Coffee with Justin

By Jordan Cusumano

Justin Davis will be a junior at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) this fall 2011 semester. Similar to many other EMU students he has a unique story.
He came to EMU from his home town of West Bloomfield, Michigan where he was raised in a Reformed Jewish home. Growing up he was fortunate enough to be introduced to rock music by his father who plays in a rock band, “Sinjon Smith”. His mom works at the Jewish federation and his faith was a part of his daily life. He remembers his preparation for his bar mitzvah as the hardest thing he’s ever done. His success at preparing himself for the many tasks his bar mitzvah called for foreshadowed the success he would find throughout his adolescence and, now, his college years.
After going to Oakland Community College (OCC) for a semester he started at EMU in the winter of 2010. At EMU he is studying journalism with a minor in criminology. “My mom studied journalism for her undergrad and she really encouraged me to do the same,” Davis explains in between sips of his Starbucks coffee. Nearly every undergraduate student now a days has to have a plan for graduate school. He plans to go onto either business school or law school. “And write on the side, of course” he added with a smile. Davis looks every bit of a stereotypical journalist with his black-rimmed glasses and quizzical expression.
When he came to EMU it was an adjustment for Davis. “I had never seen homeless people or really poor people. I’m still not used to it.” Davis explains as he adjusts his glasses on his face. Ypsilanti is quite a different cultural community than West Bloomfield. Being a part of Phi Sigma Capa at EMU really helped him adjust and break out of his shell. His first semester at EMU he learned the dangers of being on campus at night. “Two of my friends and I were walking from the student center to the library during finals week at about ten o’clock at night. Out of nowhere I was blindsided and punched to the ground!” Davis still gets anxious just retelling the story and it happened over a year ago. He said it makes him feel safer knowing that the guy who attacked him is in jail.
As a high school student Davis excelled in Advanced Writing classes and enjoyed writing about sports. “I would really enjoy a career in sports writing. I really admire and look up to Rick Reilly from ESPN.” He also looks up to Gene Simmons. Simmons is a fellow jewish man who has a remarkably successful business career. “I still have a lot of experiences ahead of me before I become a successful working person. Like studying abroad! I really want to go to Israel.” As a young person Davis has his whole life ahead of him and as an EMU student he is paving his way to success.