The chair next to mine had a sign on it that read, “Reserved for Connor Dehel.”
“Cool,” I said to myself, as I took my place at this year’s annual AGD Fashion Show, “this is going to be interesting”. Connor Dehel always seems to be the kid I knew of. “His name sounds so familiar,” I’d say whenever his name surfaced in conversation, but I didn’t actually know him, or his impressive extent of involvement on Hawk Hill. Immediately after our shared bond as judges that day, I knew Connor was someone at SJU that I wanted to introduce to you all as a HC Campus Celebrity. I tracked the Philly-sports enthusiast senior down in Starbucks to get the inside scoop on the man who has been a mystery to me for so long.
The Basics
Hometown: Cinnaminson, New Jersey
Age: 21
Year: 2015
Major: Marketing
Siblings: Older brother and a younger sister, who Connor described as “unfortunately trying to go to Villanova”.
The Fun Stuff
HC: Finish this sentence: with a million dollars you would…
CD: “Wow, starting off strong! I’m a big eagles fan so the first thing I would do is absolutely buy season tickets. I want my parents to live their dreams so I’d buy them a shore house. They always helped me and inspired me so I’d give back.”
HC: What do you hope to cross off your bucket list within the next five years?
CD: “I want to spend a month in Australia, to be honest with you. It’s random and out there, but it is such a unique and diverse place and I feel like, I would enjoy being there and seeing what the country has to offer.”
HC: What is your favorite app on your phone?
CD: “Can I take it out? Let me check.”
HC: Absolutely! Scroll thru!
CD: “Spotify. I make my own playlists, depending on what I am feeling that day. I worked for Target in the summer and needed that during my morning commute. Feelin’ good was one of the playlists one there and I like that.”
HC: Totally necessary in the morning, how about your favorite Instagram filter?
CD: “There is one I always use, let me check.”
At this point, Connor pulled out his phone and the two seniors we were sharing a table with laughed and chimed in their confession that they always make their friends pick. We not only do we [students] like to like, but it seems we can talk about Instagram endlessly too.
CD: “X Pro II.”
HC: I like that one too. Makes everything darker, more intense.
CD: “How do you know all them off the top of your head?”
HC: Haha I don’t! But I am a big instagram fan. What do you love most about working in the athletic department?
CD: “I’d say it’s definitely the people. I am lucky to work for DJ and for his staff. The culture there, and within the people there… I just really look forward to going to work, to be honest with you.”
HC: Always a positive feeling! In your opinion, what’s the best thing about SJU?
CD: “I don’t want to say the people because it is such a cliché, but it has to be – I don’t know if there is any other way [to describe it]. Brick-and-mortar the place is great, but the people are what holds this place together. I’ve been surrounded by so many different, but unique and passionate people…so I guess it’s the passion and the people. They’re the two biggest things I love about the school.”
HC: Passionate is a great adjective to describe the people that go here and hey, makes your answer a little less of a cliché.
CD: “Yeah, there we go!”
HC: … alright, what’s the worst thing in your opinion?
CD: “Ahhh. I think there is a certain negativity that. People think the school is not doing well. Yeah, we had a rough year, but adapting to that…we’re doing great. We learn from hard times. I wish the negativity could condense a little bit.”
HC: I understand, I think we can all relate to that. Alright, weekends. Cuddies, or Madriver?
CD: “Cuddies, hands down. Not even close. I do go to Madriver, but there is something about Cuddies that does it for me.”
One of the seniors sitting next to us chimed in again saying, “You and me both!” As the other one nodded her head. Cheers to that.
HC: And academically, who’s your favorite professor?
CD: “Dr. Dufresne. I have him right now! He makes me wish I was a LEO major. He is so engaging, friendly, and fun and insightful.”
HC: Who is your biggest role model?
CD: “I have two! My Dad, he is very ambitious and very humble. Not in-your-face, but very successful and John Wooten, on the other end of the spectrum. He’s a basketball coach for UCLA, who developed a pyramid of success that I look at…yeah, that’s my guy.”
HC: I’ve heard of him, very cool. Do you have any relationship deal breakers?
CD: “Yeah, they have to be funny and easy to talk to. If they aren’t funny, its just awkward. If you aren’t those two things, see ya!”
HC: Basketball or Football?
CD: “Basketball.”
HC: And football or Baseball?
CD: “Football.”
HC: What’s your Starbucks order?
CD: “Grande Peppermint Mocha. I’ve never had it before, but its good. I’ll probably get it again.”
HC: What are you most proud of?
CD: “Ah, I saw you asked Nick [Her Campus SJU Campus Celebrity] the same question so I was thinking about it.”
HC: You did your homework!
CD: “Haha, being an Appalachia leader – and the people that come with it. Being a leader itself is great and the program is phenomenal. For me, it’s the people who are in my group and the other leaders.”
HC: I actually had this [following] question next in line so your answer couldn’t have been more perfect. What do you hope to bring to your Appalachia group as a leader?
CD: “That’s perfect! I think I have two sides to me. The fun, relaxed side of me…fun and engaging, but I also have to actually get stuff done so a combination of those. Logistically fun leader, I guess is how I would describe it.”
HC: Hahahah a “logistically fun leader” is quite a title. What is the first thing you notice about a girl?
CD: “Smile.”
HC: Coke or Pepsi?
CD: “Coke. Actually, I’ll do Vanilla Coke.”
HC: People still drink that?
CD: “Well, I found some in the C Store and I flipped out!”
HC: Hahahha, it’s probably been there for a few years.
CD: “Yeah, well… I have no idea, but I was like, ‘This is great!’”
HC: Pat’s or Geno’s?
CD: “Can I do neither? Is neither an option?”
HC: Yeah, what’s your spot?
CD: “I’d do Campo’s, it’s in Old City.”
HC: Campo’s, I’ll have to check it out. Any pet peeves Connor?
CD: “Yeah, I do! When people eat with their mouth open drives me insane so I’d say that, and when people are rude for no reason. So broad, but definitely those two.”
HC: Ugh, I hate when people eat with their mouth open! What will you miss the most about Hawk Hill?
At this point, a friend of Connor’s walked in and greeted us both and we paused for a quick chat.
CD: “I think throughout my day I have these little side conversations – that was a perfect example – and I get updated on how their lives are going… a chance to talk a lot of different people. I don’t think I’ll get that in my next step but we’ll see.”
“We’re in such a bubble that I think there is some sort of effect that takes place while you are here, I can’t really put my finger on it, or describe it, and the energy that runs through this place is awesome.”
HC: I agree, I love that. Like going to the library is actually fun to walk through and say hi.
CD: “Yeah, yeah, exactly like that!”
HC: I’ll miss that too. Any post-grad plans?
CD: “Actually yeah, I’ll be working for the Bank of America, starting in June 2015. I’m pumped, but I’m enjoying the time I have now. Don’t really know what to expect, but I am looking forward to it.”
HC: What will be your favorite thing on your plate this Thanksgiving?
CD: “Stuffing and corn. Corn is great.”
HC: Before I met you, I heard you’re “the best presenter at SJU,” how do you feel about that?
CD: “Hahha that is very nice and flattering, I think when you present for class you often are doing something you don’t really enjoy, but I was passionate about that topic [that resulted in that title]. I have my moments, but I’m not the best.”
HC: Do you ever get nervous before presenting or interviewing someone?
CD: “Marketing strategy has been getting me nervous. Great class, great teacher, but challenging.”
HC: Are there any quotes you live by?
CD: “Make every day your masterpiece, 100%.”
HC: Who would you choose to interview for Campus Celebrity?
CD: “Brian Lafferty, he is a cliché one.”
HC: Did you read his interview?
CD: “Ah, he already did one!”
HC: He did, haha, it was great. You’ll have to read it!
CD: “My other choice would be my co for apex, Colleen Fallon. She is really involved, she started a new initiative [Food Recovery Network] here, and kind of flies under the radar, but that’s her M.O.”
HC: Is it down the shore or up the mountains for you?
CD: “I’m a Jersey guy! Shore, 100%. Ocean City [New Jersey].”
HC: That’s your shore point, okay! What can we expect from you?
CD: “Expect, ah, in terms of what?”
HC: In your life…what do you see for youself?
CD: “I guess, in you not knowing who I was berore this, and now knowing me, giving the impression that I am down to earth person and always willing to talk to people. So I guess what you can expect is that I am always willing to have a conversation and meet as many people as I can.”
HC: Well, Connor…
CD: “We’re done already? That was thirty questions? Get the hell out of here!”
HCXO,
Taylor