Dan Sherman
Feature Editor

Most students would not even recognize Shaun Risse if they passed him while walking to class, but almost every student living in the dorms depends upon him.

Perhaps they would recognize him if he was put into his familiar position: bent over a computer connecting the wireless internet that students rely on in their rooms.

"A lot of times I'll be walking down the hall and someone will yell out, 'Hey, it's the computer guy! Come fix something for me.', and I guess that's what I'm known as," Risse said.

Risse, a sophomore from Allison-Bristow, is almost single-handedly responsible for ensuring an internet connection to dorm residents.

Returning to his second year of hooking up the internet, Risse can easily be called one of the busiest and depended-upon students at NIACC.

As part of an institutional work-study, Risse must set up each computer individually by room.

First he must attain the computer's "identity", or IP address, and then he must put this information into a main server to manipulate a wireless connection.

"It may not seem too exciting, but I know that it needs to be done or else a lot of kids are going to be upset," Risse said.

This may sound easy, but the shear number of connections that need to be made creates a lot of stress.

As of Labor Day, Risse had completed nearly 35 computers, but still estimates he has over 100 to go.

With the help of Patrick Rice, a trainee to assist him, Risse said he hopes to connect anywhere from 20 to 30 computers per week during the four to six hours of work he puts in each day.

"I'm hoping with the help of Patrick we can get done by the end of September, but that is a target, not a guarantee," Risse said.

So what's taking so long? Consider this: normally a computer takes about 15 minutes to set up the wireless internet, but already Risse has encountered multiple systems needing over an hour of setup.

And if that isn't enough, Risse still said he has to find time to maintain a 16-semester hour schedule.

After all, he stresses that he is a full-time student, even though some may think he is only around to connect students to the internet.

Along with his classes, Risse must also find time to study, participate in Campus Crusades for Christ and have some time to himself.

With such a busy schedule, it's understandable that Risse still has a long way to go in connecting all the dorm rooms, but he steadily makes progress.

"It's nice when I get done hooking one up and I can tell the person is really happy to have the internet, so that makes up for some of the stress," Risse said.

And stress is definitely something Risse knows a lot about. With so many students wanting the internet, his first week back was nearly overwhelming.

Gradually he learned the importance of telling people they need to wait and have patience.

"Some of the pressure really gets to me occasionally, like when I have the same person call two or three times in one day, but I've always thought some pressure is good if it helps you get things done," Risse said.

Aside from the stress and pressure, Risse said the job is really paying off for him. He likes the experience he's getting, and hopes it helps him in his future. Also, Risse said he likes the feeling of making a difference in the dorms.

"A lot of people rely on me and need me to help them, so they really appreciate it when they finally get the internet, which makes me feel better," he said.

One such student is Teresa Christ, a sophomore from Lakota.

"It was extremely helpful to have Shaun set up the internet. I have an online course, so I relied on the connection," Christ said.

Christ said she had no complaints with the process, and gives credit to Risse for all his help.

For Risse, a little recognition is nice, but sometimes anonymity is a welcome feeling to have. Or else, he fears, all of his free time would be stuck bent over a computer connecting a student's internet. In the end, it's a burden he's willing to face. After all, to many he is just the computer guy.