By THOMAS A. KVAMME                                                                                 ALUMNUS: Matt Peterson, ‘03

February 14, 2008

Matt Peterson

Many wheelchair miles have separated his studies as a student at Williston State and his teaching as a WSC economics professor, but things have come full circle for Matt Peterson, who now gives assignments rather than receives them.

Matt has always been a numbers guy. Having attended Trenton since kindergarten, he took over duties as the student sports manager in eighth grade. Some remember Matt as a familiar figure in a wheelchair on the Trenton High School sidelines, recording statistics for athletic teams.

Matt was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just six months old. He is able to walk on a limited basis with some assistance and the use of a walker or crutches. But it doesn’t hold him back.

“I don’t even really pay attention; it’s just an every day thing and routine so I forget about it,” Matt said.

FROM STUDENT TO INSTRUCTOR
Matt studied math and took care of his general college requirements as a student at WSC between 2001 and 2003.

“I would definitely recommend Williston State College to anyone,” Matt said. “I was just as prepared to attend a four-year school, if not better, with class sizes here and the personal relationships with teachers.”

“It really helps in the long run,” Matt continued, “as people here try to help you succeed and that’s not the case sometimes at other schools.”

After graduation, Matt attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

UND was appealing to Matt, due in part to the strong athletic programs, and because it was his father Walt’s alma mater. Walt is the district engineer for the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Matt earned his bachelor’s degree in 2005 and his master’s in 2007, both from UND, after which he came on board at WSC in 2007 as an adjunct professor. Since then he has become a full-time instructor of Economics at Williston State. “I was fortunate to have things fall in place for me,” he said.

ACTIVE, DESPITE LIMITATIONS
While limited, Matt remains very active, using his motorized wheelchair to get around the WSC campus—and to get to the head of the class.

Besides teaching in the classroom, Matt instructs online classes. He also manages to get down for a practice session while helping out the Teton basketball program whenever he can.

In his down time between activities on campus, Matt slips over to enjoy some quality time with his grandfather, Pete Peterson, who lives near WSC.

While outfitted with a special travel conversion van, Matt is unable to drive, and those responsibilities lie with his parents. His mother, Sue, is generally behind the wheel getting her son back and forth as needed.

He is very happy to be back home at Williston State College and among family and friends, said the math wiz. It is an “added” blessing with “multiple” benefits!