Matthew Skinner is one of the top dogs on campus. Known for his ability to make anyone laugh, everyone describes him as lovable, and everything a person should aspire to be. A brother of Sigma Chi Fraternity, his loyalty is unquestionable while he continues to wow HWS with his comedic personality and witty one-liners.
Name: Matthew Skinner
Class Year: 2017
Hometown: Shortsville, New York
Major: Philosophy
Minors: Physics and Environmental Studies
HC: You’re a member of Sigma Chi, right? Out of all the fraternities on campus, what made them your top choice?
MS: When I was a freshman, I was approached by the President of Sigma Chi, and he told me they were interested. Ultimately what sold me was the quality of the guys there, and the fact that we could shape the fraternity. Plus, it’s small, so the bonds I have made are incredible. There’s no internal warfare and everyone gets along great. It’s really the epitome of brotherhood.
HC:What else are you involved in on campus?
MS: I just ended my term as Junior Class President, but I am a Philosophy Teaching Fellow, I play rugby when I can, I’m an Eco Rep, I work in the back of Saga where I cut up vegetables and stuff, and I’m a member of the Student Dining Committee.
HC: That’s really cool, you work for Saga behind closed doors! Is there anything you want people to know about what it’s like back there?
MS: The chefs really care about us. There are so many great people back there that we just don’t get to meet who care tremendously about us and only want us to be as happy as possible.
HC: What do you want to do after you graduate?
MS: I’ve got two plans! One is slightly more practical than the other. I want to go to Law School and become an Environmental Lawyer and American Indian Law. I want to practice law with a meaning, not just for money or to getting criminals off. My other option is to become President of the United States, and then become a dude rancher in Montana and just live off the land, maybe become a Buddhist Monk, that’d be fun.
HC: Is there anything you would change about HWS?
MS: Something I feel like would have a greater effect is to allow drinking on campus, as long as there was a mandatory meeting on how to drink safely. You can’t relate to it or learn from the way it is now, leading to people abusing it and putting themselves in danger. Everytime you ban something, it creates a black market and bad behavior involving it. So I’m not really for banning anything.
HC: What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
MS: Huh, I’m a pretty open book. I guess one thing would be that I live in a trailer park, something you don’t see a lot of here. You know the show Trailer Park Boys? That stuff is so damn true, not for my family, but for my neighbors it’s unbelievable! I’m sure a lot of people here would find that funny.
HC: Last question! Who’s your biggest role model?
MS: A lot of people. My mom, my grandmother, my Uncle Chip, they’re all pretty influential. My Uncle has taught me how to work but also have fun, he has been a huge male figure in my life. My grandma has taught me how to be compassionate, but not be walked all over. My mom is just fantastic with the way she has raised my sister and I.
Favorites:
Movie: Lord of the Rings
Spot on Campus: The Quad, I love the history there, all the sporting events that have been played, and the people that have passed through on Coxe steps, It’s really cool to know I’m a part of it.
Spot in Geneva: The Park with the lady of the lake in it, it’s up by Washington Street, I don’t spend too much time there, down South Main towards Geneva. It’s also commonly known as the “Naked Lady Statue.”
Past Time: I love having in depth converstions with people about a variety of topics, I just love talking to people! Oh, and baseball!
Class at HWS: Introduction to Philosphy is a great class because it really teaches students how to critically analyze, so it’s highly practical and it teaches you how to write, but Tibetan Mandella Painting will probably end up being my favorite. North American Indians with Jeff Anderson is amazing, he’s a great professor, he lived on a reservation for like 30 years, so he has a lot of great stories.