Spotlight on Michael O'Connell - continued
O'Connell's love for jazz and big band extended beyond the radio. An accomplished jazz pianist, he performed with the Harpur Jazz Ensemble for several semesters. O'Connell has also been a member of the local group, "The Blue Velvet Big Band" since 2000.
While working long hours, having a radio show, and performing in several bands would be plenty to keep a full time college student busy, O'Connell managed to squeeze in another activity his freshman year: he joined the staff of the Binghamton Review, a conservative student newspaper, and found he fit right in.
"I was impressed by the students who were involved with the Review when I started," O'Connell said, who enjoyed working with former editor Robert Zoch `03 and former managing editor Matt Pecorino `03. "They really got me on my way to being involved with the Review."
O'Connell joined the newspaper as a staff writer and was quickly promoted to managing editor. In 2003, the Binghamton Review named him editor. He now oversees its monthly publication, including assisting with layout, and delivering the finished product for printing and distribution. O'Connell has also seen the Review grow significantly. When he began, writers were in short supply; now the paper has over a dozen contributors at each meeting.
Harpur College has offered O'Connell many other opportunities to express himself. Last semester, he organized his own "teach-in" to present conservative politics with interested students. That O'Connell was willing to share his viewpoint caught the attention of Professor Jason Mallory, who invited him to speak at his Social and Political Philosophy course.
Last year, O'Connell decided to make the jump from leading on campus to leading his community. He earned the Independence Party nomination for a seat on the Binghamton City Council. Running against two veterans of the Binghamton political scene, O'Connell learned a great deal about running for office, but ultimately was unsuccessful in this bid. He hopes to try again in the future.
With such an incredibly busy calendar, one would think that O'Connell's schoolwork would have suffered. However, not only did he graduate Magna Cum Laude, he actually completed his degree in Political Science a year early. O'Connell had his honors thesis, While Federalism Slept, professionally printed and bound, and donated it to the campus and local libraries, where copies are in frequent circulation.
O'Connell is now earning a Master's in Public Administration at Binghamton, which will further prepare him for a career in politics. With his talent and tireless work ethic, it's a pretty safe bet that the name Michael O'Connell is one that the people of Binghamton and elsewhere will get to know very well in the near future.