Ask anyone on the fourth floor of the Student Center and chances are they will know sophomore Jonny Silberman. Whether he is working at the campus events office or hanging out with his fraternity brothers, he is a familiar face to many. You will also find rather quickly that he’s eager to lend a helping hand or simply engage in friendly banter.
As an honor student double majoring in managerial science and business economics, Silberman certainly has a lot on his plate. However, he keeps piling on more through student leadership positions and extracurricular activities.
Not only does Silberman enjoy being involved in campus activities, he highly recommends it.
“Try as many organizations as you can and it’ll make you a better person,” says Silberman.
“It’s nice to stay busy,” he explains of his hectic schedule. While still staying on top of his classes, Johnny is the speaker’s director for Campus Events.
“I love it,” he says. “It is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. You learn so much and every day is different. I think that’s what everyone looks for in a job.”
In addition, he has been an Incept orientation leader for the past year, helping freshmen get acquainted with college life. He is also president of his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi, where he has played an integral role in moving it onto campus and having it recognized. Although the fraternity is only about a year old, it has more than doubled since it began.
“We started with eight people and have just reached 20 this past spring,” he boasts proudly.
Silberman attributes much of his success while at Georgia State to the faculty and staff.
“My advisor and boss Cara Dawn has been excellent. I’ve learned so much from her. Also, Marlon Gibson is the one that got me involved in everything. He deserves a lot of credit,” Silberman says. “When you get involved with campus activities you get to be surrounded by the highest caliber of staff who are willing to help in any way they can.”
When he’s not in school, Silberman works for MLC properties in the Virginia Highlands area. He helps maintain properties full-time and works as a leasing agent on weekends.
“If you know anyone looking to rent in the area, send them my way,” he says. However, he plans on taking a break this summer to study abroad in Turkey and Greece. He has nothing but great things to say about his experience at Georgia State so far.
“It’s been awesome,” he says. “Georgia State is a hidden gem because it’s located in Atlanta where so much is going on. I came here because of the HOPE scholarship but that was just a doorway to so much more. Atlanta is a thriving community that seems to be underestimated by many.”
Silberman expressed his affinity for the city of Atlanta, and when asked about his plans after graduation in 2012 he replies, “I want to run a small business right here.”
He’ll miss a lot when that time arrives, however.
“I’ve made some good friends here,” he says. “And everyone is great, from the students to the staff.”
He then asks excitedly, “Have you met Mary? You should meet her, she’s a janitor here and a great person,” showing just how precious he considers each and every relationship he’s made at Georgia State.
When asked about his best memory at Georgia State he tells about his fraternity’s introduction onto campus.
“We did a run-out, where you run through the sign and it was nice because people turned up to show their support. It showed how the community cared about the accomplishment,” says Silberman.
His advice for new students is to simply get involved.
“Georgia State is a place that you need to explore,” he explains. “Statistically, if you get involved in activities your grades will be better, your confidence will be higher. Also, make sure you join for the right reasons because in the end it’s not what’s on your resume that’s going to help as much as the skills and experiences you acquired along the way.”
With such a bright future and so many accomplishments, Silberman stays modest.
“I think that a lot of it is not me. I think it is the great people that have helped me. My fraternity brothers, my bosses, the faculty, staff and students,” says Silberman.
If you’d like to find out more about Alpha Epsilon Pi, the incept program, campus event opportunities or MLC Properties Jonny invites you to contact him at jsilberman1@gsu.edu.
Jonny Silberman keeps involved both on and off campus
Published: Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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Jonny Silberman serves as the speaker’s director for Campus Events, in addition to his time as an Inceptor and an Honors student.
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