Karson Langenfelder

Karson Langenfelder did not plan to stay at Rider when he first arrived four years ago.

The senior political science major thought at the time that he would stay one semester and transfer to another four-year college. He wanted a larger campus setting. Little did he know his plans would quickly change after attending an Emerging Leaders meeting on campus.

“I met Cassie Iacovelli, assistant dean of campus life, and Karin Torchia, associate director of athletics for marketing and development, and they immediately got me involved planning Midnight MAACness, announcing athletic games, and helping at campus events,” said Langenfelder, who is minoring in American Studies. “Once I became involved on campus and met great people like Cassie and Karin, I knew I was never leaving.”

While at Rider, Langenfelder has juggled many roles while excelling in his classes. For the past three years, he has served as events coordinator/Office of Campus Life intern, a multifaceted position which has enabled him to plan other campus traditions such as Cranberry Fest, Family Day and University Day.

He can also talk volumes about Rider life from his involvement as an event coordinator for the Student Government Association (SGA), residence hall association member, community standards board member, and Middle States Accreditation Committee member, just to name a few groups.

Rider is truly Langenfelder’s home away from home. For the past two summers, he has served as welfare director for Study Tours International, arranging housing, meals and activities for more than 1,500 international high school students who studied at Rider over a two-week period. In addition, he serves as an admissions tour guide and ambassador for perspective students and families.

“I was given the opportunity to meet some incredibly brilliant and caring professors throughout my time at Rider,” said Langenfelder. “I will never forget my American Studies trip to New Orleans with Professor Jack Sullivan, or the many conferences I have attended with the Office of Campus Life and Student Government. Dave Keenan, director of campus life, is also at the top of my list of mentors. We think a lot alike on many things. He is my ‘partner in crime.’ In Campus Life, Cassie, Dave and I are an unstoppable team.

“I consider some of my greatest accomplishments to be making a tradition of the “Peaceful Tomorrows: SGA Remembers” 9/11 event, as well as putting the lights on Moore Library during the holidays and serving as the voice of Bronco BINGO,” said Langenfelder.

For his many accomplishments, Langenfelder was one of the outstanding students selected to participate in activities sponsored by the Center for the Development of Leadership Skills (CDLS). Named to the dean’s list, he has been the recipient of the SGA Unsung Hero Award, and a Dean of Student’s Residential Leadership Scholarship Award.

He sees himself ultimately working his way up in the international travel field or pursuing his passion for event planning and coordination.

“I strive for excellence in everything I do,” said Langenfelder. “The most important thing a person can have is vision.”

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