Peterson, serving through the Peace Corps, will teach English and work with community groups to develop problem-solving skills. Peterson will spend three months learning Georgian and 24 months teaching. Sept. 11 and the war on terrorism continue to play a role, Peterson said. “Following 9-11, I decided that now is the time for service,” he said. Peterson is headed for a country involved in the invasion of Iraq. “As circumstances with the current war on terror and subsequent war on Iraq have unfolded, Georgia, which is in closer proximity to Baghdad than we are to Seattle, is right in the middle of the current international crisis.” Peterson said he will undergo Peace Corps training that addresses safety issues, but will rely on basic measures. “I will just try and blend in with the people, and not call attention to myself,” he said.
Student Body President Nate Peterson departing for Georgia
Former student leader to work near Baghdad
Brandon Fiala, The Arbiter
March 20, 2003
Former ASBSU President Nate Peterson is departing Monday for a country near the epicenter of the war on Iraq.
Peterson visited campus this week to say goodbye to the friends and professors who helped shape his undergraduate experience.
Peterson is leaving for the country Georgia, a former republic of the Soviet Union on the Black Sea between Turkey and Russia.
Peterson, serving through the Peace Corps, will teach English and work with community groups to develop problem-solving skills. Peterson will spend three months learning Georgian and 24 months teaching.
Sept. 11 and the war on terrorism continue to play a role, Peterson said.
“Following 9-11, I decided that now is the time for service,” he said.
Peterson is headed for a country involved in the invasion of Iraq.
“As circumstances with the current war on terror and subsequent war on Iraq have unfolded, Georgia, which is in closer proximity to Baghdad than we are to Seattle, is right in the middle of the current international crisis.”
Peterson said he will undergo Peace Corps training that addresses safety issues, but will rely on basic measures.
“I will just try and blend in with the people, and not call attention to myself,” he said.
Peterson graduated from Boise State last year with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Since graduation, he has been working for various state Democratic candidates.
Peterson was student body president for two years and the driving force behind one of the most controversial and visible student government administrations.
During his presidency, Peterson initiated a petition drive calling for President Charles Ruch’s resignation, graded administrative performance with a student survey and rallied for education funding after the budget crisis.
“Nate Peterson had one of the most highly visible presidencies of any student body leader that I have worked with on campus,” said Peg Blake, vice president of student affairs.
“And I believe his visibility also extended off campus into a number of other venues.”
Blake said she and Peterson didn’t always get along, although they communicated better during his first year.
“As the community is aware, we had more difficulty communicating during his second year,” Blake said.
Blake said Peterson was less effective advocating for students his second year because he was more confrontational.
“When you lead in a confrontational style you end up shutting down some lines of communication that can be very helpful,” Blake said.
However, Peterson said his leadership style was necessary given the incompetence of certain administrators.
“What some people call confrontational, I call meeting my duty and obligation to the 17,000 students at BSU to represent their interests to the best of my ability,” Peterson has said.
“Representation entails confrontation when in the course of issues and events affecting students, you stand up for student rights, or allow them to be tread upon.”
Peterson said once he finishes Peace Corps, he wants to pursue a law degree or Ph.D. in economics or political economy.
