Name: Joseph Roeser
Hometown: Cottage Grove, Minn
Major: Law Enforcement
Campus Involvement: Sigma Nu, Stomper’s Bookcase, Gamma Sigma Alpha
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
In 2022, Joseph Roeser and fellow Sigma Nu fraternity brother Jacob Rangitsch set out on a mission: to complete a children’s reading project that would place books within selected Mankato laundromats. Since then, the successful Stomper Bookcase Literacy Initiative, as it has come to be known, has set a foundation for a continuing and expanding community effort.
For Joseph, one of eight Spring 2024 BEST Board honorees, that project is a crowning moment in his college career but only one of many lifetime memories formed as a member of his Sigma Nu fraternity.
In his nomination, Joseph was recognized for his role in confident, professional leadership of the bookcase project.
“In initial project talks, Joseph helped develop a professional presentation which was given to the CEO of Greater Mankato Area United Way. His confidence in the project shone through,” his nominator said, “and he has taken the initiative to meet project deadlines every step of the way. This required high-level communication with multiple entities to make sure all necessary requirements were met.”
As he seeks a career in law enforcement, Roeser was recognized for his example.
“He is setting himself up for a role in the community that relies heavily on integrity and community engagement,” his nominator said. “He sees a path and is not afraid to push forward.”
Reflecting on your time in leadership roles or as a student employee in the student union, how do you believe these experiences have contributed to your college experience?
JOSEPH: “These leadership positions have not only provided me with the opportunity to meet hundreds of people, but to interact with real-world businesses, organizations, etc. This has massively helped me and others prepare for the future of my career.”
How have those experiences contributed to your personal growth and development as an individual?
JOSEPH: “These opportunities have sharpened many leadership skills like: level-headedness, critical thinking, organization, and much much more.
Provide one or more detailed examples where your campus involvement made you a better leader.
JOSEPH: “Co-creating Stomper’s bookcase is by far one of the biggest challenges I have ever had as a student. I and Jacob Rangitsch (another Sigma Nu brother involved in MIA) approached the idea of Stomper’s Bookcase in many ways and faced many obstacles. We went through dozens of resources to come together to create our idea of Stomper’s Bookcase. The process of going from nothing to having three bookshelves installed in three different laundromats was a learning experience for myself and others involved that no simple task is done without issues arising.”
How do you see yourself carrying the lessons and skills you gained from your leadership experience into your future endeavors or career path?
JOSEPH: “As mentioned, each organization or project I have been a part of has strengthened and developed several leadership traits in myself and others. In addition, these traits have proven to be useful both inside and outside of college. There is no doubt in my mind that I will use my knowledge that I gained from these opportunities in the community after graduation.”
What advice would you give to fellow students in helping them make the most of their college experience?
JOSEPH: “You NEED to take that step out of your comfort zone. There are opportunities for every person on this campus. Whether it’s as simple as talking to a stranger in your class to joining an RSO, you must try to get out of your comfort zone to become someone you want to be. What are you doing now that separates you from others?”
Throughout your college experience at Minnesota State Mankato, what has provided the greatest personal growth, memories, satisfaction and/or personal pride.
JOSEPH: “Sigma Nu, by far, has been the most memorable experience in college and it’s not even close. From working my way up in Sigma Nu from Historian, to Vice-President, to President, Sigma Nu has provided both substantial professional and personal growth in my life. There are so many memories with all of my brothers in Sigma Nu, nothing will ever beat it. Fraternity life is the perfect balance between personal growth and professional growth.”
Share a special “lifelong” memory of college you will take with you when you leave Minnesota State Mankato.
JOSEPH: “There are so many lifelong memories of my college experience that will stick with me forever, but the most memorable has got to be when Sigma Nu performed at lip-sync in Greek Week in Spring 2021. Sigma Nu was the only fraternity to participate in lip sync and we had an absolute blast. The entire chapter dressed up in jean shorts and cut-off flannels and we danced our hearts away. We tied for second place, but we had so much fun practicing and performing that nothing else mattered. Everyone knew that we worked our butts off and tried our best to succeed. The memories we created building up to our performance is something I’ll never forget. Sometimes, the little things are the things you miss the most.”
