Senior class president embraces uncertainty

Sherman (third from left) presents Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton with this year’s senior gift, a pair of double-breasted pajamas, at the Chancellor’s Dinner at the America’s Center. Sherman is joined by fellow senior officers Jack Krewson (left) and Marli Komarek.[/caption]

Washington University in St. Louis senior class president Jeremy Sherman knows what’s next — a trip to Europe and a job at Deloitte Consulting in Washington, D.C.

The rest is uncertain.

“Even if we have a job or are planning to go to graduate school, all of us are facing a lot of uncertainty,” said Sherman. “It’s not unlike the uncertainty we faced as freshmen when we didn’t know who our friends would be or what we would study. I think this time I’m ready for it.”

Sherman will address thousands of fellow graduates, faculty and family members today at Commencement. His speech, “Embrace the Uncertainty,” will celebrate the unknown.

“When I think about all that WashU taught me, it has, most of all, taught me to deal with uncertainty. And not just deal with it, but embrace it,” said Sherman. “With uncertainty comes adventure.”

Sherman’s WashU adventure started when his big sister, Stefanie Sherman, chose to attend Washington University. Stefanie (Arts & Sciences, 2011) also graduates today from University of Michigan Medical School.

“She said to me, ‘I can see you here,’” said Sherman, who is from the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield, Michigan. “We are very different people, but Washington University is the sort of inclusive place where we both could find our communities.”

Sherman is majoring in economics and strategy in Olin Business School and political science in Arts & Sciences. He is a member of professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi and past president of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He also served as a Student Union senator, co-chair of a Mosaic Project committee, and Interfraternity Council officer. As a junior, Sherman organized the first “Greek Serve,” which connected sorority and fraternity members with seventh-graders from KIPP Inspire Academy.

“We showed them the campus, answered their questions about college and hopefully got them excited about higher education,” said Sherman. “It was a great way for the Greek community to come together and make an impact.”

As senior class president, Sherman organized the class trip to Kansas City, managed eight senior week activities and helped find the perfect senior gift for Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton — embroidered double-breasted pajamas.

“Everyone says your senior year is the best, and I wanted to help create awesome memories for everyone,” said Sherman. “It took a lot of planning, a lot of attention to detail, but in the end we united this class and celebrated each other’s accomplishments.”

Sherman’s get-it-done attitude, passion for politics and entrepreneurial spirit will serve him well at his new position at Deloitte where he will help federal agencies improve their operations.

“I don’t need to be attached to a cause — give me a topic and I’ll get interested in it,” said Sherman. “That’s why this job is perfect. If I can improve the day-to-day operations of, for instance, the Department of Health and Human Services, it allows them to reach more people across the United States and provide better health care. Or maybe I help the United States Postal Service or the Department of Agriculture. It’s about making an impact that serves people in a real way.”