Four-Year Flash: David Fox ’19

Meet David Fox ’19, a senior in Information Management and Technology, who plans to attend law school at Syracuse University after graduation. He hails from Jackson, New Jersey.

Tell me about you!

I’m passionate about football and sports in general. I’m definitely passionate about technology and entrepreneurship. Sports played in a role in my decision [to attend Syracuse University]. I wanted to go to some sports games, but it wasn’t my main factor.

So why did you choose to go Orange?

I chose SU for a lot of reasons. I initially chose to go here to go to the Entrepreneurship major in Whitman. My brother was also a junior here at the time, so it meant I had the Orange attitude, so I ended up picking here.

I’m really involved now. I’ve been a Global Media Fellow at the Blackstone Launchpad for two years now, I’m basically an entrepreneurship coach. I’m the director of technology for the Student Association. I’m also the Vice President of Marketing for Thrive at SU.

What are the biggest lessons the iSchool taught you?

That’s so difficult, it’s been four years of classes. I would say I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned from my experiences are to just keep driving towards whatever you’re doing. All the professors here instill that attitude of “If you can do it, do it. If you can’t, move forward.” That’s the big lesson I’ve learned.

What’s the best experience you’ve had while in college?

The number one is definitely going to Eurotech. It was the best time of my life. I’d recommend any iSchool student to do it and sign up right now.

Other than that, it’s the professionalism and quality of education I received here. When you’re a freshman, you don’t really appreciate the amount of education you get. But when you’re a senior, you look back and realize you’ve learned a lot. That’s a big lesson I learned now.

Would you do anything differently if you had the chance?

I would have come in as an iSchool major, not a Whitman major. Playing catch-up was not a fun time. But it was possible and iSchool advisors really helped to make it happen.

The people in the iSchool made the difference. Here, I feel like I’m collaborating with everyone I’m working with. That’s just the mentality of the people. I’m a team player, typically, so I love being in the iSchool.

Tell me about your plans for law school.

The plans right now is to focus on intellectual property and patent law. I want to continue working with start-up companies. I’ve seen them struggle throughout my two years at the Blackstone Launchpad. I’ve seen them struggle with patents, getting attorneys, intellectual property requirements. At least for the beginning of my career, I want to create an affordable and accessible option for these companies. I want to help these small businesses grow.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as someone who helped his classmates better at what they do. I’m not the person who wants to be the best, I want to help someone become the best. I’ve helped a lot of people at the iSchool, whether it be at start-ups or just in the classroom. I just hope people take away the fact I want to help others, and not just myself.

What advice would you give a first-year student?

Talk to as many people as you can. Whether it be students, professors, or advisors. Get everyone’s number, everyone’s e-mail. Make sure you keep in contact with as many people as you can. Because that makes the difference in college. If you don’t know a lot of people, that’s going to be a problem vs. someone that knows everybody. The resources and network here as astronomical.

by Lianza Reyes