From Dreams to Reality

Jordan Peters '14 at the DMZ.

Jordan Peters ’14  

Political-science major and scholarship recipient Jordan Peters ´14 is quick to tell you that he appreciates the opportunities he’s found at Dickinson, and it’s clear that he’s made the most of them. In between classes and his duties as a member of the Blue Mountain Battalion ROTC, he’s found time to travel, conduct student-faculty research, complete an internship and volunteer through Dickinson’s community-service office.

“I grew up a block from a cornfield, and if you would have told me a few years ago that one day I’d tour the DMZ in Korea, teach English in the Marshall Islands, rappel from a helicopter or build a fence at an elementary school in Ecuador I wouldn’t have believed you,” he says. “But my time at Dickinson made all of that a reality.”

Major:

Political science.

Clubs and organizations:

Army ROTC, Dickinson service trips (student leader) and student-hearing panel advisor.

Favorite professor:

Professor [Andrew] Wolff. He’s my advisor, and after taking my first class with him freshman year I knew Dickinson was the right place for me. Professor Wolff has a way of bringing out the humor in something as serious as politics and international history.

Favorite class and/or learning experience:

Working as a research assistant for Professor [Jeffrey] McCausland. I researched everything from North Korean nuclear debates to the effects of economic sanctions on Iran.

In a perfect world . . .

. . . House of Cards would come out with a new season every day.

Most important thing I’ve learned so far:

That true leadership is serving others.

Post-Dickinson plans:

After graduation, I’ll spend seven years as an active-duty Army officer, half as an armor officer and half as a military-intelligence officer. After that, I’d like to go to law school and practice international law while staying in the Army Reserves.

As a kid, I wanted to be . . .

. . . the U.S. president, then Batman. Then a combination of the president and Batman.

Proudest accomplishment:

I’m the first member of my family to go to college, so earning a bachelor’s degree is a pretty big deal.

Favorite book:

All In, the David Petraeus biography.

Favorite movie:

Fight Club.

Favorite place on campus:

Denny 317, also known as the “stained-glass window room.”

Favorite Dining Hall food:

The thought of tri-taters (triangle-shaped hash browns) has gotten me through more than a few early-morning ROTC workouts.

Little-known talents:

I took six years of piano, and even though I’ve forgotten most of what I learned, I can still play “Für Elise” from memory.

If I could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, it would be . . .

. . . Napoleon. I’d love to pick his brain about his political beliefs and military experiences.

On the worldwide classroom:

I didn’t study abroad, but I did spend a month in South Korea shadowing an Army platoon leader through an ROTC program. While there, I was able to visit the DMZ, tour Seoul and experience an interesting mix of Army and Korean cultures. I also took a Dickinson winter-break service trip to Ecuador, where I helped construct two rural elementary schools.

Biggest influence:

My cousin. His childhood was tough, but he was able to overcome those challenges and achieve amazing things, all while staying one of the humblest people I’ve ever met. 

Learn more

Peters takes part in the annual ROTC leadership training exercises: Controlling Chaos

Published March 18, 2014