Our Campus Celebrity of the week is not only outstanding academically but also well-involved both on and off campus. So without further ado, say hello to our Campus Celebrity of the week: Jordan Polcyn-Evans!
Name: Jordan Polcyn-Evans
Year: Junior
Major: English (Language, Media and Communications) and Music
Birthday: January 24th, 1995
Hometown: Rochester, New York
What is your campus involvement?
Students for Democratic Society, TOOP, Jazz Ensemble, the WRUR Radio Station, Student Association and Oh! I am also in a band! (Brass Monkeys)
Tell me more about your campus involvement:
So this year, Students for Democratic Society (SDS) is trying to get the University to be more aware and to acknowledge the presence and rights of adjunct faculty and also get them a union. ( I could get so into this but I don’t want to bore you with the details). Other than that, I am an actor and director for TOOP and there is a show coming up from the 22nd-24th of October called “Energy Mass Light”. I also have a show on the sting at WRUR called Physical Education every Wednesday from 9 to 10pm. I also played the piano for the Jazz Ensemble on campus and Brass Monkeys (we will be having a show at the Drama House on Halloween).
How did you get involved with these clubs?
Well, WRUR was the first club I got involved in, followed by SDS. As for TOOP, it was more of a whim. I saw the poster in a bathroom stall and decided to try it out. Now it has taken over my life!
Tell me more about the band you are in:
So the band is called Brass Monkeys and we mostly play funk, jazz and rock. We have shows on and off campus all around Rochester.
Can you tell me more about your involvement OFF campus?
So last semester I was an intern for Metro Justice that organized “Fight for 15” which was a national campaign to raise wages for fast food workers to $15 per hour and to create a fast food union. On April 15th, with the help of SDS and Metro Justice we managed to organize a rally with 500 people at College Town.
Advice to give incoming Freshmen:
I don’t want to sound cliché…but call your mom and avoid the Pit at ALL COSTS! Also, get off campus as much as possible and engage in the Rochester community!
If you could do one thing over at college what would it be?
Last Halloween I played a Snoop Dogg song on the carillon. I don’t regret doing it, I would just do it over because it was dope.
Funniest or most embarrassing moment at school:
Oh man…there are a lot of things, like embarrassing myself in front of Bill Hader.
Favorite thing about University of Rochester:
Hmm…there are too many things to count. I guess right now it would be having slowly discovered the art scene at U of R. Knowing how U of R is a research school and very strong in the sciences, I was scared I would lose touch with the art scene. But after being here for a while, I realized there is a huge portion of students that is really talented not only in the science and engineering fields but also the art scene. For example, I know a bunch of people that are really good at engineering but also really talented in music, theater and visual arts. This was very surprising because before coming here, I went to a really artsy high school where the students solely focused on art. Being in TOOP, I have gotten the chance to direct a show which will be based on how science and art collide, depicting our student body.
Dream Job:
Ludwig’s Cafe (Ludwig’s if you’re reading this, please hire me!)
Life motto:
“Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” -Ms. Frizzle, Magic School Bus