Presidential candidate Horstmann

On a cold and windy Friday afternoon in November, Jesse Horstmann longs for the day he’ll… On a cold and windy Friday afternoon in November, Jesse Horstmann longs for the day he’ll be sunbathing and sipping margaritas on the tropical beaches of Negril, Jamaica – his spring break destination for March 2004.

“I can’t wait,” the Sigma Phi Epsilon brother says, smiling.

But for now, Horstmann, 21, a current Student Government Board member and SGB presidential candidate, must bear the Pittsburgh cold and get through his overwhelming Friday schedule. For some students, having no classes on Friday allows them to recover from Thursday night’s drinking. For others, a free Friday means having a chance to catch up on homework, or sleep, for that matter. But for Horstmann, a Friday with no classes means one thing: work, and lots of it.

“All my days are running together,” the communications major says.

Yes, every day this week has been a busy one for Horstmann, especially Friday. That day started painfully early – at 7 a.m. What was on the agenda? A meeting with the Black Action Society.

“I’m the BAS liaison for SGB,” he says. “Basically, I try and bridge the gap between the two groups.”

After his duties for SGB, Horstmann travels to assume his role of teaching assistant for a Freshman Studies class.

“It’s a weird position,” he says. “You’re a TA, but also a student. It’s a good experience.”

From teaching, Horstmann heads to his job at the office of Pitt’s Department of Parking, Transportation and Services. The next few hours see Horstmann traveling between the parking authority and SGB offices.

While some may become dizzy watching Horstmann scuttle around campus, he says it doesn’t bother him.

“I’ve always been busy,” says the Collegeville, Pa. native. “In high school, I worked full-time so I could go to France.”

Traveling the world and working aren’t the only things Horstmann devotes his time to. He’s also an adamant volunteer with his fraternity, where he serves as the social and philanthropy chair. In September, Horstmann and his brothers held a charity drive to combat juvenile diabetes. As Horstmann puts it, the group raised “over a thousand dollars.”

Horstmann says his strong work ethic carried over to college and mentions that it has helped him to think strategically, possibly setting him up for a job in public relations.

“I like the problem-solving aspect of things,” he says. “That’s why I want to go into PR – it allows you to be strategic and creative.”

With Thanksgiving Day nearing, Horstmann can’t wait to take a break from the toils of college life and return home to Collegeville. Each year, he attends the annual Thanksgiving Day football game of LaSalle College High School, his alma mater.

Besides watching the game, Horstmann would like only one more thing: “to sleep in.”

Until he can find time for that, Horstmann must first make it through his tedious day. But he is soon greeted with a sign that his work is almost complete – the setting sun. As it begins to set in the amber sky, Horstmann knows he’s almost free. He then starts to plan out his evening; one that may include relaxing at home, working out at the Petersen Events Center and going out for drinks with friends.

As for Saturday, Horstmann says he’ll have a much lighter load to carry.

“I’ll probably work only one job tomorrow,” he says. “That’s my idea of a day off. I’ll just relax and work on some homework.”