Mark Kresowik Googled his name recently to see what potential employers would find if they did the same.

Among the more surprising results to the president of the University of Iowa Student Government was seeing his name cited in a genetics journal from when he worked in a laboratory his sophomore year of college

“I thought that was pretty amusing,” said Kresowik, a 22-year-old UI senior studying sustainable systems.

What’s almost laughable is the absurd number and variety of returns one gets when entering Kresowik’s name into an Internet search engine. He’s a blur of activity with active membership in more than 10 organizations while preparing to graduate this spring and leading the UI student body.

Kresowik sends and receives up to 100 e-mails a day, attends countless meetings and goes home only to sleep, he said.

“Wake up, meetings and e-mails” is how he described a typical day.

What drives him?

“High metabolism,” he joked.

“No, it’s two things. One is just I really had a chance to make a difference. … And the other side of it is I really like meeting people.”

During three days in January, that included going to Des Moines to meet with legislators to lobby for UI student interests, particularly an increase in the tobacco tax.

He also planned to meet with former governors Robert Ray and Terry Branstad and with some members of the Iowa state Board of Regents.

Though much busier than the average college student, Kresowik said his schedule isn’t overwhelming because he has four independent studies rather than scheduled   classes this semester.

As for his future, in which he hopes to work in the environmental movement, Kresowik said he doesn’t plan to slow down.

Maybe just “focusing a little more,” he said.

— Gregg Hennigan

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