Name, Hometown, School, Major: Chuck Roberts, America, CC, Political Science

Claim to Fame? Mayor of EC, cold-hearted King typecast, Model (UNer), bow tie enthusiast, Taylor Swift devotee, compassionate conservative, and fierce, fierce friend.

Where are you going? Boston-bound to work for the Romney campaign, but first I am going everywhere on campus the guide to living allows, reliving memories and making new ones.

Three things you learned at Columbia:

  1. “Not all those who wander are lost.” Some of the most brilliant and interesting people I have met here have been those without a clear path or destination. Life is about the journey, which means we should all feel a little lost at some point if we’re doing it right. Spontaneity can be beautiful. Don’t be afraid to throw yourself into student theater if you’re not an actor or intern for Ralph Nader if you’re a Republican. That’s how you learn that maybe you are an actor (or that you are definitely not Ralph Nader).
  2. “One does not make friends. One recognizes them.” Those friends will cherish and love you no matter who you are or where you are going. They will listen without waiting for their turn to talk. And they will make the time for you. Find them; cherish them in return; and don’t ever let them go.
  3. “People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.” Pay attention in the Core. Do the reading–you’ll find quotes like that one. Take time to pause, to reflect, and to care for yourself. Don’t be afraid to question yourself. You might just end up finding answers you really love and that can make all the difference.

“Back in my day…” Elizabeth was queen; groundling admission to the Globe cost a penny; and doublets were a thing. Alas.

Justify your existence in 30 words or less: ‘Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than you.’ And no one can ask anything more of you too.

Is the War on Fun over? Who won? Any war stories? I don’t believe there ever was a ‘War on Fun.’ We are here for four years at a time and can certainly leave our marks, but there are good, well-intentioned people making careers out of improving this school and its community. It will never be perfect, and we should always question and challenge its status quo. But I have found time and again that there are reasons for the rules and administrators will meet you halfway if you make the effort. So much of life is determined by your reaction to it that fretting over a supposed conflict actually gets in the way of having real fun.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Option 1.

Advice for the class of 2016: Keep a journal so that you can look back over 4 years and see just how much has changed, and just how much more has stayed the same. Do KCST spring show because you won’t ever want to stop. Become a tour guide and fall in love with your school anew every week. Hold the elevator for others. Say thank you when others do so for you. Backstroke through your swim test, which you should also take at the last possible minute, because it isn’t a race. Tell people what they mean to you. Don’t ever sleep in Butler. And if you’re going to pull just one all-nighter in Butler during your final semester let it be to write your Senior Wisdom before the last day of classes with people you love.

Any regrets?

  • I didn’t join KCST sooner.
  • I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
  • And I didn’t resist the urge to look at the comments made about this Senior Wisdom.