Michael Maag ’09’s dedication to track and field earned him a spot among the 51 Princeton students who traveled to China during the summer of 2007. The group visited Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and competed in two invitational meets during the 13-day trip.

“It was awesome because I got to hang out with my best friends in a foreign country, doing a sport I love,” says the long-distance runner from Lake Oswego, Oregon. “It was neat to get the firsthand experience.”  

Princeton’s combination of academic and athletic excellence drew Maag to the University, and he’s taken full advantage of both during his time here. He competes in cross country in the fall and track in the spring, and he is majoring in economics with a certificate in finance.

While Maag was always interested in business, he chose his major after reading a book on microcredit, the practice of giving small loans to low-income people in developing nations for self-employment projects that generate income.

“I feel that this is an interesting hybrid between pure capitalism and a way to fight poverty,” Maag says. “It’s what I want to do my thesis on.”

When not in class or in training, Maag participates in the Athletes in Action Christian fellowship group and goes to church every Sunday night on campus —“the highlight of my week,” he says.

He also eats meals at the Cap and Gown eating club, of which he is a member.

“I like conversation over food. That’s my biggest social outlet of the week,” Maag says. “It provides a great way to stay in touch with everybody.”

Juggling all his interests has been hard work, Maag says, but he also has seen the benefits — a broad range of experiences and a great network of friends.

“I couldn’t picture going anywhere else and what life would have been like without meeting the people I have met here,” he says.