Full Name: Kirill Cherniakov
Nickname? Chris
Intended Major? Mathematical Economics
Where are you right now? Currently, I stay in Russia.
Why did you choose Colgate? I’m one of the main promoters of effective altruism in Russia, so I wanted to study in a place that shares my ideals. I was TRULY impressed with Colgate’s COVE — nearly ONE IN FOUR student volunteers there. Moreover, the Benton Scholars program gives me access to all these wonderful people who are deeply passionate about the world around them. That’s exactly the kinda of environment I want to spend my next four years in.
How are you spending time in quarantine? I spend my time either doing courses online (God save Coursera, I love it so much), making translations, tutoring or working on “Putting Art into Liberal Arts” project. That’s the thing I started with my Colgate friend — I wanted to hype up other students about the Fall semester, so I began making collages with Colgate campus and famous paintings. People loved it, so now I’m posting around 2-3 works a week.
What excites you most about coming to Colgate in the fall? Honestly, I’m mostly excited about the people and the Benton Scholars program. I talked to the other students, and they’re so amazing, so talented and so curious about everything! I can’t wait to hit the campus and actually have an opportunity to make something truly amazing together!
Hopes, dreams, goals for the future? There are so many homeless people, people with disabilities in Russia, and my ultimate dream is to make their lives at least a little bit better. No one deserves to face the temps of below 32F without even having a roof above their heads. When I graduate I want to get into the Russian policy making sector to have an opportunity to make a meaningful change!
The best piece of advise you've ever received? A stonecutter hammers away at his rock. He might hammer it a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two. It’s not the last blow that gave the result, but all the ones before it.
Social Media Handles? (Twitter, Instagram, etc.) IG/Snap — @taequn
Anything else you want to add? Add me up on IG or Snap, drop a message, and I might drop you a funny meme!
It is no doubt that Chris is going to be a very active member of our international community come the Fall ’20 semester. We are happy to have you as our first "Incoming" Humans of Colgate feature, and we can't wait to meet you in the coming months!