by Cori Hilsgen
St. John’s University junior Jacob Stock says decisions made in college determine students’ futures. He said college is much more independent and self-reliant than high school.
“Every decision you make will affect you the rest of your life,” Stock said. “This should not scare anyone because if you are respectful to others and care about your education, college will be (a) great time.”
Stock is the 19-year-old son of Lori and Tom Stock. He has one brother – Joseph, 17.
Fun Facts about Stock:
Favorite subject:
Economics
“My favorite subject is economics because it explains the inner workings of the world around us through historical trends, models and predictions,” Stock said.
What activities are you involved with?
Stock is a volunteer at the Full Circle Greenhouse at the College of St. Benedict. He is also in Buddhist Meditation Club and plays intramural sports including football, kickball and basketball.
Favorite leisure activity:
Watching football, reading and walking on trails
Stock enjoys watching football on Saturdays and also likes to take advantage of the Outdoor University and often walks on trails through the woods. He also likes to read books about philosophy, modern history and international relations.
Favorite movie: I Love You Man
“Because the tandem of Jason Segel and Paul Rudd is hilarious,” Stock said.
Favorite music:
“Jack Johnson, Bon Iver, Childish Gambino, Bruddah IZ and Waylon Jennings are my go-to artists,” he said.
Favorite restaurant:
“Any place with good sushi,” Stock said.
Favorite food: Belgian waffles with St. John’s maple syrup.
What’s your favorite thing you like to help other people do?
“I love helping people see the value in organic and non-GMO food,” he said.
Genetically Modified Foods are produced using methods of genetic engineering.
Favorite quote:
“I will not be concerned at men’s not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want and ability.”
–The Analects of Confucius, Book 14 chapter 32-
What is the hardest obstacles you’ve had to overcome in the school environment or in life?
“Finding out who I am and what I want to do with my life,” Stock said.
Have your ever witnessed bullying at school?
“Bullying is not only stuffing a kid into a locker or beating someone up like you may see on TV,” Stock said. “It’s much more complex than that. At St. John’s Prep, cyber bullying and verbal abuse were two problems somewhat apparent in the time I spent there. That did not stop the students from having a positive and accepting attitude toward both the ones dishing out the bullying and the ones receiving it. There is not one situation that stands out from the rest, but living with the age-old mentality you should do to others what you would want done to you is how I act against bullying.”
Favorite organization at school:
“The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, known to most simply as the McCarthy Center, because they bring intelligent speakers and politicians to campus almost every week,” he said.
Did you have a teacher who has really influenced you?
“Political science professor Dr. Matt Lindstrom has forced me to ask myself the tough questions of who I am politically and simply as a person, all with an emphasis on learning,” Stock said. “I enrolled in his political science class as a high school senior and he guided me through one of my first college classes.”
Favorite technology device: My coffee maker
Do you like using technology at school?
“Computers and iPads are almost a necessity in today’s academic world as everything is online, but I try to use them as little as possible,” Stock said. “I recently downsized my iPhone to a run-of-the-mill flip phone. Staring at a screen for hours on end is not healthy and is becoming more of the norm every year. I try to use my computer and iPad almost solely for academic purposes so I have more free time to better myself, rather than playing with apps and watching hours of Netflix.”
What social media options do you use?
Stock said he has Twitter to keep up with current events. He also uses Facebook and LinkedIn for professional purposes.
What is the biggest challenge students face today?
“There is no hand-holding in college,” he said. “No teacher is going to call your parents to say you skipped class or ask to meet with you about your academic standing in their class.”
What do you want to do when you graduate:
Possibly work in the Middle East. Stock plans to spend next year studying in France in fall and Guatemala in spring.
“Using my degree in economics and experience with sustainability in a way that positively affects the people living there, not just the United States,” Stock said. “I would also like to attend graduate school.”
If you could change something, what would it be?
The social studies curriculum in primary and secondary schools. Stock said he would create a program with an emphasis in modern issues and engagements.
Share an interesting experience you’ve had in St. Joseph:
“My grandparents live in St. Joseph, and I have lunch with them a couple times each month between classes,” Stock said.
What do you like best about St. Joseph?
“I do not need to know anyone when I walk downtown, but I will still greet them with a smile and they will do the same,” he said. “That is not true in many other places.”