Foster Lockwood ’13

Name: J. Foster Lockwood

Year: 2013

Major: Computer Science (School of Engineering) with a Minor in Entrepreneurial Leadership

Hometown: Burlington, VT

What activities do you do around campus? Are you particularly passionate about anything?

Since freshman year I’ve been singing in the Tufts Amalgamates, the oldest co-ed a cappella group on campus. I’ll never forget my favorite gig: the national anthem on the green at Fenway. I was president for two years, and just recently handed over the reigns to the next bright, young leaders. Otherwise I’m fairly involved in the entrepreneurial clubs on campus.

Do you have any hobbies? What do you do in your downtime?

My personal entrepreneurial ventures keep me fairly busy when I’m not working on a computer science project or singing with the ‘Mates. The most prevalent is an iOS development service (http://www.appsinhouse.com) that delivers mobile solutions to small businesses and other start-ups. In layman’s terms, I get paid to make iPhone and iPad Apps. When I’m not doing any of that you can find me hanging around with my friends sipping on a tasty Vermont microbrew.

What is your favorite part about college? Why?

My favorite part about college, and more specifically Tufts University, is the people that I’m surrounded by on a daily basis. I strongly believe that successful institutions (and companies) are those that emphasize the importance of picking not only the right people, but the right combination of people. If I’m on campus and run into somebody I don’t know, I can be sure that somehow they are incredible and have some passion that they are proud of, no matter how unconventional.

Anything cool you have found around Boston?

I’ve discovered that there is a very strong and modern entrepreneurial presence in Boston. There are countless conferences that admit students for free and put you in touch with really interesting people from any industry you can imagine. No longer are the classic startups only looking for the programmers and engineers, if you are passionate about something, I can guarantee you there is someone else out there who can help you turn it into a business opportunity. And no matter what, it’s a great way to make new friends in a big city.

What is the best part about spring semester?

It is my last spring semester, so naturally I am most excited for graduation. In general though, spring break is always a great time to make some memories, those you are proud to share, and those you are not.

What is your dream job?

To run my own small business with between 10-20 employees. Something in the tech industry, but not sure exactly what yet.

If you could have dinner with three people who would they be?

Steve Jobs, Joe Biden, and my girlfriend. It’d be a conversation that’d rival “My Dinner With Andre.”

In your opinion, what is the most monumental event that happened in 2012?

I’m not going to lie, I just googled what stuff happened in 2012 to see what sounded the most important, but now that I think about it, I think Obama’s reelection was fairly monumental. Thanks for nothing Google.

Any words of wisdom for the newer (or soon to be) Jumbos?

Learn how to “trick turn” immediately.

Helen’s is way better than Pizza Days.

Go to a cappella shows, you won’t be disappointed.

Tufts is the place for cool nerds.

You’re not going to like every one of your professors.

Don’t buy your textbooks from the bookstore.

Discuss “sexiling” with your roommate before it’s too late.

Take ELS (Entrepreneurial Leadership) courses.

Computer Science is hard, but worth it.

• tufts