Name: C John Cahill
Age: 21
Major: Molecular, Cellular and Physiological biology
Minors: Leadership Studies and Psychology
On campus activities: Student Assembly President, RA in Santoro Hall, Student Ambassador (tour guide), brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Why did you shave your head?
“I did it for Bald for a Cause, which was Alpha Phi Alpha’s event to raise money for Alopecia awareness.”
What’s something people don’t know about you?
“I like to take a lot of time for myself, so I either read fictional stories or play video games to balance out the real world with my own world.”
Would you say that you’re an introvert or extrovert?
“I think that depends on what you consider the definitions. Some people view extroverts as being very social – and I am very social, but I also get my energy from being alone. It’s a delicate balance.”
Tell us your best joke.
“My best joke is way too long… and it’s not appropriate… I can only think of biology jokes right now… People are going to think I’m not funny now… It’s gonna ruin me…
“Who did the girl bacteria bring to the prom?… A fungi…”
Tell us your best pick-up line.
“It’s not really a line, it’s just something I would do. I would get a sugar packet that says sugar and walk up to the girl and hand it to her and say you dropped your nametag.”
Have you done that before?
“I have.”
Did it work?
“It might’ve.”
Do you have a secret talent?
“I don’t really have a talent; I have an abnormality… I can make my eyes squeak really loudly when I wipe them.”
What would you have done differently in college?
“I think I’ve been very fortunate to have positions on campus and be involved in the CNU community, so I wish I would’ve stretched myself more to reach out to the Newport News community. There’s so many ways to get involved here.”
What was your all-time high at CNU?
“I would say my all-time high would be when I became a brother of SigEp. No one in my family had done it or told me about it, so it was all my own. There was a lot of uncertainty and a feeling of the unknown in it, but it turned out to be where I
was most heavily involved and my most meaningful involvement at CNU.”
So, what would you say was your all-time low at CNU?
“I would say it was with my sophomore year. I got involved in different things, like higher education as an orientation leader and an RA. I was also in Greek Life, as well as my career as a bio major. I was having a hard time with figuring out what I wanted to commit the most time to. I was living by myself and I had to seem like a role model to the freshmen I was living with. I had to look like I had my life put together for them when I really didn’t. I really didn’t have the support system right by me like I felt all of my friends did, and I was really struggling with trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.”
What was it like to be an orientation leader?
“Both experiences [as a SLAP Facilitator and a Crew Leader] were great to have. I have 3 summers in a row where I served in different capacities. My favorite was serving as a resource to the students both before and during the school year. There’s this sort of magic where you can see that they may have doubts about whether or not they made the right decision, and you can solidify that for them. Also, forming relationships with all of the orientation staff members is a pretty dope experience.”
What’s one thing you want to do before you graduate?
“One thing I want to do is start a new senior tradition, but not one like Light the Night or ringing the bell at graduation, but maybe something smaller – like a student life tradition that isn’t necessarily recognized by the university, but that is recognized by the students. Maybe everyone going to a smaller on campus bar instead of Brickhouse or something.”
Did you keep your penny from freshman convocation?
“Yes, I carry it around with me every day. It’s in my wallet, as is the CNU Honor Code.”
Who is your celebrity crush?
“Girl or guy? Or both? I would definitely say my girl celeb crush is Rachel McAdams. She’s obviously an attractive actress, but she does a really good job in all of the films she’s in. For a guy, I’m definitely gonna say Bradley Cooper. He’s a good-looking dude, and his ability to play such a wide variety of roles is incredible.”
Do you have a professor crush?
“Who’s a dope professor that I had? I would say Dr. Jay Paul, the director of the Honors Program. He challenges students to the best of their abilities and makes individualized plans for each of his students.”
If you could be any Disney princess, who would you be?
“A PRINCESS? I would definitely be Jasmine from Aladdin, because Aladdin is a great guy and ending up with a great guy – I mean – great significant other – would be great. But more importantly, they get to ride around on a magic carpet and fly, which would be cool.”
Is there anything you want people to know about you?
“I strongly believe in our Honor Code, and that’s why I leave my longboard, “Blue Angel,” outside of the academic buildings when I’m in class.”
Has Blue Angel ever been stolen?
“It’s been hidden by friends… but never stolen.”
Do you have any advice for your fellow students?
“Fellow captains – remember that college is only four years, make the best out of your time here.”