Halfway Through College Review

Today, I spoke at my high school to juniors about the college application process. Most of the students asked the same questions: effectiveness of grades, AP exams, and sometimes dorm life (my high school was pretty nerdy). I was in the same room as someone who is currently attending Columbia University and all the students seem to be more interested in him than me. To be honest, two years ago, I was in the same position as them. I wanted to go to a prestigious university and never expected to end up in Syracuse. Well, I did and I do not regret it.

I was an overconfident freshman. Coming from a large city and from an advanced high school track, I felt like I can do anything at Syracuse. I always had a hard time talking about transitioning into college because I never had issues in doing so. As heartless as this may sound, my mindset fueled me to get involved on campus and do well academically. This coincided much with my involvement in Student Association. After I accomplished my first initiative, I felt like I can do anything on campus in terms of influencing changes on behalf of students. I did accomplished many initiatives afterward but it became more about the experience and that helped me grow to love the school. It was not just about me leaving my mark here but how I can make it a better place. As a student at Syracuse University, I was given the chance to not just grow academically but to tailor make my experience here. I probably would not have received these opportunities at another institution.

Now that I am officially done with everything, it just hit me that I am in the limbo stage between sophomore and junior year and the feeling is a bit surreal. How have I changed these last two years? For one thing, my overconfidence has tapered off and into different directions where it became more about the people around me. That was a result of my experiences and the people I had the pleasure of knowing. For another, I gained a greater awareness of my capabilities- what I can do and cannot do. Together, I hope to use what I have learned and apply it to issues beyond the hill for my last two years of college.

A Lusterless Dimon

Syracuse University has caught the attention of national media not for its basketball team or academics, but for students' discontent over this year's commencement speaker, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase.

Personally, I do not see anything wrong with the choice of commencement speaker but I am not overly ecstatic to hear him speak. Dimon certainly has a long list of accomplishments. In fact, he is the badass of Wall Street. During the financial crisis, JP Morgan reluctantly accepted TARP funding from the government, but paid it back. As CEO, Dimon oversaw the acquisition of Bank One and Washington Mutual and made JP Morgan into one of the leading banks in domestic assets. His personality can be defined by him accepting $1 as his yearly salary but a $16 million bonus, something he is not ashamed of. His bank has constantly been lobbying against government reforms and Dimon himself, has wrote a few op-ed articles on this issue. I am neither a supporter nor opponent of JP Morgan, but I am pretty impressed with what he has accomplished.

So why are SU students so worked up about this? Dimon may be the hero of Wall Street but a villain to humanity (or at least as regarded by students). Students overlook Dimon's achievements and become upset over what he represents. Because of our current state of economy, people do not want to see a figure of Corporate America, someone with so much, to be lecturing them. Also, JP Morgan Chase has a strong presence on campus. From its name plastered on the first floor of Lyman Hall to the creation of the GET program, it seems like Dimon "bought" his title to be this year's commencement speaker. As a result, students believe that they did not have a say in the choice in their speaker because it looked too easy. As a student liaison to the Board of Trustees, I can attest that it is not true. Syracuse University is one of the few schools that allows students to decide on their commencement speaker. A list of speaker is created by a student committee, which includes class marshals and Trustees representatives. Although I did not play a part in this process last year, I am fairly certain that Jamie Dimon was on their short list.

Commencement speakers are chosen based on the premises of innovation, humanitarianism, and honor and connection to the university. Jamie Dimon does embody those qualities but I wish that a less controversial speaker was selected, perhaps someone who isn't such a strong political figure for our state in time. I respect my fellow students' right to free speech and protest so those who don't want to hear him speak shouldn't have to. However, as a change agent of our time, I think his speech will be worthwhile.

To Be An Orange Technite

So, I started writing about the Health Care Summit two weeks ago but got distracted by schoolwork, meetings, and bi-polar weather conditions. It is a bit irrelevant to continue and post it so instead, I am making better use of this post by writing about the start of my Spring Break (aka yesterday morning).

I flew down from Syracuse to NYC Wednesday night in for my Trustees meeting Thursday morning. This was the first time that I flew from 'Cuse to NYC. It was the shortest flight I have ever been on and I have never been on such a small plane. There were approximately 30 passengers and it was safe to say that none of them were convicts but many of the NY Times crossword puzzles bearing type.

I got up excruciatingly early in the morning to commute to the Upper East Side. On the subway, I ran into my high school music teacher. We have ran into each other on the train a few times in high school and our conversations were usually awkward. Conversations like what kind of toast I was having for breakfast or how my mallets are missing again. But I guess things change when you graduate where either I became more mature or there were less limitations on what I am able to know. During that 45-minutes ride from Coney Island to Atlantic Avenue, I learned the latest Brooklyn Tech gossip, how 80% of teachers never intended to be teachers, and how people think you are important if you are dressed up. When my teacher stepped off the train, I became immensely grateful to have had teachers that were so passionate with what they do and their devotion to their students. Things like this make me proud to be a Technite.

As I continued with my ride and eventually arriving at the Lubin House, I became aware of the things that make me proud to be Orange. I felt out of place with my attire but for a good reason. All the trustees and Chancellor's cabinet were wearing orange for the game against Georgetown at noon, prompting me to go want to go shopping for more orange business casual wear. They actually moved the meeting from 11AM to 8AM so they can make the game at noon. It makes me happy to see how alums are so proud of where they came from and how trustees are so enthusiastic about the decision-makings of the university. Despite the fact that many people do not agree with the decisions that are made, including I some times, trustees go out of their way to give back to the University the best they can.

Needless to say, I am incredibly proud of the schools I have attended for some really good people shaped my experiences. It is a bit nerdy to talk about school to kick off my spring break but I am looking forward to a busy week ahead.