Meet our latest Campus Celebrity: senior Spencer Francus!! Spencer is a lover of good food, good music, and is currently developing his skills as an artist in his advanced sculpting class. Spencer has leadership positions in several clubs on campus, is a Senior Admissions Fellow, was on the Food Network, and also is incredibly stylish! Read on to find out how this jack-of-all-trades manages to do it all!
Class Year: 2014
Major: Philosophy
Minor: Math
Center: CISLA Scholar in Hebrew Language
Extracurricular Activities: Chair of TEDxConnecticutCollege, Hebrew Language Fellow, Senior Admissions Fellow, Co-President of Hillel
Favorite philosopher:
In reading a bunch of philosophers’ stuff, I’ve come to see that more often than not every philosopher “gets it,” they just have different names for the same things. That being said, Heidegger is pretty chill.
Philosophy that college kids can relate to?
Get over yourself and don’t be afraid.
As an admissions fellow, what do you talk about to attract people to Conn?
The community
Favorite place on campus?
There’s this window on campus that overlooks the northern end and from it you can see part of the Thames, the tops of trees across the river and down 32, and from where the window is situated the perspective lends a particularly beauty to the combination of clouds, water, leaves, wind, etc.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?
Orthodox Judaism, and J. Crew
Favorite item in your closet?
I have three. Two of them are here at Conn, one of them isn’t: My black jeans, my black v-neck sweater, my white Ralph Lauren pullover…or my je t’aime sweatshirt
So you had your five minutes of fame when you were featured on the Food Network and now you have us craving to know more about what you do with food on your own!
My mother didn’t cook growing up, so I’m not used to eating homemade food. I’m happy to eat anything homemade, it’s all delicious.
How do you turn Harris gourmet?!
I don’t do Harris, but I make the same sandwich every day in Knowlton. I call it a Yemenite sandwich and it’s based on my favorite non-schwarma drunk food from Jerusalem. It’s a toasted wrap with tomatoes, pickles, peppers, onions, hard boiled eggs, hummus, pesto, and chili sauce.
Tips n’ tricks in the kitchen?
I watched a lot of Food Network as a kid. I don’t cook often and my housemates often make fun of my cooking skills because they’re pretty primitive. But, the longer you let it stew, the more flavorful it’ll be.
As a graduating senior, what advice do you give to underclassmen?
Never think you’re under-qualified and never think you’re too late. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and 24 hours in a day is a lot of time. After sleeping, eating, and school work, you still have 10 hours to accomplish things which is still a lot of time. I also don’t sacrifice my own sleep; I usually go to bed at 10:00 pm every night. Also don’t do your work in the library–do it in your room or if you do like the library, go to the third floor and get a cubicle.
What do you do if you ever have free time?
Nothing. Shut-off my brain–read, watch t.v., listen to music.
What are your secrets to success?
If I’ve convinced you that I’m successful then I suppose it’s worked. Fake it until you make it and keep your head down and do your work otherwise.
Best professor you’ve had at Conn?
The professor that I feel closest with is Professor Pessin in the philosophy department. In between my independent study with him junior year and the thesis I’m working on now, I’ve become very close with him.
Where can we see you in the near future?
I spent four years studying philosophy and Jewish stuff, I didn’t take any classes in economics or finance and I’ve got a great job in banking lined up. I’m excited to see what meandering path my life will take in the coming years.