Meet John Channell (Yes, that’s actually his last name, not his stage name)! John resides in one of the greatest boroughs of New York: Staten Island. But, little did you know, he’s got quite the exotic mix, which he proudly flaunts. Drum roll please… Hawaiian and Irish! I mean, who wouldn’t want to flaunt that?! Being a senior at Manhattan College and an RA in Jasper, he’s everyone’s favorite “go-to” when it comes to learning the ropes around here. Whether it be a living concern, bathroom leakage in Jasper, suggestions on a trendy hangout spot in downtown Manhattan, or even asking for everyday advice, he’s always available and welcoming with open arms.
However, it gets ten times better! Last year, John led a L.O.V.E. trip to Arizona where they learned about the injustices and issues that occurred on the U.S.- Mexican border. He had participated in one the previous year, and when asked to lead this one, he immediately accepted! Being able to travel is exciting enough, but taking part in charitable, humane activities makes it all the more rewarding. The L.O.V.E. crew, two of which were John’s best friends, Terence King and Dylan Kirwan, had the opportunity to work in soup kitchens to feed those who had recently been deported, roamed the cities of Nogales, Mexico, interacted with women who lived in shelters, and much more. Overall, they acquired knowledge and reflected on the harsh cruelties that take place by the border, while creating memories they would never forget. How exciting?!
John came to Manhattan College as an Engineering/Math major, later becoming a Sociology Major. When asked why he originally chose Engineering, he said, “my parents were like, ‘Engineers make money!’” so he went for it. When he suggested switching majors, the ‘rents weren’t too content, but he sure was. (Hey, isn’t that what counts?!) He had gotten in touch with Career Services and took a career test, which gave him a variety of results, but sociology stood out to him the most. He is now extremely passionate on the subject, uncovering why people do what they do, where issues derive from, and discovering ways to resolve these issues. John aspires to get involved with law enforcement and make the world a better place!
Aside from being Superman 24/7, he’s just like one of us. He enjoys playing basketball with his boys, but has a soft side too. He mentioned his ultimate guilty pleasure are chick flicks. How cute?! He’s also big on music, all kinds of genres, but particularly old school hip-hop. John loves meeting new people and it shows from his charismatic personality. He’s usually a busy bee during the week, whether working on his senior seminar paper or doing any RA work, but the weekends are a different story! When John and the crew gather round, theres no doubt it’s going to be a fun-filled night! Remember those Greasers wannabes that strolled into Riv City, all sporting white t-shirts at the bar, or the occasional unbuttoned, Hawaiian shirts? The boys that only spoke in only movie/song lyrics? Yup, you found John and the whole gang!