Meet the Orientation Leaders (SJU)

Todd Alle: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Music Education and Spanish Education

Activities: Cross Country, Track and Field

Favorite part of orientation: You get meet a TON of new people and enjoy your first few days on campus NOT doing class work! Bomb.

Benjamin Bitterman: Junior

Major/Minor: Management/Psychology

Activities: Fishing Club, ILCP, Big Brother Big Sister

Favorite part of orientation: Playing the games in large and samll groups as well as the assortment of leadership activities was a blast.

Andre Blaine: Junior

Major/Minor: Accounting

Activities: SJU Soccer

Favorite part of orientation: Ice breakers.

Tom Bowman: Senior

Major/Minor: Applied Physics/Math and Spanish

Activities: Physics TA

Favorite part of orientation: My favorite part of orientation would have to be the sweet ice breaker activities.

Brent Broderson: Junior

Major/Minor: Economics/Management

Activities: SJU Hockey, SALD Student Manager

Why I became an orientation leader: I enjoyed my OL so much that I wanted to become one!

Shawn Buermann: Senior

Major/Minor: Math and Economics

Activities: Honors Econ Club, Math Society, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: My OL made SJU feel like home, and that is what I would like to do for the incoming first year students. 

Tony Civello: Sophomore

Major/Minor: English/Secondary Education

Activities: SJU Hockey

Why I became an orientation leader: I was lucky enough to have two great OLs last year and wanted to give incoming first years the same this year!

Kevin Conlon: Junior

Major/Minor: Political Science and Criminal Justice

Activities: Track and Field, Recreational Water Sports Club

Why I became an orientation leader: The beginning of the first year of college can be a hard time for many students, and I would like to help them get off to a great start.

Andrew Curley: Junior

Major/Minor: Political Science/History

Activities: Intramurals, Campus Ministry, College Republicans, Students Fostering Conservative Thought

Why I became an orientation leader: I hope to show incoming students what an amazing place CSB/SJU is.

Tyler Derouin: Senior

Major/Minor: Natural Science (Pre-Dentistry)

Activities: Pre-Dentistry Club, SJU EMT Squad, Trap Club, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: I made some of my best friends in college through my orientation experience.  I can't imagine starting my year off any other way than with so many great people and meeting all the first years.

Jordan Differding: Senior

Major/Minor: Communications/Spanish (Pre-Medicine)

Activities: JEC, Senate, Up 'Til Dawn, Admissions Ambassador, Intramurals, O'Connells Student Worker, Guatemala Study Abroad

Why I became an orientation leader: Because it is one of the most fun jobs on campus! 

Drew Dorschner: Senior

Major/Minor: Psychology/Spanish (Pre Physical Therapy)

Activities: Intramurals, Special Olympics Coach, Student Athletic Trainer for SJU Basketball, Chile Study Abroad, Admissions Volunteer, Physical Therapy Club

Favorite part of orientation: Having a great time with awesome people, meeting all of the new first years, and showing them how great this place really is.

Joe Eiden: Senior

Major/Minor: Political Science/Sociology

Activities: SJU Basketball, SAAC, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: Orientation is the official beginning of the college experience for most first years, and I want to help jump start a memorable career.

David Forster: Junior

Major/Minor: Management/Spanish

Activities: E-Scholars, Cross Country, Track and Field, T-Spot Sales Manager, Intramurals

Favorite part of orientation: Getting to know new people and showing them what CSB/SJU is all about.

Kevin Gjerstad: Senior

Major/Minor: Economics

Activities: JEC, SALD, Economics Club, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: It's the best job in the world!!

Matt Grafsgaard: Senior

Major/Minor: Psychology

Activities: Intramurals, Psychology Club, Study Abroad Australia

Favorite part of orientation: Being one of the first people to welcome the new students to our two campuses.

Andrew Gustafson: Junior

Major/Minor: Psychology

Activities: Intramurals, Get Out the Vote Campaign, College Democrats

Favorite part of orientation: Working with the other super fun OLs and having the opportunity to pass along my love for CSB/SJU to its new members.

Boyd Haller: Junior

Major/Minor: Management/Film Production

Activities: Psychology Department Office Assistant, KJNB Radio Marketing Coordinator, PRP, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: It rocks!

Thomas Hansen: Senior

Major/Minor: Biology

Activities: Tennis, EMT Squad, Pre-Med Club, SAAC, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: I want to help the incoming first-years have a smooth transition into college life.

Jared Hromatka: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Enviornmental Studies

Activities: Nordic Ski Team, Swing Dance Club, Intramurals

Favorite part of orientation: My orienation group was amazing! My orientation leader was amazing! It made it really easy to settle in here.

Bryan Jasperson: Junior

Major/Minor: Political Science/Spanish Studies

Activities: CSB/SJU Student Employment, Spanish Club, Intramurals

Favorite part of orientation: Meeting all of the new Bennies and Johnnies.

Kirby Johnson: Senior

Major/Minor: Biology/Psychology (Pre-Dentistry)

Activities: Peer Resource Program, Pre-Dentistry Club, Biology Club, Intramurals

Favorite part of orientation: My favorite part is seeing students go from complete strangers right away to starting a new group of friends, and also watching as they gradually get more comfortable at their new home.

Thomas Kerber: Senior

Major/Minor: Management/Accounting

Activities: Men's Chorus

Why I became an orientation leader: It is a good leadership opportunity.

 

Kevin Kirwin: Senior

Major/Minor: Computer Science and Business Administration

Activities: JEC, Men's Spirituality, Student Employment

Why I became an orientation leader: I want to make sure new students experience everything this school has to offer them.

Andrew Lilly: Junior

Major/Minor: Management/Environmental Studies

Activities: SJU Soccer, Echo

Why I became an orientation leader: To help incoming students by sharing my experiences and knowledge that I have gained since coming here. I love explaining to people how great CSB/SJU is!

Tony Lotzer: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Elementary Education/Communications and Language Arts

Activities: Education Club, Campus Ministry, RAT PAK, Men's Spirituality Group, Big Brother Big Sister, Kindergarten Tutor at Discovery Elementary, Admissions Volunteer

Why I became an orientation leader: I believe I know a lot about both schools and have good insight into what they have to offer.

Robert Martin: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Business Management/Economics

Activities: Intramurals, MAGIS, Theology on Tap, Men's Spirituality Group, Political Science Club

Favorite part of orientation: Learning about how to be a Johnnie from my OL and being accepted into a new communitiy full of great people.

David Massey: Senior

Major/Minor: Biology/Secondary Education and Coaching

Activities: FFYP, SJU JV Hockey Coach, Faith Formation, Campus Ministry, Special Olympics, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: I want to show the first-years what being a Johnnie is all about.

Emmanuel McDonald: Senior

Major/Minor: Biopsychology/Coaching

Activities: SJU Senate President

Why I became an orientation leader: Of course the awesome kids and OLs.

Ryan Minnehan: Senior

Major/Minor: Social Science/Secondary Education and History

Activities: SJU Athletic Office, Intramurals

Favorite part of orientation: Orientation gives the first-years the chance to start the "college experience" on a high note by meeting and connecting with friends and future classmates.

Shafak Mohamed Samsheer: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Management and Accounting

Activities: SJU Senate, Social Work Club, Archipelago Association

Why I became an orientation leader: It is a great opportunity to share experiences and meet new friends.

Michael Murakami: Senior

Major/Minor: Communications/English Writing

Activities: SJU Lacrosse Club, Officer on SJU Lacrosse Club Student Leadership Board, Campus Ministry

Why I became an orientation leader: I enjoy helping ease the tranisition from high school to college for the incoming first years.

Kevin Murphy: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Social Science and Theater/Secondary Education

Activities: Theater, Chamber Choir, German Club

Favorite part of orientation: The guest speakers.

William Newkirk: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Political Science/History and Coaching

Activities: Men's Spirituality Group, St. Joe Lab School Study Buddy, Intramurals, Magis

Favorite part of orientation: The Meet-a-monk session and evening prayer with the monks.

Mickey Nicoski: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Communications/French

Activities: SALD, Men's Chorus

Why I became an orientation leader: I want the first years to have a comfortable experience, and I want them to feel welcomed when they enter into the CSB/SJU community.

Patrick Niyibizi: Sophomore

Major/Minor: Accounting and Finance/Spanish and Economics

Activities: Ball Room Dance Club, Spanish Club, Accounting and Finance Club

Why I became an orientation leader: I had a great orientation experience my first year.  I want to reciprocate that experience onto the new first years.

Josh Novacheck: Senior

Major/Minor: Applied Physics and Spanish/Math

Activities: Intramurals, Casa Guadalupe

Favorite part of orientation: Being up at school with everyone without actually having to go to school.

 

Michael Pederson: Junior

Major/Minor: Psychology

Activities: Peer Resource Program, All College Choir, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: I want to show incoming first year students how awesome CSB/SJU is!

Tyler Perleberg: Senior

Major/Minor: Economics and Accounting and Finance

Activities: Investment Club, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: I enjoy meeting new people and giving back to the school.

Nick Peters: Junior

Major/Minor: Undecided

Activities: JEC, Intramurals, SJU Men's Center

Favorite part of orientation: My favorite part of the orientation experience was meeting all of the new people.  It didn't occur to me that some of the Bennies and Johnnies I met during orientation would eventually become some of my best friends as the year went on. I want to make sure that all of the first-year students feel as welcome as I felt. CSB/SJU is a unique and spectacular place, and it is an honor to introduce these institutions to the class of 2013.

Adam Quade: Senior

Major/Minor: Biology (Pre-Dentistry)

Activities: EMT Squad, Trapshooting Club, Intramurals, Pre-Dental Club, I.D. Card Office Specialist

Why I became an orientation leader: It gives me the opportunity to teach the incoming frist years why being a Johnnie/Bennie is so great. 

Caleb Schwecke: Senior

Major/Minor: Biology/Psychology (Pre-Physical Therapy)

Activities: Intramurals, SJU Track and Field, Campus Employment at SJU Resource Center

Favorite part of orientation experience: Getting put in an orientation group with students from across my floor. Some of the people put in my group are still very close friends of mine.

Sean Steinhauser: Senior

Major/Minor: Business and English

Activities: ILCP, Intramurals, Student Activities

Favorite part of orientation experience:  The entire thing.  Orientation is an awesome time which allows incoming students to meet new friends and take that next big step in their lives. Everything about it is enjoyable and the people are very passionate about what they are doing.

Robert Stubenvoll: Junior

Major/Minor: Accounting/Management

Activities: JEC, Accounting Club, Intramurals

Why I became an orientation leader: The mariache band that played while we ate tacos and met new people.

Charles Swanson: Junior

Major/Minor: Biochemistry and Math (Pre-Med)

Activities: SJU Senate, Chem Club, Fishing Club, Cribbage League, Arboretum Worker

Favorite part of orientation: Winning the photo scavenger hunt.

Alec Torigian: Senior

Major/Minor: Math/Theology and Peace Studies (Pre-Law)

Activities: Ultimate Frisbee Club, I-LEAD Fellowship, Campus Ministry, Men's Spirituality Group, Math Society

Why I became an orientation leader: I really saw how important the orientation experience can be my first year, and I really love the fact that I get an opportunity to be a part of that and do whatever I can to help make it a good transition for incoming students.

Andrew Waldbillig: Senior

Major/Minor: Elementary Education/Math

Activities: Education Club President, Intramurals, Jazz Band, Men's Spirituality

Why I became an orientation leader: Watching the first year Bennies and Johnnies get to know each other.  The bonds that are built in the first few days and throughout their entire first year is really an awesome experience.

Josh Weinzettel: Senior

Major/Minor: Management

Activities: E-Scholars, Intramurals, Choir

Favorite part of orientation: Meeting new people and making long term friendships.

Jordan Weir: Senior

Major/Minor: History/Management (Pre-Law)

Activities: Health Initiative, St. Cloud Junior High Football and Golf Coach, Record, Intramurals, Campus Ministry, Special Olympics.

Favorite part of orientation: My favorite part of orientation is getting to brag up the greatest University in the world. I truly believe that and have a lot of pride in our school as I believe everyone here on campus does. I think that pride is what makes this school so great, and I want to pass on 'Johnnie Fever' to all incoming first-year students.