Being All He Can Be     By Matthew A. Kaplan ’07       Semper and teammates warm up for a game against Case Western Reserve University Related Links: Semper Breaks Interception Mark Athletics web site Senior defensive back Quammie Semper is no stranger to multitasking. Each Saturday, the all-conference football player must read the run while maintaining his cover responsibilities to prevent the pass. But Semper is far more than the Yeomen's all-time interception leader. Aside from leading the Yeomen in 2001 with five interceptions and recording 27 solo tackles in 2002, he has established himself as a disciplined and motivated student. Along with taking a rigorous course load for his sociology major, Semper is an active member of the Student Senate and Oberlin Christian Athletes. Beyond belonging to and being successful in these many facets on campus, Semper has made a great sacrifice in enlisting in the United States Army Reserve. Semper enlisted in 2001 to fulfill his dream of one day being an officer. "I wanted to have the experience of being an enlisted soldier first so I can understand what they go through when I become an officer," he says. Since his enlistment, he has spent one weekend every month taking inventory and preparing for immediate departure into combat; his unit could be called upon to leave for duty at any moment. His unit has traveled extensively, even making trips to bases in Germany. If he were called to leave during the school year, Semper says, "I would just have to get up and go. I'd have no choice." Last May, while most students headed home to relax and enjoy time away from classes, Semper packed his bags and headed to Fort Leonard-Wood, Missouri, were he participated in intense training that taught him everything from survival skills to his designated craft of mechanics. "I can fix anything from a tanker to an 18-wheeler," claims Semper. After graduating from Oberlin this May, he plans to spend the next four years serving in an officer-training program. Amidst his intense time commitment to his many duties, he has continued to keep a humble and optimistic outlook on life. "Quammie has done a great job of time management and prioritizing his academics and athletics," says Head Football Coach Jeff Ramsey. Semper himself believes that no matter how hard or challenging life becomes, he will continue to persevere. "What really motivates me is my aunt and my family back home in Houston, Texas. To see how much my aunt has done for me, and how hard she works to support her boy, is the biggest reason why I keep going, even though it gets hard sometimes," he says. After he leaves the army and Oberlin College, Semper wants to be a teacher, and then a principal. Being an active member of the United States Armed Forces has "really taught me how to deal with people and how to be a leader. It has equipped me with many leadership tools," he says.