Christopher Cole, general studies senior and president of the Multi-cultural Student Union, has made it through several turning points in his life to get him to where he is today.
“I’ve been going to school for eight years now,” Cole said. “I had to work full time and pay my bills. Life does happen. Don’t pursue something that you don’t like.”
Cole said school has always been very important to him.
He was forced to grow up quickly after becoming a ward of the state until he was 18 years old, when his cousin chose to adopt him.
“School was honestly what saved my life,” Cole said. “That’s why I couldn’t just finish school. I just kept going. My cousin was one of the biggest inspirations in my life. She helped me see the potential in my life, and she helped me move forward.”
Despite being in school for so long, Cole said he does not hate it. He calls himself a lifer.
“I am tired of school. I would like to do something different but I still love it,” Cole said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Cole’s enthusiasm for school has leaked into his future plans. Once he is finished with school, he would like to get his master’s in education and teach middle school.
Cole has brought the determination and dedication he has for school to his presidency in the MSU.
Cole said his goal as president is to make MSU more involved campus wide.
“MSU is about bringing diversity to campus and an outreaching to the community,” Cole said. “Anyone and everyone can join.”
The purpose of MSU serves is to bring together students of different backgrounds who are interested in creating a positive atmosphere at IU Southeast.
The organization provides an outreach to minority students a place to voice their campus concerns and to plan social events for the campus.
Max Johnson, graphic design sophomore, has known Cole and is a member of MSU.
Johnson said he has witnessed Cole’s dedication first hand.
“Chris has really come a long way,” Johnson said. “The more he started to get involved, the more MSU started to grow. This year, Chris wanted to collaborate with other groups to create a support system with student organizations. He wanted the student organizations to come together and not be afraid to ask each other for help.”
Johnson said, after the stress of Cole’s position has passed, he is a really enjoyable person.
“He’s really fun and goofs around,” Johnson said. “Chris is Chris. All around he’s a good guy. He is so persistent, determined and confident.”
Johnson said Cole is always prepared for ever meeting, and he has done so much this year in order to make IU Southeast more aware of the MSU organization.
“He updated the MSU website and he’s given MSU social networking sites,” Johnson said. “He has a vendor that helps him sell shirts. He has planned all these events for the fall and spring. He has everything under control.”
Johnson also said MSU is ready, it just needs member to activate it.
“The organization put [Cole] into the position and in three months, he turned MSU into a gold mine waiting to be discovered,” Johnson said.
By KIM KERBY
Staff
kdkerby@ius.edu
