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This week, Head Copy Editor Lorraine Chow talks to Matthew Sweeney about being chosen as the valedictorian for the class of 2007. Sweeny touches upon his plans after graduation, who would star in the movie of his life and a failed attempt at a pick up line.
Matthew Sweeney:
Political Science and Philosophy Senior Kansas City, Kan. Capricorn Favorite Jesuit: Fr. Fulco, because he is a leader, mentor and good friend of mine
1. What exactly is the process of becoming valedictorian?
A select number of graduating seniors with over a 3.7 GPA are nominated. [The nominees then] submit an application or speech that will be presented on graduation day. From there it's narrowed down to six or eight, and then each one presents the speech to a little committee of faculty and staff, and they select their favorite.
2. How does it feel to be king nerd?
I don't know about king nerd, but a king nerd that can write a speech. It feels good. Those days of playing Magic the Gathering have paid off.
3. What did you do when you found out you were valedictorian?
I didn't tell anyone for a while because I thought a mistake must have been made, so I went back to hanging out and watching TV with my friends. Then I replayed the voice message saying that I was valedictorian about twice to myself, then I maybe told them three or four hours later. We then went out and celebrated; we went to Hermosa.
4. What other activities are you involved in?
Sig Ep. And I tried starting, in vain, Telos the undergraduate philosophy journal, but I haven't gotten much support. By the way, I should include I'm seeking submissions and support for an undergraduate philosophy journal at Loyola Marymount.
5. What would you say is more impressive to a freshman girl, being in Sig Ep or being valedictorian?
Probably in Sig Ep because being a valedictorian means you're a big nerd, which is very true, so I would have to go with Sig Ep, although it's not that impressive.
6. Have you ever flirted with a professor?
No, but if I did it would only be because everyone else was and I was just last in line.
7. How do you find the time to balance everything?
I like to use my time machine to create a 27-hour day, and it helps me do that. And friends and family are my balancers, especially my roommates.
8. What are you doing after graduation?
I'm probably going to be at Cornell Law School, and after that I want to practice law in New York or Europe.
9. What are you going to wear underneath your robe?
Chain mail.
10. Has anyone ever taken advantage of your genius or the other way around?
I have definitely taken advantage of a lot of my classmates' brilliant minds for advice, criticism, etc. And yeah, I have had friends ask me to write papers for them. A lot. And they have tried bribing me with everything you can imagine, but unsuccessfully.
11. Will you ever use the pick up line, "I'm class valedictorian"?
I already have. Didn't work out so well.
Bonus Questions
12. What has been your favorite LMU memory?
I'd say the coolest LMU memory I have for right now was the Academic Awards Ceremony because it was one of the most humbling experiences, since everyone else going up there had credentials that were amazing. Just to be able to get an award with these people was one of the coolest things.
13. How does it feel to beat out all the other valedictorian candidates?
It was also very humbling. I don't know who they were specifically, but I know that there were some really, really smart people who would send a great message to the graduating seniors.
14. Who would star in the movie in your life?
I would have to go with Sasha Baron Cohen. I think his multitude of characters would really capture me, especially Ali G.
15. What other perks are there to being valedictorian?
No. No perks yet. Someone should probably look into that. I should probably talk to Fr. Lawton about that.
16. Word on the street is that you have some judicial affairs write-ups. Is there anything you would like to clear up about that?
My experience at Loyola was a learning experience, and it quickly changed me for the better, and that's all I'll say about that.
