You are about to meet one of the goofiest guys at Boston College. Although Phil Cushing is happily in a relationship, he’s a one-of-a-kind guy that you’ll definitely want to be friends with. He’s friendly and full of funny stories. So sit down, make sure you’ve gone to the bathroom, and get ready to experience an ab workout because this interview will keep you laughing all the way through!
The Basics
Name: Phil Cushing
Hometown: Latham, NY
School/Year: A&S 2012
Major: Economics and Sociology double major
BC Life
Activities/Clubs: I work in the Econ department. I was a 48 hours leader. I’m editor of Socialeyes (the sociology undergraduate journal). “Every bite counts”—a program that tries to limit food waste. We take leftover food from all the dining halls, freeze it, and bring it to soup kitchens, food shelters, and homeless shelters. I am also writing a play with Professor Derber. Professor Derber actually wrote the first draft of a play about occupy movements before the Occupy Wall Street movements. It was almost like predicting what happened. We performed an abbreviated version of the play for BC students last semester. Now, we are editing and rewriting the whole play and trying to market it. I am working on another book with Professor Williamson about issues like health insurance reform and social security reform. I also do intramural basketbal, (I’m 6’4”).
Best Class: Professor Charles Derber, Economic Crisis and Social Change
Worst Class: Computers and Management
Bapst or O’Neill: Long pause…O’Neill 5th floor with the view of Boston.
Favorite Place to Eat: Eagles Nest, not even a question.
Quick Facts
Fun Fact: I split my chin open twice in the same spot and now have an “x” on my chin.
Dream Job: Having my own business or law firm.
Realistic Job: Owning my own business or law firm.Ha-ha. No seriously, a stand in for Bert on Sesame Street or Gabe from The Office.
Plans for after senior year: Law school
Favorite hangout spot on campus: The Mods
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Early dinner in Boston with my girlfriend and then come back and hang out with friends.
Red Sox or Yankees: Red Sox. It’s a tough decision to make being from New York, but my family is originally from Massachusetts.
Getting Personal…
What is your biggest pet peeve?
I have so many. Just kidding, not that many. Loud chewing of gum. If you’re really mashing it, that’s disgusting. And I really don’t like people who text while talking with you.
What is your most memorable moment of senior year so far?
Studying for the LSAT… ha-ha not really. My trip to Notre Dame. We fit 14 people in a 7 person RV.
What is your most memorable moment at BC?
I can’t for sure say it’s the most memorable moment, but on a whim freshman year we took a trip to my friend James’ house. He lives in Connecticut. We just piled into a car and drove there for the night. All the things that happened on that trip are things that I will never forget. I can’t really explain it all.
What will you miss most about BC?
The football game experience, my friends, and my girlfriend.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
In grade school, we had mother-son dinner-dance things. This one year they had this entrance and you could see who was walking in. They must have cleaned this glass door really well, because I walked into the door so hard and flew back. Everyone was laughing and this was my first year going. My mom thought I was kidding and that I hadn’t actually hit the glass. She thought I was just goofing off.
What is your favorite costume?
Oh, I have so many! Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller played him in Heavyweights), that was this year. I was Gumby my junior year, but that spilled over to me being Gumby at every football game. Freshman year, Halloween snuck up on me so I went to CVS and fit myself into a High School Musical cheerleader’s outfit that was made for 6-8 year old girls. I would still like to apologize to everyone at that Newton dance.
What would your advice be to a struggling freshman?
Be yourself because people are going to figure out who you are anyway. Definitely reach out to professors because there are a lot of awesome opportunities to either get a job with them or work outside of class with them. They are really awesome people and very approachable. They are always willing to help you both at BC and beyond.
Any crazy stories from a BC Spring Break?
I actually have never gone on a crazy spring break trip because every year people were doing service trips, going home, and spending time with family. This year is my first year going on spring break…to the Bahamas! So I’ll get back to you on that one.
If you could be a planet, which one would you be?
Pluto and I’d be really sad. No, let me think about this. Pluto is awful and cold, and not a planet. (After a pause…) Uranus because there is a story behind. When I was 4 or 5 years old, really young and innocent, I was with my whole extended family in Cape Cod for a family trip. It was dark out and someone pointed out this really bright star. I had just learned the planets so I screamed, “ I think its Uranus”. Everyone died laughing. I didn’t realize what I had said.
What animal would you be?
I’d be a flying squirrel (with no hesitation). That’s because if you think about it, flying squirrels can do what every other squirrel can do. They can run and jump, but they can also friggin’ fly. It’d be like being superman without a cape. So that’s why I’d be a flying squirrel.
Tell us your best joke.
John Kerry walks into a bar and the bartender says, “Why the long face?” (Awkward pause…). I’m not much of a straight-up joke guy. I’m more of a situational joker.