Boyd seizes NU opprotunities

By JAMIE GRAHAM
Alumni News staff

  He is the first non-greek speaker of the Associated Students of the University of Nebraska, the student senate, in at least 10 years. He was the 1998 homecoming king and is a campus radio celebrity.

  It’s common knowledge that Matt Boyd is a big man on campus — except to Matt Boyd.

  Boyd, a 21-year-old broadcasting major at the university is modest and unassuming when speaking about himself and his accomplishments.

 He said being elected speaker of ASUN was his greatest achievement so far. He also served as chairman of the appointments board for ASUN. In his leadership role, Boyd has worked to create unity in the senate by developing retreats for ASUN senators.

  Rachelle Winkle, said Boyd deserved everything he has achieved.

  “Matt has a huge capacity to care for other people,” said Winkle, a senator and a senior majoring in communication studies and music. “He also has the ability to make people not take themselves too seriously.”

  Boyd is also known on campus for his role as co-host of the radio show, Lady and the Tramps. The show, which airs on student station KRNU every Monday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., features three men — including Boyd — and one woman who banter back and forth while taking calls from students. Boyd plans to pursue a radio career after college.

  “I would love to broadcast out west,” Boyd said.

  In the meantime, Boyd keeps himself busy. In addition to his ASUN and broadcasting responsibilities, his schedule includes classes, a part-time job at the UNL public relations office and another as a pizza delivery person for Papa John’s.

  Even without much free time for trips home, this Lexington native said he considers his parents, Cynthia and David, and his older sister, Sarah, his biggest role-models.

  “They have shaped me into the person that I am. My sister has done so much in her life and is such an incredible story. She inspires me,” Boyd said.

  As a student who has taken full advantage of his opportunities at the university, Boyd is an inspiration himself.

  Jay Gish, another of the three “tramps” on the radio show, said Boyd was a great friend and role model.

  “Matt Boyd is one of the funniest people I know but is also surprisingly intuitive and sensitive to his friends,” Gish said.

  With an already long list of achievements, Boyd will graduate in May and pursue a career in broadcasting.

  “It has been great at the university, and I would encourage others to take advantage of all that is offered here,” Boyd said.