While many graduating seniors have struggled just to see the light of graduation day, 23-year-old senior John Paul “J.P.” Gniady has managed to get a degree in philosophy and poultry science with a minor in chemistry. He has been involved in Leadership LSU, Student Senate and recently was named Universitywide outstanding senior.
Was the Outstanding Senior Award something that was a goal of yours or did it just kind of happen?
It wasn’t so much a goal. I got outstanding sophomore from the College of Ag and junior from the College of Arts and Sciences, and then, I got the college of Ag outstanding senior. To get the actual Universitywide one, I was pretty happy, obviously. It wasn’t a major life goal, but it’s kind of cool because all the applications are done. It’s not going on a résumé or anything. It’s just kind of for me.
What was your secret? Was it what you ate for breakfast?
I think I just have a really diverse background. I’ve been really active in a lot of places and have a combination of majors. I did a lot of traveling in Europe over the summer, and I think really my diversity was the main thing.
Why did you choose such diverse majors as poultry and philosophy?
I started off pre-vet, and so the poultry went along with that and paid me pretty well scholarship- wise. Philosophy was always my real interest. I just like philosophical inquiry.
Are you ever going to have a chance to use those in the same area?
Sort of. I’m starting medical school in the fall, and it’s a combined M.D. with a Masters of Public Health, so I’m actually using the sciences from my poultry degree with the philosophy for bioethics and public health.
Do you get any cool special privileges such as food or money for the award?
Uh, no. Just a paperweight.
What are your plans after graduation, and is the Outstanding Senior Award something that is going to help you get there?
I’ve already gotten in, so it’s really just more for me at this point. I’m starting an M.D./MPH program in the fall. Between now and then, I’m just gonna be out in Arizona and Colorado this summer backpacking and playing around.
What is something you think any student should do before they graduate?
You’ve gotta go around the world at the Chimes and have frequent naps in the Quad.
What is something you liked about LSU while you were here that other people might not have seen?
Just being involved all over campus I think gave me a much better appreciation of the history and the life of LSU as opposed to the people who just come onto campus, go to class and go home.