2021 Most Congenial Senior – Will Schriefer

My name is Will Schriefer and I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC.  I  graduate in May 2021 with a degree in Paper Science and Engineering. It wasn’t until high school that I started to break out of my comfort zone and started striking up conversations with anyone and everyone. I didn’t think twice about who I should talk to, I just wanted to know everyone. When I came to NC State and found the Paper Science Engineering  program, I really grew into who I am. I wanted to meet everyone and it was easy because they wanted to meet me!

The Impact of Being Selected

In this program, and with these people, this award holds prestige and honor, and has to be challenging to decide. I am graduating with roughly 20 bright seniors and I could name 20 others that deserve this award. Being nominated by all of my peers shows me that “little conversation” holds so much power. Even something as simple as a “Good Morning” or asking about a homework assignment, that turned into a conversation about weekend plans. I went through my college career not realizing that I was making a big impact, just having fun with other students in the classroom and labs. It’s those small interactions that make the most difference and I am grateful that this award reflects that. When they announced that I won the award for “Most Congenial Senior” I was not at all expecting it, and was at a loss for words. I had no idea that someone, like myself, could make an impact on my classmates, simply by talking, and that they would  honor me with this award.  Getting messages of congratulations from my classmates after they announced my name,  will always stay with me just as this award will. My journey is far from over and this award has inspired me to continue to live as the “Most Congenial” person I can be…to everyone one I meet

By guest blogger Will Schriefer