Everyone wants to see me succeed

NAME: Joe Pins
CLASS YEAR: 2023
HOMETOWN: Dubuque
MAJOR: Engineering

INVOLVEMENT ON CAMPUS: Orientation staff, wrestling, Catholic Knights

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WARTBURG: I had a meeting with Dr. Daniel Black, and he kind of reassured me and I really felt like I could trust him from the start. From there, our relationship only grew. The other engineering professors, LeAnn Faidley and Murad Mahmoud, are also great people, and I have had the chance to work with both of them in classes, too. I feel so comfortable around all the faculty, and they’re what really made it a welcoming environment for me.

WHAT DREW YOU TO JOIN THE ORIENTATION STAFF: I like making new connections. I enjoy being in a diverse group of people and serving as the face of Wartburg when all the freshmen arrive. Everyone is in this new environment, and it is not like one person has got all this figured out, we’re all in something new. As a member of orientation staff, I have the chance to help them with this transition. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING ON ORIENTATION STAFF: Meeting new people on the staff and meeting people I wouldn’t normally come into contact with. It has also allowed me to open up to different people who I can go to if I have a question because they all come from different backgrounds and have had varied experiences.

Joseph Pins

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST THIS YEAR: I think that just the start of the year and beginning a new wrestling season. As a first year, there is a lot that you’re unsure of and you don’t know what to expect. Now that I’m entering my second year, I now know the way of life and the routine of everything. I’m excited to become more comfortable around my teammates and the coaches and to grow closer to my wrestling family every single day.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE INCOMING FIRST-YEARS: I would say to put yourself out there. Everyone is in this new environment and it’s a fresh start for everyone too. You can also choose who you want to be in this new place, and you aren’t defined on what you did in your past high school career. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and meet new people.