2008 Woodie Awards
Senior Snapshot: Matthew Ortlip
Cianel Palmer '08
Issue date: 5/10/08 Section: Features
Matthew Ortlip sat on the couch in his apartment with his feet crossed on the black coffee table in front of him. He drank a Miller High Life with his left hand while his other hand lay tucked in his pocket. He was relaxing before he had to drive home for a hockey game later that night.
"I didn't study for any finals," the chemistry major said. "I'm already in grad school, son."
Ortlip chuckled and nodded his head proudly.
Despite what his comment suggests about his work ethic, Ortlip has worked extremely hard in his four years. He will be one of only four students graduating from Saint Joseph's with a degree in chemistry. He was also the only chemistry student to be sponsored by St. Joe's to attend the 235th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
"My research on organic synthesis culminated in me going to New Orleans for free," said Ortlip. "I was still able to go out on Bourbon Street at night."
During his four years of college, Ortlip's has spent his summers doing research cooped up in a chemistry lab, but he made sure to make time for his other priorities.
Ortlip spent a mixture of his time doing research in the lab, tutoring other students in chemistry, serving as the president of the Molloy Chemistry Society, playing hockey, and working for his father's landscaping company.
"No matter how busy he gets, he comes home to help us out as much as he can," said Ortlip's mother, Ida. "He works just well with his hands as he does with his mind so that helps to make him well-rounded. He's unique like that."
Even after he graduates, Ortlip will not have the luxury of taking the summer off.
"I have to work so much this summer to pay off spring break," said Ortlip. "But every second of it was worth all the money."
At least Ortlip will not have to pay for graduate school. Ortlip received several offers and decided on Delaware University where he will pursue a master's degree in organic chemistry. He was given a full scholarship and stipend to attend.
"Basically, graduate school will open opportunities and give me the occupational freedom which would be equivalent to five years of experience," said Ortlip. "I'll be getting a head start, and I also do it for the challenge."
Ortlip craves challenges in and out if the classroom. During his junior year, he injured his left arm in a hockey game. His doctor said he would lose 40 percent of his hand function and he would not be able to play hockey again. Since then, Ortlip has overcome his disability and joined an indoor roller hockey league.
Now that school is over, Ortlip can focus on reaching smaller goals in his immediate future.
"My goals for this summer are to find an apartment and do what I can to be a rebel and break hearts," said Ortlip. "See, I'm not just a nerd."
"I didn't study for any finals," the chemistry major said. "I'm already in grad school, son."
Ortlip chuckled and nodded his head proudly.
Despite what his comment suggests about his work ethic, Ortlip has worked extremely hard in his four years. He will be one of only four students graduating from Saint Joseph's with a degree in chemistry. He was also the only chemistry student to be sponsored by St. Joe's to attend the 235th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
"My research on organic synthesis culminated in me going to New Orleans for free," said Ortlip. "I was still able to go out on Bourbon Street at night."
During his four years of college, Ortlip's has spent his summers doing research cooped up in a chemistry lab, but he made sure to make time for his other priorities.
Ortlip spent a mixture of his time doing research in the lab, tutoring other students in chemistry, serving as the president of the Molloy Chemistry Society, playing hockey, and working for his father's landscaping company.
"No matter how busy he gets, he comes home to help us out as much as he can," said Ortlip's mother, Ida. "He works just well with his hands as he does with his mind so that helps to make him well-rounded. He's unique like that."
Even after he graduates, Ortlip will not have the luxury of taking the summer off.
"I have to work so much this summer to pay off spring break," said Ortlip. "But every second of it was worth all the money."
At least Ortlip will not have to pay for graduate school. Ortlip received several offers and decided on Delaware University where he will pursue a master's degree in organic chemistry. He was given a full scholarship and stipend to attend.
"Basically, graduate school will open opportunities and give me the occupational freedom which would be equivalent to five years of experience," said Ortlip. "I'll be getting a head start, and I also do it for the challenge."
Ortlip craves challenges in and out if the classroom. During his junior year, he injured his left arm in a hockey game. His doctor said he would lose 40 percent of his hand function and he would not be able to play hockey again. Since then, Ortlip has overcome his disability and joined an indoor roller hockey league.
Now that school is over, Ortlip can focus on reaching smaller goals in his immediate future.
"My goals for this summer are to find an apartment and do what I can to be a rebel and break hearts," said Ortlip. "See, I'm not just a nerd."
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