Issue date: 10/8/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Stephen Fogg Senior radiological health engineering major Matthew Heintschel is the 2009-2010 Fish Camp head director. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Stephen Fogg Senior radiological health engineering major Matthew Heintschel is the 2009-2010 Fish Camp head director. [Click to enlarge]

Senior radiological health engineering student Matthew Heintschel has been involved with Aggie traditions since he first stepped foot onto Texas A&M University.

As the 2009-2010 head director for Fish Camp, he said the past four years have been an incredible journey with unpredictable outcomes.

From La Grange, Texas, Heintschel said that he chose to come to A&M because of the "spirit, passion and potential that is put behind everything."

He said he feels students have the opportunity to make the University their own and to take it in the direction that they see fit.

"From student involvement to the Aggie Spirit, there is just something so unique about our University and student body that emanates from everything that we attempt and achieve as individuals, groups and a whole," Heintschel said.

Heintschel has been in various organizations such as Ol'AGS, CARPOOL and Fish Camp.

"I take pride in organizations that have a purpose, give back to A&M and the community and make an impact, while still providing for its members, whether that be personal, social or various other aspects," Heintschel said.

As the head director for Fish Camp and an active participant since his freshman year, Heintschel said he feels pride and love for the organization.

"I, like so many others, got the opportunity to attend Fish Camp upon entering Texas A&M, and it really set me up for everything that was to come my freshman year," he said.

Heintschel said his discussion group leaders and co-chairmen inspired him to give back to the organization.

"Through Fish Camp, I have defined myself as an individual and gained so much, and I want to make sure that those same opportunities are available to others," he said.

Fish Camp is a four -day orientation program that immerses freshmen into the Aggie way of life and tradition the summer before their freshman year. It welcomes the freshman class to Texas A&M each year and allows each member to begin finding their place in the Aggie community.

"It is a student-run and student-led organization that brings together those that are passionate about making the first year of college a success for the incoming freshman class," Heintschel said.

A word to Aggies, current and future, Heintschel said he wants students to remember to never sweat the small stuff and to live life in the moment.

"If I was to tell you as a freshman attending Fish Camp 2006 that I was going to be head director for Fish Camp 2010 and overseeing the organization as a whole, I wouldn't have believed it," he said. "Here I am today, and I can't imagine myself anywhere else."

As for future goals in life, Heintschel said he wishes to be successful in all his endeavors.

"I never want to forget that I am part of something bigger than myself, and that even though only one individual, I can accomplish whatever it is that I set my mind to," Heintschel said.

Heintschel attributes his success to his loved ones.

"I would hope to say that those dear to me know what they have done for me, no matter how trivial or tremendous, and that I seriously could not have done it without them," he said.

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