We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.
Name: Christian Oyson
Hometown: Westland, Michigan
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: This is my 2nd semester here at UMBC.
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: I am a commuter at UMBC, a volunteer at Off Campus Student Services (OCSS) with Commuter Breakfast, and a STRiVER.
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: I share my energetic personality to others and around UMBC.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: I was really fond of the students here at UMBC, coming from all walks of life and from all over the world. I've never before seen such a diverse community here that's so active and proud of their culture and affiliations. UMBC is truly a melting pot of the world.
Though I volunteer with OCSS, it really gives me an opportunity to interact with new people and also sets up a base-plate of my involvement here at UMBC. With its diversity of clubs, activities, sports, and events, there's so much I want to be involved in. But it also gives me an opportunity to make a difference in the campus community.
My recent retreat with UMBC, STRiVE, gave me an opportunity to work with such a dedicated and determined small group of people that are willing to make a difference with the community. No matter how big or small the difference can be, if we can help one person, we can have the potential to help millions.
Though I volunteer with OCSS, it really gives me an opportunity to interact with new people and also sets up a base-plate of my involvement here at UMBC. With its diversity of clubs, activities, sports, and events, there's so much I want to be involved in. But it also gives me an opportunity to make a difference in the campus community.
My recent retreat with UMBC, STRiVE, gave me an opportunity to work with such a dedicated and determined small group of people that are willing to make a difference with the community. No matter how big or small the difference can be, if we can help one person, we can have the potential to help millions.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: One of the memorable things I've experienced at UMBC is being part of STRiVE, a week long Winter Retreat where we've not only improve our leadership skills, but also awaken our potential to make a difference in our community. Throughout the experience, I've met so many people that I'll keep in touch and work with and discovered many strengths I can share to everyone as well as drawbacks that I can improve upon.
Before I started college, I've been active in numerous clubs and organizations. Those including National Honors Society, Liberty High Drama Club, SkillsUSA, and St. Joseph Youth Band. It's important to me that I strive to continue to become involved at UMBC and also to continue to be a positive influence in my community as I have in High School. However, it is also imperative to maintain my grades in College. While being active and involved is important, it's also important to maintain good academic standing. A challenge I decided to take upon myself is to find and maintain a good balance in life. Maintaining good standings while at the same time continue to be involved.
STRiVE is a retreat I'll never forget. It gave me hindsight of my true potential and see how I can make a difference here at UMBC. STRiVE was something that gave me a reason to continue to work hard throughout my career, never settling less than my very best.
Before I started college, I've been active in numerous clubs and organizations. Those including National Honors Society, Liberty High Drama Club, SkillsUSA, and St. Joseph Youth Band. It's important to me that I strive to continue to become involved at UMBC and also to continue to be a positive influence in my community as I have in High School. However, it is also imperative to maintain my grades in College. While being active and involved is important, it's also important to maintain good academic standing. A challenge I decided to take upon myself is to find and maintain a good balance in life. Maintaining good standings while at the same time continue to be involved.
STRiVE is a retreat I'll never forget. It gave me hindsight of my true potential and see how I can make a difference here at UMBC. STRiVE was something that gave me a reason to continue to work hard throughout my career, never settling less than my very best.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: Four Square, Gaming, Creating Videos, Theater, Being Involved, Learning and Trying new skills, and being a UMBC Retriever.
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
A: There's one word I've always carried with me throughout my high school and now college career. "Inspiritu."It means "to breathe life into, to inspire." I knew a great friend of mine who passed away recently that carried this throughout her life. Her name is Kate McAfee. She was an inspiriting person that loved to act and perform on stage and also influenced a lot of people with her positive attitude before her passing. Not once have I seen her say or do anything negative to someone. Her genuine personality touched and saved the lives of many. After her passing, everyone mourned the loss but everyone also remembered her legacy that she left behind, to inspire.
This is something I've carried with me after her passing. To me, her legacy of "inspritu" has helped shaped and redefined my purpose for living and also been deeply involved in what I actively do. I'm sure that she's looking after all of those who were touched by her and making sure that one of us, if not many, would carry out what she left behind. To continue to inspire and influence the lives of many.
Note: Here is a link to the video "What if money was no object?," which Chris mentions at around 2:44 of his Bonus Video.
This is something I've carried with me after her passing. To me, her legacy of "inspritu" has helped shaped and redefined my purpose for living and also been deeply involved in what I actively do. I'm sure that she's looking after all of those who were touched by her and making sure that one of us, if not many, would carry out what she left behind. To continue to inspire and influence the lives of many.
BONUS VIDEO QUESTION: What else would you like to share? Ask yourself a question and answer it.
Note: Here is a link to the video "What if money was no object?," which Chris mentions at around 2:44 of his Bonus Video.
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
