Taylor Richison ’14

 

Her Campus: So Taylor, tell me a little about you.

 

Taylor Richison: Well, my major is Communication and I’m a double minor in Economics and Political Science. I’m from Columbia City, Indiana and I am a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity.

 

HC: Oh, DU! Did you guys recently have your initiation? Are you excited about all of your new brothers?

 

TR: Yeah, I was very excited. Two of the initiates actually live on my floor, so it was really cool to see them finally become my brothers. We have a lot of really awesome guys. A lot of guys I didn’t know before and other guys that I did know before so I’m really excited to see what they’re going to do for the house.

 

HC: So what activities are you involved in on campus?

 

TR: Well, I’m an RA. I’m also in Lambda Pi Eta, which is the Communication honors society. I’m a DCS coordinator for Student Friend at Central Elementary School. I’m also the Executive Director for Tzouanakis’ little golfers. We go to Tzouanakis Elementary School and teach little kids how to golf. I’m also the pledge educator for Alpha Phi Omega, which is the service fraternity on campus.

 

HC: That’s a pretty jam packed schedule you got there…

 

TR: (Laughs) Yeah I’m pretty busy. I do a lot of different things. I think it’s a lot of fun and I enjoy it.

 

HC: Where are you an RA?

 

TR: Longden 3. I have, in my opinion, the best floor of kids on campus. They’re the best floor of residents on campus.

 

HC: Oh, well you’re not biased at all.

 

TR: Ha, yeah, they’re really awesome. Every single person on my floor I love, so it has made it a great experience. I’m not going to be an RA next year. I decided not to re-apply, but I thought this year was wonderful especially because of who I had on my floor.

 

HC: What made you decide to be an RA in the first place?

 

TR: Well, the reason I decided to be an RA, or initially why I applied, was for the money. I really needed the assistance financially. (Laughs) I’m not going to lie. But, at the same time I was a First-Year Mentor last year, and I really liked the experience of working with first year students, and I thought being an RA would give me a new and different experience working with first-year students. And, it did. And, it’s been wonderful. I think first-years have the best energy, and I love being around it. So, that was the main reason I decided to do it, but initially I considered it because of finances.

 

HC: What’s your favorite part about being an RA?

 

TR: My favorite part of being an RA I’d say is just being in the community. Being around so many first year students that have such high energy, such excitement for the campus and such excitement for what they’re going to be able to do, throughout their four years. I like being able to help them, they also still help me learn a lot of things too.

 

HC: Being an RA, I’m sure you have to deal with some awkward or tough situations. What’s the funniest situation you’ve had to deal with?

 

TR: The funniest thing that’s ever happened to me as an RA was when I was on duty and I got a call from a girl who needed her door unlocked. When I went over to unlock her door, I went to go put the key in the door, her key was in the door (chuckle) and she’s said, “Oh sorry, I didn’t see it there.” Yeah, her key was just sitting in the door when she called me for a lock out.

 

HC: Wow, haha.

 

TR: (Laughs) Yeah, that was really funny. I’m actually friends with her now, she’s really nice, but it was just a very hilarious situation.

 

HC: So, because you’re an RA you obviously don’t get to live in your fraternity. Do you think you missed out on anything not being able to live in? Or what do you miss the most about being in the house with your brothers?

 

TR: I’d say what I miss the most about being in the house with everyone is just the conversations that happen late at night that you’re not going to get as much with the residents. You have a connection with your residents and you have a certain kind of conversation with them but at the same time there is a different kind and a more deep conversation a lot of the times when you’re with your brothers. So I’d say more than anything that’s what I miss. You can still go to the parties, you can still go to the meals, but at the same time you don’t get those small moments with your brothers. So I’m looking forward to being able to spend some time with them again next year– be able to experience that a little bit more.

 

HC: So, changing subjects… I have to ask, Single or taken?

 

TR: I’m taken. My girlfriend and me have been together for about 14 months. We’ve been together for a while.

 

HC: Do you have a favorite date that you went on in Greencastle?

 

TR: Our best date was our first date ever. We went to Chiefs, it was just getting to know each other but we were there for, like, three hours. We ended up being the last people there and they came up to us and said, “We don’t want to rush you, but just so you know were closing shortly.” We looked around and no one was left in the entire restaurant and neither of us noticed it at all. We both ended up telling our friends that it was the best date we’d ever been on. And it’s been great ever since.

 

HC: Aw, well that sounds like a good time! So Taylor, do you have any last things you would like to tell our readers?

 

TR: Shout out to my residents and members of my house especially the guys that I’ll be living with next year, looking forward to being with my DUs but I’ll miss my residents as well.