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Andrew Massefski, an Honors College student graduating with a double major in accounting and finance, has been named the 2019 “Outstanding Senior” by the William Paterson University Alumni Association. Presented annually since 1962, the award recognizes graduating seniors with strong involvement in extracurricular activities and service to the University, demonstrated leadership ability, and high academic standing.
Massefski is enrolled in an accelerated program at the University, whereby he has already begun taking graduate courses and will earn a Master of Business Administration, with a focus in entrepreneurship, in spring 2020.
He is best known on campus as the student representative to the University’s Board of Trustees, as well as a nationally ranked rugby player who served as captain and president of William Paterson’s successful and well-respected club team — a team that Massefski is largely credited with turning around for the better. (He, however, largely credits "magic" for helping everything come together.) Among his very long list of extracurricular activities, Massefski has also served as a resident assistant on campus, Pioneer Leadership Institute mentor, and as a member of the Student Government Association, Student Activities Programming Board, and Cotsakos College of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Committee.
“Obviously, he has a ton of skills to bring people together, to work with different kinds of groups, to work through bureaucracy, and to stay determined to meet his goals,” says Honors College Dean Barbara Andrew, who nominated Massefski for the award, in noting how well-organized, well-spoken, and “super-polite,” he is. “He is successful as a student, as a leader, and as an athlete.”
Serving on the Board of Trustees, Massefski says, was a particularly "amazing experience" and one that led to a great deal of personal and professional growth. "To talk to and pick the brains of the people on the Board, the people who make the biggest decisions at William Paterson, and to be able to represent the students — I just loved being there and having that responsibility," Massefski says.
He has taken part in many community service projects as well, including a cleanup event at the Paterson Great Falls, creating care packages for the Passaic County Women’s and Children’s Abuse Center, and serving as facilitator for the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet.
Last year, Massefski completed in The Fund for American Studies’ “Leadership & the American Presidency” program in Washington, D.C. and was an intern with Representative Donald Norcross. This summer, he will intern with Representative Bill Pascrell. Ultimately, Massefski hopes to work in government or public service.
"At the end of the day, I really just want to help people as much as I can," he explains. "I really want to give back because not enough people are doing that. I just want to serve, do what I can for the world, and try to make it a better place."
