Name: Ben Douglas
Year: 2018
Major/Minor: Psychology Major / (Undeclared) English Minor
Hometown: Andover, Massachusetts
Campus Activities: Administrative Chair of PEKK, Peer Counselor, Sock-a-pella, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Buildings and Grounds Committee
Hello Ben! Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed for Her Campus Kenyon. You are heavily involved in PEKK. What sparked your interest in education?
I want to do pediatric psychology. Kids spend most, or a good portion of their days, in school, so I think it’s important to understand how the school system works. Equal opportunities for education are also a really important thing that we should have, but don’t nationally.
You’ve mentioned to me that you wanted to start a large conversation on accessibility on campus. Can you talk about that?
In joining Buildings & Grounds Committee, I became increasingly aware of how inaccessible the campus is but it’s not something we, as a campus, talk about. While there are vague plans for accessibility, there is nothing definitive yet, it would be great to have a conversation or a group that was leading projects to increase accessibility. It should come from student initiatives. It’s very early in the process, I’m trying to gauge interest. I know there are a number of people already working on this across a number of organizations, and I think it would be great if we could work together as a more cohesive group.
What would be on your Kenyon Bucket List?
Get into the tower of Old K, but I know it’s not really allowed anymore. It will remain a dream. I also haven’t ever rung the bells. Eat Kit-Kats with Reagan, as an event. I’d really like for someone to host a dance, featuring exclusively middle-school throw-backs.
What’s the best class you’ve taken at Kenyon?
Madness in Literature with Prakas, but I also really liked Learning and Motivation with Millin… they’re tied.
If you could teach any class, what would it be, and why?
Teach a psychology class all about the psychology of lying, in which I could make up facts and see if the class could tell if I’m lying or not. Or an education class. Or an english class.
What do you think the best and worst things are about Kenyon?
I think Spring Semester for both. It has the best of times and the worst of times.
Would you rather sleep with one eye open always or wake up every three hours with the sudden urge to dance?
Neither are all that bad to have to deal with, on the one, you’re still sleeping, you just have an eye open, and the other, you’re waking up but really being productive in your desire to dance. But, little known fact: there was a dancing plague in France in the Middle Ages. Knowing that fact, I would have to choose the safer option, and sleep with one eye open.
What’s your Theme Song?
Bob Dylan does this really great cover of Rebecca Black’s Friday.
What else do you want us to know about you?
Not about me, but little known fact, even a Guiro hates a Guiro.
Thank you, Ben!
Image credits: Giphy, Ben Douglas