Matthew Hartog

            Many Nursing majors may know him as the T.A. for the Chemistry 103 class, but to many other people on campus he is known as Matthew Hartog.  Matt is a 21-year-old Biology major with a minor in Chemistry.  Pace University attracted Matt from his hometown in Albany, New York because of its proximity to New York City, as well as the resources the campus provides, such as the lab in Dyson where he can perform the many experiments that attract a scientific mind.

Matt is a very busy student on campus.  Along with his position as T.A. for CHE 103, Matt works in the chemistry lab as a lab technician.  When not working, Matt resides in Dow Hall where many of the Honors students can be found being their studious selves.  Dow Hall has actually been the place that Matt calls “home” for his entire time at Pace University.  If you were to walk past Matt’s door, chances are you would find him watching baseball, especially if his favorite team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, are being showcased on ESPN.

When asking Matt about his experience at Pace and with the Pforzheimer Honors College, Matt smiles and begins to speak about all the great friends and professors he has met over the past four years.  Matt credits these people to having caused,as he says, “positive changes in my life.” 

After reflecting on his years in the Honors College, Matt highlighted last Fall semester’s Honors’ Paint-a-School event as his favorite.  Matt explains that “it means a lot to the little kids who will see the new paintings we have done, instead of the graffiti that was once there.”  After seeing pictures from the final result of that day, it is clear that the children who attend that school would be more than appreciative of Matt’s hard work.

When it comes to the topic of giving advice, Matt is quick to offer the idea that students should “get the most out of their time at Pace, be as involved as you can be.”  He has no problem following his own advice as he will be taking advantage of the Independent Research that the Honors College offers to its students.  Matt is currently working on his presentation involving the methods to control invasive aquatic plants.  Through his research, Matt has even gained the perk of becoming certified in scuba diving.