Jason Koski/University Photography

Matthew Leftwich, in the WVBR studio, where he learned to apply his classroom lessons as the station's general manager.

Major: Information science, systems and technology
College: Engineering
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.

Working at WVBR-FM, a nonprofit, commercial radio station. WVBR is independent of Cornell but is owned and operated by Cornell students. This past year I served as the station's president and general manager. I started at WVBR as a sportscaster my freshman year with no intention of becoming further involved at the station. I became fascinated, however, with the concept of college students running a radio station that competes directly for listeners and advertising revenue with the for-profit stations that dominate the industry. With a dedicated staff of student and community volunteers, WVBR is active both on Cornell's campus and in the Ithaca community. This past summer WVBR put on a benefit concert, Rock-for-Relief, that raised over $11,000 for flood victims of the Southern Tier. WVBR also served as the official broadcast sponsor of the Cornell and Ithaca College communities' Relay for Life and hosted a Guitar Hero Tournament in the Pyramid Mall to raise money for this cause.

As a REACH tutor, I have spent over 300 hours volunteering at Parkside Gardens, an Urban 4-H after-school program for at-risk youth. I managed a technology grant for the program and led weekly computer lessons for the kids. Being a REACH site leader the last two years has enabled me to take advantage of numerous opportunities to become an active member of the Ithaca community.

My time as general manager of WVBR. The opportunity to apply what I learned in the classroom in leading a real business has been an incredible experience.

I had an interest in working with youth before I arrived at Cornell, but my experience with REACH really opened my eyes to the achievement gap and the challenges at-risk youth face. This experience influenced my decision to join the movement to address these issues as a Teach for America corps member.

For the next two years, I will teach secondary mathematics in Atlanta as part of the Teach for America program. I am confident that the skills I developed at Cornell will prove invaluable in the classroom as I work to help my students achieve success.