A MEMBER OF FCRH ‘15

MAJOR: Theology and PSYCHOLOGY

HOMETOWN: FLORAL PARK, NY

Describe yourself in a couple sentences for the readers.

I am a carefree dude who loves to play music and is always down to meet people and have great conversation.  Music is definitely my thing. I play banjo, guitar, mandolin and a whole bunch of other things.  If you see me around campus, stop me and say hi!

What is your favorite aspect of Fordham and why?

I enjoy the community that just exists all around this whole place.  Everyone is so awesome to each other and is just friendly.  I’m all about it.

If there was one thing about Fordham you could change what would it be?

I would give performance groups on campus more spaces and opportunities to perform.  I think “Sound out Sandy” was a super cool event last year, and things like that just add a lot to the vibe on campus.  Also, 24-hour study room in the Library and 24-hour Walsh Gate please?

What is your favorite thing to do in New York City?

People-watch, for sure!  New York is the city where every type of person lives, and it is so awesome to chill with a nice book in Washington Square Park and just see it all happen.

What is something about you that not many people know?

I am half Irish!  Everyone can guess from my last name that I am Italian, but I am just as Irish.  My great-grandpa fought in the Irish Republican Army.  The more you know!

What is your favorite class at Fordham?

The Understanding Historical Change class I took my freshman year, and the Multicultural Issues class I’m taking this semester.  Both of them are classes that have challenged the way I see my little view of reality and have really broadened my horizons.

What is a personal goal you already have or would like to accomplish over your four years here?

This one’s already been accomplished!  My goal was to have my own special at Pugsley’s.  At the end of my Freshman year, the Stracq Special was born.  One slice, one order of Sicilian Kisses (garlic knots with Nutella instead of garlic…delicious) and a Snapple.  So these past two years since then have been pretty aimless since that major accomplishment.

What show, food, artist or movie would you consider your “guilty pleasure”?

Mamma Mia the movie would probably be my guiltiest pleasure.  I am a complete sucker for Abba’s music, but I also just love that movie.  I thought Pierce Brosnan was awesome in it, and I have seen it upwards of 30 times.  I have no shame in this regard.

What is your favorite movie and why?

Hands down my favorite movie is The Big Lebowski.  I think it is the funniest movie, and I can relate to The Dude in so many ways.  Dude’s so carefree, and enjoys the simple pleasures in life.  I am all about that.

What is your favorite album released in 2013?

Probably Wise Up Ghost! by Elvis Costello and The Roots.  Those are two of my favorite artists, and I thought the collaboration was so sick.  Go give it a listen!

Do you have plans, career or otherwise, for post-college life?

Ha-haaaa.  Sorta.  Either I’m going to do service work through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, or I’m going to buy a van with my roommate and play music throughout the country.  So pretty similar goals.

What activities, clubs, projects or organizations are you involved with at school?

I am involved in Campus Ministry leading Retreats and Christian Life Communities. I am in Fordham Experimental Theatre through the Stand-Up Comedy umbrella group, I sing in the University Choir and the Gloria Dei Choir at the 8pm mass, I am in the Praise & Worship band, I give tours of campus for Rose Hill Society, and I tutor SAT verbal prep at the high school across the street for local Bronx students through an organization called Let’s Get Ready.  Also, I am in a band on campus called The Keating Steps. We practice on (you guessed it) the steps of Keating all the time.  If you see us come by and hang out!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you?

I would bring a guitar, a journal, a few good books and my pipe.

If you could go back to your first day at Fordham, what advice would you give yourself?

I would tell young freshman Daniel not to be scared and to believe in himself.  It sounds cliché, but it’s really amazing what three years of being pseudo-independent can teach you about who you are and how to be confident in that fact.