Getting to Know You: Joseph Clavenna
Joseph Clavenna – Kinesiology
Year in school: senior
Why are you studying Kinesiology? What do you hope to do with it after you graduate?
I chose to study Kinesiology because of my interest in exercise performance and physiology. After graduation, I hope to earn a commission in the United States Navy through Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) co-op with the University of Idaho. My dream service selection assignment would be to select Naval Aviator, and be able to fly p-8s for the Navy. With my degree in Kinesiology, I hope to eventually be able to work with aviation physiology to study how flight affects the bodies of Naval Aviators and how we can maximize aviators’ performance.
Why did you choose WSU?
I chose WSU because of its college town atmosphere. There is no other college town in the nation that compares to what Pullman has, and I knew I wanted to come here from the first time I visited. While it might take forever to drive through the wheat fields of the Palouse, or five hours of really long rides back to the westside of WA, Pullman is always a sight for sore eyes, always filled with friends and good memories.
What’s been your favorite WSU experience thus far?
It is really hard to isolate one individual thing that I enjoy most about WSU. The first thought that comes to mind is every time my mom visits, we have to go to Ferdinand’s. The student-run creamery on campus is probably one of the most underrated things here at WSU Pullman. I haven’t gone by myself and it’s just turned into a family tradition to go when my mom is visiting.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far?
There has been a lot of early morning trips to University of Idaho in Moscow, ID for ROTC classes. I’d say the biggest challenge is the Pullman/Moscow highway in the winter before the plows are up and the roads are clear; definitely makes for an interesting drive.
As a college, we’re starting to focus more on our people being agents of change. What makes you an agent of change?
I want to make a difference and leave an impact on everyone I meet in all areas of my life. I strive for the opportunities to learn from all people, and take those experiences with me. I think it’s the impacts and life lessons that others impart on me that will make me a better Naval officer.
Favorites
Food: Taco Bell
Restaurant in Pullman: Rico’s Public House
Book: Call Sign Chaos
Band: Eli Young Band
Song: Traveling Man by Zach Bryan
Movie: Top Gun
TV show: Peaky Blinders
Coug sport: WSU swimming
Hobby: snowboarding
Vacation spot: Cinque Terre, Italy
Dream vacation spot: Ireland