Stevens Alumni Volunteer Voices: Keenan Yates ’24 and Thomas Obiedzinski ’24
Even though they traveled 3,000 miles across the country to attend Stevens and returned to their West Coast homes after graduation, Keenan Yates ’24 and Thomas Obiedzinski ’24 remain true to their alma mater, participating in events organized for alumni and prospective students. Their goal? To make sure California teens know the amazing education offered at Stevens.
NAMES: Keenan Yates and Thomas Obiedzinski
CLASS YEARS AND MAJORS:
Keenan Yates – 2024, Engineering Management
Thomas Obiedzinski – 2024, Mechanical Engineering
STEVENS VOLUNTEER ROLES: West Coast alumni networking
STEVENS VOLUNTEER SINCE: 2024
How/why did you decide to contribute your time as a Stevens volunteer?
We were both very involved on campus across different clubs, sports, and Greek life, so staying a part of the Stevens community felt like the natural next step after graduation, even though we’re so far away from campus. It’s been exciting to see and be a part of Stevens increasing its presence on the West Coast with events for both prospective students and for alumni as well.
What drew you to your particular volunteer activity or activities?
Outreach at Stevens looked different in 2018 and 2019, when we were prospective students, so it has been very rewarding to be a part of the growth of Stevens as it continues to expand its across the U.S. and internationally, with events for high school students to meet alumni, the admissions team, and Stevens faculty and staff.
What excites you most about what you do for Stevens?
It has been exciting to meet the many alumni across decades of Stevens history while also sharing our personal insight and love of Stevens and Hoboken with (potential) future Ducks.
How has volunteering for Stevens impacted you personally?
Keenan: As a Bay Area native, I’ve really enjoyed sharing my love of Stevens with students who, like myself when I applied in 2019, don’t know much about New Jersey, let alone Hoboken and Stevens. I gained a lot from going to Stevens, so it’s nice to give back through volunteering locally in California.
Thomas: I assumed I wouldn’t be a part of the Stevens network since I’m so far away from the campus now, so to still be connected through alumni events and volunteer opportunities has been a pleasant and rewarding surprise.
What do you feel is the impact of alumni involvement in the university?
Alumni involvement helps grow Stevens’ reputation. Neither of us had heard of Stevens before high school, so to have the opportunity to share our experience at Stevens and how it has benefited us both on a personal and professional level is something any alumni can do.
What would you say to other alumni who were considering volunteering at Stevens?
The Stevens community is welcoming, engaging, and inspiring to be a part of. Whether donating financially or investing time, giving back to the Stevens community is our part in the growth and success of Stevens. Once a Duck, always a Duck!
