Meet our Fall 2009 Peer Leaders
 Laura Anderson
Laura is a returning peer and chose to come back, to give back "I wanted to give back to University Studies after all I was under their wing for 2 years! I want to share my experiences with first-year students and help their transition into college life be a positive and productive one." Laura’s favorite read is 1984 by George Orwell. “This is the ultimate dystopian novel. It is Orwell’s depiction of a world ruled by totalitarianism- with everyone’s actions and thoughts monitored under 24-hour surveillance. I love the nightmarish world that Orwell envisions; this speculative fiction provides a clear warning of what can develop when government has all the control and encroaches upon the rights of individuals. This book is one everyone should read and examine!” Laura was a University Studies major her first two years of college before deciding upon a Pre-Physical Therapy option in the College of Health and Human Development. She hopes to someday “own a pediatric physical therapy clinic here in Bozeman!” Her advice for first-year students, “If you don’t know what you want to major in, don’t sweat it! Take time to discover yourself, join a campus organization that covers your interests in their club objectives, and find something your passionate about. Then, try to combine these things into a major. I think you will be surprised.”
 Justin Chongway
Justin is currently an Accounting major in the College of Business; however he came into MSU as an undecided student in the University Studies department. His dream job is “to play professional soccer for the Colorado Rapids.” His advice for first-year students comes from experience, “don’t rush it, it will all come in time and fall into place as it should.” Justin is involved with the Chi Alpha (XA) Christian Fellowship here at MSU and also involved with intramural sports on campus, participating in soccer, football, and dodge ball. His favorite Bozeman activity is snowboarding at Bridger Bowl during the winter months. “The snow is unbeatable and riding fresh powder in the morning and into the afternoon is an amazing experience.”
 Hannah Damberg
Hannah is currently a Business Marketing major; however she was a University Studies major for the first 3.5 semesters of her college career. Hannah loves reading James Patterson books. “They are the kind of books that keep you at the edge of your seat all the way through and then into the sequel.” Hannah’s advice for first- year students, “Have fun! That is most important, but also remember that you are here for school and don’t have too much fun. The transition is hard and can be much more difficult that you expect or predict, so make sure to get out and find friends and people you can have fun with.” Hannah believes she was born in the wrong era because she loves big band music as well as the 50’s-70’s music eras; wishing she was born in the early 1900’s!
 Brycen Ek
Brycen is a returning peer having really enjoyed his past experiences with the seminar program. "As an education major I was looking for a way to become more involved in classrooms before graduating. The idea of working with both the teachers and students intrigued me. My first few semesters at MSU comprised of going to class, and hanging out with those I knew prior to moving to Bozeman. However by becoming a Peer Leader I have also become a member of the university.” Brycen is on the path to completing duel degrees; with a major in History and Government and a major in the Social Studies Broadfield option, of Secondary Education. “However I did not plan on attempting the two until my 4th year. I originally began college declared as pre-nursing, but found education to be stimulating and rewarding.” His dream job: “to teach, travel, and connect with people. So hopefully I will have credentials to teach higher education, and have the opportunity to teach internationally.” His advice for first-year students is interesting, “Get addicted to coffee so that you are forced to spend time in a coffee bar of some sort, most preferably the one that hold books, as in Renne Library. It will increase your study habits, and you might just meet a new friend or two. But bring your own mug! (You get $ off)”
 Jason Ferguson
Jason is a Marine, which helps explain his favorite read, Generation Kill by Evan Wright. “It is a true story about Marines invading Iraq through the eyes of a “Rolling Stones” reporter. The honesty and the reality of what the military is actually like, is a huge reason I like the book. It tends to cut out the glory and romance that most movies and books portray.” Jason started out as an animal science major, focusing on the pre-vet option. However, “after one semester, I knew I didn’t like science enough to pull a 4.0 to get in to vet school, so I switched to agricultural business which I am still in.” Jason’s advice for first-year students, “first-year students need to get out of their comfort zone and refuse to be shy! The friends you make at school, is what will make it easier and fun!”
Brandon French
 Brandon is a returning peer leader, originally becoming a peer leader to improve his public speaking and leadership abilities, but believes he has gained much more out of the program than he intended. Brandon’s current major is electrical engineering, but he hopes to go to medical school upon graduation. Brandon is rare in the fact that he has never changed majors. He has two German shepherds named Maverick and Goose. His advice for first-year students, “don’t be afraid to change your major or not decide on a major. You will figure out what you want to do with your life, so take classes you are interested in and let that help you find your path.” He is the Editor-In-Chief of the ASMSU Exponent, so that takes up quite a bit of his time. He is also a member of Mortar Board, and involved with AdvoCats. If Brandon had the opportunity to star in a movie, he would be Jedi in the Star Wars saga. Brandon’s favorite Bozeman activity is folfing on campus.
 Tony Layton
Tony is like the majority of students attending MSU, changing his major several times and already planning for changes in the future. “I entered MSU undecided on what degree I wanted to obtain. After my first semester I decided on Business Management. The middle of my sophomore year I decided to add the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Minor. I continued in these programs until the end of my third year, when I decided to add another field of study, Business Marketing. In the spring of 2010 I will graduate MSU with a Degree in Business with the options of Management and Marketing, with a minor in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Recently I have decided that when I graduate I will go back to college and become a Registered Dietitian.” During his spare time he enjoys spending time with his pet frog, “Jumpy”! Tony is involved in multiple ways across the campus and community, helping to create the program “Big for a Day” through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County and is also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp) fraternity.
 Megan Malone
Megan is a double major in Sociology and Anthropology. Megan’s ‘dream job’ is to be a tour guide in Italy. Stating, “being a tour guide guarantees that I get to see AWESOME places!” Megan’s advice for first-year students, “Relax, it is ok that you don’t know what you want your major to be, and it is just fine to switch majors. Pick a major that will lead to your main goals in life; pick a major that will make you happy.” Megan encourages first-year students to utilize their academic advisor. She believes, "Your advisor should be your best friend."
 Mariah Peters
Mariah is currently a Health Enhancement major, but before deciding upon a major was a “university studies girl”. Her favorite read is Tender at the Bone because it is “all about something I love, food.” This book has inspired her to try new foods and recipes. Her dream job consists of “being a mom and opening a bakery or pie shop.” Mariah would recommend Carrie Kintzler from the University Studies office as the MSU ‘go-to’ person for first-year students; stating that, “if she doesn’t know the answer, she knows someone that does.”
 Zach Plotkin
Zach is currently studying Microbiology. His dream job is to “be some sort of entrepreneur who makes tons of money, and creates a product which contributes to the betterment of humanity.” His decision to attend MSU was an easy one, “MSU offers everything I desire, both on and off campus.” Zach is a snowboarder and an avid fly-fisherman. His favorite Bozeman restaurant is La Parilla. He offers sound advice for first-year students, time management. “College can be much more demanding than high school, therefore it is very important to set aside adequate time specifically for studying; instead of trying to cram in information at the last minute.”
 Adrianna Potts
Adrianna is currently pursuing a major in Liberal Studies, focusing on the Quaternity option. She has great advice for first-year students, “Take school seriously and try to do your best, but don’t forget to have a little fun. Just don’t let it get out of control.” She also strongly suggests the Writing Center for first-year students, believing they are a helpful resource for all MSU students. Adrianna has great reasons for becoming a peer leader, “I decided to be a peer leader because I feel like I’ve learned a lot at MSU and I would like to share what I’ve learned. I also believe that a lot of freshmen do not really know what to do in certain situations and I’ve had to deal with a lot of different things here, from financial aid issues to professors, so I would like to help others.”
 Stacey Ray
Stacey is currently pursuing two degrees, one in Studio Arts, and the other in Art Education. Her dream job is to be “an artist and musician.” Her advice for first-year students, “Start working hard right away and don't let up. I know that I felt that my work was over after high school, but it really just began. Make goals for yourself, write them down, and figure out how to do them. Also, don't turn down any opportunity. Networking is important! Don't underestimate yourself!” Stacey is highly involved on campus and in the community. “I work at the MSU Leadership Institute and for the second year, am the ASMSU Arts and Exhibits Director. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society (ALD), which I was President of last year, and also National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) member. I have been a CAP Mentor, and have done much volunteer work on and off campus.”
 Taylor Schwieckert
Taylor decided upon a Graphic Design major at the beginning of his second semester at MSU and has been happy with his decision. His dream job consists of “being an art director for a ski company”; this satisfies his love of graphic design and skiing! He would encourage first-year students to “be open-minded and learn as much as possible” while attending MSU. His favorite Bozeman restaurant is Dave’s Sushi. Taylor is a member of NECO (Network of Environmentally Conscious Organizations).
 Burctan Soyulmaz
Burctan is currently a Film major and states it is, “strangely his first and only major.” He would highly recommend the First-Year Initiative office for first-year students, believing “they can basically answer or direct you to someone that can answer any questions or concerns that a first-year student might have.” His favorite Bozeman restaurant is Café Zydeco! Burctan’s advice for first-year students, “relax and branch out as much as possible.” Burctan has done his own “branching out” while attending MSU; he is the Retention Advisor for the First-Year Initiative office and the current president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity here on campus.
 Amy Stetson
Amy is currently a Nursing major, but discloses “I have officially switched my major twice, but changed my mind many times.” She has an orange tabby named Hermann, after the ski-racer Hermann Maier, “who took an epic crash in the ’98 Winter Olympics.” She encourages first-year students to “find the library within your first week at school.” Her favorite Bozeman activity is skiing at Bridger Bowl. An interesting fact about Amy, “Thus far, I have traveled to four continents, and I hope to see them all someday!”
 Dustin Stoltz
Dustin is a returning peer and decided to return because, “I like to ask questions”. Dustin is currently studying Sociology, but has interests in other fields too. “I have accumulated several credits in Marketing (almost my second major) and Philosophy and wish I took more classes in Physics, Economics and Biology, more specifically Neuroscience”. His dream job consists of “being a super-hero or owning a restaurant that grows its own food out back.” His favorite Bozeman activity is rock-climbing. Dustin is highly involved in the Bozeman and MSU community, participating in the following clubs and organizations: the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity; the Office for Community Involvement; AmeriCorps; Men Stopping Rape/Students Against Sexual Assault; the VOICE center; and the Undergraduate Scholars Program.
 Craig West
Craig’s favorite read is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. “This was my favorite because of the first-person point of view of an autistic boy who learns to deal with his parents divorce. This story meshed two problems, autism and divorce, and did it in a way that made it seem real and believable.” Craig is currently an English Education major; he has changed his major 3 times so far! He would love to someday be a book/movie critic. His advice for first-year students, “get involved with campus or some sort of organization, you’ll have a lot more fun.” Craig is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the University Chorus here at MSU. His favorite Bozeman restaurant is Frank’s.
 Jordan Zignego
Jordan is currently working towards a double major in American Studies/English Literature and Architecture. Jordan recommends first-year students, “Find a great advisor that you respect and can relate to.” His favorite Bozeman restaurant is Nova Café. Jordan is involved with the alcohol/drug program Insight, where he teaches classes. His reason for becoming a peer leader is noble, “Academia has given much to me and I would like to give something back by helping students along their collegial journey.”
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