”
He then transferred to Old Dominion University in Norfolk in the spring of 2002.
However, after another semester he realized that ODU was not for him either.
“I had bad experiences,” said Hetman. “It was too violent and unsafe there.”
Hetman then decided to try a slower pace of education at a community college in his hometown. He enrolled at Germanna Community College where he studied math. But in the spring of 2006, Hetman transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond to study print journalism. The move to Richmond was prompted by visiting the campus earlier that year with some of his friends. He discovered that VCU was somewhere he could settle down and get an education.
But how does a student who has a love for math declare a major in print journalism where writing is the emphasis?
At the community college he received encouragement from one of his professors.
“I can’t remember his name but he told me I should try writing more often,” said Hetman. And so he did.
Hetman says that writing is a broad field. “It is my only outlet of expression,” said Hetman. Hetman would like a career that combines journalism and hiking. He would like to write for Backpacker Magazine, a magazine devoted to hiking, or write for a human rights organization. Hetman is still learning the process of writing and struggles with commas and other mechanics of writing. With more practice and a possible internship he hopes to solve this problem.
When not deliberating colons and semicolons, Hetman enjoys playing cards, working out, reading, and having a few beers with his buddies. Thompson, a manager and bartender in Fredericksburg, describes Hetman as loyal.
Danielle Emerson, 25, has known Hetman for four years and is his current girlfriend of two years. Emerson said she could not describe Hetman in one word.
“No one word would give him justice,” said Emerson a VCU senior. “He is kind hearted, hilarious, great, well-rounded and loyal.”
Hetman currently works as a bartender at Buffalo Wild Wings serving martinis and Long Island Iced Teas.
“I hope to take it easy this semester since it is one of my less challenging semesters at VCU,” said Hetman.