The Oberlin Review
<< Front page News October 13, 2007

Off the Cuff: Geoff Peterson

Geoff Peterson, known to his friends as Sweet P, is the Senior Class President. News editor Brian Pugh sat with him to chat about his position, his politics and his favorite cuisine.

What do you do as Class President?

When I got elected it was obviously cool, but when I first talked to Matt Kaplan, last year’s Senior Class President, about the position, he didn’t give me a very good understanding, I would say.

I went into this year with the mindset that I would have to do whatever I could to maximize this opportunity.

We, the class officers, sit on the Honorary Degrees Committee and run the Senior Gift, which is a big project that’s about to take off.  We haven’t gotten approval yet, so I cannot tell you, but it’s going to be big and it’s going to be awesome. We also plan the senior week events and senior activities throughout the year.

Honorary degrees to people besides Krislov?

I don’t think he needs any more degrees, to be honest. He’s great. The meetings are confidential, but always expect good things.  We have a great pool of Oberlin graduates we can honor.

How do you interact with President Krislov, Student Senate and the other governance bodies?


The Class Officers are bodies of their own. We don’t have any affiliation with the Senate. We’re run mainly through the Dean’s office, which is why I saw a lot of potential since there aren’t as many bureaucratic strings to hold us down.

Are there any specific issues you would like to promote as Senior Class President?


I really want to push a connection with the College and the community with the events we’re going to sponsor. I think there is a lot of potential to do some cool things and bring people together and celebrate this unique place in the world.

What are your plans after College?

I do plan on running for President, as a Republican candidate probably, but my Republican hero is George H.W. Bush, not Ronald Reagan. I’m vice president of the Oberlin College Republicans, but I support Bill Richardson as a presidential candidate right now because of his experience, which I think is pretty funny. 

But in the immediate future, I’m going home to Brookville, PA and run for mayor of my hometown, that’s the first office I would like to hold.  I want to do it because it is a great town and I loved growing up there, and like my father, I see a lot of potential in rural Pennsylvania.
If that doesn’t work I’m going to become a chef.

Any particular cuisine?


I want to cook it all, but I particularly enjoy Taco Bell.

You are also a Bonner Scholar, how is that?


It’s amazing; the Bonner Center for Service and Learning is just amazing.  I’ve had a chance to work within the College community and the greater community and it’s very rewarding. Anyone who has the chance to do community service work study program or any of the things run out of BCSL, has an opportunity to do something great.

Through the program, I’ve been able to work in places I never thought I would, I never thought I’d work in Washington as congressional intern.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I love singing R&B music, it has got so much soul. My friends know I’m a human jukebox and I really like meeting new people, so come say “hi” to me and please be on the look out for the senior gift.

What are your greatest influences?


My mother and father — my Dad’s a baptist minister and my mom has worked at odd jobs her entire life, using her many talents.

I would put Paul W. Dawson down as a career influence. He indirectly gave me the confidence that I needed to ask people for things and think critically about my actions.

Were you not always a confident person?

I was always outgoing and outspoken and sometimes irrationally so, but he kind of helped me to think about things on a deeper level.

 
 
   

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