Year: Junior
Major: Chemical Engineering
Hometown: Madison, NJ
Relationship Status: Single
HC: So we hear you’re on the Atlas Exec Board. What’s that like?
NB: Atlas Exec board has been a lot of fun so far. It’s a ton of work, but I know we’re making a huge impact on the THON community. It has been wonderful working with the other exec board members and my Donor Alumni Relations committee. It’s really cool to be one of the DAR chairs because you get to see a lot of the behind the scenes work for THON and meet a lot of cool people who are also involved.
HC: Your president Kevin Cass has been featured on our site before. Feel any pressure following in his footsteps?
NB: Oh man, the girls love Kevin. In my opinion, Kevin is washed up. He is an old buck in a young man’s game. He is kind of like the Backstreet Boys reuniting in the late 2000’s. It’s nice, but it’s nothing special. In reality, Kevin is one of my roommates and best friends. And to answer your question, I don’t feel any pressure because we are so different. He is much more mild-mannered, and I’m more in your face and talkative.
HC: Okay now for the hot seat: first thing you notice about a girl?
NB: The first thing I notice about a girl has to be her eyes, then her hair quickly after that. A girl with great eyes gets me every time.
HC: Dream date?
NB: I love the ocean and the beach. I am an ocean lifeguard in the summer, so that is basically my home away from home. Any date that involves the beach would be a dream date for me. Plus, if the date goes wrong, I still have the ocean to fall back on.
HC: Celebrity crushes: boy and girl?
NB: My female celebrity is definitely Jenifer Lawrence. She seems like such a cool and funny girl, and hanging out with her would be really awesome. Plus, have you seen her? She is smoking hot. My celebrity guy crush would have to be Justin Timberlake because the guy is a hilarious actor and an even better musician. Who doesn’t love JT? Am I right, ladies?
HC: Any hidden talents?
NB: I’m pretty much an open book, but I am a decent juggler. Also, I love to surf, and I guess a lot of people at Penn State don’t know that about me. Surfing is by far my favorite thing to do.
HC: Favorite late-night craving?
NB: My favorite late-night craving is Wings Over. It doesn’t take much convincing for me to get Wings Over, but I will only order wimpy buffalo. The other flavors are okay, wimpy buffalo is just the best in my opinion.
HC: Favorite motivational quote?
NB: I have a few motivational quotes.
“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.” –Anonymous
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” –Friday Night Lights
These two quotes get me going when I feel like I am in a tough spot. Also, whenever I feel like the world is against me, I read a family story on THON’s website because I realize if these kids have the courage to fight for their lives, then I can find the courage to get out of whatever minor problem I am dealing with.
HC: Do you have a role model?
NB: I don’t have one particular role model, because I am inspired by so many people. I’ll start with my parents. They are my rock and whenever I am having a bad day, a call from them always cheers me up and gets me going. Other people I look up to are athletes like Michael Jordan or musicians like Dave Grohl because they work so hard to be the best at what they do.
HC: What’s one thing you want people to remember you by once you leave Happy Valley?
NB: When I leave Happy Valley, I want people to remember me as someone who worked really hard for Atlas and THON. They are my true passions here. I also want people to remember that I was a really cool dude with a great mix of charisma and “Jersey attitude,” that never had a dull moment in college. I don’t think that is a lot to ask for.