When students walked through the Boling University Center on Wednesday, August 24, they were met with an up-close look at reptiles from Tom Kessenich and his organization, Snakes Alive. Snakes Alive is dedicated to giving the general public a hands-on experience with reptiles, ranging from large snakes to spiders to alligators.
Kessenich’s work brings him all over the south, visiting colleges, daycares, schools, birthdays, seminars and more.
“This is a business I started in 2002 as part-time, and before long, it became full-time, which was my goal. I love the outdoors and get to travel extensively with this program. … This generation is media-related. Having live animals enhances education, because it’s hard to ask certain questions to someone on TV. [I want to enhance] respect for living things and their habitat,” Kessenich said.
Looking at the crowd that day, Kessenich had a knack for drawing people in. Whether it was the charisma that lit up his face or the reptiles he was holding, he quickly aroused the interest of each person who walked through the north side of the University Center that day.
“I certainly like the interaction [associated with this job] and meeting new people. I like seeing the different levels of acceptance, how some people warm right up [to the reptiles] and some don’t, Kessenich said.
Kessenich’s desire for herpetology not only resides in his program, Snakes Alive, but also is a passion that is life-long.
“I loved dinosaurs when I was little; with some kids it goes away, but with me it didn’t. As I got older, I travelled and learned more,” Kessenich said.
Kessenich gave each student a piece of information that day about the wonders of reptiles simply by being open, friendly, and answering questions.
“I like the personal touch. The world’s too impersonal,” Kessenich said.
Kessenich thanked Student Activities and the Student Public for making this opportunity possible for him.
