Name, school: Kate Redburn, CC

Claim to fame: It began with intense year of campus politics—Dems, Ahmadinejad, 5 Years of Occupation–5 Days of Action. Then I devolved into Madame of that Den of Thieves, the Potluck House, from whence came countless Spectator columns, Subway Parties, and the occasional naked art project. I did college backwards.

Where are you going?
Chasing the sun—a year of perpetual summer with my camera.

Three things you learned at Columbia:

  1. If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends.
  2. You can buy anything with e-forms.
  3. The more worthwhile your endeavor, the harder they push back.

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: I got the Jumbotron on the lawn when Ahmadinejad came to campus.

Any war stories from the War on Fun?
Dan Savage always says it’s better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission, but he never experienced the Columbia Inquisition. Don’t get caught.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese?
Cheese is so heteronormative.

Any advice for the Class of 2014?
Take classes that get you out of the classroom or out of your head. I learned the most in Photography, American Studies, and African-American Studies classes that went off campus. Read through all all ALL the courses being offered each semester, including the ones you’re not exactly qualified to take. Also, go to Friday potlucks at Potluck House. And bring food.

Any regrets?
Answering the cheese question.