Senior Spotlight: Andrew Perelman '20

Andrew Perelman (he/him/his), a senior from Westchester, New York, answers questions about his career as an anthropology major at Kenyon.

Who is your advisor?

Dave & Finn Suggs!

Are you involved in any other departments?

I have taken quite a few film and history classes, but anthropology is my only major/minor!

Do you belong to any campus organization?

Yes! I am one of the studio managers at WKCO Studio, I sing in the Chasers a cappella group, I have made beautiful art with the Company, I am an AD, I’m in a band named Mark Twang, and I worked as a sound tech for the Horn this year.

What made you decide to major in anthropology?

I decided to become an anthropology major after Dave Sugg’s intro class, followed by his seminar about Marx. As I took more classes within the department, I began to realize how compassionate and welcoming all of the professors are.                            

What are some of the anthropology courses you enjoyed most?

My favorite classes were probably the Marx seminar, a Neanderthals seminar (which I am currently taking!), and my senior seminar. The anthropology senior seminar is a very well crafted rite of passage that brought all of the senior majors together, and allowed us to feel a sense of closure with our major.  

Any thoughts on study abroad?

I studied “abroad” by taking classes at NYU for a semester, enrolling in anthropology and music technology classes. While a few hundred miles of distance less than my peers, I loved my experience in New York. The separation from Kenyon made me realize how important and special  the community truly is, and I was excited to return by the end of my time in NYC.

What would be the best advice you would give to younger students?

Take anthropology classes! Join WKCO! I found that the more groups and projects I became a part of at Kenyon, the more Gambier started to feel like home. 

What is something you regret about your time at Kenyon?

Without a senior spring, my list of Kenyon regrets is rather long. My biggest regret is probably not getting to finish my band’s album, or never skinny dipping in the Kokosing!

Is there a professor that has had a significant impact on your time here at Kenyon?

The great thing about our department is that I have been significantly impacted by several of my professors at Kenyon. Whether it be helping to solidify my own belief system, imparting completely new earth-shattering information over my head, or sending a video of otters and dolphins playing together, the anthropology professors continue to be some of my favorite people on campus. 

Have you participated in any summer internship experiences?

Not through Kenyon or related to anthropology.

Do you have any post-grad plans?

What a good question! I’m going to keep touring with my band, and I am currently applying to jobs in the music industry in NYC. 

What is your greatest memory from the department?

Some of my favorite classes this year were trekking out into the BFEC with our Neanderthals class, led by Professor Hardy, to build a shelter, craft spears, make fire, and learn how to use a scythe to cut tall grass. It has been both an enjoyable and informative way of falsifying the popular narrative that very negatively portrays Neanderthals.