You may have been wondering, what’s up with the signs, Brian Russo ’13? Well, not only are these cardboard masterpieces a stylish accessory to compliment any outfit (tux), but they are also agents of a broader movement to propel social justice and kindness. “The signs are vehicles, I don’t know how many chances you have to make someone’s day,” said Russo. The messages he wears are also a way to raise awareness regarding a variety of social issues. Since joining the sign movement, Russo has used his mobile billboard as a way to advertise for a variety of club events, as well as a way to raise money for the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter.

Russo first got the idea from Kemy Joseph, who wore his own signs for three years at the University of Miami. His own choices of words first hit the Hill last spring, making their debut with the word “imagine.” Since the days of “imagine,” Russo has sported the phrases “Carpe Diem,” “flourish,” and “chill out.” No matter what the message is on the front, the back of the cardboard always says “love conquers all.” “Those are the words I live by,” said Russo. When asked if he wanted to start a movement on campus, Russo replied, “There is a lot of empathy lacking on campus; I just want people to recognize each other and smile.”

 Wearing a sign isn’t as easy as it looks; it comes with its own set of occupational hazards. “The hardest part of wearing a sign is having to battle against the wind; I usually just fling my sign over my shoulder to keep it from hitting me in the face,” said Russo. Despite the obstacles, Russo maintains an emotional attachment to his signs; he keeps all of them and many are posted up on the ceiling of the Grossman lounge. “It has become a Grossman tradition,” said Russo.

Russo is an active member of the music and art dialogue house, and is well known in Grossman for singing in his room with groups of friends. Russo is intent on keeping the spirit of the house alive.

Russo managed to inspire some smiles around campus on Valentine’s Day. With the help of some of his friends, Russo spread some love in the academic quad with a display of cardboard hearts. “We wanted everyone to have a Valentine on Valentine’s Day,” he said. All around campus, students were grinning after seeing the heartfelt display. “I was really not looking forward to spending the holiday away from my hubby, but after seeing the amount of effort somebody put in to making me smile, I got more into the festive spirit,” said Alex Ojerholm ’14.

This sophomore sign-smith tries to show the love on and off campus. Russo spent this past summer granting the wish of his friend Martin Smith. The two boys biked from North Carolina to Santa Monica, California raising money and awareness for Leukemia research. After 1000 miles and a two and a half month journey, the boys managed to raise $40,000 dollars for their cause. Russo was the public relations manager for the trip; he arranged interviews with reporters and hospitals at every stop they made. To publicize the journey, Russo kept a daily journal of his travels, which he published online at the website martinsride.com.

Russo is involved in drama productions on campus, as well as being very active off campus. He has been part of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol Reserve Officer Training Corps program for the past seven years. He has supplemented his Reserve Officer Training Corps  training with the teachings of the Buddhist monks at Mun Su Sa Korean Zen Temple in Wakefield, MA. Over the past five years, Russo has studied to become an International Dharma Instructor, and embraced the opportunity to brush up on his Korean.

So it seems that Russo does it all, and he does it all in style. He is often spotted sign-clad and sporting a fresh tux. “When you dress for success, you are successful.” So go for it, it is about time for you to get to know Colby’s own sign maker, International Dharma instructor, Reserve Officer Training Corps member, and overall suit-wearing stud.

 “I encourage everyone to come up and introduce themselves,” said Russo.