Emily Karr

Emily Karr is a great example of how Colby can shape and educational experience, learning in and outside the classroom.
 
Q: What do you do on campus?
 
A: I’m the treasurer of the Pugh Community Board (PCB). I’ve been on it since my freshman year. I was really excited because our budget is $52,775, and through co-sponsorship, we programmed $85,000 worth of events. I’m also on the Student Conduct Board. I was nominated because I am “a moral person.” That’s kind of embarrassing.
 
Q: What exactly is PCB?
 
A: We’re the main multi-cultural programming board on campus. We programmed twenty-two events in thirty academic weeks. It’s a small board, so it’s pretty democratic. everyone has a say in what we do. We brought Spike Lee, we planned drag ball, and project voice. We also do smaller events. We pick a topic that’s relevant to what’s happening now—we did things on education reform, social class, and the hookup culture so people just come to our events. It’s in the Pugh center. It’s a safe place to talk about something intellectual, or controversial. Multiculturalism wasn’t a part of my life before I got here—it didn’t even cross my mind before I got to Colby. Now it’s become a really huge focus of my life, not only with extracurriculars, but also in the classroom—that’s what I study, too. The reason I’m so involved with PCB is because I want people to have access to the same knowledge that I do.
 
Q: How can one get involved/how did you get involved?
 
A: You have to apply. We do applications in the spring every year. We actually just chose our new board for next year. We had more applicants than ever. This year we had 18 new applicants, and a bunch of returning applicants, too. Our events have been more visible this year, and I think people want to get involved in them. Margaret McFadden taught Intro to American Studies, and The L Word during JanPlan. I talked to her about issues I saw at Colby, and she told me I should get involved in PCB!
 
Q: What is the Student Conduct Board like?
 
A: It’s interesting because there’s all different types of people from all different parts of campus. There are students, Dean Johnston, security, and professors. It’s tough to do because you have to think about a lot of factors when deciding what the correct punishment for someone. It’s less about the individual person, and more about what’s best for the community.
 
Q: What do you love about Colby and the things you do here?
 
A: I think what I love most about Colby is that if there’s something you want to do, there is some way to do it. Like Spike Lee, for example. Just his speaker fee was $30,000, which was half of our budget. That doesn’t even include travel, limo, hotel, food, the programs, the posters, the receptions, etc. We were really passionate about bringing him, and we went right to Bro Adams, and he said whatever we needed to make it happen, he would help us do that. Bro loved Spike; they were buds. And I think just opportunities in general are amazing here. I mean, I also got to go to the Galapagos for JanPlan. That’s pretty cool.
 
Q: What’s your major?
 
A: I’m a Biology and American Studies double major. I came here knowing I wanted to do Bio. I’ve always been a science and math person. I want to go to dental school, so taking those classes really helps prepare you for the rigor of that. I just literally randomly chose Introduction to American Studies as my fourth class because it sounded interesting. My freshman year advisor just happened to be the professor of that class. I was really ignorant, and that class and that professor literally changed my life. I think completely differently than I did before. I don’t think I’m done forming my opinions. I think I’m still cooking; I still have time to go. It’s a process, for sure.
 
Q: What’s something quirky about you?
 
A: I love leopard print and anything sparkley. I dance in public, even when there’s no music. I have a really distinct laugh.