Omar Terrie ’06
Well, as of this letter, I am 22 yrs old. I will be 23 in May. I was born in Anchorage, Alaska, spent my early childhood in Germany and my teen years in New Baden, Illinois.
I went to high school at Mascoutah Community High School and while there, was active in the Band, Choir, Show Choir, Drama Club, Spanish Club, Beta Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, and being a teen. I loved high school, but absolutely hated PE!
I really started to get involved with politics during my senior year of high school. I applied and was accepted into the Illinois Governmental Internship Program (IGIP). This program took aspiring political youths from around the state and brought them to Springfield. As high school seniors, we were placed in internships throughout the Capitol and received hands-on learning. We moved away from home for a semester, stayed with families in Springfield, IL and did college level stuff while still in high school. My particular internship was (at the time) with R-Senator Peter Fitzgerald in his central state office located in Springfield. The experience was educational, to say the least, and I’ve stayed in contact with two friends from IGIP. Actually, one ended up coming to Bradley with me and recently just got married. Congratulations Katie Himes!!!
Enter Bradley University. I had heard from my friends who had gone to college before me that college is probably the best four years of your life. They weren’t kidding. I LOVED my college experience at Bradley! I entered during the freshmen class of 2002 and graduated May 13, 2006; exactly four years, so my parents were happy, but as the saying goes, “graduating college in four years is like leaving the party early!”
Anyway, during my time at BU, I was very actively involved in two organizations. The first was as a Student Admissions Representative (STAR). Those are the students who have smiles at 7am on Friday and Saturday mornings. Don’t worry, you’re right, it’s not natural, it was forced. LOL. The second was as a member of the Student Senate. I had a pretty interesting and not boring time on Student Senate. I was Student Body Treasurer at one time, and, over the course of the years, represented 3 different constituencies. Besides those two organizations, I also had stints with the Student Activities Budget Review Committee, International Affairs Organization, Dance Marathon, and Homecoming Court. I probably would have joined a fraternity if time permitted, but alas, there was no time and doing so might have well killed me.
OK, I’m supposed to answer some questions, so I guess I should probably do that now.
What made you decide to go to Bradley?
I was attracted to Bradley for two reasons: the internship opportunities and the size. The hands-on education Bradley was able to provide was, in my eyes, amazing. And I have benefited from those resources greatly. Also, BU was large enough to meet a new person everyday, while being small enough for me to see my friends everyday as well.
Who were your favorite mentors/professors/advisors??
First and foremost, I had a great time with the political science department. Professor Craig Curtis always had a great and different way of looking at a situation that forced us to think. Professor Aspin is probably one of the most challenging people I have ever met. He’s quiet, but you can tell there is adamant passion for what he does, boiling right under the surface. And while it pains me to admit it, I am actually using some of the material I learned from PLS 209 in my daily life! Everyone hated that class!!! Professor Hall made fun of both sides of the aisle, basically called us all dumb and then actually PROVED why we were!. Professor Gobeyn—impossible to fall asleep in that man’s class.
It’s been almost a year since you’ve graduated. What do you miss most/least?
I miss lack of responsibility the most. Now I am fully accountable for things in the real world, so if I screw up, it’s not a little screw up. There are no little screw ups in politics. I miss the morning smell from the fermentation plant the least
Favorite Spot/Hangout at Bradley?
Mine shifted between three: Of course the Lucky Lady, WingDing Wednesdays at Crusen’s, and, my favorite downtown spot, Sully’s!
You up and moved to D.C. after graduation. What was it like to make such a drastic move? You interned in D.C., but did you have friends there already? Have you had a chance to encounter any BU alums since you’ve arrived?
It was a relatively easy decision; deciding to move to DC. I had been here before, so I knew the layout of the area. I wanted to live in an urban environment with a lot to offer, and the Midwest was too slow-paced for me. I did have some friends out here before moving, so that made the transition a little easier. However, I have made a whole new group of friends since moving out here. Unfortunately, my job is such that social time is at a premium, so meeting other BU alums is not always the easiest thing to do.
You now work for Tom Davis. Tell us a little bit about what you are doing?
When I first came out here, I was the volunteer coordinator for the “Tom Davis for Congress Campaign”. My job was to recruit for all the various activities and events in which we were involved. Thus, my STAR training came in handy. After that, I was asked (and accepted) to stay on the political/campaign staff full-time and to help, with a cohort, lay the foundation for a possible senatorial run. In the meantime, the congressman is very gracious with giving help to other local campaigns in the area, and I will most likely be sent to help those candidates.
Are there any politicians with whom you would really like to work?
Obviously, Congressman Davis. Also, I would like to possibly get involved with the McCain or Giuliani White House.
Politics is a lot about issues and causes. Are there any for which you would really like to be an advocate?
I’ve become pretty passionate about energy usage and have always been passionate about defense.
What are your future goals for let’s say 5-7 years from now?
Well, I have plans to run for office at some point back in Illinois, so in that time, I would hope to become a major player on the political scene.
What advice would you give a student who’s graduating or will graduate in the next year?
DON’T SETTLE FOR ANY JOB!!! The only reason I am enjoying life after college is because I recognized my niche and waited to find something to fit it. Granted, everyones’ field is different, but if you just get any job that comes your way, you will hate it. A lot people get paid more than me (and I get paid pretty competitively for a recent graduate), but they hate getting up in the morning. I LOVE getting up in the morning!
Is there anything you wish you could come back and do again?
I wish I could come back and find out what is in Professor Gobeyn’s cup that he brings to class every morning *wink*
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