When Gov. Butch Otter declared Jan. 23 as University of Idaho Higher Education Day, Tyler Tennison was there singing the Vandal fight song and representing the university.
Jessica Greene | Argonaut
ASUI Communications Board Chair Tyler Tennison wasn’t encouraged to attend a four-year university but made the choice to attend UI and said he doesn’t regret the decision.
Tennison, ASUI communications board chair, has several accomplishments in his name from his time at UI so far.
Last year, he accepted the Junior of the Year Award at the 2013 Greek Awards Ceremony.
As a first-generation college student, Tennison was not encouraged to go to a four-year university.
“In high school, they just told me I should go to North Idaho College and start off there,” Tennison said. “I said ‘No, I am going to go to UI and do the four-year thing’ and I am definitely happy I made that decision.”
Tennison said after switching his major five times, he’s finally content studying advertising with a minor in sustainable tourism and leisure enterprises. He said he hopes to build a career in the hospitality business with a hotel group or an airline company.
In addition to his position in ASUI, Tennison said he is involved in numerous other student organizations and activities.
“I am a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, I am the external public relations coordinator for the Student Alumni Relations Board and I am currently the alumni chairman for the Homecoming Committee,” Tennison said.
Tennison is also involved with the student marketing group Vandal Solutions, has served as a UI ambassador at the Legistlative Breakfast and as the Kappa Sigma recruitment chair for two years.
“I’ve recruited over 50 men so I am considered a master of recruitment by my organization,” Tennison said. “The relationships and the brotherhood of my fraternity is one of the most important things to me and I know it’s always something I am going to bring with me.”
Close friend and ASUI Director of Athletics Taylor Vincent said Tennison’s passion for student involvement is a reason she pursued an executive position with ASUI.
“I actually admire how much work he puts in to ASUI, and he is a lot of the reason why I got involved in my position,” Vincent said. “He’s somebody who got me to learn more about it and made me want to get involved in it, seeing how much he enjoyed getting involved.”
Tennison said he is taking advantage of the opportunities that only college offers because he has an inherent desire to meet new people.
“I feel like I have gotten to know and meet so many people from all over campus,” Tennison said. “May they live off campus, may they live in the residence halls and may they live in any other Greek house. I am a people person in general.”
Vincent said what makes Tennison successful is his ability to excel in school and extracurricular activities and not letting that falter his friendships.
“He’s always there to talk with and be there for his friends,” Vincent said. “Even if it’s just to watch movies or go and grab something to eat. He’s definitely someone who is always there, he would drop anything to be there for any of his friends.”
When Tennison’s hands aren’t full of school and organization responsibilities, he enjoys the outdoors by hiking and swimming or hanging out with his friends on the Kappa Sigma sundeck.
For the future, Tennison said he will follow the path that life lays out for him — whether that is across the country to begin a career or furthering his education by studying abroad in Europe.
Whatever Tennison does, it is clear that he will use the communication and leadership skills that he attained at UI and let them flourish into a successful future.
Amber Emery can be reached at [email protected]
