Hear from the protestor of the Low Plaza tent!

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Thomas Deen Baker, CC, Theatre, Fayetteville, AR

Claim to fame: Protesting the tent on Low plaza, “Autumn in New York” and “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” music videos with the Kingsmen. “Pantone 292” on Soundcloud. Troye Sivan follows me on TikTok.

Where are you going? Deutschland.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2026?

1. Go at your own pace! Take 12 credits a semester, stick with one or two clubs, befriend fellow Southerners who are not yet accustomed to the urban hustle.
2. Nature is around you… you just need to seek it out. A bike ride through Central Park in the fall will solve your Daddy issues and a visit to the Cloisters in the spring will clear your skin.
3. Trust your gaydar!

Back in my day…

Faculty House was irrelevant.

You didn’t have to swipe your ID to get into every building.

SOPHIE performed at Bacchanal (on campus).

Favorite Columbia controversy? “Consider off peak hours” – Columbia Dining

What was your favorite class at Columbia? 

Acting Sondheim with Mana Allen. I took this class in Fall 2021 and Sondheim passed away in November. The semester was a spiritual experience.

American Transcendentalism with Branka Arsic.

Gendered Memoir with Jenny Boylan.

Acting Chekhov with Gisela Cardenas.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Berlin is a vegan-friendly city.

Whom would you like to thank? Staz, Peter, Ryan, Fred, Eva, Katon, Nate, Callum, Jennie, Augustus, Danny, Jaden, Kingsmen, The Varsity Show, off-campus therapy, Shampooing Dragons, Isa’s Southern Belles, Bush Kush, Columbia Ultimate, the cast and crew of Orlando, Mom+Dad, Thaleia 

One thing to do before graduating: Toss a frisbee with Columbia Ultimate.

Any regrets? Not auditioning for Sabor.

Portrait via Thomas