Senior TJ Zemlin originally chose Gustavus, after graduating from Eden Prairie High School, to study biology and chemistry.

However, once on campus he decided to go a completely different route. Zemlin declared his major in music education. The catalyst for his reaction?

“I decided bio-chem wasn’t as much fun, so instead I’d go for music. Plus I had been thinking about being an educator for a long time and I think I made the right choice.”

Gustavus student Katie Peroutka met TJ through the music department where the two ended up on the same track for their music majors.

After years of classes and making music they will finish their journey at Gustavus together this spring.

“Over the years at GAC, TJ and I have become much closer. We’ve been in multiple ensembles together including Chapel Choir, Gustavus Choir, and Legacy Acapella.

This past spring, we performed our junior year recital together consisting of a classical, jazz duet. Our friendship grew this summer as we worked as counselors together at the Lutheran Summer Music Academy.

“TJ is a great musician and friend. It’s hard not to laugh so hard until you cry when you’re with him!” — Katie Peroutka “

The beatbox extraordinaire and tenor for the acapella groups knows how to lay down beats and put on an entertaining show.

Zach Diedrich, sophomore G-Sharp bass vocalist, explains TJ is “the rock and foundation of our group.

He reminds us how if we’re not having fun with what we are doing we’re doing it wrong”.

This approach encapsulates TJ’s personality and ability to draw the best qualities out of the people he surrounds.

This school year will be TJ’s third time being a collegiate fellow, and his impact on past residents and fellow CF’s is easy to see around campus.

Elizabeth McCabe first met TJ in her freshman year at Gustavus when he was one of her Pittman CFs and the following year she was fortunate enough to work with him as a fellow CF in Pittman.

“From the very beginning, I appreciated TJ’s humor and goofiness in the way he interacted with others! It was also a really neat dynamic to switch from being one of TJ’s residents, to being on CF staff together, to being classmates in our respective education programs,” McCabe said.

Tommy Lindquist met TJ freshman year when they lived one door down from each other and from the start they knew their friendship would be a ridiculous one.

“He was always so “on”, always ready for a good joke or prank, and it made that year a real fun one.

We’ve certainly learned when the other is joking around, and have gotten pretty good at joining in on each other’s shenanigans.”

Together TJ and Tommy joined G-Sharp and became CF’s in Pittman. One of Tommy’s favorite memories of TJ was last school year when the CF’s did Breakfast Carts in Pittman.

“We woke up all the residents at 7:30 in the morning for fresh breakfast delivered to their door, and we had a blast laughing and joking while we were waking everyone up.”

TJ embodies the Gustavus values of excellence, community, justice, service, and faith.

He is able to create relationships across campus and build communities wherever he goes.

“People flock to him because he makes people feel welcome and that they have a part and place at Gustavus,” Residential Life Assistant Director Melissa Shugarman said.

One reason TJ has managed to create so many lasting relationships and memories at Gustavus is his sense of humor.
McCabe suggests you ask TJ, “is cereal considered soup?” to elicit her favorite reaction of his.

To find your place in college, TJ’s advice is to get involved in at least one activity which will, in turn, open doors for other opportunities.

Gustavus helped TJ explore and expand his forte for music. In return he has shown us how to get involved, the importance of following your passions and not to take everything so seriously.

From freshman year neighbors, to senior CF’s and musicians, Lindquist has found that “for every goofy and silly thing TJ does, he also has a lot of heart.

He is passionate about the things he loves, and he is always ready to put on a good show.”

Thanks TJ!