Central MA College Standout: Becker’s Kevin Finkelstein
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
As an athlete, Finkelstein has played 4 years of Becker College Football (Quarterback and Running Back) and 1 year of Becker College Soccer. He is currently an Intern Assistant on the Becker College Men’s Basketball Team. In his spare time, he is in intensive training for an enlisted career in the U.S. Navy after graduation.
How would you describe yourself in a few lines?
What I value most is positively affecting others on a large scale. There is so much opportunity to grow, each and every day, as a team player as well as an individual. That opportunity is what drives me.
How have you taken a leadership role in school or the community?
There are multiple positions I’ve dedicated my time to, and many of those roles have taken place in the last two years. Sometimes, if not most of the time, doing your best in one position will lead to another opportunity; for example, being a part of our Student Government led to the Food Recovery Network Project. In the beginning of the semester, we as an SGA were challenged by our advisor to establish a signature project of our organization. The main goal of the Food Recovery Network movement is to eliminate food waste in dining halls and restaurants by delivering the food to local shelters. By becoming an official chapter of the national Food Recovery Network, delivering both of our Dining Halls’s leftovers to a local veteran’s shelter (Veterans Inc. on Grove Street) every single night, I believe that we are making the difference in our community we set out to make. That being said, we aren’t done yet; we are working hard to expand, as we’ve just begun picking up from local restaurants, with plans of adding new drop-off locations. We have 20 volunteers, and we are quickly growing. These volunteers have done an amazing job performing their responsibilities, namely deliveries, recruitment, marketing and connecting with local restaurants.
How do you give back?
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to go to college, especially in this great city. I try to give back to Worcester by performing my daily tasks and administrative duties in our Food Recovery Network program. Another aspect of this program that has a special place in my heart is that we deliver to our local veterans shelter. There is a sign inside the shelter that spells out my appreciation for these veterans perfectly: “They were there when we needed them. We must be there, now that they need us.”
I have also been to Haiti to help out with the nationwide vaccinations there.
Describe the career and/or future you envision for yourself.
I am currently training as hard as is healthily possible for an enlisted career in the United States Navy. This has been a dream of mine since the 7 th grade, and that dream is quickly approaching reality, following graduation. The daily swims, runs, and physical training have become an integral part of who I am, and I couldn’t be more excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve.
There is a stereotype in the minds of many high school students that everyone drinks in college. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I can’t remember the last time I had a drink. There is much more to college than alcohol.
What’s your favorite place to go to on campus? In Worcester?
The YMCA on Main Street! I train there every day of the week. It’s a wonderful part of the community, as it provides youth with many healthy and team-building activities that serve as an alternative to drinking and drugs.
What is your favorite book, movie, or series?
The Kite Runner is an incredible book. It’s very intense, and it gives incredible perspective as to how life is on the other side of the world.
What about a favorite social media site?
Facebook serves as a great platform for communication. It’s also great for keeping in touch with family.
What do you enjoy in your free time?
What free time?
What is your favorite quote?
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marriane Willamson
What piece of technology, can you not live without?
These new smartphones are incredible. They can organize your day, give you access to email, social media, text messaging, serve as a camera, and provide music, all on one device. Amazing.
What or who has had the greatest influence on you to date? Why?
My parents have always had my back, from the very beginning. My father’s relentless work ethic and my mother’s unbelievable creativity have had – and continue to have – an incredible impact on my life.
What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
I was a vegetarian for 10 years.
How do you rate Worcester as a college city?
There is a tremendous amount of untapped potential in the city of Worcester. Through the WSGA (Worcester Student Government Association), we are working hard with the Chamber of Commerce on getting businesses to realize and invest in the incredible location that Worcester is becoming. WSGA President Neema Hakim and Chamber President Tim Murray have been instrumental thus far in this movement, and as Becker College’s delegate to the WSGA, I’m excited to be a part of future WSGA/Chamber endeavors.
If you could do just one thing, locally, nationally or globally to make a difference, what would it be?
It’s our goal to spread the Food Recovery Network’s mission as far as it can go. If people were to recover food from cafeterias and restaurants on a global scale, that would do wonders for world hunger.
GoLocalWorcester introduces Central MA College Standout, a new weekly feature that profiles college and university students in Central MA. Join us every Tuesday for a look at the careers and lifestyles of today’s local college student.
Susan Wagner is the president of Susan Wagner PR. In this challenging economy, she brings an extra pair of hands and 30 years of expertise to affordable, responsive and results-driven communications services in Central Massachusetts. Services include professional writing, website branding, design and content management; collateral; social media account development and content; grassroots outreach, events and PR campaigns and launches.
If you have suggestions for a profile, please email [email protected].
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