Gerald Abt, a junior from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is a big advocate of both the environment and having fun at UR. As president of Grassroots and a coordinator for the Campus Activities Board, Abt whole-heartedly devotes himself and his time to bringing excitement to the lives of students and helping us protect the environment. As a mechanical engineering major, he hopes to learn enough to help him make a difference in the world in any way he can.
You may also recognize Abt as the guy who walks around campus on stilts. One of his hobbies includes stilt walking and teaching people how to stilt walk. In his spare time he also enjoys running and glass blowing.
Why did you pick your major? What motivates you?
“I’m majoring in mechanical engineering because it sounded like an interesting way to understand the world around me and learn precise methods to understand lots of devices and structures that currently exist and perhaps make some of my own.
As clich as it sounds, I’d love to make a difference in the world, and I thought I could apply this degree to making, or helping others to make, any sort of devices that would help make people’s lives easier, or lessen our negative environmental impact.”
What activities are you involved in and why? Do you have a special reason for your involvement?
“I’m the president of Grassroots because, on a most basic level, I’m interested in protecting the environment, and Grassroots seems like the most tangible way to do so on this campus. I’m the Yellowjacket and Meliora Weekend coordinator for CAB because I enjoy making people’s days more fun by providing fun programming and events and I’m in the Stingers Trombone Ensemble because I love playing the trombone and it’s a great time.”
What is your dream job?
“I would love to do work either researching or making economically feasible alternative energy sources.”
What’s your guilty pleasure?
“I listen to some terrible music, really goofy heavy metal and really bad pop punk.”
What’s the last good book you read?
“I haven’t read much in a while, but the last book was probably ‘A People’s History of the United States’ by Howard Zinn. It was really interesting and filled me in on some lesser known American history.”
What’s the last good movie you saw?
“‘Little Miss Sunshine’ was ridiculous and hilarious. I really want to see ‘Borat.'”
What’s your favorite thing to do in Rochester?
“Exploring the abandoned subway.”
Weintraub is a member of the class of 2008.
