Becker strives to support others
By Amanda Seef
NEWS EDITOR
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Photo Submitted By Jeremy Becker (second from the left) |
“Just pay it forward — three big favors for three other people. That’s it,” the hit movie Pay It Forward, said. On Brockport’s campus, we have a student who is doing just that, be it subconsciously or intentionally.
Junior Jeremy Becker has been helping other students since he arrived on campus. His involvement with Delta College, Hillel Club and other volunteer activities has brought about change to campus events.
The Marketing major intent gets plenty of hands-on experience while being a management intern for Wegmans in the summer, which is a 1-3 year program. The goal of the program is to develop management skills with prospective college students, in order to send them to new stores that are opening. Becker has worked at Wegmans since high school, working on the front end as well as in produce.
“He is obsessed with everything Wegmans,” roommate Seth Tenenbaum joked.
Becker also has interned for the Special Olympics, helping to bring the Polar Plunge to Brockport. The event raised money for the Special Olympic’s winter games.
“It was beneficial to understand from [the organization’s] point of view how the money is vital to the livelihood of the organization,” Becker said.
Through the work that Becker put in, coordinating the event with numerous organizations, the Polar Plunge’s “Cool School” Challenge was won by Brockport, earning the college a concert from Lady Antebellum. In a matter of days Jeremy sorted plans learning how to make this fundraiser a reality for The College at Brockport.
“There’s no question in my mind that Jeremy had put in more than 200 hours into the fundraiser event,” friend and Campus Life Graduate Assistant Josh Gamage said. “From the moment this idea came to him to the minute we heard that we won a country concert. In a sense, it allowed him to step back a little bit and see all of his hard work, time and effort unfold in something that really became successful and made him known here on campus.”
The event’s coordination has been one of Becker’s favorite activities so far.
“Beyond the fact that I put in a significant amount of work, there was an endless amount of people that put a lot of work into it,” Becker said. “We pulled everyone on this campus together and it’s something I wish we could do more of.”
On campus, Becker stays busy organizing and coordinating many events and potential plans for students.
As a member of Delta College, he is also the president of Delta College Student Association, a club meant for students of Delta. Through the club, he oversees the daily operations and occurrences of the club, while acting as a programming wing of Delta College. The club provides programming and events for the college community, including the annual Dodgeball Tournament.
He is also the treasurer of Hillel Club, an organization fostering the social and spiritual interaction of Jewish students on campus.
Most recently, however, Becker has become very involved with making the campus a more involved place for students as an intern with the Office of Campus Life. The Polar Plunge concert was the first step in assisting students. Now he is part of a team interested in renovating the Union’s Gallery Lounge and Game room. The plan is awaiting fund approval, though it is hoped that the area will be renovated. The use of the space will also change, potentially bringing in comedy acts weekly.
“Jeremy takes strong pride in what he does on campus and is one of the hardest working people I know,” BSG Treasurer Kyle Amendola said. “He deserves a lot of credit for organizing the Polar Plunge and his work devoted to improving the Gallery.”
He is also working with Andrea Newman, coordinator of the First Year Experience, to “actively involve incoming freshman in clubs and organizations on campus.” Incoming students will have the option through ANGEL to read about the different organizations and clubs on campus, in order to become acclimated with the clubs before coming to campus.
“It was impressive to see him work on a major event, while at the same time thinking how he can improve other services that are offered to Brockport students,” Gamage said.
All activities that Becker has done on campus have been on a volunteer basis.
“Not getting paid has put everything into perspective,” he said. “The goal of the organizations has been to provide students with a service. Money would be an added benefit, but regardless, I would still work hard and keep in mind what the students want.”
When Becker has time to relax, let alone breathe, he enjoys the typical college student activities — hanging out with friends, watching television and playing video games.
“He is a die-hard Sabres fan,” Tenenbaum added.
Becker was at the Sabres game where Richard Zednik’s neck was cut. He said it was crazy to see in person how far the goal line is from the red line, and how far he really needed to skate in.
In the end, it is Becker’s dedication and passion for student service that keep him coming back every day.
“Jeremy’s hardworking persona, his outgoing and strong work ethic, and his great sense of humor makes him one unique person,” Clayton Santic and Paul Giglio wrote in an e-mail. Both freshmen worked with Becker through an event for the Delta College Student Association. “His joking personality and exaggerating humor always bring out the best of any situation no matter the level of difficulty. He is always willing to go far and beyond his expectations to help those who require it.”
“I think that I have a desire to always be doing something,” Becker said. “It’s a good feeling when I am helping others out, and these opportunities have provided me with experience that I never could have learned in the classroom.”
A successful future seems certain for Becker.
“He is bound to be successful in the future with his great potential and leadership abilities,” Santic and Giglio wrote.
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