Maroon News

Issue date: 1/21/05 Section: Arts & Features

"Without its traditions Colgate is just like any other strong liberal arts school in the northeast....these are the things that give a school character and which set Colgate apart from its peer schools." As Ryan Trow so aptly reminds us, one of the greatest parts about Colgate and certainly his favorite part is the sense of tradition that pervades this campus. Ryan finds himself part of this tradition through the clubs and organizations in which he participates at Colgate. For example, Ryan is a member of the Colgate 13, which has been singing in the stairwell of the Student Union since 1942 and continues to do so to this day. Partly for this reason, Ryan considers being a member of the Colgate 13 as his favorite activity. As he remarks, "When I speak of Colgate traditions, this particular organization is the first and last thing that comes to mind. Founded in 1942 by 13 men, having disbanded for three years while the majority of the group went off to fight WWII, the Colgate 13 still has songs in it's repertoire and traditions from that era. I have been to nearly every state in the lower 48 and met some of the most interesting Colgate Alumni thanks to this group. I have seen grown men cry when we sing the Alma mater and sung Ride the Chariots with this groups' founding members." Ryan's musical talents also help him as Jazz Director of WRCU.
However, as Ryan explains, "My greatest contribution to Colgate has been to help bring the College Republicans from a nearly non-existent organization to one of the largest and most powerful student organizations on campus." Perhaps in doing so, he has begun his own tradition. Ryan currently serves as the President of the College Republicans. His interest in politics extends beyond this group, as Ryan is also the Student Government Association Treasurer and Budget Allocations Committee Treasurer. If one day Ryan hopes to pursue a career in politics, he'll at least be very good at handling money. Ryan's membership in Konosioni should help him in his future endeavors. Although Ryan did not go abroad, he is glad that staying on campus allowed him these leadership opportunities, which will surely help him in his political aspirations.
Although Ryan loves Colgate's rich sense of tradition, he does wish that students would be less apathetic. As he explains (don't get any ideas kids), " When I speak of apathy I don't simply speak of apathy about academics and extracurricular activities, at Colgate I see apathy towards partying and having fun. What happened to letting cows loose in the administration building, converting your car into a giant beer can or having tailgates turn into huge parties even when the football team is having a losing season? Are we so lazy that we don't even like to have fun anymore?" Hoping to make having fun part of a lasting tradition at Colgate, Ryan urges the rest of us to get involved and take advantage of all the opportunities such a well-endowed university has to offer. "At no other time in your life will you have the time and resources to help you so readily access your dreams....So, get off your *** and get involved. You parents are not paying $160,000 for you to get wasted at the jug."

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