Despite having never been to the Wallach gaming lounge, Russell recommends checking it out.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Russell Graviet, Columbia College, East Asian Languages and Cultures, Richmond, VA

Claim to fame: “tenor” in Nonseq, confused but understanding father in CMTS’ Head Over Heels, gay son and singing waiter in the best two LateNite sketches to happen in the past four years, Kevin McAlister and Malcolm and Emily’s son in XMAS!16, Butler Banner in V126.5, Theo in CMTS’ Pippin, and, of course, a police officer, Voldemort, and mommy’s little miracle in various CMTS 24-hour musicals

Where are you going? A city that’s exciting, inviting, and for a woman just like me

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2027?

  1. Study abroad, even if you don’t think you have the time to (omg did you know that I studied abroad??).
  2. GO TO SLEEP. No but like actually sleep. You can still have fun and get good grades while getting in your eight hours. I promise you (I do not speak for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences)
  3. Don’t take things too seriously — even if your fake says otherwise, you’re still a child, and you’re still shielded from much of the responsibility you have to take on as an adult. Cherish that.

“Back in my day…” JJs had gummy bears (RIP strawberry banana smoothie + gummy bear combo), there were only three dining halls on Columbia campus, and Hewitt plates were child sized (but the line wasn’t)

Favorite Columbia controversy? Venmo me for my emotional labor (link for the uninitiated)

What was your favorite class at Columbia? South Korean Film as History (Keung Yoon “Becky” Bae): unfortunately Becky doesn’t teach here anymore, but if you just so happen to transfer to Georgia Tech, definitely give her classes a shot. Honorable mention goes to both of my PE classes (hiking and rec games) — can’t be an academic weapon without being an athletic weapon as well

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? As a lactose tolerator myself, I think the answer is clear

Whom would you like to thank? My family, too many individual people to name theme all (but to name a few: Malcolm, Jackie Chu, Tiffany, Tristan, Kyle, Ian Yan, Sadie, Jude, EE, Quinn, David), my Nonseq family (old and new), my lin, the entire CMTS community (especially HoH squad <3), the Marcellus Hartley Dodge Physical Fitness Center, my study abroad friends (Paul, Vanessa, Andrew, Julia, Kai, the Japan crew), LateNite/Table for Two, V126.5 (never forget), Korean studies squad, Anki, Carman 914, my Ikea POÄNG chair, Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, Miami crew, XMAS!16, my mustache (all three iterations), Hooda Halal, and everyone/everything else I forgot to include

One thing to do before graduating: Go to the Wallach gaming lounge (I’ve never been to the Wallach gaming lounge)

Any regrets? Not realizing earlier that Fac House is the best dining hall (bury me in corn nuggets and BBQ salmon). Also not majoring in CS. Also never going to office hours. Oops

Photo via Russell