After attending the university as an undergraduate for four years, living in Ireland Residence Hall as a freshman, and working as a professional on campus for nearly two and a half years, Ireland Hall director and PULSE adviser Nate Peterson will be leaving St. Thomas for a new position.
Peterson informed Ireland Hall residents Feb. 6 that he would be taking a promotion as an assistant director of a student services office at the University of Minnesota. His last day will be at St. Thomas will be Feb. 22.
Sophomore Dillon Lang, an Ireland Hall resident, said Peterson is a lifetime Tommie, and he enjoys the relationship he has been able to build with him as a supervisor.
“He helped me develop my leadership styles,” Lang said. “The way I see him interact with students has allowed for me to see new ways to interact with students as well and better myself as far as leadership goes.”
Residence Life has not found a replacement for the Ireland Hall Area Director. The university has launched a search committee that will look nationally to find Peterson’s replacement.
Peterson said the decision required a lot of deliberation and personal searching, but that it is time for him to take the next step.
“I’m not working in Residence Life, but it’s still student affairs,” Peterson said. “I’m still working with students.”
Peterson said he will miss most about St. Thomas is the one-on-one connections he has made.
“It was very hard for me to tell the staff, but it was also very hard or even more difficult for me to tell the students,” Peterson said.
Senior Alyssa Wargin, PULSE’s co-head of choreography, said Peterson has been an influential member of the team and a great friend.
“The students really respect him and look up to him,” Wargin said. “They are comfortable going to him for issues, concerns, or just to talk.”
Peterson said he is confident that everything he was involved in on campus will continue to thrive in his absence.
“I think PULSE has shown, for the past six or seven years, that they are an amazing organization,” Peterson said. “PULSE is going to continue … (and) will be just fine, I am not worried about those students. They have great leadership.”
Peterson also expressed high hopes for Ireland Hall and the traditions that are unique to the dorm will continue.
“I am 100 percent confident that the person that replaces me will continue those traditions and make Ireland even better than when I’ve been here,” Peterson said.
One thing that Peterson said he is looking forward to with his new position is the close proximity to St. Thomas.
“I can still come back and help at student events. I can still go to PULSE shows and come back for football games and choir concerts,” Peterson said. “I am an active alumni as well, so I give back to the university, and that is something I’m still going to be able to do.”
Zach Zumbusch can be reached at zumb8499@stthomas.edu.