As graduation looms, I am beginning the scary but necessary reflection process that all seniors undergo. We've attended four homecoming weekends, four Spring Flings, numerous guest lectures, fraternity parties and performances by [insert your favorite a cappella group, dance troupe or theatre group here]. Yet we forget that these events don't just magically appear.
For four years, I took for granted the TCU Senate, the body that orchestrates the events that define Tufts for all of us. In my opinion, it is time that we recognize the TCU Senate's efforts to improve this institution by voting into office a strong TCU President for 2007-2008. As a student who has invested a great deal in the Tufts community, I have high hopes for its future.
Nicole Schechter is a senior majoring in clinical psychology. Looking toward Tufts' future, I see a candidate for TCU President who is able to take risks, able to represent the entire student body and able to work successfully with the Tufts administration. The next TCU President must be Neil DiBiase.
Neil DiBiase is a risk taker: After spending last summer in Israel and witnessing the casualties of war, DiBiase returned to campus with an innovative idea to organize a community service trip. The trip would take 42 Tufts students to Northern Israel over winter break in order to help repair the war-torn areas. Despite innumerable hurdles facing DiBiase, including but not limited to funding, management, planning and recruitment, he pushed forward.
He formed a committee with three other Tufts students and together they raised close to $80,000 and began what hopes to be an annual Tufts Hillel trip. And his actions inspired more risk taking. Upon returning to campus, the group members found themselves empowered by his vision.
Prior to my experience on this trip, I was involved in Israel activities on campus but it was because of this trip that I became increasingly dedicated. As TCU President, DiBiase will surely be able to take necessary risks, inspiring senate members, as he inspired us, to foster innovation and improve student life at Tufts.
DiBiase represents student interests: In his years at Tufts, DiBiase has become involved in a myriad of campus organizations. His involvement in a variety of student groups gives DiBiase ample perspective into the pressing needs of Tufts undergraduates. As a brother in Theta Chi, DiBiase will be able to engage members of the Greek system and Tufts Administrators in an open dialogue that will improve relations between the two parties.
As the current President of Model United Nations, current Vice President of Tufts Friends of Israel, and an active member of New Initiative for Middle East Peace and Tufts Hillel, DiBiase understands the challenges that academic, religious, cultural and political clubs too often face when working with the TCU Senate. Through his experience as a TCU Senator, DiBiase not only identifies with members of clubs, but he also understands that the relationship between Senate and the student-led organizations needs to change.
DiBiase can work cooperatively with the Tufts Administration: During his tenure as a Tufts Senator, DiBiase has developed an excellent working relationship with key Tufts Administrators through his leadership in the 2006 project that extended dining hall hours and more recently, the 2007 Hotung renovation project.
DiBiase creates a relaxed yet efficient environment in which both administrators and students feel comfortable working together to achieve a desired goal. As an executive board member of Tufts Friends of Israel, I have worked alongside DiBiase for the last year and have seen him interact with Tufts administrators interested in our programming. The networks that DiBiase is able to create between himself and the Tufts Administration are indispensable to the future President of the TCU Senate.
In knowing DiBiase, I have become familiar with his passion for Tufts University that exudes from his pores. He loves this school with all of his heart. It is his love for Tufts, combined with his involvement here, that inspires his innovative abilities to improve this university.
Speaking with DiBiase for just a few minutes, you feel the energy that he is prepared to bring to the TCU Senate as its president, because his excitement is contagious. In our time here at Tufts, we have all met and worked with talented students, but DiBiase embodies what I believe it means to be a true leader. I have faith that we, the Tufts student body (seniors included!), will make the correct choice on Wednesday, April 25, when we elect Neil DiBiase as TCU President.
