Jackie takes us back to the days of slightly-unreasonably-priced Joe Coffee.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Jackie Marchal, Columbia College, Computer Science Concentrator, NYC

Claim to fame: Starting college soft-goth with neon pink hair and ending it like this.

Where are you going? Home! Staying in the city for a bit, working remotely, hanging out in the park, and playing shows. 

What are three things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2027?

  1. Don’t wait to be done with work before doing fun things, because you’ll never really be done! But you’ll always adjust to working with different time constraints.
  2. Your mental, physical, and spiritual health are more important than anything you can get graded on. Also if you’re in CC you can graduate with only a concentration/minor :) 
  3. If you hate your Lithum/CC section, switch for Spring!! There are professors who make those courses worthwhile, ask your friends and transfer! 
  4. Remember the big picture — you’re one of the luckiest people in the world to be receiving this education. Don’t forget to look up every so often and take it all in. 

“Back in my day…” Bacchanal was on campus, you didn’t have to swipe to get into every building, 1020 was a destination, John Jay had graham cracker cream cheese, and Joe coffee was only slightly unreasonably priced.

Favorite Columbia controversy? Marching band.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Hot take, I loved a lot of the CS Core. Letting go of perfectionism and embracing curiosity allowed me to realize that those classes had a lot to offer me. I loved Fundamentals of Computer Systems with Martha Kim, Java with Adam Cannon, AP with Jae Woo Lee. I had some incredible CC Core professors as well, but they’ve all left! Lol. 

I also had great times at the CMC, if you’re interested in music/technology you just have to take a class with Seth Cluett (I loved Building Sound). And Recorded Sound with David Adamcyk. Ok last one, take any poetry class with Joe Fasano. 

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Next!

Whom would you like to thank? The list is honestly endless, the professors, the dining hall staff whom I will miss, everyone working for facilities and public safety, and then of course my family and friends. Special shoutout to Mado Watts for being with me through it all & my first call always.

One thing to do before graduating: Go to Postcrypt, or better yet, play Postcrypt!

Any regrets? Can’t say I have any.

Jackie via Jackie