Mathew Axelrod
Graduation Year: 2010
Major: Music Industry with minors in Business and Business Communication
Hometown: Ossining, NY
CAREER GOAL:
A career in the music industry, possibly graduate school.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES:
A Dean’s List student, Mathew completed an internship in marketing with the RCA Music Group of SonyBMG Music Entertainment. He cites Music in the Marketplace as the most influential class he’s taken at Oneonta: “In the class, I learned a general overview of how the industry works and was able to familiarize myself with industry terms, which proved very helpful in my internship.” During college, he has served as a production manager in venues such as Jazz Forum Arts, the Tarrytown Music Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, working with performers including Eliane Elias and Kenny Barron, Spyro Gyra, and Chris Botti.
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES:
Mathew serves as a Student Association Senator and Vice President of Internal Services as well as a student director of the College at Oneonta Foundation. He is the treasurer of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and a member of the College Union Activities Council and the college event staff. Mathew participated in the College’s Emerging Leaders program, Leadership Institute, and Into the Streets day of service. He was a member of the production team for the National Association for Campus Activities mid-Atlantic conference and the search committee for the Executive Director of Oneonta Auxiliary Services. Mathew plays in the Jazz Ensemble, Funk Band, and several other groups.
WHY ONEONTA?
In Mathew’s words, “I remember quite clearly the day I had the revelation of what I thought I wanted to do with my life. Combine my two strengths: music and business. At first, I had no idea that there was even a major that would help me fulfill my dream of combining the two, but one day my eyes were opened to what I like to call ‘the World of Oneonta.’ After I found out about the music industry program, I could not wait to find out more. When I finally had a chance to visit the campus, I instantly knew that Oneonta was the place for me. The people, the atmosphere, and the music industry program blew my mind. Everything just seemed to fit right into place.”
What has been your most memorable experience at Oneonta?
It is hard to pick. Not only have there been so many good times and memorable moments, but they have all been different in their own ways. Whether it was making a decision in Senate that would affect the entire student body, joining a fraternity, setting up for and working OH-Fest for a crowd of 10,000, participating in Relay for Life knowing that together the campus can make a difference in the world, or just hanging out in the residence halls jamming with my friends. I have forged memories that will never fade and that have helped me improve my character and become the person I am proud to be to this day.
What three words summarize your experience at Oneonta?
Exhilarating, life-changing, awesome.
What advice do you have for high school students considering Oneonta?
If there is one piece of advice that I could give, it would be to get involved. Take your passion, whatever it may be, and explore it to your utmost potential. There is something for everyone at Oneonta.
