Name: Bryant O’Brien
Major: Computer Engineering
Hometown: Huntingtown (Southern Maryland, Calvert County)
Check out his interview video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4XT-IP_9Hk
Vote for Bryant here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GH2KGN6
What activities are you involved in? Which organizations are you affiliated with?
Cheerleading, ECEE (electric and computer engineering club), Digital Cultures and Creativity (living and learning community in Honors College), Knights of Queen Anne (fun club in Queen Anne dorm. Members go out on “quests” on campus)
One thing people would be surprised to find out about you?
People don’t expect me to be as nerdy as I am. Because I do sports, they expect me to be a certain way.
Finish this phrase. You know you’re at Maryland when…
“You see the Knights of Queen Anne having a dance party at the fountain on McKeldin Mall on a Friday night.”
Basketball or football?
Basketball. I love the pace of basketball, especially college basketball. But soccer is my favorite sport.
Guilty pleasure on TV?
The Playboy Club was a guilty pleasure but it just got cancelled. Also Say Yes to the Dress. I have three sisters!
One thing about girls that you just can’t understand?
I don’t understand why some girls are timid to eat in front of guys. I like a girl that eats and appreciates the food they are eating or the food I make. I make a mean omelet!
First thing about a girl that catches your eye?
Her style, the way she carries herself. Her confidence. I always watch facial expressions. And since I’m very “not serious,” I like someone that laughs and smiles a lot. That’s how I am.
Sweetest thing you’ve ever done for a girl?
I surprised my ex-girlfriend by meeting up with her and her family when they were on their way to Virginia. She had absolutely no idea I was coming and the look on her face when I showed up was priceless.
Three things you love about Maryland?
I really love Maryland so it’s hard for me to narrow it down to just three things. But one thing I would say is that I love the fans’ support for the sports teams, especially soccer. I also like the affordability and proximity to home. I love all of the post-college opportunities too, like all of the job opportunities in engineering I will have after graduating.
When you leave Maryland, how do you want to be remembered?
Hm…I don’t really know if I want to leave a legacy. I don’t want to leave Maryland. I love this school and I think I’m going to come here for grad school too.
Who is your role model and why?
My father. He always puts 100% of himself into everything he does. He’s just so creative and unique. He’s not average. He’s taught me so much about how to be financially independent and how to work hard.
Unique talents?
I can tuck seven pencils under my bottom lip. I have a weird muscle that lets me do that. I can also solve a Rubik’s cube. I taught myself to speak a little bit of Chinese using Rosetta Stone. Eventually, I want to operate a robotics firm in China. I hope to graduate in three years.