Liz, in a backwards baseball cap that is not, in fact, her Barnard Dad hat

Because we haven’t covered the Band enough in recent weeks: our first Senior Wisdom of the semester is from Liz Pudel, the organization’s former Drum Major and Head Manager (yeah, she did both).

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Liz Pudel, Barnard College, Sociology, Brooklyn, NY

Claim to Fame: Former Drum Major and Head Manager of the CUMB. You can spot me wearing my Barnard Dad hat backwards, and, despite what you might think, it has everything to do with my daddy issues. I also once read the Orgo Night script while wearing my backwards Barnard Dad hat.

Where are you going? I have a job and a codependent relationship in the city, so nowhere, I guess.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2021?

1. Engage with ideas that make you uncomfortable, but do it in earnest. If you’re going to fight for something that might upset people, do it because you truly know what you’re saying and you truly believe in it. That might mean confronting some of the things you thought you knew, but it also might result in others confronting the things they thought they knew.

2. Allow yourself to explore things that seem to inexplicably intrigue you. That feeling in the pit of your stomach isn’t there by accident. Approach these things with the rigor that they deserve, and you’ll be rewarded accordingly.

3. Attend an SJP or JVP event, whichever you’re more comfortable attending. They’re incredibly thoughtful groups of people who are really great at being deliberate and thorough in the ways they talk about Israeli occupation. Whatever your position on the matter may be, there is always more to be learned and new perspectives to be heard. Don’t be lazy.

“Back in my day…” I didn’t shudder at the mention of Butler Library.

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: Bwog, you sound more and more like my dad with every passing question.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Israeli Society and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict with Yinon Cohen. This is the only class I’ve ever taken here that has made me feel like it was my obligation to know more, do more, say more, and challenge the assumptions I’d grown up with. Also, take a class with Jonathan Rieder. He knows more about Childish Gambino than you’d guess from the way he pronounces genre.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Easy. Take me out to Raclette. Anyone who knows me knows I love to eat out.

One thing to do before graduating: Storm Butler 209.

Any regrets? I’ve had my fair share of heated arguments with some high-up administrators, like Dean Hinkson, Provost Coatsworth, and Vice Provolone Thornton, but I never got to tell Prezbo what I really think of him. Prezbo, practice what you preach. You and your lackeys are fake free speech, actual CUCR shills.

Photo via Liz Pudel