2008 Woodie Awards
Student leader moving on
VPSE Derek Mitchell leaves senate after graduation
Heather Steeves
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: News
Who Derek Mitchell is can not be separated from what he does.
"I've reported from Iraq, but this is my greatest accomplishment. In the past two years, I have made Student Entertainment into something I'm proud of."
Mitchell is the vice president of Student Entertainment (SE). He joined the senate in his sophomore year.
Mitchell has been accused of being a workaholic. With workweeks that have brimmed with 60 hours - in addition to his classload - it is hard to argue. "I love success; I hate failure."
He attributes his determination to his father, a military captain, whose work ethic rubbed off on Mitchell growing up.
"Sorry Derek, they didn't have a 60 hour workweek scholarship," Ross Wolland, the General Student Senate's historian joked at one senate meeting. Wolland explained Student Government executives used to get scholarships to cover their expenses, the value of which was determined by the amount of hours each executive worked per week.
Being a "workaholic" didn't start in college for Mitchell. When he was in high school, his days started before 4 a.m. He would drive to his local radio station to work until school started. Through this, he got the chance to report - from Iraq. "I've always been interested in young people," Mitchell said. "I thought up the idea of getting a young soldier's view on things in a way only a fellow teenager could. Young people have the best stories."
His series aired on WHQO three times a day for the two weeks he was in Iraq. His radio experience led him to a journalism major.
In his spare time, Mitchell has been working toward a pilot's license, which he hopes to obtain by the end of the summer.
Although Mitchell said his senate experience is a positive one, he has hit some rough patches. "I've made a lot of friends, but I've also lost a few because of senate," he said. Mitchell, who said he helped with William Pomerleau's SG presidential campaign, said Pomerleau was a great friend. "We went to high school together; it wasn't just some college thing," he said. Pomerleau was presented with a petition recalling him from office, which led to his resignation. Through the process, Pomerleau and Mitchell's friendship died.
Now, it is time to pass the torch. Mitchell's May graduation leaves the VPSE position, his "baby" as he said, to a new candidate: Andrew Gurke. Although Gurke probably won't spend 60 hours a week in the small, windowless office, Mitchell is confident with the newcomer. "He'll do well," Mitchell said. The two have double-teamed on events such as Rock Against Rape.
"I'm excited to move on to my next job," Mitchell said. "I'll miss the senate, but I'm ready to move on."
"I've reported from Iraq, but this is my greatest accomplishment. In the past two years, I have made Student Entertainment into something I'm proud of."
Mitchell is the vice president of Student Entertainment (SE). He joined the senate in his sophomore year.
Mitchell has been accused of being a workaholic. With workweeks that have brimmed with 60 hours - in addition to his classload - it is hard to argue. "I love success; I hate failure."
He attributes his determination to his father, a military captain, whose work ethic rubbed off on Mitchell growing up.
"Sorry Derek, they didn't have a 60 hour workweek scholarship," Ross Wolland, the General Student Senate's historian joked at one senate meeting. Wolland explained Student Government executives used to get scholarships to cover their expenses, the value of which was determined by the amount of hours each executive worked per week.
Being a "workaholic" didn't start in college for Mitchell. When he was in high school, his days started before 4 a.m. He would drive to his local radio station to work until school started. Through this, he got the chance to report - from Iraq. "I've always been interested in young people," Mitchell said. "I thought up the idea of getting a young soldier's view on things in a way only a fellow teenager could. Young people have the best stories."
His series aired on WHQO three times a day for the two weeks he was in Iraq. His radio experience led him to a journalism major.
In his spare time, Mitchell has been working toward a pilot's license, which he hopes to obtain by the end of the summer.
Although Mitchell said his senate experience is a positive one, he has hit some rough patches. "I've made a lot of friends, but I've also lost a few because of senate," he said. Mitchell, who said he helped with William Pomerleau's SG presidential campaign, said Pomerleau was a great friend. "We went to high school together; it wasn't just some college thing," he said. Pomerleau was presented with a petition recalling him from office, which led to his resignation. Through the process, Pomerleau and Mitchell's friendship died.
Now, it is time to pass the torch. Mitchell's May graduation leaves the VPSE position, his "baby" as he said, to a new candidate: Andrew Gurke. Although Gurke probably won't spend 60 hours a week in the small, windowless office, Mitchell is confident with the newcomer. "He'll do well," Mitchell said. The two have double-teamed on events such as Rock Against Rape.
"I'm excited to move on to my next job," Mitchell said. "I'll miss the senate, but I'm ready to move on."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jessica Bishop
posted 11/12/08 @ 11:03 AM EST
I worked with Derek on a teens show a few years ago, and am currently looking to contact him. Actually, I have a job offer for him. If anyone knows how to contact Derek Mitchell, please e-mail me. (Continued…)
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