After more than a month of hibernation, the MPWWTATGOIOW is back. This week’s post features Executive Editor Oliver Renick ’12, News Editor Joe Bonica ’12, and Editor-in-Chief Dennis Shiraev ’12.
Convocation Speaker for 2011.
Oliver: Despite the heavy backlash against political figures, I would not be opposed to having another, as long as the selection committee could reach deep down in their dark souls to find someone a little less polarizing (Like Ann Coulter! Jk…). That being said, I do think that a more neutral figure such as an entrepreneur or artist would be the most satisfying. How about Pete Coors ’69? He’s an immensely successful businessman, a Psi U alum, and can tell us about the new ‘Coors Cold Activation Window.’ What a bro! Of course this will never happen because he ran for senate under a red ticket.
Joe: I’m growing a bit tired of political convocation speakers, but I also don’t have a major choice for exactly who should deliver the speech. It would be hilarious, however, if Cornell invited Ed Helms to speak to the graduating seniors. For those not in the know, Ed Helms is the actor who plays Andy Bernard in “The Office”. Anyone who watches that show (which I don’t) and anyone who attends Cornell would instantly be able to see and appreciate why I made that choice.
Dennis: I’m casting my vote for Bill Nye the “Science Guy.” He’s cool, famous, not political (most of the time), a Cornell alumnus, and he’s got a lot of great stories to tell. True, he is around campus a lot, so this might take some excitement away from him as a speaker, but I think he would still be a much welcomed change. To be totally honest, though, he’s my second overall choice. I’d like for him to speak in 2011 so my Class of 2012 can have Gary Bettman ’74, current Commissioner of the National Hockey League!
Cornell Lacrosse 12-7 Loss to Notre Dame in NCAA Semis
Oliver: So close, but yet so far. This seems to be the story of Cornell sports this past year, but it doesn’t make our successes any less impressive. Obviously we’re at the top of the academic ranking, but these past two years have helped us land a big spot on the athletic map as well. Hopefully this will continue to draw in a new breed of students, but more importantly, school spirit.
Joe: It’s pretty difficult to score on a goalie to takes up the whole damn net.
Dennis: Every cloud has a silver lining, which in this case (for me) is the fact that #1 UVA also lost their semifinal game. Cornell missed out on a great opportunity to win a national championship in one of the major NCAA sports– I think they could have definitely beaten either Duke or UVA– but once again they just came up short. Will next year be the year?
Advice to Incoming Freshmen: Best Thing to do During the Summer Before Freshman Year
Joe: My best advice would be two-fold: 1-Enjoy yourself, and spend time with local and old friends, for you never know how long it will be before you will be able to enjoy their company again. This is something I’ve unfortunately learned the hard way, so I consider this vital. Secondly, try to make some money. Besides the obvious benefits of having your own cash and not having to live off your parents’ dole, it goes a long way in teaching solid work ethic before college. Also, there’s nothing quite like pocketing money earned by the sweat of your brow.
Dennis: This is a tough one. Even though I’m pretty up to speed on what my Cornell friends have been doing each summer since freshman year– and how much they’ve enjoyed these things– I actually don’t know what a lot of people did the summer before they came to Cornell. So I really don’t have any alternative summers against which to compare mine. I spent the summer playing frisbee, reading, and hanging out with my high school friends. Trust me, there’ll be more than enough time time to build your resume and be an overachiever once you get to Cornell. College will be way more fun than high school, but do take some time to enjoy the comforts of home while they’re still there.
Oliver: I’m not sure about all this frisbee and pocket-money talk, so I’ll speak for the group of incoming Cornellians that don’t have the comfort of riding the economic coattails of their parents. College is obscenely expensive, and unfortunately you will be charged for everything, at prices far above Cayuga’s average value (?). Find a job that you can return to over winter and spring breaks, and make some money to go towards the expenses you will incur just by being a college student. Develop a routine in your life that you can carry over to college and prioritize these things over time with friends. Whether you like it or not, the fact of the matter is that you’ll unavoidably begin to go separate ways from your high school crew. Enjoy their company but be ready for a whole new era!
