2008 Woodie Awards
'Gate Staff Profile: Joe Leo
Hanh Dao
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: News
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Leo graduated from Colgate in 2001 with a double major in sociology and education. Upon graduation, he accepted a position at Colgate in August as an intern for campus life. Since his second year working at Colgate, he has worked primarily with the Broad Street initiative. Leo was promoted to Assistant Director last year and is currently working on housing and operations for Broad Street.
Leo was actively involved in many cultural groups during his undergraduate years at Colgate University. He played on the varsity golf team and was a member of the Konosioni Honor Society. Having witnessed and experienced many things at Colgate during his undergrad years, Leo was excited to be working at Colgate and continues to work for a better understanding of social injustice and various other issues on campus.
Leo learned a great deal from the four-year education that he received at Colgate, and took another four years to give back. Colgate has taught Leo to become analytical and critical of things in a positive way, and he is carrying that over and applying those skills to his job.
"Students are my driving force," he said. "I love the people and the campus, but the students are phenomenal people. I want to work with them. That's my main reason for being here at Colgate. Amy and I have been treated so well by Colgate, from the President and her staff to the deans and their staff and the students. I have the fondest memories of this place, and it's very hard to leave. I love Colgate. It's a very welcoming place to me, and it's my duty to make it a welcoming place."
Leo is departing Colgate this summer because his wife, Amy Hargrave-Leo, will be attending Teacher's College at Columbia University to pursue her Master's Degree in Educational Counseling.
Leo has been offered a position from a financial consulting firm on Wall Street, but the thought of coming back to Colgate and visiting the campus and the students is constantly on the back of his mind. Leo likes to volunteer and enjoys being a role model for the students. Leo is excited by the thought that five or six years in the future, he might be visiting Colgate, giving advice to students, learning from them and telling them what he has learned over the years.