Name, School: Sherif Farrag, CC

Claim to fame: National and international fencing, Co-captain Varsity Fencing, Turath VP, MSA OCM

Post-grad plans: I hope to live my ambitions, conquer my dreams.

What are three things you learned at Columbia?

1) I will not work on an assignment or study for an exam until the last possible minute. The subsequent pressure makes up for the lost time, and everything works out fine, except that I might not remember what I argued in that essay the next day.

2) We’re all the same in a lot of ways, and our differences are only different shades of the same color.

3) No matter how much you wish that night’s John Jay dinner might be good this time around, it will always disappoint. It’s so bad.

Justify your existence in 30 words or less. I am one of billions of people on earth, and that’s humbling.

Favorite study spot? The high of staying awake for 3 straight days cranking out last minute papers – you start saying and seeing funny things.

What was your favorite controversy in your time at Columbia? Ahmadinejad. There was an incredible excitement in the air on the day of the visit. It was very interesting to see all the various parties organize themselves to make a statement on the day of his speech. I remember seeing students with signs advocating a variety of positions, from those against his visit, for his visit, for free speech, and some who side stepped the issue altogether and created signs presenting little-known facts that fought typical stereotypes on Iran. From the passionate anger to the calm attempts at reasonable dialogue, the environment inside and outside the gates represented the prism that is Columbia University. It was also fun working at the Columbia Calling Center during this time. I spoke with some alumni who were adamant at his visit, and a few who expressed anger at Bollinger’s controversial introduction. I had one alumni say that it was terrible what the university did and that she would not give a penny to Columbia anymore. According to protocol, I responded trying to dissuade her from her decision and presenting various reasons why she should still give to Columbia. She cut me off and stated, “drop dead” before hanging up.

Any battle wounds/war stories from the War on Fun? You can never shut down the pants party.

Would you rather permanently give up oral sex or cheese? I’ll go with 2pac on this one, money over bitches.

What do you wish you could tell the Class of 2013 before they come here? Enjoy as many things that the university has to offer before you go. There is so much to do, so many people to learn from, so many perspectives to encounter. Don’t be shy. But be contemplative throughout, and try to think about how these experiences relate to who you were and who you are becoming.

Regrets? “The saint had his past, the sinner has his future”