Basic Stuff:
1. Your name, as you would prefer it to be stated?
Joshua or Josh is fine. If you call me "Mike" or "Steve" or "DeMarcus" I might be less inclined to respond, since I probably wouldn't know you were talking to me.
2. Your current location?
I currently live in Pitman, but I identify myself as being from Baldwin, NY.
3. Your Facebook/Twitter account links?
Facebook: joshua.bakal
Twitter: @JoshuaBakal
Simple, right?
Facebook: joshua.bakal
Twitter: @JoshuaBakal
Simple, right?
Fraternity Stuff:
4. Badge Number?
55, same as my deceased uncle's old umpiring number
5. Pledge Class Name?
THE Eta Eight
THE Eta Eight
6. Fraternity Nickname, if you remember it?
Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle
7. Story behind how you got your nickname, if you remember it?
Pretty sure my big saw me wearing my NY Yankees hat and was content to just stop there with the search for an appropriate name
Pretty sure my big saw me wearing my NY Yankees hat and was content to just stop there with the search for an appropriate name
8. Your fondest memory of being a Phi Psi?
So many to list, but going back a bit, I remember a Thursday-Sunday stretch where there was a party with Theta Phi at Beau, a party at Nate's, a party at Greg's beach house, and a road trip to Delaware with Nick as he was getting some lettered apparel. That long weekend ran the spectrum of the undergraduate experience: further strengthening our relationship with a sorority full of amazing women, wild times mixed with meaningful times at Nate's and Greg's when music and games also were accompanied by quiet reflection as we stood on the roof of the beach house talking about the future of the fraternity and then walked to the shore to watch the sunrise at dawn, and a simple drive to Unique Impressions that gave me an additional chance to spend time with a brother one-on-one and listen to some of the stories he had to share.
So many to list, but going back a bit, I remember a Thursday-Sunday stretch where there was a party with Theta Phi at Beau, a party at Nate's, a party at Greg's beach house, and a road trip to Delaware with Nick as he was getting some lettered apparel. That long weekend ran the spectrum of the undergraduate experience: further strengthening our relationship with a sorority full of amazing women, wild times mixed with meaningful times at Nate's and Greg's when music and games also were accompanied by quiet reflection as we stood on the roof of the beach house talking about the future of the fraternity and then walked to the shore to watch the sunrise at dawn, and a simple drive to Unique Impressions that gave me an additional chance to spend time with a brother one-on-one and listen to some of the stories he had to share.
9. Your most embarrassing moment as a Phi Psi?
Choke artist during the Greek Week wing eating competition. I did not eat nearly as much as was expected.
Choke artist during the Greek Week wing eating competition. I did not eat nearly as much as was expected.
10. Your proudest moment as a Phi Psi?
Every time I had the honor of being invited to share in a brother's wedding celebration, or attend a brother's surprise birthday party, or participate in a service event when I'd otherwise be unproductive
Every time I had the honor of being invited to share in a brother's wedding celebration, or attend a brother's surprise birthday party, or participate in a service event when I'd otherwise be unproductive
11. Any unique memories from your time as a Phi Psi?
Many, but since I don't know what direction to take this question, I'll just encourage those who read this to tell me what other adjective they want "unique" to mean (funny, sad, weird, awkward, thought-provoking, etc.), and I will share with that person a personalized response.
Many, but since I don't know what direction to take this question, I'll just encourage those who read this to tell me what other adjective they want "unique" to mean (funny, sad, weird, awkward, thought-provoking, etc.), and I will share with that person a personalized response.
12. Any fraternal advice you would give to an undergraduate Phi Psi today?
When you notice a problem with the chapter, you speak up, you come up with solutions for it, you try to put it in terms that others can relate to when they don't see the problem, and it still gets swept under the rug, it becomes all the more liberating when you can distance yourself from it and just focus on who you want to have fun hanging out with instead
When you notice a problem with the chapter, you speak up, you come up with solutions for it, you try to put it in terms that others can relate to when they don't see the problem, and it still gets swept under the rug, it becomes all the more liberating when you can distance yourself from it and just focus on who you want to have fun hanging out with instead
13. When was the last time you visited Rowan or the chapter?
Seeing how I currently live nearby, I passed through campus as recently as this weekend. However, my schedule recently has been pretty full, so probably last Homecoming was my last actual visit, as I unfortunately didn't get to any of rush week this semester, and I wasn't feeling well enough to come to Pinning.
Seeing how I currently live nearby, I passed through campus as recently as this weekend. However, my schedule recently has been pretty full, so probably last Homecoming was my last actual visit, as I unfortunately didn't get to any of rush week this semester, and I wasn't feeling well enough to come to Pinning.
14. What is favorite event the chapter holds?
First off, I'm going to be "that guy" and point out, for all to see, that Rick omitting the word "your" makes it seem like Tarzan jumped in to ask the question. Having said that, I'd go with Homecoming, especially in years when there's enough buzz generated for a sizable gathering at Landmark for the Friday night.
First off, I'm going to be "that guy" and point out, for all to see, that Rick omitting the word "your" makes it seem like Tarzan jumped in to ask the question. Having said that, I'd go with Homecoming, especially in years when there's enough buzz generated for a sizable gathering at Landmark for the Friday night.
15. Who's the 1 brother you want to reconnect with / see interviewed here?
There are many I'd like to reconnect with, but for pure entertainment value, I think Lee's interview would be a good read, comparative to Chaty's in wit and literary excellence. Thinking outside the box though, Woodrow Wilson himself is a brother and it'd be quite a feat if Rick could reanimate him so he can tell us his Twitter handle and most embarrassing moment.
There are many I'd like to reconnect with, but for pure entertainment value, I think Lee's interview would be a good read, comparative to Chaty's in wit and literary excellence. Thinking outside the box though, Woodrow Wilson himself is a brother and it'd be quite a feat if Rick could reanimate him so he can tell us his Twitter handle and most embarrassing moment.
16. Name 1 friend you made in NJE you still keep in touch with...
I keep in touch with many, but most recently, with Rick when I hit the "send" button on this thing
I keep in touch with many, but most recently, with Rick when I hit the "send" button on this thing
Career Stuff:
17. Year you graduated from Rowan?
2007
2007
18. Degree(s) you graduated Rowan with?
BA in Radio/TV/Film with a Political Science minor
BA in Radio/TV/Film with a Political Science minor
19. Any advanced degrees or certifications you have?
I have 5 masters degrees and 3 doctorate degrees, but will probably have to give them back when the people I took them from notice the empty spaces on their walls
I have 5 masters degrees and 3 doctorate degrees, but will probably have to give them back when the people I took them from notice the empty spaces on their walls
20. Your current occupation?
Legislative Aide/Constituent Services/Press Coordinator, among other things
Legislative Aide/Constituent Services/Press Coordinator, among other things
21. Number of years in that occupation?
5
5
22. Any career advice you would give to an undergraduate Phi Psi today?
It's better to sit at the McDonald's across the street for a half hour, than to attempt to perfectly predict traffic flow and Mapquest accuracy. Check out the employer's website to better understand what they do, so you're not first being told by them at the interview. No, that assignment isn't beneath you; yes, you will take care of it.
It's better to sit at the McDonald's across the street for a half hour, than to attempt to perfectly predict traffic flow and Mapquest accuracy. Check out the employer's website to better understand what they do, so you're not first being told by them at the interview. No, that assignment isn't beneath you; yes, you will take care of it.
23. What's one piece of advice you'd give every undergraduate about networking?
Go out, meet people. Just like the fraternity is able to find the student who's in 3 clubs and hangs out at the student center much easier than the student who hides alone in his room with just his computer games between classes, you'll have a much more rewarding day if you converse with those around you, even strangers, instead of keeping completely to yourself.
Go out, meet people. Just like the fraternity is able to find the student who's in 3 clubs and hangs out at the student center much easier than the student who hides alone in his room with just his computer games between classes, you'll have a much more rewarding day if you converse with those around you, even strangers, instead of keeping completely to yourself.
Relationships/Family/Personal Stuff:
24. Hobbies that you are currently into? What do you like to do in your spare time?
Going out and doing stuff with other people who also want to go out and do stuff, baseball, hockey, football, movies, TV, music, creative writing, forcing the bad pun into a conversation to totally wreck the moment for everybody, unscrewing individual Oreos to see how many layers of filling I can combine into a super Oreo, publicly correcting people's typos just to call more attention to them, saying and doing things that cause those around me to feel unsettled, and fishing
As always, for those new and old, please feel free to get in touch with me online, or get my phone number from someone who has it and call or text, and I'll be happy to introduce myself further, but more importantly, get to know you better as well...
...and also for those who are wondering: yes, I kept Rick here for 2 hours, until I was good and ready to bring this interview to an end.
As always, for those new and old, please feel free to get in touch with me online, or get my phone number from someone who has it and call or text, and I'll be happy to introduce myself further, but more importantly, get to know you better as well...
...and also for those who are wondering: yes, I kept Rick here for 2 hours, until I was good and ready to bring this interview to an end.
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