Zach Minster
computer scientist / web designer / photographer / student
I do tech things.
Hi there, I'm Zach Minster, and I'm presently a second semester sophomore undergraduate studying computer science at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. If you'd like to find out more about my skills and talents, you've come to the right place (start clicking those bright, colorful links up above).
Academically, I tend to shine most strongly in mathematics and science, however, like the Renaissance Humanists, I challenge myself in the humanities and social sciences as well in an attempt to become a more well-rounded individual (sudden "eureka!" moments where I can draw cross-discipline connections are my favorites!). Outside of math and science, my most beloved subject area is most definitely media and communication sociology (the impacts of technology surely are great, and I'd like to thank Ursinus College's Dr. Woodstock for helping me realize that). During the fall 2008 semester I developed an online system to manage student internship surveys for the Ursinus College career services department. Working on that project late into the night in the Myrin Library while commiserating with my fellow computer science students was an unforgettable experience. Much of my current passion for computer science stems from that life-changing adventure.
Outside of academics, I actively volunteer with Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) (specifically the HOBY PA-East seminar I attended as an ambassador in tenth grade), an organization to which I am forever indebted for making me the person I am today. I've served for three years on the A-Team, or Alumni Team. The experiences I've had and lives I've touched through HOBY are truly unforgettable; they mean more to me than anything else in the world.
Besides HOBY, I enjoy photography, playing Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), observing the stars (I was one of the founding members of my school's astronomy club), and listening to music. While we're on that subject, I should mention that my Last.fm profile provides a quite accurate representation of my favorite music and bands/musicians: it stalks ("scrobbles") all the music I listen to, ever! My favorites are Angels & Airwaves, Daft Punk, Say Anything, Armin van Buuren, Foo Fighters, Above & Beyond, ATB, Jimmy Eat World, The Killers, The Title, Ferry Corsten, Jack's Mannequin, Something Corporate, Depeche Mode, The Alan Parsons Project, Styx...
A theme song of mine is "On the Wing" by Owl City. Inspirational lead singer Adam Young sings: "Late nights and early parades / Still photos and noisy arcades / My darling we're both on the wing, look down and keep on singing / And we can go anywhere." On the airplane of life, I consistently stand upon the wing, looking down at my world below and singing through each moment as I progress and achieve my dreams.
Should I be granted the distinct privilege of transfiguring into a breakfast cereal, I would most obviously become Corn Flakes. Like William Keith Kellogg of yore, I see a palpable value in distilling healthy corn into a versatile breakfast cereal capable of nutritional and emotional fulfillment. Not to mention, I am severely allergic to all dairy products; this basal cereal provides satisfaction without the need of bovine additives. Plus, who wouldn't want to be pictorially represented as a vectorized rooster?
To close this out, a few more random facts: I only wear Macbeth Shoes. Tron is my hero, because he fights for me in the violent, sadistic innards of my computer. Porygon is without a doubt the greatest Pokemon in existence. I'm secretly in love with the Tales of Symphonia. That's all!