Ahhh summertime! Is there anything better than lying by the beach with a campus cutie by your side? We didn’t think so! And we have just the guy for you! Senior Alex Caton, a St. Edward’s Gentleman who is beginning his fourth year in the dorm this fall, gives us the inside scoop on his favorites of the season. Hailing from our neighboring state of Illinois, Alex spent half of last year running around our nation’s capitol with some big names in politics and journalism. Thanks for your time, Alex!
Name: Alex Caton
Hometown: Geneva, IL
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science with a minor in PPE
Dorm: St. Edward’s Hall
Relationship status: Single
Favorite summer activity: The beach, without a doubt.
Best song of the summer thus far: The best summer song is “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett. It has been this way since 1977.
How do you feel about being a senior in the fall?
I just keep telling myself “You’re only as old as you feel” and “you could still switch colleges.”
Why did you decide to stay on campus?
Two reasons. First, convenience. Living off means real-world responsibilities like groceries, dishes, and utilities that are totally avoidable when you live on-campus. I have some idea of what that’s like from extended stays in London, DC, and now Chicago. Second, I love St. Edward’s Hall. If you include RA’s, 36 of our original class of 60 Gentlemen are staying on. Really stoked for that.
What do you think of “Ring by Spring”?
My opinion is that for 99.5% of people here it’s not a good idea. I think your 20s are this sacred time to figure yourself out—not in the “YOLO” / ”Spring Break 2K14” / “Let’s Get Weird” sense as much as having experiences that you really can’t (or won’t want) once you’re married. Like travelling long distances via Amtrak with a backpack and not enough cash. Or joining the Peace Corps. Or regular exercise.
Any prospects?
We’ll see.
Favorite date idea?
A road trip to the beach, or killing an hour and a half in a good bookstore. Both of those force you to unplug, be yourself and enjoy each other’s company. It doesn’t get better than that.
What do you look for in a girl?
Confidence is so important. I know that’s been said, but truly nothing drags on a relationship like insecurity. ND girls in particular have a thousand different reasons to be confident, and they should showcase it. Wavy hair is also a plus.
What is a girls’ fashion trend that you will never understand?
Had to look it up. They’re called rompers. Not sure what the goal is there.
What’s something you still have to check off your ND bucket list?
I still need to climb the JACC (Yes, I mean climb the JACC. It’s a thing. It’s like Stepan on roids.) and go to Log Chapel Mass. Probably not on the same night.
What is one memory from your time at ND that you will never forget?
Probably the Stanford Game my sophomore year. College GameDay came to campus and WNDU interviewed my friends and me at 9:00 in the morning before Steds went “floating” in the freezing cold Reflecting Pool. Inflatable dragons and Condoleezza Rice cutouts were also involved. And after pulling out a win on some clutch play by Tommy Rees and a huge defensive stand, we all stormed the field in the rain. This could be the plot for Rudy 2.
You studied “abroad” in DC. What was that experience like and are you happy you did it?
Surreal. I’ve never learned so much or met so many interesting people in one place. There aren’t enough platitudes to describe it. All I can say (at least about ND’s DC program) is that if sitting across a table from Bob Woodward in the editor’s room of The Washington Post, or seeing Paul Ryan or Chuck Schumer in the flesh sounds remotely interesting to you, then you must go. It’s like its own little world
Best ND clubs/activities you’ve taken part in?
I was in Glee Club for a year. It’s a huge time commitment but a really great (and talented) group of guys. Dan Stowe is the man. Today I’ve got two things – I write Viewpoint columns for The Observer every two weeks, and I work on public relations with JIFFI, a student-run microlending project for South Bend residents started by Peter Woo (’14).
One piece of advice for the class of 2018:
Find three mentors: a priest, a professor, and an upperclassman who has accomplished a lot of what you aspire to, and you’ll be set for the rest of your time here.
Thanks, Alex! Good luck with senior year!
HCNDxo
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