College Life
A Profile of Mr. Harvard Freshman 2012 Brian Butler
By Windsor Hanger
Photography by Katerina Stavreva
February 2009
I am pleased to announce Mr. Harvard Freshman 2012, Brian Butler. I sat down with Brian in his dorm room and we chatted about his family, his hometown, the glory of high school, his decision to attend Harvard, Harvard girls, the perks and downfalls of college life, unwarranted late-night marriage proposals, and his dreams for the future, among other things. The son of a doctor from the mid-west who played football in high school, Brian is 100% All-American. Laidback with a sweet smile and a warm disposition, it's hard not to instantly get along with him, not to mention fall in love with him.
Brian was born and raised in the North Shore of Milwaukee, in a suburban area "like any other" according to Brian. He attended private school since the age of five and went to the University School of Milwaukee for high school. Brian is an expert at knotting ties—he wore one every day all through middle and high school as a part of his school uniform! When I asked him what life was like without a uniform, he smiled and told me that it was "hard" not to have to wear a uniform every day. He credits the girls of Stoughton South with helping him pick out his clothes and, like many men out there, thinks that picking out clothes is "too hard." Don't worry though, Brian's not advocating for Harvard uniforms—that would be a "little weird" he said. Brian loved high school where he played football and helped lead his doubles tennis team to two state championships. When it came time to apply to college, Harvard was his first choice. He liked the history of the university and the campus, and the fact that Harvard is widely known as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. He also mentioned that Legally Blonde was a "good pitch" for the school.
Brian is the baby in his family—he has a 25-year-old brother who lives in Los Angeles and a sister who is a senior at Boston College. Brian's sister, Kirsten Butler, was responsible for helping Brian get so many votes for Mr. Harvard Freshman. Kirsten made a Facebook group and invited over 2,000 people to vote for her little brother. Brian says that he had "nothing to do with the Facebook group" and "stumbled upon it" online! Thanks Kirsten!
Brian's dad is an Orthopedic Surgeon and his mom is a Homemaker and former nurse who teaches yoga on the side. His mom voted for him and was "happy" about his selection as Mr. Harvard Freshman. Despite his mother's interest in yoga, however, Brian admits that he is "very bad" at it himself. At Harvard, he misses his BMW 3-series as well as a Wisconsin tradition called "Butter Burgers." When I asked Brian what a Butter Burger was, he wittily answered "delicious!" Evidently, a Butter Burger is a cheeseburger with a scoop of butter on top that you let melt over the burger before eating it. On that note, Brian says the biggest thing he misses about Milwaukee is the food. In addition to Butter Burgers, he loves Buffalo wings, bratwurst and all kinds of cheese. Brian credits frozen custard with being "the best way to eat ice cream" and jokingly said that he "loves eating mold" —i.e., blue cheese is his cheese of choice. Luckily for Brian and his arteries, Brian's mom is "healthy" and didn't let him eat many of his favorites at home too often.
We knew Brian had a special affinity for food from the start. In his Freeze Freshman survey, Brian calculated the number of pizza slices from Noch's that he could buy with 1 million dollars as an answer to the question "what would you do if you were given a million dollars and told you had to spend it by tomorrow?" Brian's favorite place to eat in the Square is—big surprise here—Noch's. But don't worry ladies, Brian wouldn't take a girl to Noch's on a date. He said he thinks Harvest is a much better date night locale. Brian also noted that he has not been on a date yet at Harvard. Ladies, take note.
Speaking of dates, Brian likes it when girls take the first step and approach him. The first thing he notices about a lady is her eyes, especially the color, and he loves it when girls wear hot sweatpants (think Juicy, not the awful elastic-ankle type). Brian thinks that clinginess is a big turn-off but notes that it's also bad when girls are too distant (see "Why you don't have a boyfriend" from our November issue!). Brian's dream girl is Megan Fox "minus the tattoos."
As a Freeze Freshman, Brian started getting late night calls from girls in Rhode Island. Evidently, the girls called him at 3am. When he answered the phone, a girl asked him to marry her. This happened more than once. Evidently there was "a lot of giggling" in the background.
In the future, Brian wants to be a Doctor. He is especially interested in going into research in Cancer and Genetics. Eventually he wants to get married (to Megan Fox) and have three boys. Brian also has a dream of being a recreational racecar driver.
Brian turns 19 on February 7th. Ladies, once again, take note.
He wanted to let the girls at Harvard know that we are "definitely better than the B- College Prowler gave them." Thanks… we think… He also wants to give a special shout-out to Doug Schadewald for his "helpful guidance" and enthusiasm throughout the entire Freeze Freshman process.
And now, Brian's complete Freeze Freshman questionnaire—read on to fall in love!
1. Name: Brian Butler
2. Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
3. Favorite Color and why: Blue, it reminds me of the sky, lakes, and my bed.
4. If you could be a superhero what would you be and what powers would you possess?
Anything as long as I got to wear the Flash's costume. You can't beat full crimson spandex with lightning bolts.
5. Which Disney Princess is the hottest and why?
Ariel. Clamshell bikini, beautiful voice… clamshell bikini.
6. Finish these sentences...
1. Harvard Girls are the best because... I like a girl who can handle my math homework and me.
2. The first thing I think when I wake up in the morning is… why is a Japanese tourist taking my picture?... I need to start wearing more clothes in bed…
3. I think it's sexy when girls wear... sweat pants.
4. When I grow up... I want to get into cancer research.
5. If I was given a million dollars and told I had to spend it by tomorrow, I would... buy 481,927 slices of pepperoni from Pinnochio's.
6. If I were an animal I would be a... polar bear. I'm most comfortable in the snow and very cuddly.
7. Why should we pick you as a Freeze Freshman?
I'm a pretty good representation of a Midwestern boy trying to survive Harvard.
8. Do you think that male "beauty pageants" are a good idea? I don't see why not.
9. If given the opportunity, would you participate?
That's a distinct possibility.
10. Are you sure? Yep.
11. If asked to perform a talent in front of 100 girls, what would it be?
I would tell a story.
12. Are you outgoing? Absolutely.
13. What's a good boyfriend?
Someone who knows what a girl wants before they do and who can always make her smile.
14. Are you one?
Oh yeah.
15. Describe your ideal date night.
Dinner, dessert, and then rent a movie and take it home.
16. What's the most romantic thing you've ever done?
Cooked dinner in. Dessert was a trail of rose petals leading to a Tiffany's necklace.
17. What's your most embarrassing date moment? Realizing I left my wallet at home.
18. Favorite pick up line? Just a smile.
