By Rachel Keeley, senior

An old saying goes, “Home is where your heart is.” Senior Matt Buesch’s apartment in the Friends Village shows exactly what fills Buesch’s heart: textbooks for his criminal justice classes, games like “Apples to Apples” and “Rock Band” for good times with friends, and Christian band stickers adorning his guitar case.

Many Friends University students may recognize Buesch’s face from various organizations and events on campus. Others may know him from the Feb. 12 Masquerade Ball where he was crowned the 2010 Man of the Year.

The plaque he won from the title is proudly displayed in his room, and he humbly discredits himself while discussing the title.

“I applied because I thought it would be a great way to build skills with the interview and resume,” Buesch said. “I also thought a reward like that would look really good in my future career, and it seemed like a good competition. I never dreamed I would actually win it. I didn’t think I had what it took.”

Buesch’s friends disagree with him.

“I was really excited when he won,” said senior Hannah Priebe. “I thought he really deserved to get it since he’s so well-known on campus. He was so perfect to get it. And most people would be very prideful about winning it, but he’s not the kind of guy that would.”

Freshman Jordan Friesen said he felt the same.

“I was so excited when he won,” said Friesen. “He deserved that. He IS Man of the Year.”

While other recipients may blow the money on video games or big screen televisions, Buesch used the $200 he won to help better himself.

“I got contacts to help with my studies and career,” said Buesch. “I don’t have health insurance, so contacts were something I couldn’t get before.”

Buesch believes in bettering himself with his career in criminal justice, the Friends University campus with his participation, his friendships with fellow classmates, and with his faith in God.

Criminal Justice

Buesch has been interested in law enforcement since he went on his first ride-along in middle school. After he graduates in the fall of 2010, he plans on going into the police academy. He would love to work in the canine unit some day, but he said he would be fine with any job in law enforcement.

“No matter what job I take, it will always be fun and exciting. It won’t be a boring office job,” he said.

Priebe said she was confident Buesch would succeed in his dream.

“Once he’s set his mind on something, he’s going to do it,” she said.

Good friend and junior Tyler Ray said he could see Buesch being a good police officer.

“We need more police officers like Matt Buesch. He better not give me a ticket, though,” said Ray.

When Friesen needed an actor to play a cop for an episode of his ongoing, written-and-directed online TV show “202,” he knew whom he could turn to.

“He’s very cop-like,” said Friesen.

Leaving a Legacy

Picking a university to attend was easy for Buesch.

“My mom, aunt, grandfather and uncle have all attended Friends and left their legacy,” Buesch said. “I wanted to leave my own mark.”

Buesch has been leaving marks all over campus for years with his participation.

Buesch is Concert Choir president, a post that is nominated and elected by his peers. He is involved with Falcon Fanatics, sings in small group Kantori, plays on the Friends tennis team, works on the sound crew for Cornerstone, is involved in intramurals, works in the Admissions Office, and has participated in dramas. In past years, he has also been involved with Gospel choir and student government.

His peers notice his presence all around on campus.

“He’s gone above and beyond a student, “said Ray. “He’s more than just a classmate to a lot of people. He loves to be around people. The more chances to be around people, the happier he is.”

Friesen said this trait was admirable.

“It takes a lot of discipline. It’s easy to be lazy, but he puts effort into any event. Everything he has goes into each event, and he shows joy,” said Friesen.

Buesch doesn’t attend or help with events for attention; it’s just how he lives his life.

“I give everything a shot,” Buesch said. “I think of it as a new way to broaden experiences or meet new people.”

Friends at Friends

When Friesen met Buesch for the first time during the first week of school, he wasn’t sure how he and the upperclassman would relate. He found out it wouldn’t be hard at all.

“He really relates on our level,” said Friesen. “He was a very nice and open guy, and he’s really funny. He’s fun to hang out with.”

Priebe’s first meeting was a similar experience.

“I thought he was really nice,” Priebe said. “He was kinda intense, though, because he was super friendly. I didn’t know how to handle it at first.”

Honest and genuine are words his friends associate with the Man of the Year winner as well.

“He’s not fake. He’s truthful about what he believes about you,” said Priebe.

Friesen agreed.

“You know when you’re with him he doesn’t put up a front. He’s a genuine person. He’s a light-hearted character.”

Ray is thankful for Buesch’s kindness.

“He always offers to let me sleep on his couch whenever I lock myself out of my apartment,” said Ray.

Buesch is known for his ballroom dancing skills, too. He’s so talented he was offered to take a course to become a dance instructor at Care-to-Dance. Although he turned it down, he still gets opportunities to put on his dancing shoes.

“He’s such a stud,” said Priebe. “All the girls wanted to dance with him in our Ballroom Dance class because he is a really good dancer.”

Buesch said he knows what he will miss most when he leaves Friends.

“I’ll miss the friendships, the community and the sense of belonging here on campus.”

Faith at Friends

Knowing Buesch means knowing his faith in God, too. Buesch doesn’t just share his faith by being involved with the youth group at University Friends church, the church choir or by playing in a worship band Sunday evenings at Eastminster Presbyterian Church before helping with Cornerstone. He shares his faith by his philosophy.

“I like to give back in any way I can. I try to be a light to others that I really want to see in the community,” said Buesch.

His efforts do not go unnoticed. University Friends church was so proud of him for winning Man of the Year that it included a section in its bulletin and newsletter about it.

His friends have noticed his faith, too.

“Matt definitely doesn’t hide the fact he’s a Christian, which I’ve always liked. You can tell he always puts God first, “said Priebe.

Ray said Buesch has been a mentor to him for his faith.

“He’s really passionate about his faith and people,” said Ray. “I love how he uses music to use the gifts God has given him. He’s an all around good guy.”

No matter where life takes Buesch, Friesen thinks Buesch’s faith will always be important to him.

“It’s sometimes hard to tell who genuine Christians are. He shows through his life and his fruits that he is.”