You’ve probably seen Emmanuel senior Darren Cornell, well, everywhere. If you haven’t caught him working in the labs or performing in the latest musical, he was probably your OL or S.A.G.E. guide. Even more likely, he’s probably one of your good friends. Darren has had a strong presence on campus since his freshman year. Now, as a senior, he’s more involved than ever. Read on to hear what’s been going on in his life lately…
Image courtesy of emmanuel.edu
HCE: Hi Darren! First of all, how does it feel to be this week’s Campus Celebrity?
DC: It’s really cool. I’m very excited!
HCE: Glad to hear it! So tell me a little bit about what you’re involved in on campus or have been in the past?
DC: I’m currently an Admissions Ambassador. I’ve been doing this for two and a half years. I was an Orientation Leader two summers ago, helping orient the Class of 2017. I was a member of the Curriculum Committee here last year, and a member of the Science Living & Learning Community my freshman year. And I’m a member of Dr. Gerdon’s research team, working with the molecule Hydroxyapatite, one of the molecules that gives bones and teeth it’s rigidity. It’s kind of neat.
HCE: Very cool! I know you’re also a double major in Chemistry and Theater. What led you to combine both of those?
DC: What made me decide to want to do both of them was getting involved with it in high school. I got involved in theater later in high school and as my college process moved forward it kind of became evident that I wanted to go to a place where I could do both Chemistry and theater. I initially came in wanting to major in Chemistry and minor in theater, but then I started looking at my four year plan and realized I was able to, in fact, double major in both of them. So I figured, why not?
HCE: That’s great. Going back to your involvement, do you have a favorite area of involvement or have they all been equally great experiences?
DC: Hmm, it’s tough to pick just one. I think that getting involved with theatrical performances has been probably one of the largest areas of involvement I’ve had and something I’ve enjoyed the most. Getting to do shows like Xanadu and Night of the Living Dead have been truly life changing for me.
Image courtesy of Merrill Shea Photography
HCE: Speaking of Night of the Living Dead, what was it like student-directing that show?
DC: It was awesome! I absolutely loved getting to direct. It was something I’ve wanted to do since I got to Emmanuel, since I was in my first student-directed show. I think that it was really kind of nice to have my own perspective and bring a show from the planning stages to the [finished] stages, and really share the story that I wanted to share.
HCE: Speaking from experience, it was a great show! Going back to your research experience, what was it like being on Dr. Gerdon’s team?
DC: It’s been really cool. Getting to work one on one with Professor Aren Gerdon and just learn so much from him. My project focuses on how nanoparticles can be used to synthesize the molecules in bones and teeth. He’s been working with these for so long, it’s cool getting to learn all of these things from a professional in the field. And getting to work with other researchers on the team was really cool.
HCE: That sounds amazing. On a completely separate note, what is your favorite place on campus?
DC: Well, when I study, I can’t study in one place. I always have to go to someplace different. But, I guess the auditorium.
HCE: What about off campus?
DC: My favorite place off campus is probably walking around the theatre district or walking through the Common.
HCE: Those are some of my favorites too! Finally, what is a motto you live by?
DC: Work your problems. Never stop working your problems.
Great advice! Thanks so much for sitting down with us, Darren!