Face Time: Cory Weaver
By Andrea Reindl
Have you ever been basking in the greatness of the fine academic institution that we call Syracuse University and thought to yourself: Who is the hottest professor on campus? Here at Jerk, we thought it was our responsibility to tell you. We sat down with Cory Weaver, currently voted the hottest professor on ratemyprofessor.com and talked about his mind, spirit, and...who are we kidding? We really just talked to him about his hotness.
What does it feel like to be voted the hottest professor currently on ratemyprofessor.com? It’s incredibly flattering.
Have you ever been to ratemyprofessor.com? I have been to ratemyprofessor.com. Back when I first started, I used to watch it to see if my students gave me “chili peppers.” It’s always fun to read the reviews that people have written on there. With regular evaluations at the end of the year, I think students feel the need to sound more academic or professional, but with Rate My Professor, students can be a little bit more candid.
When did you decide you wanted to teach college students? I was living in Florida at the time, where I helped to start journalism programs in the elementary, middle, and high schools. I just fell in love with teaching and I knew I wanted to continue my education and get my Ph.D., so it was perfect. Teaching college students—to me—is a lot better than teaching, like, middle-schoolers, because you can get into the nitty-gritty of certain issues and it’s really fun to see the look on their faces when a concept clicks with them.
Do you get hit on by students a lot? I don’t. And if I do, I’m completely unaware.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Southern California. I loved growing up in South California. I spent so many days at the beach—I always had a tan. It was a phenomenal place to grow up.
What is your favorite college memory? I did my undergrad at the University of Hawaii on the island of Oahu, so one of my favorite college experiences was when the waves were really kickin’ on the north shore of the island, and one of my teachers sent all of us an email telling us class was cancelled for the day. So, my friend and I hopped in a car and watched the Van’s Triple Crown surf competition. I love Hawaii because there’s so much culture there in contrast to white, suburbia, Wysteria Lane-like environment where I grew up.
What is at the top of your bucket list? I don’t really have a bucket list. Usually if I want to do something then I just do it. I operate on a “Why not?” philosophy, so if there’s something I really want to do, then I make it happen. My number one priority right now is finishing my Ph.D. Then after that, my goal is to just be happy and be a big kid.
What’s the most annoying thing a student can do? Oh gosh. You know, it’s hard to say certain things that students do are annoying because I know I’ve done them myself in the past. But, I think students underestimate what the times might be, and they think I’m like the other professors. Students will email me telling me they’re sick and then I’ll pull up their Twitter and they’re like, “Yes! Got out of class! Who wants to get wasted at Chuck’s with me?” I think it’s annoying when students lie.
Celebrity you’d most like to punch in the face? God, there are so many. Kirk Cameron. He’s super homophobic. But I’m not big on punching people in the face, so instead, I’d throw my Cosmo on him.
What’s your opinion on reality TV? I like reality TV. I think it’s become so easy for networks to do reality TV shows that we’re becoming inundated with reality television and losing out on really awesome sitcoms or dramas because it’s so easy and cheap to do a reality TV show. But, I love them. I hate when you can tell they’re scripted, though. I was a big fan of Laguna Beach and The Hills.
Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? Jennifer Aniston—all day, every day. She’s America’s sweetheart, right? She’s nice and funny and quirky. Angelina just seems so cold and distant sometimes—at least, to me she does.
Last song stuck in your head? In all seriousness, it’s “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction. I wish I had a different answer.
What was your first job? I was a waiter at a Vietnamese restaurant. The restaurant was owned by a friend that I’ve had since kindergarten.
Is there a reason you dress so well? I kind of see fashion like a game or a puzzle. Every morning after I shower and I’m picking out my clothes, it’s fun to pick out new combinations of things. Like I said before, I kind of have this “Why not?” attitude. If I want to where a pink bow tie, I’ll wear a pink bow tie. If I want to wear lime green pants, I’ll wear lime green pants. And I’m always an advocate of dressing for success. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good.
What is your dream job? To be the director of marketing and advertising for Ralph Lauren. Hands down, dream job.
What is your favorite thing about Syracuse? The seasons. I was raised in Southern California. I did my undergrad at Hawaii for four years. Then I moved to Tampa while doing my master’s. Coming up to Syracuse was really my first experience with seasons. It’s breathtaking every time I come out of my house and the leaves are changing or there’s snow on my car. I know a lot of people hate brushing snow off the car, but I like it because it’s still so new. I’ve also been able to create a family here. That’s really important because all of my family live back in California.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Well yesterday, I wanted to go to London, and today I think I would choose either Singapore or Hong Kong. I think tomorrow’s going to be the Virgin Islands.
Your favorite website to procrastinate on? I like Gawker. And I’m a big fan of Failbook. I can lose hours on Failbook. But also, just regular Facebook.
When and where do you feel you’re the happiest? I am the happiest on Sunday morning, waking up in my bed when the sun is coming through the windows and I have nothing to do that day. I can just lay there and watch reruns of my favorite shows. I’m also incredibly happy when I’m back home and walking on the beach with my family.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Mine is actually Princess Diana. But, it’s more of a tie, though. My eleven-greats-ago-grandfather was the leader of the pilgrims, so I would really like to sit down and have a conversation with him about what that was like.
What is your favorite food spot on Marshall? King David’s. I am obsessed with Greek food.
What is something people don’t know about you? There is a lot people don’t know about me. And I would prefer to keep it that way! Here’s an unscandalous one: I’m a black belt in taekwondo. I’m also an Eagle Scout.
What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you since working at Syracuse? It was really cool to run into Bob Costas in the Newhouse hallways. He does all the NBC Olympics coverage. I think in all seriousness though, I’m always incredibly excited to teach. I know it sounds nerdy, but teaching is such a rush for me, that after I have a really good class, I’m on a high for the rest of the day—I feel kind of invincible.
Any fashion tips for Syracuse students? Don’t be afraid to experiment. And, it’s not the cost of the clothes—it’s the fit of them. And for guys, you don’t need to go out and buy a $1500 suit. As long as you get a suit that fits okay, you can bring it into a tailor and you’ll look like a million bucks even if you only spent $50.