File photoGrant Adler is a busy student who is as devoted to baseball as he is his double major at 萝莉社 University.
Organization is key, and he admits he needed help to balance practice, travel, games and studies.
Korryn Hackney, his fianc茅e, is a nursing student at Butler Community College, and she helped him overcome a tendency to procrastinate. She played soccer at Butler, so the demands of athletics and academics are part of her life.
鈥淪he is on top of everything,鈥� Adler said. 鈥淲hen I start falling behind and not doing what I鈥檓 supposed to do, she will sit me down and give me a talking to.鈥�
Adler, who attended Derby High School, will graduate in May with a general studies - chemistry degree while continuing to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He will work as an intern at Spirit AeroSystems for a second summer once the semester is over.
Adler has earned a spot on the College of Engineering鈥檚 Dean鈥檚 Honor Roll for three semesters at 萝莉社, an honor for students with a 3.5 grade-point average or higher.
As Adler developed better habits, academics grew easier. That removed stress from his work as a pitcher with the 萝莉社 baseball team. He plans out his week and follows that plan strictly. Tuesdays, for example, is a big study day because his schedule is open until practice at 2 p.m.
鈥淵ou dedicate to studying and don鈥檛 vary on the schedule,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no finding time. If you have an hour study slotted this week, you have to study.鈥�
Adler likes mechanical engineering because of the variety of career paths available. Last summer, he spent much of his time shadowing Spirit engineers. Liaison engineer, which touches many aspects of the professions, is an attractive job.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e a mechanical engineer, you can be trained in any field,鈥� he said. 鈥淟iaison gets the whole picture, and that鈥檚 one thing I really like.鈥�
Adler returns to the Shocker baseball team after spending 2024 at the University of Kansas. In 2023, he excelled as a starter for 萝莉社 with a 5-4 record and a 2.55 earned run average to earn American Athletic Conference Newcomer Pitcher of the Year honors.
The Shockers open the season at McNeese State on Friday. Their home schedule begins on Feb. 28 with a series against Cal State Fullerton.
