by Carrie Beamer
Horizon Reporter
Whatcom student Isaac Shantz-Kreutzkamp has been elected as next year’s Associated Students of Whatcom Community College president, after a year of serving as council representative and chair of clubs and outreach.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with some wonderful committees and student government members as well as get some great experience before I step in the position,” he said.
Isaac originally became involved with Whatom’s student government because of his older sister who had previously served on the council. “My sister gave me a push in the right direction so I joined and am loving it,” he said. “I’ve learned so much, and I want to encourage everyone to get involved as well.”
Although Isaac and his family moved from California to Washington in May, 2001, he is originally from the Toronto area in Canada. “I was born in a little town called Guelph, near there,” said Isaac, who’s now lived in Washington for 11 years. “I know it rains all the time here but I really love it.”
Growing up in a family of five children, Isaac has always been surrounded by family. “They are super supportive through the good times and the bad,” he said. Isaac’s father is a biologist and his mother is a psychologist. “Science kind of runs in the family,” he said. “I also have an older sister who is an organic chemist, two other little brothers and an adorable little sister.”
Before coming to Whatcom, Isaac and his siblings were home schooled by his mother. “My amazing mother somehow managed to teach all of us and still keep her wits together,” he said. “I am super grateful to her for what she’s taught me.”
When Isaac was young he loved to bike, rollerblade, play soccer, eat ice cream and play chess and he still loves to do those things.
His favorite thing to eat is sushi. “I could eat that stuff all day, every day, for the rest of my life, and still have room for seconds,” he said.
He also is a huge fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000. “That old spoof show gets me every time,” he said.
When describing himself, he said, “I am a student and I wouldn’t want it any other way, I am pretty serious minded and love puzzles and music.”
If he could travel anywhere in the world, space and Wales are where he would choose to go. “I’d travel to another planet, probably Mars, but Gliese sounds nice,” he said. “Space is rad, but I’d like to see Wales before I settle down.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist, is a man Isaac strongly looks up to. “That guy is a legend in his own lifetime,” he said. Look him up sometime and you’ll see what I mean.”
A great joy of Isaac’s is meeting new people, “I love just talking to people,” he said. “I may not be good with names but I remember a personality and a face very well.”
One of Isaac’s biggest values is honesty. He says that honesty is what makes and breaks integrity which he believes is crucial in today’s world. “If you’re not behind what you’re saying, why should I listen to it?” he said. “Take the time to think about what you say.”
Isaac has always known he wanted to be a scientist and hopefully get published in a research journal. “I’d like to be an inventor,” he said. Isaac did some research on the history of science when he was a teenager and from that he decided to go into physics. “It’s sort of like this vast storeroom of knowledge, where you can find the solutions for the really small stuff at the same time,” he said. “That is my kind of storeroom, where you can hold everything in one place.”
In 10 years he sees himself probably working in robotics or a biophysical lab. “Definitely done with grad school at least and maybe seeing the world,” he said.
Isaac’s strength is problem solving. “I like finding solutions to puzzles and logic quizzes,” he said. His weakness is being forgetful. “I have a really hard time keeping track of everything on my plate while I’m going through my day,” he said.
As president-elect he is making plans for the next year. “I want to push the boundaries for how we, the ASWCC, could further realize our vision of how ‘the council of representatives aims to achieve a dynamic campus environment, in which all students are represented and have the opportunity to participate,’” he said.
