James Crawford

Mystic, Connecticut

What classes have you taken at COA?  
Introduction to Oceanography 
Piracy and Society 
Human Ecology Core Course 
Biology 1 
Ecology of the Winter Coastline 
Introduction to the Legal Process 
Ornithology 
Gender, Science, and Politics in Fairytales from around the World 
Hatchery (Sustainable Business incubator: for RadioCOA)

What has been your favorite class at COA? Why?
I really enjoyed Oceanography. Sean Todd is a fantastic professor with really engaging lectures and labs that get you out in the field doing oceanography work. I took the class before we had [the boat] Osprey, so I imagine it’s an even better experience now.

What was your favorite lesson at COA? Why?
Scott Swann and Matt Drennan took us out to Great Duck Island for a weekend overnight trip in Ornithology. It was a fantastic experience—we watched birds, talked about island ecology, spent time on the Osprey—just an overall wonderful experience.

What is your dream occupation?
I really love the water and boats. Sail training has always appealed to me, but marine logistics and salvage work are also appealing.

What do you see yourself doing after COA?
We’ll see what happens between now and then. Working for sure; I don’t see grad school as something I want to rush into.

What country or state would you like to visit?
I’ve never been out west, I feel that’s something I should do before too long.

Where would you love to live?
I really like the northeast, but definitely close to the water.

What is happiness to you?
Sailing on a full moon before a storm.

Have you had an internship? 
I haven’t really thought about it yet, but I hope I’ll keep a maritime bend.

What are your ideas for your senior project? 
This is way too far out to think about.

What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
Checking on our boat with my dad before a storm comes in... and after too, of course.

What is your favorite food to eat? What is your favorite thing to cook?
I’m quite fond of pizza. I’ll cook anything — but breakfast is my specialty.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing school work?
I get out either on the water or in the park as much as possible. In fact I’m probably in the park hiking or biking even when I should be doing school work.

What are your favorite colors?
Black, Blue, Green

What are your favorite flowers?
Clover, Lilac, Daisies

What are your favorite animals?
Seabirds, among others

What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Eggs have been around far longer than chickens have.

What is the motto you like to live by?
Timing’s everything in life.

Why did you choose to come to COA?
I really liked COA’s approach to education and I felt I could get everything and more I hoped to get out of college here. Plus the location can’t be beat. I haven’t been disappointed yet.

What do you like to study?
Navigation and Metallurgy. And you know, actual coursework too.

Where do you like to study?
The view from my room is spectacular, so I study there a lot, but Take-a-Break, outside, and occasionally the library as well.

Who are your favorite writers and poets?
Longfellow for poets; Conrad, Melville, Nabokov, among others for general literature. I’m also into fairytales by various authors and traditions right now too.

Who are your favorite artists and musicians?
Pouges, Mustard’s Retreat, numerous others.

Who is your favorite fictional hero?
Popeye.

What historical figure do you most admire?
Edward Teach.

Who is your hero today?
See above.

What do you value most in your friends?
A sense of ease, passion, and enjoyable presence.

What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I was more musically inclined.

Do you have anything cool or unique you would like to share?
Probably.