Dedicating countless hours towards music, his biggest passion, Walt Peters still finds time to be involved in various organizations and gain a true Carolina experience. A junior from Durham, N.C., Walt is interested in entrepreneurship, which also happens to be his minor. Walt’s wide range of passions and interests are nicely complimented by his involvements on campus. From studying abroad his sophomore year to being a campaign manager for Mary Cooper, Walt has learned from each of his experiences that are only part of his heel print that he will leave behind here at Carolina.
HC: After coming back from studying abroad in Argentina your sophomore year, what did you learn and bring back to Carolina?
Walt: After coming back, I was ready to focus on school; it helped clear my mind. I did a lot of thinking while abroad. My experience in Argentina definitely helped me to become more fearless.
Everything from arriving there to all the embarrassing moments made me fearless. The biggest thing I gained while being abroad is the profound appreciation for life and education at UNC. Being in another country, I realized other countries don’t value student life like we do. At UNC, we really value students and the culture found in student life. I came back renewed, and I suggest everyone go abroad.
HC: I know that you’re part of the Clef Hangers, and you spend a lot of time with the guys. What is one thing you’ve learned about yourself while being with the Clefs?
Walt: I’ve learned the relationships and friendships that are formed through music are unlike anything else. Spending 30 hours a week together, friendships are formed. Music and friendship can be intertwined in an intimate way.
HC: Not only are you a Clef, but I also know you were a campaign manager for Mary Cooper’s presidential campaign. What was it like and what motivated you to get involved?
Walt: As I did it, I realized I kind of liked the idea of management. I was involved in Student Government my sophomore year. I got together with some friends and talked about the culture of campaigning. I got together with five or six friends, and said we should approach someone who we thought would be a good candidate. We literally tapped on Mary Cooper’s door in January, and told her we thought she would be a good candidate. It was really all about the team, collaboration and the environment in which she was running that appealed to me.
HC: So with all your experiences at Carolina, what is one thing you love most about Carolina?
Walt: I absolutely love the Pit. I just think that’s what sets UNC apart from any other university. It creates this culture where ideally thousands of students can interact with other. It’s easy to meet people in the Pit and talk to them or ask them to have lunch sometime. It’s a tangible space where our different backgrounds and experiences can collide and people can just ripple out. I also really love the Forest Theater, which is my favorite place on campus. I’ll go there with friends to hang out, and I’ve even performed there. It serves a multi-faceted purpose.
HC: Do you have any plans for next year and the future?
Walt: I am interested in law school as well as immigration law or working in the district attorney’s office. For next year, it’s mostly going to be the Clefs. It is really such a time commitment, and I love every minute of it. It was a challenge last semester to juggle the Clefs, Mary Cooper’s campaign and taking 18 hours. I’m just excited to focus my time on the Clefs and school. I think starting with being involved in so much and kind of narrowing it down is a mark of a good Carolina experience.