SUA chief views her many feats with modesty
Hu's personal initiative propels her as a leader
By Jay Lisondra Special to the Kansan
When questioned about her accomplishments at KU, Margaret Hu, Manhattan senior and president of SUA, shrugged her shoulders and spoke in a quiet, modest tone.
"Well, it takes a lot of luck to win things," Hu said.
But Hu has shown as much pluck as luck. Her successes at KU exemplify her personal drive and ability to overcome obstacles.
Not only is she president of SUA, cofounder of the KU chapter of National Organization for Women and a former president of ENVIRONS, she is also a recipient of the Truman Award Scholarship, the Frank R. Burge Scholarship and the University Community Service Scholarship.
Hu believes that her success stems from taking initiative to accomplish her goals.
"Opportunities will always open — don't pass them up," Hu said.
Although Hu has played a leadership role in many activities, she remains characteristically modest about her accomplishments.
"I feel I'm more of an individual achiever than a group leader," she said. "But I really do want to become a leader, not just someone who is there to get things done."
For Hu, an average week consists of getting up at 6 or 7 every morning, being at her job as a member of a Work Group on Health Promotion and Community Development for 20 to 30 hours a week, working at SUA for 12 to 15 hours a week and attending 7 to 15 meetings during this time. She also manages to squeeze in 12 hours of school.
"I think I could have gotten higher grades if I wasn't so involved with the organizations, but I would have never have as skilled in the work force if I had not gotten involved," she said.
Those who work with Hu say that every-
Those who work wit one benefits from her leadership.
Danielle Raymond, Wilmette, Ill., junior and SUA fine arts coordinator, disagrees with Hu on her leadership ability.
"She is an effective leader. It's hard not to respect someone like her," Raymond said.
Margaret Hu
Raymond is also in
awe of how much work Hu does.
"I don't know how she does what she does, but she does it," Raymond said.
According to Raymond, Hu also has a sly sense of humor and likes to play practical jokes.
"She likes to giggle a lot," Raymond said. "Even after serious meetings. It's just the wav she is."
Leslie Northcutt, Sylvania, Ohio, senior, and one of Hu's co-workers agrees. "She (Hu) always wants to be one up on someone, in a fun way." Northcutt said.
Northcutt said that Hu was very organized, serious, and hardworking.
"To work with her, you have to know what you are doing," Northcutt said. If one gets into a debate with Hu, "you must be fully prepared to deal with her or she'll beat you to the punch."
Like Raymond, Northcutt also respects
"Margaret is a lot of things and has a very big heart," said Northcutt. "All the things she has done is great, she is very inspiring."
Hu.
Hu said she was inspired by her parents to take advantage of opportunities. In childhood, she never felt like she was a leader, just a hard worker.Her parents, who fled China because of political oppression, helped instill in her the belief that she can accomplish her goals. They also influenced her interest in public service and becoming an activist on issues.
"My mother, during every election, works at the polling booths," Hu said. "She feels that this is a way she can contribute to democracy."
Despite encouragement at home, Hu was still unsure of herself when she first went to college.
"My biggest obstacle was believing in myself," Husaid.
This uncertainty was aggravated when one of her close friends committed suicide her freshman year. Hu dropped out of school for a little while to reassess her thoughts.
"As a protective mechanism, I tried to run away from the pain, but you can only think about somebody's death so much. I finally realized I had to come to grips with it and accept it," Hu said.
When she came back to school the next fall, she tried to keep busy by getting involved in organizations to avoid thinking about her friend's death.
She said that it was not necessarily the happiest part of her life but that it was one of the biggest challenges.
Becoming a women's studies major was a great confidence booster for her. She enjoyed studying the issues that affected women.
"The more you know, the more you get empowered," Hu said.
She then embraced a philosophy that one needs to make life as worthwhile as possible. She wanted to grab all the opportunities she could.
One of the biggest turning points in her life came when she won the Truman Scholarship last year. This provided a possible political avenue for her in life. The scholarship opened doors into the political realm and provided connections to help land a job.
"The Truman Scholarship presented so many opportunities you don't imagine when applying, but what you realize after winning it. It expands your mind," Hu said.
Unlike students who go out every weekend, Hu is so busy she considers some aspects of work, like SUA events, her leisure time.
"People think I have no life,but to me this is a great life because I learn so much," Hu said.
For the future, and because of her experience dealing with community problems, Hu plans on becoming either a public defender or head of a state community service office.
"I'm not really that interested in politics, but policy. I want to affect in people's lives, to reduce discrimination and general inequalities," Hu said.
When asked if she felt like she made a difference here at KU, Hu smiled and modestly stated, "No one will remember me in five years, I'm just a blip."
MAGIC WOK Restaurant
Children (6-12yrs.)
Special Sunday Buffet
Adult Children (6-12)
$6.95 $4.95
Includes appetizer & selection of over 14 entree items!
Plus rice, soup, & fruit
11:30-3p.m.
New Lunch Buffet STARTING OCT.4 To Satisfy Customer Needs
- 2 Appetizers
INCLUDES
Adult
$4.50
Children (6-12yrs.)
$3.25
- 3 Soups
- 10 Main Dishes
- Desserts
Monday-Saturday
11a.m.-2:45p.m.
ITEMS CHANGED DAILY
SMOKING & NON-SMOKING SECTIONS
Drink Specials
Flaming Volcanoes & Margaritas for 2...$5.00
OPEN HOURS
Mon-Thurs 11a.m.-10p.m.
Fri-&Sat 11 a.m.-10:30p.m.
Sunday 11:30a.m.-9:30p.m.
1700 23rd Street (913) 841-1888
Carrv Out Menu Available
2 3 4