Joe Bilby returned from a Winter Break trip to China with a new look.
Bilby, a third-year College student and Student Council President-elect, contracted an eye infection while visiting his sister in Hong Kong and had to switch from his usual contact lenses to tortoise-shell glasses.
He said the change has caused a considerable reaction - most notably, comparisons to the title character of the film "The Talented Mr. Ripley," played by Matt Damon.
His method of eyesight amplification has not been the only thing to change in Bilby's life over the last several months.
Since capturing the presidency, Bilby has immersed himself in learning the particulars of his new job and preparing to take over the reigns of Council later this week.
Council "is an organization that has a ton of potential," he said, expressing high hopes for his term. "I've learned a lot in the last two months."
Bilby has devoted a large portion of his life to learning - both in and out of the classroom. A history and political and social thought major, he currently is trying to decide on a thesis topic. Bilby also is a Jefferson and Echols Scholar.
Academics have not been the only focus in Bilby's life. A native of Louisville, Ky., he said he fell in love with the University at age 10 after visiting with his father, John.
"I thought it was a beautiful place," he said. "It doesn't have the down side of either an Ivy League school or a huge state university."
In high school, in addition to being a member of a state-champion academic competition team, Bilby played soccer and ran track. Despite his contributions, however, he said his school "sucked in all sports."
Bilby grew up in Louisville with his parents and two sisters. Now his older sister, Anne, is teaching in Hong Kong and his younger sister, Katherine, an avid photographer, is attempting to choose between several colleges.
Bilby said he is dedicated to making the University an even better place for the student body, planning initiatives for his term that he said he hopes will build upon the achievements of this year's Council, headed by current Council President Taz Turner.
Bilby praised Turner for being a team player and working to make Council a more cohesive group. "We're blessed with having no egomaniacs on board," he said.
Council Executive Vice President-elect Matt Madden said he is looking forward to working with Bilby over the next year.
"I think Joe's done a remarkable job already, working through the transition," Madden said.
He added that Bilby's ebullient personality makes him an asset to Council and will benefit Council when it seeks to reach its full potential.
These goals include working to improve the information available to students about off-Grounds housing, continuing the efforts to keep Clemons Library open 24 hours during the week and beginning plans to build a new student activities center, even though that project will not come to fruition for another five or six years.
Bilby said he still has many things he would like to do, including making his first trip to the beach since seventh grade.
"One day I'm going to run a marathon," he said. "That takes more time than I have now."
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