A. He’s in college so he probably isnt “Mr. Yeshivish”.
B. He might have done it because HE feeks awkward and new in a new school and is trying to aclimate.
C. He might have not put that much thought into it in the first place; you may be looking into this too deeply.
D. All of the above are probably true. Clearly this guy isnt a typical lakewood yeshivish dude so cut him some slack. He doesnt have to shtim with your def. of ben torah; in fact who said he wants to- your all assuming hes intyerested in being what you call appropriate. maybe hes not. its harmless. fartig.