A campus-wide program that occurred in February, Tunnel of Oppression, had a gap that needed to be filled, two days before the actual event. Without hesitation, Paul jumped on board. He took over the religious oppression scene. Not only did he join the scene, he immediately emerged as the new leader: he created new notecards, got everyone back on track, set up meeting times for the actors to meet, created the audio for the scene, got the costumes and props, and even baked brownies for all the actors the day-of while still trying to make the scene as authentic as possible.

Paul lives in the Center for Regenerative Studies. He completely embodies the spirit of this community. He does not have a vehicle so he walks every day to campus or even to buy groceries. He composts the community trash. Paul spends most of his time in the kitchen, studying but building community – willing to share his wisdom, recipes, and help with everyone around him. He also has such an attention to detail and the natural want to improve a community. He took on a project of improving the kitchen by calibrating the stove, redoing the stovetop knobs, and he even cleans up after others without being asked.

Paul has no official position within housing. In the past he was a Resident Advisor and an Assistant Hall Coordinator. It is clear that he has left his legacy with many of the returning RAs as well as incoming housing staff. People who are not familiar with his name, are familiar with his programs he has put on in the past because of the impact it has on the residential community. His current RA, Shannon Rosete, says, “Current Resident Advisors are actively seeking out Paul’s advice on how to continue their own personal growth as Resident Advisors. They go up there to specifically talk to Paul.” His entries in our programming database (ProgDB.com) are constantly referred to because he has packaged many programs for current staff to repeat. Our NRHH president George Luke Freeman said, “Paul Brooks puts the PB in PDB (ProgDB.com)”

Paul is very genuine and authentic in his random acts of kindness. Out of all the things listed above, he never once expected any praise, recognition, or favor in return. He continues to give his time and effort willing to those around him. He remains very humble in his actions and is always willing to talk to anyone who needs advice or just someone to listen. As he pushes towards graduation, Paul will be greatly missed by the entire Cal Poly Pomona community, from professors to his peers.

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