Name: Connor Martin
Year: Sophomore
Major: Geology
Hometown: Glocester, RI
Relationship Status: Single (Come and get him, ladies!)
I first met Connor at the gym last semester when I had a hip hop class and he worked at the fitness center desk. He was on crutches, but he looked incredibly familiar. For a while, I thought he had an identical twin brother who was in my geology class as well, and being me, I didn’t bother to verify this. Turns out, he does have a twin (not identical), but it was Connor himself who was in my class. I suppose all good friendships are born out of a good laugh, and Connor and I have shared plenty of laughs since that first encounter. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Connor Martin, Campus Cutie of the Week!
HC: So Connor, what made you decide to come to Pitt?
CM: Well, my family is from the area; my grandparents live in the city and we always are visiting them here. So when we came to look at Pitt – my brother and I, my twin brother – we both really liked it and we both ended up here, which is pretty goofy.
HC: Did you both decide to go to the same place, or…?
CM: No, we had decided to go to different schools, but somehow we both ended up at the same school and with the same major.
HC: Weird… So, what activities are you involved in on campus?
CM: I’m in the Outdoors Club and I’m on the Quidditch Team. I’m a Chaser.
HC: Wait, you actually ride on a broomstick in matches?
CM: Yep, we actually ride on broomsticks.
HC: That’s fascinating… So, how would you describe your personality?
CM: I like to be very excited about things; I try to get hyped about everything I’m doing to try and make it the best that I can. No matter how mundane it is, I know my best work comes from when I’m really excited about something.
HC: And how would your friends describe you?
CM: Friends…? What are those? Haha, just kidding. They’d see me as really hyper and bouncing off the walls, I think.
The author and the Cutie.
HC: So if someone gave you a million dollars, what would you do with it?
CM: I would travel anywhere really. I’d travel to see things, definitely buy some climbing gear – because climbing gear is really expensive – and if I’m going to travel, I’d like to climb wherever I travel. I would definitely head out west, because there are huge mountains out west. And I’d really like to go to Spain, because it’s a very interesting culture.
HC: Do you speak Spanish?
CM: Well, I took Spanish in high school but I’ve forgotten most of it…
HC: Work on that before you leave then. So if you went on this road trip, would you rather go with friends or enjoy the scenery by yourself?
CM: Definitely with friends. I’m very much dependent on social interactions for sure. I’m really bad at being alone. I feel really isolated if I don’t see my friends for a while.
HC: If you had to have something named after you, what would it be?
CM: This is tough… Hmm… Probably something related to rocks. Either related to rock climbing – like a piece of gear – or a rock itself, like a rock formation. They both are rock-related, but one is more scientific and one is more recreational, and those [rock climbing and geology] are my two passions.
HC: If you could choose any major other than geology, what would it be?
CM: It would probably be biology because I could go for ecology; it’s really interesting. Or I would take up music. I used to play in the band in high school; I played the sax. I thought about being a music major, but my parents are both music majors and it’s a lot of hard work. I felt like I should follow my passion for science and get a day job before pursuing music. I can be a geology major and do music on the side, but it’s tough to be a music major and do geology on the side.
HC: What is one thing most people don’t or wouldn’t know about you?
CM: I’m a romantic. I’m really into sappy chick-flicks. Like ‘oh my god, why, Joseph Gordon Levitt, why?!’ [referring to 500 Days of Summer]
HC: Let’s segue then. So what male movie character would you model after if you were trying to woo a girl?
CM: The one movie I thought hit me the most was the romantic side of Elf. Like Will Ferrell; he was really goofy and the girl just fell for him. That was the one thing I felt the most while watching the movie – classic.
HC: How would you ask a girl out on a date, then?
CM: I’d just put it out there. There’s no beating around the bush, something like, “do you want to get coffee or dinner soon?” I wouldn’t confuse her with something like, “hey, want to hang out sometime?” because then she’ll be like “what does he mean?” and everything gets confusing really quickly.
HC: What’s your ideal date?
CM: Just walking around the park or going to a coffee shop. And even though it’s quite cliché, I think Phipps Conservatory would be a pretty great place to go on a date. I’ve never taken anyone on a date there.
HC: Describe qualities of your ideal girl.
CM: Someone who shares interests with me, or someone who is excited to seize the day, like I am. I don’t want to be around someone who’s drab and uninterested, or someone who is constantly trying to dampen my excitement. She should be goofy and enthusiastic. I’ll know when I see it. You think you don’t have a type, and then you realize that you do and you’re mind-blown!
HC: So do you like Disney? Good. What Disney hero would you identify with in the romance department?
CM: So my favourite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast, but the Beast isn’t really the best romantic role model. It’s a great movie, but I’m not trying to kidnap anyone [laughs]. I like later Disney movies, because the first few princes were all pretty-boys. It’s always Prince Charming…
HC: So…?
CM: Shrek’s pretty cool. He’s super himself, and it works for him.
HC: If you had to sing a girl a romantic Disney song, which one would it be?
CM: “A Whole New World,” that’s a great one.
HC: Last question – what’s the craziest thing you would do for a girl?
CM: I’d just make her feel comfortable. I know that’s not the craziest thing, but it’s important.
Image credit: 1 & 4 (provided by Cutie), 2 & 3 (provided by author)