Departing member reflects on service

Serving as a student member of the Ohio University Board of Trustees has given Amy Vargas-Tonsi an opportunity to gain insight and build relationships.

“Basically, the position is what you want to do with it,” she said. “I personally have gained a valuable wealth of insight. In addition, the relationships that I have had the opportunity to build and the networking opportunities are priceless.”

Vargas-Tonsi, a senior from Bainbridge, Ohio, an eastern suburb of Cleveland, has served as student trustee since 2000.

Her second year on the board has been her busiest, Vargas-Tonsi said. She has served as a member of several committees, including the diversity committee and the provost search committee. 

“The compensations for the position are intangible. (I) consider it a two-year internship,” she said.

Vargas-Tonsi also has worked for the Student Campaign Advancement Committee, the student arm of the Bicentennial Campaign — OU’s goal to raise $200 million by 2004.

She plans to graduate in June with a degree in organizational communication from the College of Communication and a minor in French. After graduation, Vargas-Tonsi plans to wait a few years, but eventually will head to business school to pursue a master’s degree in business administration.

“It’s been a great four years,” she said. “You make what you want from it. The minute I stepped onto this campus, I knew it was where I wanted to be.”

— Brittney Martini