Live With Will Ganss!

It is extremely important that you get to know this week’s campus celebrity. “Why,” you ask? Because before you know it, you will be saying “I KNOW HIM! HE WENT TO FORDHAM!” Will Ganss has charisma and drive like no other, which might be one reason why he is going to graduate early this month! And while he’s steaming his cap and gown, we have just enough time to take a Will Ganss crash-course. From hosting Fordham Mornings to running around Manhattan in an elf costume (yup, this happened), Will has brightened the days of many students here at Fordham. Before he can finish his goodbyes or get through all of “Long Live” by Taylor Swift, he will probably be asked to host his own morning news segment. That being said, Her Campus Fordham has you covered– here’s a look at one of Fordham’s finest before he’s gone, Will Ganss. 

Where are you from? Born and raised in Arlington, TX.

What year are you? I’m a senior, graduating early… like, two weeks from now. WHAT?

What is your major? I’m double majoring in Communications and Media Studies (with a journalism concentration) and Spanish.

What activities are you involved in? Fordham Mornings (Host); Campus Activities Board (Cultural Affairs Chair); Campus Ministry (Lector Chair); Gloria Dei Choir

How did you decide to come to Fordham? I knew I wanted to be in New York, and Fordham offered a generous scholarship. After sitting in on a class taught by Professor Beth Knobel – who is amazing and if you have the chance to be in her class, you totally should – and touring campus, I knew I wanted to be a ram.

What’s it like to graduate early? Do you have any tips for students who are trying to swing this as well? I came into Fordham with 18 credits thanks to AP classes, and I always took as many classes as my advisors allowed. Classes are tricky, but we have more time to study than we did in high school, so I just took advantage of that time. As for what it’s like to graduate early, it’s weird. I feel like I’m leaving, but at least for me, nothing is changing. In fact, my life is going to become a little less stressful. Instead of being a full time student and working full time, now I only have to worry about work. I’m still living in the Bronx and hanging out with friends, but without the added pressure of a looming paper or presentation.

Do you have any tips for students who are trying to balance school work, extracurricular and other obligations like internships? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Teachers are humans too, and at some point, were dealing with the same stress we are. So talk to them, shoot your advisor a quick email, swing by your dean’s office. They want you to succeed as much as you want you to succeed. I also recommend medium iced coffees from Dunkin Donuts.

What’s your favorite thing about New York? I love how much there is to do here. If you’re bored in New York City, you’re doing something wrong. There are shows to see, dances floors to take over, foods to taste, ice rinks to skate on, and on and on and on. Even if you want to chill, the parks and gardens offer an oasis.

Do you have a favorite NYC memory? Woof. One specific memory? Nah. Each time I go into the city, there’s something new – something crazy, something inspiring – to make me fall in love with city all over again.

What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham? All of my journalism classes have been wonderful. Lin Garlick, Jaime Jordan, and Beth Knobel are the professors who stand out in my mind as I look back. They taught journalism classes – Writing for Television and Radio, Intro to Journalism, and Journalism Workshops, respectively.

What’s your least favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham? Math. Numbers suck.

Where’s your favorite spot on campus? Ahhhh I like this question. I love Bishop’s Lounge in Queen’s Court. It’s like the Gryffindor Commonroom so… I also really love the University Church. Beautiful, peaceful, has a history. What’s not to like?

If you could give one piece of advice to a Fordham collegiette, what would it be? Fordham offers SO MANY opportunities to get involved. Take them. Whether you join RHA or a performing group, or Fordham Nightly News, there is something for everyone here. It’s a great feeling to go to the caf and always have someone to sit with, because you met them at a CAB meeting, or you know them from Flava. Jump in, get involved.

What’s your dream job? I’d love to host a morning news or morning talk show some day. In an ideal world, Live! With Kelly and Michael will be Live! With Kelly and Will one day.

What do you think the best part of a Jesuit education is? I’m glad I had to take a philosophy class, because it taught me that philosophy is not for me. I hated it.

What’s one thing everyone would be surprised to learn about you? I speak Spanish… like one time the guys at Beer Cave were talking about me in Spanish right in front of my face, and when I told them that I understood everything they were saying, they looked like they were about to throw up all the Dunkin Donuts they’d been snacking on throughout the day.

Arthur Ave/Fordham Road? Arthur Ave. It’s quieter. I don’t need reminders every five seconds that the store next me sells “FREE PHONES. IPHONES. CELL PHONES.”

Cafeteria or Grille? Grille. I’ll slap anyone who says caf.

RamVan or Subway? RamVan. #backseatblues tho

Met or MoMA? Met.

Hot Dog or Bagel? Bagel all day erry day

Broadway or Off-Broadway? Broadway

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