2008 Woodie Awards
Senior Snapshot: Peter Philis
Cianel Palmer '08
Issue date: 5/10/08 Section: Features
From "A" to "F" and all the minuses and plusses in between, Peter Philis has seen them all.
"I got every grade you could possibly get in college," the senior marketing major said. "I would say that is an accomplishment."
Philis spun his bronzed body around in his black office chair and played with a bottle opener shaped like a naked woman. It was 1 p.m., and he had just awakened. He ran his hands over his shaggy dark hair and switched on the TV to Sports Center's "Highlight Reel."
Philis is one of those students whom some people might write off after a disastrous first year of college.
"You know, I screwed up the beginning of my freshman year, but I dug myself out of a hole," said Philis.
In fact, Philis took one summer classes every summer at New York University for the past three years in order to graduate.
Philis played ice hockey for Saint Joseph's until his grades hit an all-time low. Eventually, his privilege of being on the team was taken away. The loss of a sport Philis had played his entire life gave him the motivation to change where he was headed.
While Phillis has coasted over the ups and downs of his years at Saint Joseph's, the ride has been a nail-biter for his parents.
"I was never worried but my parents were," said Philis. "They had a lot of stress, so I guarantee both my parents will be crying [at graduation]."
After graduation, Philis plans on rewarding himself with a trip overseas. He will spend a week in Japan, a week in Australia, a week in New Zealand, and a week in Hawaii. Then he plans on looking for a job when he returns.
"I can do better in the work world because it fits me better," said Philis. "Some people aren't made for school. I loved school but hated the work."
Philis' friends have a pool to see how long it will take for him to be employed. To them, it is an accomplishment that he is even graduating on time. But Philis takes the journey in stride.
"I am motivated now," Philis said. "I know I want to maintain the same lifestyle I have always had, and that is a fortunate one."
"I got every grade you could possibly get in college," the senior marketing major said. "I would say that is an accomplishment."
Philis spun his bronzed body around in his black office chair and played with a bottle opener shaped like a naked woman. It was 1 p.m., and he had just awakened. He ran his hands over his shaggy dark hair and switched on the TV to Sports Center's "Highlight Reel."
Philis is one of those students whom some people might write off after a disastrous first year of college.
"You know, I screwed up the beginning of my freshman year, but I dug myself out of a hole," said Philis.
In fact, Philis took one summer classes every summer at New York University for the past three years in order to graduate.
Philis played ice hockey for Saint Joseph's until his grades hit an all-time low. Eventually, his privilege of being on the team was taken away. The loss of a sport Philis had played his entire life gave him the motivation to change where he was headed.
While Phillis has coasted over the ups and downs of his years at Saint Joseph's, the ride has been a nail-biter for his parents.
"I was never worried but my parents were," said Philis. "They had a lot of stress, so I guarantee both my parents will be crying [at graduation]."
After graduation, Philis plans on rewarding himself with a trip overseas. He will spend a week in Japan, a week in Australia, a week in New Zealand, and a week in Hawaii. Then he plans on looking for a job when he returns.
"I can do better in the work world because it fits me better," said Philis. "Some people aren't made for school. I loved school but hated the work."
Philis' friends have a pool to see how long it will take for him to be employed. To them, it is an accomplishment that he is even graduating on time. But Philis takes the journey in stride.
"I am motivated now," Philis said. "I know I want to maintain the same lifestyle I have always had, and that is a fortunate one."
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