Name: Kalani Byrd

Major/Minor: Peace & Conflict Studies/Psychology

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

1. What type of activities are you involved in on campus?

On campus, I have held a number of work-related positions. I worked as a Research Assistant
for Dr. Tomlinson in the Psychology Department for two years and as a Student
Caller for the Office of the Annual Fund. I also spent time working in the Merchandising Department of the Colgate Bookstore. I am a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and have served on its philanthropy committee throughout my membership. In my senior year, I was the Vice President of Colgate’s Panhellenic Council, which works closely with Colgate’s Administration and the Interfraternity Council to ensure that sorority life runs smoothly on campus.

2. What legacy/ idea are you hoping to leave at Colgate when you graduate?

I want people to see that a first-generation woman of color can be successful at Colgate. It was a blessing for me to have the opportunity to attend this university and I did everything I could to reap the benefits, enjoy my time here and set myself up for future success. Colgate is such a generous place and you definitely can find the right people here to help you do well and support you along the way. I also want to leave people understanding that despite some flaws in the system, there can be a place for women of color in Greek Life at Colgate, seeing as I have had such a positive experience and have found some of my best friends through it. Finally, I hope I leave people with an understanding that you do not have to study something “mainstream” or “expected” to be successful. You should absolutely only do what you want to do; I started out on the pre-med track, changed to Peace & Conflict studies because it’s what I truly loved studying, and still have a great job lined up after I graduate!

3. How has being in OUS impacted your college experience? Do you see OUS impacting your life after Colgate?

OUS has tremendously impacted my time here at Colgate. Although I was so annoyed back then to be spending my last summer before college taking classes here, I’ve come to realize that it was all totally worth it. Having those two classes and the experience of those two classes really prepared me for Colgate’s academic challenges. Having a family of faculty and professors who I can go to when I need literally anything at all, has been invaluable. Some of my very best friends who I know I will be with for life I also found from that summer and OUS. These are memories and people that are going to be with me for a lifetime – and for that, I am forever grateful to OUS

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Name: Joshua (Joe) Aiken

Major: Philosophy

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

1. What type of activities are you involved in on campus?

I spent time on the Link staff, worked as an SGA campaign manager (my team was elected obviously), spoke in the In Your Company segment of freshman orientation, performed in This Is Not a Play About Sex (positive sexuality initiative on campus), acted as the Philanthropy Chair for Phi Kappa Tau, served as the Interfraternity Council President, and will graduate as a member of the Konosioni Senior Honor Society. 

2. What legacy/ idea are you hoping to leave at Colgate when you graduate? 

All these accolades and involvements are fine, but I kind of lost steam by the end of my spring
semester junior year. It’s not that I was burnt out from the work. I think I just became unenthused by my surroundings. Colgate is a school of accomplishment and we even speak in a language of accomplishment: “I worked here last summer. I am working there next
summer. I just left (x) important meeting, now I am en route to a more important meeting.” These things become draining after a while, and I realized that I was working to prove a point that’s not worth proving to people that wh0 [for the most part] are of no consequence to my life. So, to end this long winded response, I’d like to leave behind the legacy of ‘doin’ you’ — whatever that may constitute. Make a way, make things happens, and grab a ‘yes’ in a room full of no’s.

3. How has being in OUS impacted your college experience? Do you see OUS impacting your life after Colgate?

OUS has already impacted my life after Colgate. During the summer program, I met four guys who will forever be my brothers. These are the individuals who will be the best men at my wedding. OUS has enabled me to acquire resources and friendships that I wouldn’t have been able to survive college without — and for that — I am forever indebted to the program. I do not get the chance to vocalize this often, but I attribute all of my success to Frank Frey, Frank Kuan, Andrea Finley, Professor Spires, and all of the other key players in the OUS family. 

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Name: Elsa Gomez Pena

Major/Minor: International Relations/Economics

Hometown: Sonoma, California

1. As a senior who is about to graduate, how would you sum up your last four years at Colgate?

It’s incredibly shocking to realize how fast these past four years have gone by.  I still remember OUS Summer Institute as if it were yesterday.  Over the past four years, I have taken incredibly stimulating courses, met brilliant professors, and have made life long friends.  I cannot condense my time here into a few sentences, but I know that I would not change my experience for the world.  If I had to use three words to describe my experience, they would be coffee, procrastination, and Google.

2. How has being in OUS impacted your college experience? Do you see OUS impacting your life after Colgate?

As a first-generation college student, I definitely think OUS was necessary to prepare me for what the Colgate curriculum would entail.  It helped me become acquainted with the workload and how to manage it, as well as constantly giving me the support I need in everything from job search to graduation logistics.  I will carry the experiences and friends I have made through OUS with me for the rest of my life.

3. What advice would you give incoming OUS freshman?

Honestly, as corny as this may sound, life’s way too short to sweat the little things.  Do what you are passionate about, be happy, and HAVE FUN.  Also, figure out what work technique works for you.  If you are a procrastinator, embrace it, enjoy your day, watch Netflix, and get it done. Ultimately, no one ever thinks back to the nights spent sleeping. Elsa out.

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