Taylor Batson is the resident renaissance woman of Fordham University. Between juggling several huge commitments at Fordham, being a member of the FCRH Honors Program, and getting to know nearly every person on campus, Taylor manages to keep her winning smile and blindingly sunny disposition through it all. This former small-town girl turned big-city collegiette™ is probably one of the most unique girls you’ll meet on campus- and she’s headed for big things.
Where are you from? Scenic Southeast Kansas, a small farming town called Girard.
What year are you? Sophomore.
What is your major? Biological Sciences.
What activities are you involved in? I’m a Resident Assistant at Loschert Hall, a member of Fordham’s Laennec Society, a volunteer at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, and an executive board member of Fordham’s Quizbowl team.
Favorite movie: The Royal Tenenbaums
Favorite band/musician: The Smashing Pumpkins
Favorite book: Life of Pi
Favorite TV show: The Simpsons
You’re from Kansas- how did you wind up at Fordham? Is there anything that attracted you to this school in particular?
I was bored after school one day senior year and found an e-mail from Fordham with a free online application, so I applied mostly because of the appeal of New York City. I was never much of a small town girl, and I felt right at home in the city, so when I received my acceptance letter, it just felt like fate.
How different is NYC from Kansas?
After three months in the Bronx, I had become so used to all the wonderful noises that I couldn’t sleep the first time I went back home because of the silence. In my town you don’t hear sirens, car horns, or blaring rap music from the nearby used car lot, so that was definitely a change. In Kansas I can drive a mile outside of town and look around in every direction without seeing another house, car, or even telephone pole, which is certainly different from the constant presence of civilization everywhere you look in NYC. And I occasionally miss my good pal Wal-Mart, which is notably absent from the Big Apple.
What’s your favorite thing about NY?
Without a doubt, it’s the people! NY is filled to the brim with humanity from the most culturally diverse backgrounds, so there’s always a chance to learn something new about people. At my volunteer job as a patient assistant, I get to meet people from all walks of life and learn about what’s important to them and what makes them happy. I think it’s absolutely necessary to learn about other cultures and connect with people who can teach you something about life that you never would have considered otherwise, and there’s no better place to do that than America’s most diverse city.
What’s your least favorite thing about NY?
I miss riding my bike on empty dirt roads in Kansas, which New York City is definitely missing.
Do you have a favorite Fordham memory?
The first time I experienced an NY snowfall was probably the most memorable week of my life. A bunch of friends and I spent the day in Manhattan and walked through Central Park as the snow fell, then warmed up in the Plaza Hotel lobby. We went back to campus and relaxed before going back out into the blizzard for our hall’s massive snowball fight on Eddie’s at midnight. I’ve never been more freezing or more at peace with the world.
You’re a pretty busy girl- how do you split your time manageably between RA, school, and social life?
Multi-tasking is my best friend. While I’m on RA duty or on the subway to the city to hang out with friends, I’ll read for a class or do some chemistry problems. Sounds nerdy, but it’s the only way I stay sane when I have a different commitment every night. And having an awesome boyfriend and set of friends who will accommodate my schedule when I need to take a break is so helpful in maintaining a social life.
In your opinion, what’s the one essential item every Fordham girl needs in her wardrobe?
A comfortable pair of leather boots! Since most of us at Fordham don’t have cars to take us from class to class, and the best way to enjoy the city is by walking, this foot-friendly and fashionable staple is very necessary. And Fordham Road’s selection of affordable boots is unmatched.
What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham?
My Ancient Literature class freshman year, mainly because of my brilliant and hilarious professor whose passion for the subject was contagious.
What’s your least favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham?
Probably Medieval Philosophy.
Where’s your favorite spot on campus?
The track at Fordham Prep, because it’s always empty and peaceful, and running there is so relaxing.
If you could give one piece of advice to an incoming Fordham freshman, what would it be?
Keep a daily journal! You’re going to want to remember vividly every new experience, good and bad, from that first year.
What’s on your NYC bucket list?
Walk from Battery Park to Fordham in a day, be in Times Square for New Years, visit a worship service of different religions, run the New York Marathon (or at least watch it), go kayaking in the Hudson, get a job at the Natural History Musem, etc.
What’s your favorite program you’ve run as an RA at Fordham?
Last semester I organized a program for everyone to make Christmas cards for child patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I bought tons of art supplies and made cupcakes and brownies, and over 40 of my freshmen residents stopped by to decorate a unique card for a child.
What do you think the best part of a Jesuit education is?
The emphasis on service and the idea that we are “men and women for others.”
Who is your favorite professor at Fordham?
My organic chemistry professor Shahrokh Saba managed to turn an extremely difficult subject into something understandable and fascinating.
Pick one!
Bronx Zoo or Botanical Gardens? Botanical Gardens
Arthur Ave/Fordham Road? Fordham Road
Cafeteria food or Deli food? Caf food
Conway or Dr. Jay’s? Conway
RamVan or Subway? Subway
Duane Reade or WalGreen’s? WalGreens
Met or MoMA? Met
Hot Dog or Bagel? Bagel
Broadway or Off-Broadway? Off-Broadway
Radio City or Madison Square Garden? Radio City
Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge? Brooklyn Bridge