From winning Battle of the Bands to planning 50+ TGITs, Joseph Rodda, '26, was instrumental in shaping campus life at the University of Dallas and found a community united in faith and joy.

Major: Politics

Hometown: Granite Bay, CA

Notable Memories: Winning Battle of the Bands and singing for my band, Mall Culture, at Groundhog 2026 was epic. As the CAB musical entertainment intern for the past three years, seeing the live music culture at UD take off has been particularly edifying, having successfully planned and executed 50+ TGITs.

Achievements: Consistently on the Dean's List; won the intramural volleyball championship three years in a row.

Future Plans: Will serve as a Residential Coordinator at the University of Dallas Rome campus next year.

Favorite Quote:

"And all shall be well
and All manner of thing shall be well
When the tongues of flame are infolded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one."
                             — T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding

What I Love About UD: I love that UD draws together students and faculty with different backgrounds and from different places around the country, who are nevertheless united in the Catholic faith and in a joy that can only be born out of a pursuit for the truth. The natural fruit of this union is a community of strivers and servant leaders — it has certainly led me to some of the deepest friendships of my life.