Upon arrival at Syracuse, Linsner actively pursued Otto’s Army, despite being denied a position as a freshman ambassador. She kept showing up to events, bringing her enthusiasm and pride. After serving as promotions officer this year, she’ll be president for next season.
Otto’s Army is a close-knit group, Linsner said, because members spend so much time together. She loves to campaign for her club, saying it’s the most inclusive group on campus.
“At the beginning of the year at the (activity fairs), people would be like ‘what’s Otto’s Army?’ And I would say, ‘congrats, you’re already in it,’” Linsner said.
Brian Greenwood, a senior computer engineering major, met and began dating Linsner through Otto’s Army, where he is the treasurer.
“She gets emotionally invested in the games,” Greenwood said. “And she’s very knowledgeable about Syracuse sports. She’s a lot of fun to be with during the games.”
Greenwood added that Linsner acts as a “Swiss army knife” for Otto’s Army. She’s always willing to do anything for the organization.
This summer, Linsner will work with Believe in Syracuse, a nonprofit which aims to better the city. She started working with the organization through the citizenship and civic engagement program and will continue with them until her graduation.
“Audra’s the type of girl who is extremely proud of being Orange, but that goes beyond the campus boundaries,” her friend Alex Versoza, a junior computer science major, said. “She sees the community as the whole city.”
Versoza met Linsner through a public speaking class they took together. She presented speeches on Interstate 81, and other large projects in the community. Versoza said he hasn’t met anyone who is as passionate or dedicated as Linsner.
“With her whole heart, she just loves her home,” he said.
Linsner is close with just about everyone back home, especially her three siblings. Since she’s only an hour away, she can easily go home to visit her family. Her sister also attends SU as a grad student and often meets up with Linsner.
When applying for colleges, Linsner knew SU was top of her list, but her family wasn’t sure it would be financially feasible. When the spring of her senior year came around, she was enrolled in Kent State University in Ohio. It wasn’t until the SU financial aid letter arrived that Linsner knew she could attend her dream school.
“I made a pros and cons list,” Linsner said. “But that was dumb. I was like ‘duh, I’m coming to Syracuse.’”
Simone Girma, a sophomore television, radio and film and citizenship and civic engagement dual major, described Linsner as a caring, funny person who bleeds Orange in everything she does.
“She teaches people how to be a better person,” Girma said. “She’s very thoughtful. … It’s not ‘let me give you my notes,’ it’s ‘let me walk you back up the Mount.’”
Despite her busy days, being able to share Orange pride with new faces both on the athletic teams and on campus keeps Linsner energized.
“I just love Syracuse,” Linsner said. “It’s so hard to put in words what it means to me.”
Banner photo by Frankie Prijatel | Senior Staff Photographer