Name: Pete Petrin
Hometown: Hillsborough, NC
Major: Political Science
What made you want to become President of the student body?
To give back – the Northeastern student experience has done so much to open doors for me during my time here. In my final year at the university, I wanted to work with students, SGA representatives and administrators to continue to make that student experience the best it can be for those who will follow after I graduate this spring.
What has been the most rewarding part about being President?
The relationships, by far. When campaigning for this job last year, I had the exciting chance to speak with thousands of students but only for a brief time. The rewarding experience of this year has been the chance to continue those dialogues. Students at Northeastern have strong opinions and brilliant ideas, and engaging in conversations around those ideas and helping others follow through with them reminds me of how significant of a difference students can make on our campus and in our community when we work together.
What do you think your greatest accomplishments at Northeastern has been?
During my third year at Northeastern, I co-founded a community service student group called Generation Citizen (namesake of a local non-profit organization), but not without significant challenges in the process. In the pursuit of student group recognition, we faced questions on the sustainability of the organization, what made our organization unique, and whether we needed student group recognition at all. However, with sheer stubbornness and detailed vision and goals, we managed to get recognition – and now Northeastern features the most successful Generation Citizen chapter in Greater Boston. I consider succeeding in this recognition process my greatest accomplishment because of what it taught me about the principle of perseverance and the refusal to quit when you believe what you’re fighting for will make a difference – qualities that I believe Northeastern teaches each of us in our own way.
How do you balance schoolwork and your many extra-curricular activities?
My passion is always learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. As a student first, my academics require budgeting time wisely, but I never allow myself to stop learning wherever I go. Both getting involved on campus and focusing on your studies are crucial in acquiring the best education Northeastern can offer. Seeing extracurriculars and schoolwork not as competing priorities but as complementary ones allows me to successfully balance them both.
What advice would you give to freshmen about making the most out of their NU experience?
Be sure not attach yourself too rigidly to the expectations that you have for your time at Northeastern – let yourself go where the university takes you, be open to new opportunities and new travels, and use your resources. Northeastern will provide the support you need to become the greatest version of yourself, but it’s up to you to make it happen.
What are you favorite things to do in Boston?
Cliche as it may be, Fenway Park has yet to lose its appeal after five years in Boston. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I still get star-struck every time I score a ticket in the outfield bleachers for a Sox game. Living now in an off-campus apartment where the lights from the Park shine through never fails to blow my mind. The richness of its history and the classic taste of a Fenway Frank easily makes it the best park in all of baseball.
Any post-graduation plans?
I actually just accepted an offer to join the 2013 Teach for America Corps! I will be teaching high school math in Mississippi Delta and could not be more excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.