Legacy

VIDEO: Q&A with Chancellor Martin

Illustration by Sara Fradella

Q: If you were recruited to play football for the university, what position do you think Coach Les Miles would put you at and what position would you like to play?
A: Coach Miles is smart enough to assign me a seat in the stands, but if I could play I’d be free safety – so Chad Jones should be somewhat worried.

Q: Facebook profiles let students express themselves by posting a status. What would your status read?
A: “Michael Martin is a seemingly bottomless reservoir of half-baked notions.” This was offered in a course evaluation in about 1983 – it remains my “status,” even in serving as chancellor.

Q: If you were to teach a 1000-level class at the university, what would the subject be and why should students sign up for this course?
A: I’d love to teach a course in “How a major university works.” After 30 years in higher education I think I’m figuring it out.

Q: On the flip side, which course – currently offered by the university – would you love to take?
A: Likewise, I’d love to take a course on Louisiana history, culture, and politics. Clearly, this is a unique place and I’d like to understand it better.

Q: Describe yourself in five words or less.
A: Dad, curious, aging, enthusiastic

Q: If you could drink a beer with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be and what would you two talk about?
A: There are many, but one for sure is the author James Joyce. Topic: What is Ulysses really about? I got a C- on a paper about it as an undergrad and still don’t know why.

Q: Has anyone ever told you that your glasses are similar to Harry Potter’s, and if you could use magic to do something, what would it be?
A: I’d choose to play second base for the Minnesota Twins in atleast two, three game series.

Q: You’re making around $125,000 more here than you were at New Mexico State. If you could donate that money to a charity of your choice, which would it be and why?
A: Of the many great causes, I am a particular fan of the March of Dimes because many years ago this charity helped my family enormously.

Q: How did you and your wife, Jan, meet?
A: We met on a blind date. She thought she was going with a friend of mine, but got stuck with me. That was 40 years ago – perhaps she’s still a bit disappointed.

Q: You’ve done a lot of work in the field of agriculture. if you were to participate in the rodeo the AgCenter puts on every year, which event would you enter: calf roping, steer wrestling, or bull riding? Why?
A: Actually I’d prefer to be the rodeo clown – the most entertaining character but if I did a real event I’d choose bull riding since the failure and embarrassment would be very short – though the pain would last a while.

Click here to watch the interview with Chancellor Michael Martin

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Illustration by Sara Fradella