Claire McArthur
Over the course of my time here at PremierLife, I am constantly drawn back to this article. I wrote “The Seven People You’ll Meet at Western” on a sunny October afternoon almost a year and a half ago at my home in Brantford with my Mom, while most likely watching a movie on the Diva Network. Since writing the article, it has received overwhelmingly positive and some negative feedback. Most people are able to see themselves, or a friend, in at least a few of the categories. They know a Bar Star, their roommate is The Player, etc.
Who will you meet today?
So let’s see how accurate I was with my description. I was able to seek out the stereotypical Do-Gooder, Artsy Hipter, Jock, Stereotype, Promoter, Player and Bar Star and ask them about their role at Western. Each week I’ll disclose another profile of one of the Seven People You’ll Meet at Western. Up first, the Do-Gooder.
Meet Toronto native Kevin Kobayashi. He’s a Do-Gooder currently studying Geography where he says he makes maps “like a boss.”
CLAIRE: Kevin, I described you as a Do-Gooder, but how do you describe yourself?
KEVIN: I’d like to think I am a very positive and optimistic person. We face enough strife every single day, that there is no time to think negatively. Every unfortunate situation can be flipped around, and positive lights can always be found shining in the darkest situations.
C: Said like a true Do-Gooder… How do you think other people describe you?
K: Others generally describe me as a happy, outgoing person. I’m often found laughing or talking to random strangers who I just met. Actually just this past weekend, I went to Ceeps on Saturday night (of course… but I heard there was a rowdy Cancun reunion at JBRs), and got into a drunken conversation with the newly elected Med-Syd President. We chatted about our mutual love for the legendary Med-Syd Hall, and I woke up with a new Facebook friend request the next morning. Friends!!!!
C: Meeting friends and loving people like it ain’t no thing, and at Ceeps… a trifecta. #DoGooderSwag. So if you’re like this now, what made you want to become involved? Like are you born a Do-Gooder? Or is there something you put in your water?
K: I had the most unbelievable Orientation Week experience. All of my sophs and floor mates were so excited and encouraging during my first year at Western. There was a specific instance during my O-Week as a frosh, where I found myself very emotionally overwhelmed with some family issues going on back home. My Soph found me, crying in the common room, and all I needed was a listening ear and comforting hug. From that moment on, I realized that all it takes is somebody who cares about you to make or break a first year experience. I’ve given everything I could to make sure every first year has been given the same care I had faced in first year. After all, it’s all for the frosh.
C: Oh! This is starting to make sense. A Do-Gooder becomes a Do-Gooder through a previous Do-Gooder being Do-Goody. Got it. But how much are you actually involved in? Do you actually live on campu?
K: In the second week of September, back in 2008, I decided to run for Delaware Hall Residence Councillor on the USC. After being elected between 7 candidates, I got thrown into the wonderful world of Western politics. It was all uphill from there. Some of my other extra-curricular activities have included:
- Western Equestrian Team
- Delaware Hall Residence Council
- Social Science Students’ Council
- Social Science Soph Team
- Alumni House Faculty Soph of the Year
- University Students’ Council
- Commissioner-at-Large Student Events
- Vice-President Student Events Candidate
- Ceeps Masta
C: … *Still reading list*… So, a small number. Got it. I said in the original article that a Do-Gooder will have everything in their backpack purely to help others. What’s in yours?
K: Coloured pens and pencils for extensive note taking, 2 USB sticks (minimum of 2GBs each), stapler, envelopes (8.5×11 and regular sizes), blank and lined paper, Swiss Army knife, travel sized cologne (Ralph Lauren Polo Black), and a deck of cards (obviously). I like euchre.
C: So if I ever need to mail a letter because campus internet has slowed down to near backwards speed, I’ll know where to go. The stapler kind of confuses me too. But I guess you never know. Where do you feel at home on campus? Is it actually The Spoke? Or is it one of the countless meeting rooms you’re in and out of?
K: Oh, The Spoke, hands down. It’s like Cheers, where everybody knows your name.
C: So I was pretty accurate on that portrayal of a Do-Gooder. Spoke is very loud. Proof that the students that talk the most hang out there.
So there ya go! Now you know what the life of a Do-Gooder at Western is actually like. Kevin is a great example not only because he lives between meeting rooms, Ceeps and Spoke but because he is one of the most genuine, helpful, caring and enthusiastic people on campus.
I love the Do-Gooder, and you should too.
