2008 Woodie Awards
In The Light
Alex Ogaldes
Kristin Koch
Issue date: 2/4/05 Section: Arts & Features
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Walking backwards, enunciating loudly and smiling for 30 minutes in bone-chilling temperatures are some of the skills senior Alex Ogaldes has picked up over the years as a Colgate University tour guide. Alex believes that serving as a tour guide has been his greatest contribution to Colgate, remarking that "I work really hard to show Colgate not only as my school, but as my home. I have grown so much as a person here and have enjoyed many life experiences. I see some of the people who I have guided through these hills in the past, and it makes me feel happy that they are here enjoying the same place that I love."
In fact, Alex has enjoyed his time so much as a tour guide that he has stayed at Colgate for the past two summers to lead tours in order to show the University his "appreciation for all that he has gained while at Colgate."
In addition to serving as a tour guide, Alex has been involved with the Latin American Student Organization (L.A.S.O), which he describes as "an amazing organization that focuses on the political issues on Colgate's campus and Broad Street while maintaining a strong sense of individuality and cultural awareness." Alex is also a member of the Konosioni Honor Society. Konosioni is a group of 13 men and women, nominated by their peers, who raise funds for charitable organizations in Hamilton and surrounding counties. As a member of Konosioni, Alex helped to organize field day for the first-year students. He has also provided a hearty welcome to first year students by serving as a Resident Advisor for two years.
Alex is also an active participant in his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. Each year he helps with their annual blood drive and he remains a proud member of their intramural basketball team, The Running Suckers, whom he enthusiastically predicts are "championship bound."
But Alex's community involvement extends beyond Hamilton. Back in Minnesota, where he attended high school, Alex works with "A Better Chance" (ABC), a program that helps students from inner city areas to go to state schools with better academic standing. Alex's commitment to this program stems from his own experience as an ABC student who left the Bronx at age 14 for Minnesota. Alex also supports the "Star Burst" program, which a close friend of his founded in Minnesota. "The program gives incentives for inner city students to work hard and get good grades," Alex explains. The individuals that successfully complete the program get computers and other things that help further their education."
Despite his many activities, Alex's true passion is baking, which he finds "soothing and rewarding on many levels." But rather than beginning a career path to become the next Martha Stewart after graduating from Colgate, Alex plans to take a year off to travel, and then he wants to pursue a career in law. As he leaves this campus with all his memories of "nights full of stars, wildlife in the lake, sledding down the hills by the library, and playing frisbee on the quad," Alex leaves first-years with these last words of advice: "Enjoy your time at school. Educate yourself before taking risks and hold on to those you love. You would be surprised at how many loved ones you can find in one place. Also, get involved on campus and make your voice heard."