Matthew Tsutsui

Matthew Tsutsui

Hometown: Aiea, HI

Major/minor: Mathematics/Christian Scripture

What are you most proud of from your time at SPU?

Opportunities to grow in leadership and get active downtown. Special mention goes to Urban Plunge I've never heard of any institution having an opportunity as unique as Urban Plunge to break the societal barriers between us and our neighbors experiencing homelessness. 

What is a fun fact about you?

I can animate cartoons. 

What are some of your career goals?

I plan to teach math, especially calculus, at a community college.

What is something you wish everyone knew about your major?

Math is both hard logic and an art. To me, at least, it is both discovered and invented. There are more links than one may think between math and theology, math and the arts, math and social+ecological justice. 

What is a piece of advice you’d like to leave for those still in school?

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Let me be clear: that doesn't mean NEVER speak up — in fact, speak LOUDLY against injustice when and where you see it happening on- and off-campus. That doesn't mean NEVER be angry — in fact, get angry with but not for others who hurt. I quote James 1:19 because it's his advice to be open-minded and to listen with humility rather than ignorantly believing you have all the answers about your faith and beliefs to the point of not even acting upon it. This is how for me I personally grew, changed, and developed my stance on human sexuality and gender, my transition from believing in individualized faith to communal faith, and my place in racial reconciliation as a Japanese American. Listen well to others. Discern and filter well.