2008 Woodie Awards
Highlander Highlights: VP of Senate
Akash Shukla
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Opinion
NJIT has many interesting and fascinating people. This column, "Highlander Highlights," profiles people that have achieved great things and who have interesting stories to tell. One such person is third year student, 20-year-old Matthew Hanna. Hanna hails from East Brunswick and is studying biology with a minor in applied mathematics. He is also the Vice President of NJIT's senate. I had the chance to sit down and get to know our VP of Senate a bit better.
Vector: What extra-curricular activities are you involved in?
Matthew: I'm also a residence assistant, a member of NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary), Beta Beta Beta, which is a biological honors society, and I'm the chairman of the peer review board.
V: How do you juggle all of these activities and your studies at the same time?
M: By having a delicate balance between work and fun. I know when to study, when to give time to the student community and when to relax. What also helps is I think I am very good at organizing my time.
V: What are your hobbies?
M: I'm very much into sports, particularly basketball and I love to play football. I also love music and love staying fit by going to the gym.
V: What made you choose NJIT?
M: I want to become a medical doctor. Therefore, I decided to first get into a 7 year biology program. There weren't that many colleges that offer that pathway and for that reason I thought coming to NJIT was the right choice. I also loved that NJIT has a very diverse population and is close to my home.
V: What is it like going to the same school where your father works?
M: My father, Dr. George Abdou, is an associate professor in the Industrial Engineering department. He is also an academic advisor. There are two reasons why I think that going to school where my father works is a positive thing. One, if I need any advice or guidance, he is right around the corner. Second, we can meet up and have lunch a few times a week. We have a very close relationship at home, and I enjoy the fact that I go to school where my father works.
Vector: What extra-curricular activities are you involved in?
Matthew: I'm also a residence assistant, a member of NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary), Beta Beta Beta, which is a biological honors society, and I'm the chairman of the peer review board.
V: How do you juggle all of these activities and your studies at the same time?
M: By having a delicate balance between work and fun. I know when to study, when to give time to the student community and when to relax. What also helps is I think I am very good at organizing my time.
V: What are your hobbies?
M: I'm very much into sports, particularly basketball and I love to play football. I also love music and love staying fit by going to the gym.
V: What made you choose NJIT?
M: I want to become a medical doctor. Therefore, I decided to first get into a 7 year biology program. There weren't that many colleges that offer that pathway and for that reason I thought coming to NJIT was the right choice. I also loved that NJIT has a very diverse population and is close to my home.
V: What is it like going to the same school where your father works?
M: My father, Dr. George Abdou, is an associate professor in the Industrial Engineering department. He is also an academic advisor. There are two reasons why I think that going to school where my father works is a positive thing. One, if I need any advice or guidance, he is right around the corner. Second, we can meet up and have lunch a few times a week. We have a very close relationship at home, and I enjoy the fact that I go to school where my father works.
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