An Ode to Grandpa Spence
Written by Vice President, Gabe Shapera
“Viva la revolución!”
This may as well be Spencer’s catchphrase. Of course, Spencer says many iconic and quotable phrases on a daily basis, however, I believe the above quote perfectly encapsulates all that is Spencer Wright (although I have never heard him say that specifically).
In almost everything he does, Spencer never fails to go against the grain, to fight against the status quo, and to stand up for what he wants and believes is right. The earliest, and possibly silliest, example of this is the first time I met Spencer. It was at “Collab Night” during DKA recruitment my first semester at Emerson (Fall 2017). I found myself in an Ansin elevator heading up to room 503 standing awkwardly next to an older Emersonian (looking back I am imagining him in his DKA letters however that was impossible at the time). In an attempt to put myself out there and make a new friend, I asked this kid his name (Spencer), his year (Sophomore), and if he had been to the Info Sessions or Speed Dating, to which he so nonchalantly replied no. I asked him why not, and he said something to the effect of, “I wasn’t really planning on rushing, but I wasn’t doing anything so I decided may as well.”
This had a big impact on me. Not only because at the time I thought you had to go to all of the events to get in, but because his attitude was so vastly different to mine. Spencer got into DKA that semester, and I the next. From that point on, he has been one of my closest friends, although we became much closer after summer of 2019, when he claims he became “cool.” Since then, Spencer has been like an older brother to me (with all the good and bad that comes with siblings). I have had the privilege of watching Spencer’s impact on this campus, and at times, be a part of it. In the interest of gassing him up more than he needs, let's talk about a few…
As an RA and a supervisor at the visitors center, Spencer has helped new and prospective students navigate Emerson successfully. He has been an advocate for students and student workers at times when it seemed there were none. As a host of the Evvy’s gala, he worked his way to “Emceleb” status and prepared an entire freshman class for the culture of Emerson. I have had the great pleasure of having a front row seat to all of this, and taking part in his goals to make DKA a more welcoming, professional, and familial place. And we absolutely can not forget the short time when he was in an acapella group! Although Spencer has been involved in many aspects of the Emerson community, I can say without a doubt, that he is most proud of his time in DKA. Spencer’s love for this org, and each and every member in it, has supported us for a while now, and will continue to after he graduates.
Through all of these investments of his time, passion, and energy, he has become a friend and mentor for many at Emerson. It is for this reason that I know next semester, I will not be the only one thinking in times of trouble, “What would Spencer do?”
The answer might just be: start a revolution!
Although Spencer often jokes about it, I have no doubt in my mind that after all the COVID-19 shenanigans calm down, he will be leading the charge!
Thank you Spencer for all that you have done, I can not wait to see what you do next.
In Delta, Kappa, and Alpha,
Gabe