How many times have you walked around campus and seen someone who stands out and you want to know more about them? Probably numerous times. There is one person in particular on Longwood’s campus that is recognized by his long hair tied back into a ponytail, tall and slender build, steel-toed boots and some silly, well-planned outfit.
His name is Alexander Pierson, or “Z” as most of his peers refer to him as.
“It’s just what everybody has called me since I was a freshman,” Pierson says.
Born and raised in Falls Church, Va., Pierson has been a student at Longwood University since the fall of 2008. He is a super senior majoring in computer science. When asked about his plans after graduation in the spring of 2013, Pierson said he faces two options: try out the radio world or accept a position doing computer- programming work.
He commented, “I’m a programmer by trade, effectively.” But there is more to Pierson than earning a five- year degree in computer science.
Physically, he is close to six feet tall and very slender. He has mentioned wearing bigger, baggier clothing to make up for being skinny. Typically, he dresses in darker greens and browns along with steel-toed boots. His hair, which is always tied back in a low pony tail with a second band in the middle, falls to his ribs and has been growing out since he was 14.
He hasn’t had a major trim in what sounded to be years, but mentioned needing to get rid of his split ends after examining the end of his ponytail. Next to having probably the longest hair out of most of the males on campus, Pierson’s most notable fashion statement would have to be his bowler hat, which his mother gave to him before his freshman year of college and he began wearing for comfort.
Fellow student and friend Sarah Schmader described Pierson as having “a different way of seeing things than the most of us. He talks differently, interprets things deeper and just makes things more interesting in general. He appreciates ordinary, small things, things most of us would ignore, more than anyone that I know. It's refreshing to be around him for that reason.”
He is the Chief Engineer for Longwood’s campus radio station, WMLU 91.3. Being Chief Engineer means knowing all the technical details of what it takes to run the station properly on air as well as through web streaming. If something goes wrong, Pierson is the person to call.
“I’m the guy that’s supposed to be there as fast as humanly possible to fix whatever the problem is,” he explained.
From two in the afternoon to three in the morning, Pierson can get called to fix something as simple as turning on a computer that was powered off or replacing headphones. After hearing this, one would think he was a natural when it comes to being a radio DJ.
When Pierson first began going to radio meetings, he says he was “scared off real quick” for his first year. He started really getting into being on air during his sophomore year and was also a reviewer.
“I was just listening to radio shows. I was giving people pointers and tips — pointing out how their shows could be improved and making sure that they followed at least the basics of FCC guidelines,” he added. When asked what the radio station is going to do when Pierson graduates in the spring of 2013, Schmader said, “Honestly, I don't know what we're gonna do. He's the only one who knows some of the most detailed technical stuff about the station. Whoever takes his place is going to have to train hard, because they have big, steel-toed boots to fill.”
More of his hobbies — when he has the time — include building robots, finding more outrageous outfits to be known for as well as wear comfortably and genuinely making people laugh.
During radio station meetings, the board members, comprised of about a dozen students, share their weekly reports and or issues and the Chief Engineer is always last to speak.
Pierson said, “I’ve got to keep their attention and humor seemed the best way to do it. There ‘s a trademark phrase that I have been using for a while: ‘don’t break s***’.”
Alexander "Z' Pierson keeps things interesting with his unique and quirky style
