Barack Obama may be the most well-recognized man on the planet—after establishing himself on the international stage by running on a platform of hope and change, he presides over the United States amidst economic turmoil and natural disasters.
Still, after a hard day of work, President Obama comes home, kisses his wife, and, according to ‘50 Fun Facts about Barack Obama,’ makes his comfort food: a pot of chili. President of the United States or not, he’s a normal guy, and so is Conor McCormick-Cavanagh.
Elected a week ago by the members of his class, McCormick-Cavanagh, a Pelham, NY native, came to Connecticut College for several reasons.
“This was my favorite NESCAC,” he said, splayed across two chairs in the Student Government Office on a Saturday afternoon. “Something about it is different—I felt a sense of less group-think, more individuality.”
“After getting here, I ran for president because I wanted to represent a voice that is less heard. I take initiative, and I get stuff done—I thought I could do it.”
The vice president, Shuyler Nazareth, who came Toronto, Canada, to Conn for its arts program has a similar answer. “I was Vice President of my class in high school, so I have the experience, but I think that I can really support a president. I’m a strong advisor, and I will work to make a difference.”
A modest man, it takes Nazareth half an hour to break the news that his name is not pronounced “sky-ler,” but, in fact, rhymes with “boiler.”
Both admitted, however, that the female-to-male ratio of 60/40 didn’t hurt. For McCormick-Cavanaugh, a Star Wars fan, the force—and the odds—are always with him.
Now elected, Nazareth wants to use his vice-presidency “raise the bar for the freshman class, creating even more events that people would want to go to, than in years prior.”
McCormick-Cavanagh agrees, and is looking to create change, establish unity, and push for more of his favorite food in Harris: mussels.
“I want to create class unity—not going as far to exclude other classes, but to make our class years more distinct. As a freshman, of course, you’re going to want to befriend everyone, but you also want to be a freshman. It’s part of who you are.”
He adds, “But really, I love the mussels in Harris. Underrated. Try them.”
Nazareth suggests the ravioli al dente.
Though they’ve only been a presidential pair for about a week, the team has lots of ideas for their class and plenty of faith in each other and the rest of their council members.
“I think that there’s a lot of freedom and potential for working within class council—we can do almost anything, and we will do a lot,” said Nazareth.
Future plans for class activities include s’mores nights, another ice cream social, and attempts at an all-freshman dance. “When we go to dances, they’re very upperclassmen-centric—it can be tough to weave your way into the main scene of the dance, and it become impersonal. Sometimes it can be good, but sometimes you want to know the people around you,” McCormick-Cavanagh expressed.
“I know that Conn students can get the reputation for being apathetic, but we’re here to make people, particularly the freshman, more enthusiastic about our school, and to foster a strong community.”
McCormick-Cavanagh can already feel it, explaining his commitment as sort of religious experience. “On the sixth or seventh day of school, I was walking around at night, and it just hit me—immense camel pride. I felt like a real part of the community, and I want other students to feel that too.”
“Students have been enthusiastic since orientation,” Nazareth believes. “All of the cheers and events, letting everyone represent what dorm or section of campus they’re part of, got people really excited. Now we’re here, and we want to do the same thing.”
The two have already garnered some fans. Whether describing them as “motivated, hardworking,” “working hard to play hard,” or “as good as sundae Sunday,” the general consensus amongst their class is positive.
I asked for outside opinions of their character. Nazareth left the room, saying that he had friends downstairs, and McCormick-Cavanagh whipped out his phone and dialed a number. I get to talk to Colin Puth ’14.
“Honestly, Conor is the most motivated and hardest-working guy that I’ve met in our class,” said Puth. I tell him I hope he’s telling the truth. He says he wouldn’t lie to the paper.
Nazareth returns from Oasis with a paper full of quotes. “My friends are too lazy to come up here, but this is what they said.” Jake Schwartz ’14 calls Nazareth “chill, smart, and a just guy. He’ll make an excellent VP.”
These sentiments extend out of the duo’s friend circles. “I haven’t met them yet, but I read their speeches. I’m really excited to see what they can do,” said Brooke Cragan ’14.
“We liken ourselves to Jay and Silent Bob, because they’re pretty cool.” McCormick-Cavanagh thinks further. “Maybe even Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. We’re cute.”
“Or maybe like Lindsay Lohan and Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap,” Nazareth suggests. “We don’t take drugs, though.”
Taking on these positions can be a bit intimidating, particularly for students three weeks into college. Are they afraid of anything?
“I’m not,” said McCormick-Cavanaugh, who later admits to me that his initials—CMC—might make a decent rap moniker.
Nazareth says he fears the dark and spiders, which sparks a side conversation after McCormick-Cavanagh states that he doesn’t like to kill anything.
I should’ve clarified my question.
When it comes down to it, I ask them, do they really think they can accomplish anything? “We wouldn’t have run if we didn’t think so. We absolutely will,” asserts McCormick-Cavanagh. He expressed a desire to get input from his class. “Help us help you. I know it’s clichéd. Sorry. I can’t say it better.”
At the end of his first presidential interview, I ask CMC if he sees himself and Nazareth as an Obama/Biden pair. “We’re more Churchill/FDR,” he tells me. Another fun presidential fact? CMC likes chili, too.
