Demitrios “Jamie” Papapetros

Rider University sophomore Demitrios “Jamie” Papapetros had the opportunity last month to give a presentation at a major academic conference in Philadelphia.

Equipped with handouts, a jeopardy power point game and other graphic organizers, Papapetros assisted in giving the interactive presentation, “Fostering Independent Learning Through Collaboration: Journey Through Supplemental Instruction” along with Kendall Friedman, director of the Rider Learning Center and Tutoring Services, and Barbara Ricci, director of the Math Skills Lab, at the National Association for Developmental Education (NADE) annual conference. Upon Friedman’s invitation, he presented his work before faculty and administrators.

“Being a first time tutor, I was honored to be asked to be a part of the Rider Learning Center and Tutoring Services and Learning Center Team to present information,” said Papapetros, a communication major. “I was thrilled with the reception I received from the attendees. One audience member asked me what I wanted to do in the future. When I responded that I aspire to become a professor someday, the individual said I was a ‘natural.’”

Due to his first-rate overall performance in Dr. Richard Butsch’s sociological imagination class in the Fall 2004 semester, Dr. Butsch nominated Papapetros to be a supplemental instruction leader for all of his classes. Currently, he serves as a walk-in tutor for Butsch’s sociology classes.

Papapetros has long appreciated the value of obtaining an education to broaden his horizons. Arriving in the United States from Athens, Greece, at age 6, he knew only a few letters of the American alphabet. After years of English as a Second Language courses and reading and writing remedial classes, he learned to master the English language. He has also steadily honed his interpersonal skills, serving at his high school as a peer mediator and as a member of the Colonie Youth Court program, which focused on deterring first-time offenders from further crime.

Papapetros has attended several conferences. In 2002, he was selected to attend the Global Young Leaders Youth Conference in Washington, DC, and New York City. He was one of two representatives from his high school to attend the Presidential Classroom Program in Washington, DC.

Rider’s strong sense of community and small class sizes attracted him to the university. He has personally experienced its caring atmosphere. University offices rallied to help his family when they lost their house due to fire toward the end of his first semester. “Dean Tony Campbell and Queen Jones, Dana Lopes and the staff of Student Support Services (SSS) provided my family with monetary donations and assured me that I had their support. This mark of generosity and care cemented my feeling that Rider is my home. The extraordinary professionals in SSS in particular have been unwavering in their support.”

While at Rider, Papapetros has been named to the dean’s list each semester. SSS named him Freshman of the Year last spring and he was also awarded one of the Tutor of the Semester awards for his work as a supplemental instruction leader and has earned certification as a tutor through the College Reading and Learning Association. In addition, he has been inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the communications honor society, as an associate member.

Papapetros writes frequently for "The Rider News." He is also a deejay at Rider’s radio station, WRRC 107.7 and has developed a national news program for the Rider University Network.

This busy individual has two other major career goals before entering the world of academe: to become a news anchor for CNN and eventually a politician on the national level. “I believe that all my actions will help affect positive change,” said Papapetros. “After I gain world experience, I would like to use this knowledge to teach at the university level and prepare the next generation of leaders.”

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