Chris Kerzich lives his life like a tightrope walker — charging ahead on the fine rope high above the crowd while balancing many demanding commitments, an endeavor that seems effortless to the Marquette senior.

The 21-year-old political science major is currently serving his one-year term as president of Venturing, an offshoot program of the Boy Scouts of America.

The co-ed organization, with more than 300,000 members, was created to develop leadership skills in 14 to 21-year-olds through outdoor activities, Kerzich said.

His current position reflects a lifetime of adventure, leadership and service. Kerzich has done everything from sailing the Chesapeake Bay, representing American Boy Scouts in Japan and establishing a recycling program at his high school.

Exploring the world of Scouting

Not only does the Bedford Park, Ill. native represent Venturing members, he also serves more than 2 million Boy Scouts of America.

According to Kerzich, his main goal as president is to foster communication and is currently creating a Web site to do so.

President since May, Kerzich's voluntary position requires him to travel once or twice each month to attend Scouting events nationwide. He flies to Dallas twice a year to report on scouting developments to the BSA Executive Board.

Kerzich began his Scouting career in first grade and became an Eagle Scout, the highest position in Boy Scouting, as a high school senior in 2000. To receive this award, Kerzich and his best friend started a recycling program at St. Laurence High School in Burbank, Ill.

While working on this project, Kerzich's desire to take Scouting further led him to join Sea-Scouting, the country's largest youth sailing program and part of Venturing. In 2002, he was named National Sea Scout Boatswain, or president of Sea-Scouting.

This position led him to become the first Boatswain selected as Venturing president.

Being involved in Venturing has given Kerzich the chance "to explore the world in a way that has been amazing," he said. "Every experience has been a new adventure."

Donna Kerzich, Chris' mother, said she admires her son's love of adventure.

"That's what's fun about him," Donna Kerzich said. "He's never been afraid to try something new."

Kerzich said his current adventure representing so many scouts can be a daunting task, but one well worth the challenge for the leadership lessons it provides.

Mr. Marquette

These leadership lessons come in handy as a Schroeder Hall resident assistant.

Though his friends teased him about waiting until senior year to become an RA, Kerzich said he wanted to spend his last year at Marquette giving back to the institution that has been so important to his development as a leader.

"I felt being an RA was the best way to give back," Kerzich said. "It's been a great opportunity and a very fulfilling experience."

Kerzich said he's enjoyed getting to know his residents, and one of their activities was taking a "cigar walk," where participants walked to a downtown cigar shop and enjoyed their purchases on the walk back.

Grant Thies, Kerzich's friend since freshman year and a College of Business Administration senior, said Kerzich is "Mr. Marquette" because he exemplifies the university in his commitment to academics, extra-curricular activities, service, faith and leadership, not to mention cheering on Marquette basketball.

Kerzich said he chose Marquette for its strong political science program and emphasis on service.

The self-described "hard-worker" said his many commitments may cause him stress, but his motivation for success transcends this aspect of a busy schedule.

"College is a big balancing act," Kerzich said. "What really keeps me going is my passion and love for people."

Venturing toward future success

Inspired by his father's career — fire chief of their hometown fire station — Kerzich seeks a career that combines service with leadership.

"Through his example of public service, I've always aspired to be a public servant and give back to my community," Kerzich said. "Hopefully that will be by participating in government."

He said he would like to earn a master's or a law degree and work in government or constitutional law. He cited the Navy Judge Advocate General Corps as a possible starting point.

Donna Kerzich said she wouldn't be surprised if her son took a job in Washington, D.C. after graduation.

"It's a place where he can thrive," she said.

Studies at Home and Abroad

Kerzich looks forward to visiting the nation's capital next semester with several other BSA representatives to meet President Bush in the Oval Office. Since former President Hoover took office in 1929, the Boy Scouts have given an annual report on the state of their organization to the President.

The farthest Kerzich's travels have taken him have been to Japan to represent the United States at international scouting events in 2000 and 2003. In 2003, the trip's leaders chose him to attend a private, royal dinner with Prince and Princess Akishino of Japan.

At the forum, Kerzich met with scouts from countries like Australia and Hong Kong to discuss "how scouting has helped us grow as leaders."

The worldwide scope of scouting awed Kerzich.

"From the forums, I gained an awareness of the greatness of Scouting program throughout the world and its ability to create future leaders," Kerzich said.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Dec. 9 2004.