Year: 2014 – wait, that’s this year already?
Major: Politics, Psychology
Minor: Legal Studies, Education Studies, Philosophy
Hometown: Kings Park, New York
Her Campus: What are you involved with on campus?
Ricky Rosen: I am the President of the Student Union and & I host a sports talk radio show on WBRS this year — I tried to take it easy with extracurriculars since it’s my last year. In past years, I have served on the Student Conduct Board, and I was an attorney on the Mock Trial Team, the Vice President of B.L.C.U. & a columnist for the Hoot. But my favorite activity has definitely been Intramural Sports!
HC: How long have you been involved with the Student Union?
RR: Three years – I spent my first year in the Union as Class Senator, my 2nd year as Class Senator & the head of the Senate (Executive Senator). This year, I was the President of the Union.
HC: Tell me what has been your favorite memory of being on the Student Union. The hardest part about it?
RR: My favorite memory during my time in the Union was as a sophomore, when I was pushing for the C-Store to extend their hours on Saturday nights. We had a trial period where the store opened up from 12 – 2 AM to see if students would come out. I remember a few other Union members & I just stood outside the store for two hours with balloons & Student Union keychains thanking people for coming in. Everyone was really confused as to what we were doing & it was just a funny scene.
The most difficult thing about this position has been maintaining relationships with administration. You obviously need to be friendly with everyone because that’s part of how things get done, but sometimes students’ needs come into conflict with administrative priorities, which can cause disputes.
HC: What made you get interested in radio shows?
RR: I am an enormous baseball fan (a long-suffering fan of the New York Mets). I had done podcasts & stuff on my own, but I had always wanted to try broadcasting on the radio. The WBRS General Manager a few years ago had been pushing me to join the station for months, so I figured I would give it a shot. I’ve been doing it for 2 years & now I can honestly say that if law / politics doesn’t work out, I would love to go into broadcasting as a fall-back.
HC: What is the best line you have used in your talk show? Worst line?
RR: We always end every show with “last licks” where my co-hosts and I have the chance to rant about anything, sports-related or not, for a few minutes. Right before we start last licks, I always make this prolonged licking noise into the mic – it’s not a line, but yeah- that’s my best & my worst moment on the show every week…
HC: What are you most looking forward to after graduation?
RR: Making money is going to be really nice. After draining my bank accounts the last four years, I hardly care what I’m doing as long as I’m getting a paycheck. Also, I am looking forward to spending less time responding to emails & more time doing anything but responding to emails.
HC: Anything left on your bucket list for Brandeis before commencement?
RR: I’ve got a pretty long bucket list, so there’s still a lot left. One thing I’ve gotta do is to head into Boston with friends on an 8 PM shuttle and come back on the 9 AM shuttle the next morning.
HC: Do you have any parting messages for future Brandeis students?
RR: Don’t waste your four years here behind a computer-screen (Edward Hallowell calls it ‘screen-sucking’). Go out, and talk to people – you have your whole life to stare at a screen.
HC: What message/advice do you have for Sneha as she takes over as student union president?
RR: Try not to take any of this for granted & keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. I have lots of advice for her but luckily she’s a very good listener!
HC: What is one thing you wish you knew before coming to Brandeis?
RR: I wish I knew not to hold grudges and to hold onto the friends that matter the most.
Favorites:
Movie: Can I pick two? Mr. Smith Goes to Washington & The Matrix
Band: Changes all the time honestly- right now, I can’t stop listening to the Frozen soundtrack… (is that a band?)
Brandeis moment: Winning trivia at The Stein was a pretty big deal for my friends & I. Also, watching the sunrise on the very top of the Castle tower
Place on-campus: The library during 24 hour library week. My friend and I build a “house” down there every year & L.T.S. always confiscates our stuff – it’s predictably funny
Place off-campus: Wendy’s – definitely Wendy’s
Celebrity crush: Sarah Michelle Gellar anytime from 1997 – 2003