For the graduating class of 2018, with Samandeep Singh, best known as Sam’s, name comes memories of heavy activity in online social groups, along with the word potato. Sam’s role in the lives of many Yorkies has been a unique one. Instead of his presence being limited to his in-person relationships, he has a powerful online presence. If something ever happens at York, people can trust Sam will catch wind of it and begin making jokes. He has slipped his way into the hearts of many Yorkies.
Sam does more than simply entertain the students of York, and welcome the incoming first years. Over time, he has become a symbol of the online community, an icon. During the strike, he was key in keeping morale high amongst students. Sam would engage with the students, make jokes, post memes, and do whatever he could to keep the mood light and humorous. Same has become the ring leader of a core group of individuals who watch the online community for the classes of 2018 and 2019 and keep the atmosphere light, welcoming, and a safe place for other members of the social group.
In person, he is just as welcoming. While Sam’s fame may be greatest in the online world of York University students, he still jumps at the opportunity to go to meet ups with friends he met online and other students. For Sam, getting to know new people is a delight, not a chore. Upon first meeting him, I was greeted with excitement and an immediate hug. Sam makes a conscious effort to include others and works hard to ensure that at the end of the day, everyone had fun. Inclusive fun is something he strives for in all of his group interactions, and Sam always checks in on people to make sure they enjoyed themselves.
When asked how he feels about being so well known and recognized, Sam laughs charmingly, “I feel like I have an army of trolls that really won’t do anything when push comes to shove but it does give me a fake sense of security knowing I’m not alone in the labyrinth that is York University.”
During his time so far at York, Sam has valued the time he’s spent in the university’s community: “I’ve met a lot of cool people. Being so active within the York Community has helped me know what kind of people really are at York and more importantly, what kind of people I wanna avoid at York.”
Sam’s final words of advice? “Don’t be a potato.”