As a psychology major, Christian Wargo loves understanding individuals; as a business management minor focusing on organizational behavior, he loves understanding groups. And as a student leader active in nearly 10 organizations, he gets an inside look at it all.
When Wargo arrived on campus in 2009, he decided to dive into student activities headfirst. “My personal philosophy is ‘It’s all about the experience,’” Wargo said. “I wanted to have the best college experience I could and help others have the best experience they could, so I decided to try out a lot of things my freshman year.”
Through this all-in approach, Wargo found his calling in leading others. He ran for a class officer position and became vice president of his class his freshman year; since then, he has been president of the Class of 2013 for three years running. In the meantime, he’s also become executive president of the Class Officer Collective, Alumni Relations officer, past president and a founding father of the Case Western Reserve University colony of the Delta Chi fraternity, co-chair of the Student Executive Council, student facilitator (and past graduate) of the Emerging Leaders Program, member of the Student Turning Point Society and special events intern for the Office of Student Activities & Leadership.
Though he may not have much spare time to do some of the other activities he enjoys—such as traveling, catching up on TV shows and movies, and reading about new leadership and development theories—Wargo wouldn’t change his active lifestyle at all.
“Now that I’m in my last year here, I feel so connected to my peers and campus,” he said. “I am so grateful that I invested my time and energy in my various roles.”
Learn more about the Norton, Ohio, native in this week’s five questions.
1. What are you reading—and how are you reading it (print vs. digital)?
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, in print.
2. What can’t you live without?
Coffee. I am a huge coffee addict—if you ever see me on campus, I will probably have a mug in my hand.
3. What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Well, I guess I have two favorite spots. I spend the majority of my time in Thwing, especially in the Student Activities & Leadership office. I love hanging out in there with the staff because they always put a smile on my face and brighten my day, so that would have to be my favorite “day” spot. And my favorite spot during the evenings, a hidden gem (for those of age) on this campus, the Barking Spider.
4. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
This isn’t advice that I personally received, per se, but a simple phrase that I try to live my life by: “It’s not what you do, but why you do it,” from author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek. Sinek’s theory about “the Golden Circle” fascinates me and I hold it near and dear to my heart.
I find that I am able to challenge myself and I am able to grow and develop every day in some way, shape, or form by constantly asking myself, “Why am I doing this?” or “Why is this happening/going the way it is?” Being able to challenge the process—asking “why”—is what helps advance the projects that I am working on and helps me to better understand myself.
5. What’s your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve University?
My favorite thing about CWRU is President Snyder. Having met her multiple times, I am more and more inspired by her and the amount of success she is able to muster every time we interact. She has turned this campus around and made the university a nationally recognized and respected institution—and, of course, for the sake of my future career prospects, I am grateful she has been so successful in these efforts. But I sincerely admire her and aspire to be as impactful and intentional as she is in everything that I do.