Background

1. Where did you grow up and what was life like there?

I grew up in Culver City, a relatively small city within Los Angeles. Culver City had the quirks of a small town, with neighborly old people and charming traditions, but I could also make a quick escape to downtown L.A. or elsewhere when I needed a change of pace. That being said, I didn’t know the meaning of small town until I came to Clinton, New York! Also, forty-eight degrees is the lowest temperature I remember encountering back home.

2. Describe your parents and/or family members?

I have a very small, tight-knit family, basically consisting of my mother and twin sister. My mom is an incredibly strong woman who has raised Michelle and I without any help from our dad; she’s awesome. My sister and I are very close and are the most fun twins you’ll ever meet, satisfaction guaranteed. We also have two pugs.

3. What were your first impressions of the College? Do you find they’re still true today?

Two summers ago, I was sitting in Suida House listening to a standard information session which touched on the basics of Hamilton life. Out of nowhere approximately ten masked, naked hooligans burst in screaming, “Come to Hamilton!” The streakers were revealed much that day, including a spontaneous wild side to Hamilton that I have found, as a student, still thrives.

4. What are your plans after Hamilton? Where do you want to live?

I have no idea what I would like to do in the future. To purposefully fall into cliché, every class I take at Hamilton catches my interest in a unique way, and I’m sad that I only have two more semesters to figure out what I want to major in. I took Arabic on a whim, and now want to study abroad and possibly work in the Middle East. I’ve also warmed to the idea of becoming a teacher. Whatever I do, I want to give others more than I get, and help people in some capacity. But regardless of my profession, I want to retire to County Cork, Ireland, the most beautiful place in the world, and become a crotchety old writer.

5. What advice or perspective would you share with alumni?

I would tell them to remember their times on the Hill: the good, the bad, the extraordinary, and the mundane. Living at Hamilton is quite an experience, and the relationships formed here are pretty intense due to the small student body. Because of this, socio-economic diversity is incredibly important, not just so disadvantaged students can get a great education, but so that a little realism is injected into the Hamilton bubble. I love Hamilton and Hamilton liked me enough to accept me, but without Hamilton’s generous financial aid, I couldn’t go here. Alumni giving helps those most in need in an immediate sense, but benefits everybody over the long term. What’s better than that?