Jake Williams is awesome. Here’s why:
As a 20 year old senior journalism major, political science minor, Jake Jake definitely keeps himself busy.
Graduating in May 2014 after only three years of college, Jake has accomplished a lot throughout his time at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Jake is president of IUP’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, production director of Indiana radio station WIUP-FM 90.1, columnist for IUP’s student-run newspaper The Penn, and contributing writer for political news site Politics PA.
While wearing all of these hats, Jake works three jobs! Jake works at Staples, the Hadley Union Building’s copy center, and Romeo’s Pizza located at 1112 Oakland Ave. So, you see, Jake is a “busy bee,” but still finds time to frequently call and spend time with his grandmother — I know, it’s adorable.
As production director of WIUP-FM, Jake said one of the great things about his position is the “really awesome radio station staff.”
“They’ve been so cool and so excited to do new things,” Jake said. “And I really am drawn to people and to things that have the potential to do new things, new exciting things.”
Speaking of “new things,” this year, the pages of The Penn has seen a new fresh look at politics with Jake’ weekly political column IUPolitique.
“Inspiration for that column stems from my summer of writing about politics in Washington, D.C. for a political campaign magazine,” Jake said.
“That has inspired me to do this weekly column for The Penn saying ‘Hey, IUP, politics are happening all the time, here’s what you should be focusing on. Here’s what should matter to you and here’s how it affects you.”
Over the past summer, Jake was nose-deep in Washington, D.C.’s political scene. Jake interned for Washington’s political magazine Campaigns & Elections. Jake describes the experience as life-changing and said that working for Campaigns & Elections “had a huge role in shaping who the Jake Williams was that came back from D.C. this summer.
During his time at Campaign & Elections, Jake was present for landmark same-sex marriage cases as well as a voting rights case.
Now, as a contributing writer for Politics PA, Jake had the opportunity to report on President Barack Obama’s speech at a college in Scranton. Having met prominent political figures, such as former president George W. Bush and florida republican senator Mark Rubio, Jake plans to meet many more.
Jake’ hard work and humility is overshadowed only by his passion for journalism— specifically political journalism.
“I chose to be a journalism major because I’ve been passionate about journalism ever since I was a kid,” Jake said. “Political science is the new love of my life— after I spent a summer in Washington, D.C., I knew that I wanted to concentrate my reporting in politics. The way government works is absolutely incredible and to be able to report on it seems like the perfect combination for me.”
Upon graduation, Jake plans to take three weeks off and drive across the country! After the fun is over, Jake plans to move to Washington, DC., and eventually become a correspondent for the White House.
Jake has accomplished a lot in the past three years, but the greatest accomplishment of all, he says, is the relationships he has built here at IUP.
“When it comes down to it,” Jake said, “my greatest accomplishment at IUP has been meeting some of the most interesting and remarkable people that I’ve ever met.
“Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters. It’s the relationships between incredible people that make this university an incredible place, and make it amazing for me to be here.”
Jake advises IUP freshman and current students to have passion. He believes passion is what drives everything we do in life and he advises students not to “write-off” their time at IUP but to embrace it to the full.
Jake Williams exudes passion, humility, enthusiasm, and confidence, but by far the most important characteristic about our Campus Celebrity is this:
He’s single.