Name: Brian GarretsonHometown: Cranford, NJRelationship Status: SingleGraduation: May 2016
Although the school year is fast approaching it’s close, we thought it was important to sit down and chat with one of the coolest guys you will meet on Boise State’s campus – Boise State’s very own ASBSU President, Brian Garretson! Brian describes himself as “a football enthusiast, ski junkie, amateur astronomer, and Chipotle devotee.” We took some time to get to know what makes Brian tick (**hint: coffee and good times are key), both in ASBSU and outside of his presidential duties.
Many of you may already know Brian; he’s been very involved in Dance Marathon since 2014, is a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and served as their President in 2014, and he recently entered a video into the Red Bull “Can You Make It?” competition with ASBSU Vice President Nick Propp (who we will be profiling next week) and their friend Austin. A transplant from New Jersey, he is double majoring in Management and Communications while also earning certificates in Public Relations and Leadership. When we asked Brian what brought him to Boise State University, his answer was right in line with what we expected: “I came to Boise State for something new…I haven’t looked back since. I love it here.”
Brian has many accomplishments that not only make him well known on campus, but also set him apart from other members of Boise State; the one he says he is proudest of was becoming President of Tau Kappa Epsilon. “I believe in opportunity through challenge and this was one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced,” Brian told us on becoming President. As some of you may remember, Brian became President after a serious drug incident that resulted in 40 member expulsions from Tau Kappa Epsilon and serious sanctions both from their national headquarters and Boise State University.
With previous presidential experience, it’s no wonder that Brian excels at his ASBSU duties which include, but are not limited to, overseeing ASBSU Executive Board and Assembly, serving as a liaison between students and the administration, and advocating on behalf of the 22,000+ students that attend Boise State. “The most rewarding part has been working with and for students who are doing incredible things,” he said, “but the challenging part is determining what is right. Sometimes the right answer isn’t always favorable or even in alignment with the administration. As Mark Twain said ‘it’s never wrong to do the right thing.’”
Before our interview with Brian ended, we asked him now that he is graduating and reflecting upon his time at Boise State University, if there was one piece of advice that he would give to the Fall 2016 incoming Freshman class. Brian’s key piece of advice? “Don’t take things too seriously! These are supposed to be the best years of your life so have fun, take it slow, try as many new things as possible…and remember, your major and GPA do not define you as a person.” We couldn’t have said it any better, Brian!