This week’s Campus Cutie is Garen Whitmore, a freshman writing major who’s dedicated to fighting marginalization in all forms. As a proud member of the LGBT community, he lives in House of Roy, which is a housing community open to students interested in gender identity and sexual orientation. He’s also involved with Diversity In Action (also known as DIA); this semester, he’ll be one of the main facilitators for its discussion series that will work to promote open dialogue with all the diversity groups on campus. Read Cady Lang’s interview with Garen to see what else this small town boy from Groton, NY will be doing this spring at Ithaca College.
HC: Why did you come to Ithaca?
GW: I’ve always loved Ithaca as a city, but I the [college’s] writing program is very good. I really appreciate the professors.
HC: How would you describe yourself?
GW: I’m a very creative person; creating anything is just an outlet for me.
HC: Can you tell us about some of the things that you’ve created here on campus?
GW: I draw for Buzzsaw Magazine. I’ve contributed to most of the magazines they’ve published this year and my illustrations are usually pretty humorous. I also produce electronica music…earlier this year, I did a two-person electronica event. I also love to sing; I had written music instrumental and a song with vocals before, but now I’m reworking all the songs, plus lyrics.
HC: As a writing major, what is your favorite form of writing?
GW: I’m really into the personal essay and memoir, essentially creative non-fiction.
HC:What are you looking forward to this spring?
GW: This year, Prism is going to be sponsoring the first IC drag show. I want to go wearing recycled couture – made out of newspaper and stuff like that.
HC:You’re wearing a claddagh ring and that it’s turned upside down. Can you explain what this means?
GW: Basically, this means that my heart is open and that I’m single.
HC: What do you find attractive in a person?
GW: Tall and handsome, with a nice smile. But really, a good personality. Someone who’s not scared to start a conversation or to talk to me. And honesty is really, really important to me. Just be yourself. Don’t ever change for someone else.
HC: What’s something that people might not know about you?
GW: I’m a compulsive truth teller…I guess that’s why I honesty is so important to me.
HC: What is your favorite life mantra?
GW: “Just chill. It’ll work out. It’s life.”