Ravi knows gentrification in Morningside Heights has one honest victim – Spec.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Ravi Maddali; Columbia College; Philosophy; San Ramon, Ca

The face of a man who orders shrimp at Popeye’s

Claim to fame:  Didn’t you hear that I studied abroad at Oxford? Have I not yet casually brought it up in conversation?

Where are you going?  “Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles.”

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2023?

  1. The best way to make friends is to join clubs you’re passionate about. You’ll find the real ones there.
  2. Quality over quantity – whether it be classes, extracurriculars, people you spend time with, etc.
  3. Studying in classrooms with good views of campus/nyc can help make otherwise stressful days rather pleasant

“Back in my day…” Nuss existed.

Favorite Columbia controversy? That the true victim of MoHi gentrification is Spec which lost its office space to rising rent costs. Also they partied too much, who would’ve known?

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: I’m an Indian immigrant from the Bay Area who is not studying comp-sci or bio whose parents are okay with that. I’m a unicorn, and unicorns must be protected.

What was your favorite class at Columbia?  Nationalism, Republicanism, and Cosmopolitanism with Jessica Kimpell. Particularly relevant to contemporary global politics.
Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Don’t think you could answer this question better than my thesis advisor did. Check it out.

Whom would you like to thank? My family, the friends I’ve made over the years, and my professors.

One thing to do before graduating:  Befriend somebody solely because they will bring their fancy furniture to your suite. Genuine friendship may or may not follow.

Any regrets? I do wish I took more classes “just for fun,” but there’s no class I regret having taken. Hard question. There are things I lament, but nothing I truly regret.