By Tucker Paquette
@tpaquette17
Senior Mason Preble is an Applied Exercise Science Major from North Kingston, R.I., who currently is the president of the Student Government Association at Springfield College. Preble shares how he ended up attending college on Alden Street, his favorite spot on campus and what never ceases to bring him joy.
Student: Why did you choose to attend Springfield College?
Preble: I chose Springfield College because I wanted to wrestle here. That’s the only reason why I came here. I came to an Open House, and the only things I saw were the wrestling room and the strength and conditioning room. My dad asked me, “Do you want to take a tour?” and I [said], “I think the [Patriots] are playing at 1 and I want to go home for the game.” I came here and I fell in love with [the college]. It’s so much more than just a wrestling and athletics program. It’s a lot deeper than that. The people you meet here are unlike any other people in the whole world.
Student: What is the most underrated part of campus?
Preble: The back of Alumni Hall. It’s beautiful back there, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing. Also, East Campus, because not a lot of people go out there. [It’s] a different world. You don’t think of [East Campus] as [part] of Springfield. You go out there and you’re in the woods. You’re like, “This is like backcountry New Hampshire. I feel like I’m going camping.” I go to the swings by the lake, the dock or the beach and I feel relaxed. I’m not thinking about schoolwork [or] anything else. It’s just such a special part of our campus.
Student: How do you want to be remembered?
Preble: Everyone wants to be remembered for who they are, and I think that’s what I want to be remembered for. I want to be remembered as a leader and someone that stepped up to the plate when I had to. I feel like with this position as Student Government Association president, I’ve [been able to do that].
Student: What would you tell your younger self?
Preble: Stay persistent and stay hard working, it will all come in due time. [An expression] I live off of is “Everything happens for a reason.” As long as I work hard, everything will turn out [all right], and that’s what I tell myself.
Student: If you could have dinner with someone from history, who would it be and why?
Preble: It would be my great grandparents. I had the blessing of having my great grandparents for 18 years of my life before they passed away. I’ve been asked this question a lot, and I give the same answer. I would give a lot to have just a minute with them, so [it would be very meaningful] to have lunch with them.
Student: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Preble: I like to hang out with friends, I like to work out. I like to have fun. I’m always out on the green, trying to throw a football around or play Spikeball, especially when the weather is good.
Student: What makes you smile without fail?
Preble: Seeing other people smile and laugh, especially when I’m having a rough day. When I see other people having fun, I ask myself “Why am I not having that much fun?” And that [puts me in a better mood].
Photo courtesy of Springfield College.