Isom’s accomplishments both on and off the field could make any University student feel like a non-contributing zero, but the Marietta, Ga. native remains humble, staying grounded in her faith, and her iPod.

Growing up in a household where music played constantly, Isom fell in love with Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Luther Vandross and Conway Twitty after her late father, a music fanatic, introduced her to these classics at a young age.

“I grew up listening to such a variety of music – country, blues, soul, worship, rock ‘n’ roll – it made it hard to pick a favorite genre,” Isom said.

Isom described her younger years’ musical palate as whatever was playing on the “popular-music bandwagon,” listening to hit tunes on the radio, as well as old favorites. But she has developed a sense of what she likes in college.

John Mayer, Kings of Leon, Jeremy Camp and Adele are just a few of the tunes buzzing from her ear phones, along with contemporary Christian worship music and country.

With Isom shuffling between soccer practice, classes, training as a football kicker and mentoring, her busy schedule limits her attendance at live shows. But Isom heard MUTEMATH, a New Orleans alternative rock band, two years ago at the House of Blues in the Big Easy, and she was amazed by the performance.

“It was the most fantastic concert I’ve ever been to,” Isom said. “It was insane, especially with the instruments they used that I’ve never seen made it such a good show.”

Despite a hodgepodge of musical tastes, the LSU soccer team’s goalie has an atypical musical “go-to” before games: Christian rap.

“People don’t give [Christian rap] enough credit because I think they have preconceived thoughts about what it’s going to sound like, but after hearing it, you’d think you were listening to gangster rap,” Isom said.

Christian rap artists, like Lacre, Tripoli and Flame, give the SEC Academic Honor Roll athlete the beat and the rhythm of rap that she loves, just without the cursing and negative messages.

After a series of lamentable occurrences tried to sidetrack the achieving athlete – health issues, the loss of her father and a near-fatal car accident – Isom strives ahead toward her goals, deflecting her woes and embracing her future.

“In my athletics, I really try to keep the perspective that the fact that I’m playing to glorify God,” Isom said. “That’s the reason I’m healthy and able to play.”

CURRENT PLAYLIST

01 Sean McConnell, “Somewhere Beautiful”

02 Gungor, “Beautiful Things”

03 David Crowder Band, “How He Loves”

04 Jeremy Camp

05 Adele, “Someone Like You”

06 John Mayer

07 Kings of Leon

08 The Band Perry

09 Zac Brown Band

10 Blake Shelton

11 Miranda Lambert

12 Tim McGraw

PREGAME MIX

01 LeCrae

02 Trip Lee

03 Tedashii

04 Kanye West ft. Young Jeezy, “Amazing”

Whether it’s jumping off a rock into the crystal Mediterranean, eating a rich pallet of African delicacies or trekking the staircases within the Great Wall of China, students looking to study or travel abroad need to be prepared. Take a look into the experiences of four University students who have recently traveled abroad to learn the do’s and don’ts of both backpacking and participating in a study abroad program.  Read their tips, personal accounts and allow them to guide you through every step of your dream vacation.

The Tour Guides

International studies junior Virginia Richard studied in Ghana, Africa, where she experienced a tasty but sweaty culture shock. She offers advice for students looking to travel to non-traditional destinations.

Recent University alumnus Ian Cruise is currently studying at the London School of Economics. He offers some useful tips for first-time travelers regarding long-term  trip preparation and packing.

Finance senior Caroline Guinn explored Western Europe this summer with two friends and a backpack. Guinn’s five-week adventure through Italy, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain produced a number of interesting sites, and unexpected detours.

Biological engineering senior Tel Rouse studied abroad in Shanghai, China, in fall 2009. Though Rouse has traveled and worked in other countries, he favors China. Rouse discusses how to immerse yourself in the culture of your destination.

Step 1: study abroad programs vs. independent backpacking

The first step in planning your trip abroad will be deciding which route you want to take. Are you the type of traveler who prefers structure, security and a link to home? Or are you the spontaneous spirit that wants to explore the world on your own watch? There are perks for both.

Harald Leder, director of the University’s Academic Programs Abroad, said studying abroad has endless benefits. Studying abroad through a university or accredited program provides safety, an in-depth cultural experience, expert travel companions and, best of all, course credit, Leder said.

“Studying abroad is a tremendous experience and a smart investment for any student’s future,” Leder said. “It’s fun, it makes you grow, and it can be helpful for future jobs.”

Leder said many employers admire study abroad experience, especially if the applicant is fluent in another language. He said the experience shows employers that the applicant is “globally-minded.”

Study abroad also makes students more aware of their surroundings – personally and geographically, he said.

But not all students prefer the organized structure, according to Guinn. She planned her trip with only an arrival and departure date, figuring out her schedule as she traveled. She said this method was beneficial, as she was able to experience each country she visited without constraints.

“It was nice to not plan it. If you liked a place, you could stay as long as you liked,” she said. “At times it was stressful, but we were never left without a place to sleep.”

Guinn recounted her travels, laughing about detours she was forced to take, people she met and the things she learned without ever stepping foot inside a classroom.

“You just experience cultures that are the polar opposite of ours. You can’t experience that anywhere in the United States,” she said. “It’s very educational. My geography from my trip improved so much.”

Step 2: selecting a destination

Academic Programs Abroad has a specialized team of student peer advisers to help students narrow down their destination choices. The University currently offers 40 to 50 programs abroad, depending on the length of the program, Leder said. The most popular student destinations include major cities in Western Europe, as English is more prominent and the lifestyle is similar to that of the U.S. But Leder also said the University offers programs all around the world.

Richard said she chose Ghana because it wasn’t the typical destination. She said the remote location was appealing because of the vast cultural differences. Richard said students should not be afraid to venture outside of the norm.

“Europe is great, Australia is great, Latin America is great, but don’t restrict yourself,” she said. “You’ll miss a large portion of the world.”

Rouse agreed, saying “the more extreme the environment, the more you learn. I think you can’t know your own home until you leave it.”

Step 3: packing for an extended stay

Length of stay and travel frequency will determine the way you pack. Backpackers are advised to pack lightly, as you will be moving frequently and space will be limited in hostels and on public transportation. Students studying abroad have  more flexibility, but it is recommended to keep luggage to a minimum.

Pack travel-sized toiletries, one towel and only a few outfits into a hiking backpack, Guinn said. Locally, these large, durable bags can be purchased at any sporting goods store and range in price from $75 to $300. Students on a budget should browse websites like eBay.com and Amazon.com to find more affordable options.

Q: What’s the one thing students should not leave home without?

Richard: Toilet paper!  Always have some with you. Most public places do not provide it.

Cruise: One thing to make sure you pack is adapters for the electrical plugs, which are different in the UK. Also, pack all necessary travel documents, like a passport.

Guinn: A journal. Write everything down! You will be happy you documented it later.

Rouse: If you’re going to China, bring several pairs of shoes. Don’t expect to buy them in China. I found that almost no shoes stores carried my size.

Step 4: en route

You’ve packed and endured the multi-hour flight overseas, now take a deep breath and enjoy the sights around you. This is the most important part of your dream vacation.

Foreign Food

All the student experts agree — food is one of the best ways to get to know a culture. Students who will be traveling are encouraged to taste the local cuisine, no matter how bizarre. Open your mind and your mouth. For those on a budget, experiment with cooking traditional dishes. Guinn said she rented hostels with a kitchen and cooked with her diverse roommates.

Q: What is one dish you would recommend to another student?

Richard: Fante Kenkey [in Ghana] is a local fish served with a tomato stew, or sauce. Kenkey is made out of a starchy root and is pounded to make a dough; FuFu, which is a light, spicy soup served with goat meat.

Cruise: You can’t come to London without trying some classic British food like fish and chips, bangers and mash or any number of savory pies.

Rouse: Tomato, egg and noodle. They season it very well, and it’s great. The most bizarre things I ate were a dish of seaweed wrapped around chicken hearts and a soup with chunks of congealed pig’s blood.

Overseas Slumber

Sleeping on train cars, hostels and hotels — these are all viable options for students looking to travel on a budget. The panel of experts agree the best lodging for college students is in a hostel, as many of them are designed for young travelers. Students also say hostels are a great way to meet friends, if students are comfortable with sleeping in a more public atmosphere.

Guinn said it is easy to book hotels through websites like Hostels.com and Hostelworld.com. The sites allow you to view photos of the rooms and highlight the amenities you need, such as linens, a private bath or air conditioning.

Other options include CouchSurfing.com, the world’s largest free, online international exchange program. The site, which takes a number of safety precautions, allows travelers to arrange accommodations with one another all over the world.

For students studying, Leder said the majority of students prefer to stay in the university’s dormitory, but this is not a requirement. For students looking to stay with a host family, the University only offers this option for the summer program LSU in Spain.

Q: How accessible are hostels or hotels in the area you traveled to or studied in?

Richard: There was this really awesome lodge on the beach in Ghana called the Green Turtle Lodge. There are also hostels around the major destinations. Tourist areas provide hotel and hostel options.

Cruise: I have yet to stay in either, but there are hotels all over London.

Guinn: We stayed in hostels. We were going to CouchSurf, but it was hard to find people that could accommodate all three of us. Hostels are the way to go when traveling. At first I was skeptical, but it turned out to be great. You should also book overnight trains and buses when going from city to city. You can save money and time this way.

Rouse: There’s not much backpacking you can do in China. There aren’t many hostels, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I went with local Chinese students to other cities and found cheap hotels.

Transportation

Depending on where you travel to, public transportation has varied options. But students say whether it is by metro or by rickety, crowded bus, you will be able to get around for a cheap fare.

Q: What public transportation options did you take advantage of?

Richard: The locals use a bus system called a Tro-tro, which are similar to cargo vans. In the city, you can ride for about 50 cents. If you want a taste of the real Ghana, take the public transportation even if you have people sweating on you.

Cruise: Walking! The Tube and the bus are also available, but I find walking helps you appreciate the city more.

Guinn: We didn’t purchase a Europass or a Eurail pass [for train lines] because they didn’t include all of the countries we visited. We think we broke even, or spent less, on European flights. We found cheap flights and booked them through Skyscanner.com. We also signed up for overnight bus trips, trains and a ferry.

Rouse: The metro system in Shanghai is one of the best, as far as getting somewhere quickly. You just buy a ticket and go. You can ride almost anywhere in the city. For longer trips, buses are available. For a two hour bus ride, it costs the equivalent of about $16.

Staying Safe

One of the biggest concerns about traveling abroad is that of safety. You’ll be traveling to an unfamiliar location and you may not know the areas to avoid or what not to say. Leder and the students agree that safety should be one of your biggest priorities.

Q: What can students do to stay safe overseas?

Richard: Get to know what is safe, what’s not and what’s socially acceptable. Dress modestly to avoid trouble — no short shorts, no tank tops, no flip flops.

Guinn: I always carried a thing of mace. I got scared when we were in city on the metro late at night. I feel like if you’re smart and know what you’re doing, people won’t mess with you.

Rouse: I wouldn’t try to start a “Free Tibet” movement while you’re in China. Pick pocketing is an issue in any city as big as Shanghai. In China, you are a foreigner in a sea of Chinese — people will be watching you. To avoid it, wear a coat and keep your wallet and cell phone in your coat. Also, be wary of scams.

Seven years later, the former student-studded band matched the notoriety of its college influences when it hit No.1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks with their single, “Good.” Not a bad start for former University music enthusiasts, Better Than Ezra.

The Louisiana native band progressed from fraternity favorites to chart-topping artists by winning fans over early in their career.
“To be a better band, we decided early on that we needed to hit the road and win cities over,” said Tom Drummond, bassit and original band member of BTE. “We played St. Louis, where we never played before, performed for 50 people and won them all over. The next time we’d go back, there’d be 100 people, and that’s what we did for a number of years.”

Drummond said certain songs throughout Better Than Ezra’s career evoke memories of college days at LSU, where the band listened to a mixture of artists ranging from alternative pop group Guadalcanal Diary to New Orleans-based rock band Dash Rip Rock.

“State Street of Mind” — written by guitarist and vocalist Kevin Griffin — is about the LSU alumnus living on the historic street near the North gate of campus. “This Time of Year” reflects the band driving back and forth between LSU and Ole Miss, where the band played for the Rebels probably just as much as Baton Rouge, Drummond said.

Better Than Ezra began selling its first album, “Deluxe,” on consignment at mom-and-pop stores, and sold around 40,000 copies before they signed with Elektra records, a great accomplishment by today’s standards, Drummond said.

The rest is history. Former drummer Cary Bonnecaze, Griffin and Drummond road the wave of “Deluxe’s” success with subsequent hits “In the Blood” and “Rosealia.”

While members changed throughout the band’s 22-year career, Drummond, Griffin and drummer Michael Jerome continue to record and gain fans with the same energy and enthusiasm as the original tenacious LSU undergraduates had in the early van days.

Collegiate Playlist
R.E.M
Guadalcanal Diary
Dash Rip Rock
The Pixies
World Party
Drivin ‘n Cryin

Current Playlist
Foo Fighters
Broken Bells
Band of Horses
Arcade Fire
The National
Neko Case/ New Pornographers
Kings of Leon

1. How did you become involved with the North Gate Merchants Association?

The North Gate Merchants Association formed about eight years ago to try to help make improvements in the neighborhood. I got involved at that time to contribute in any way that I could and to help this unique, historic neighborhood.

2. What is your favorite aspect of the traditional North Gate area? What makes it unique?

I love the proximity to the LSU students, faculty and staff; the historic, college town atmosphere; the diversity of ideas; the international student influence; the artistic learning of many of its residents; and the large number of local independent, one-of-a-kind businesses.

3. If you could make a feast from the North Gate restaurants, what foods would you include?

I would rent out the Varsity and invite all of the neighborhood’s residents and regular customers to share in the feast. We would have Inga’s Best and Inga’s steak sandwiches, veggie omlets, hashbrowns, and biscuits from Louie’s Cafe, the eggplant dishes and Kung Pao Chicken from CCK, burgers and crawfish etouffe from the Chimes, El Fresco and smoking chicken pizzas from Reginelli’s, chips and salsa and fish tacos from Serrano’s, sushi from Koi, trays of chicken fingers from Cane’s and wings from Buffalo Wild Wings. Cheesecake and coffee would be available for dessert, if anyone had room for it.

4. Do you think the plaza, which is filled with a number of franchises, has dampened the atmosphere of the North Gate?

We have to hope that the College Row development only improves the area by bringing it businesses that people are looking for and will go out of their way to support.  It helps the North Gate area compete with other shipping districts around town when we all work together.

5. Why would you encourage students to support the local businesses in the area?

I believe people should support well-run, local, independent businesses whenever possible because they help neighborhoods and cities to be unique.  People tend to not want to live in or visit cities that are just like every other city.  If you do not spend time and money at local businesses, they disappear, and you are left with the businesses that are formed in every city in the country.  I think the North Gates is one of the most interesting and authentic areas in town, and it helps make life better for the LSU and Baton Rouge communities.

Photography by Melanie Cascio

1.Where is your favorite place to eat in Baton Rouge?

George’s under the Perkins Road Overpass and Louie’s. Mostly because their hamburgers are outstanding. Next to my wife’s, theirs are the best.  There are several fine dining restaurants I like: Albasha, Juban’s and Ruffino’s are three of them.

2. If you could be the voice of any NFL team, what would it be?

I have never given that a thought, but I would want it to be in a dome!  I am not a cold weather PA guy. I enjoy going to the Saints [games], and love listening to Jerry Romig when he says, “First Down, SAAAAAINTTTSSS!” Jerry also did the Saints games in Tiger Stadium after Katrina.

3. Chance of rain?

Ha! NEVER! And that was a throwaway line one night that a lot of people caught, and now it’s a tradition. We used to give the weather conditions before every game, and we’d announce the chance of rain. Of course, I grew up hearing that it never rains in Tiger Stadium, so one night I simply said, almost parenthetically, “Never.”  Amazing how one word can turn the crowd’s crank!

4. What is your official title?

Well, at football and basketball games I am “the PA guy.” In my day job I am president of the Louisiana Chemical Association.

5. Have you ever “flubbed” when announcing? If so, what was your most embarrassing one?

Sure.  Once I yelled that Nemesis Bates had caught a touchdown pass and it was someone else. In fact, Nemesis wasn’t even in the game. I don’t think anyone noticed except his mother!

6. What was the most memorable thing to happen in the Press Box?

Britney Spears sat in the booth with me for an Ole Miss game several years ago, long before the notoriety that now follows her. Her cousin was a Golden Girl, and at the time, we had a very small booth on the 50 yard-line with very limited access and, therefore, good security. Her bodyguard was so big he literally could not get into the booth with us. He was like an industrial freezer with two feet.

The Dean of Students divulges how she conquered chemo. Photograph by Hilary Scheinuk

Q: Where are you from?
A:  I was born in Mt. Kisco, NY + my family moved to Florida when I was 12.  I got the best of both worlds with “snow days” as a kid + the beach while growing up.

Q:  What brought you to LSU?
A:  I came to LSU in July of 2002 to serve as the Associate Dean of Students, primarily responsible for leadership development initiatives, support for student organizations + SG advising.

Q:  What’s your favorite thing about working on this University’s campus?
A:  I truly enjoy the people and the relationships that help to make the institution successful! Being part of a team that strives to enhance our students’ growth at LSU is exhilarating.  We reach for excellence and believe in what we do!

Q:  What is your favorite childhood memory?
A:  One of my fondest childhood memories was having a magician at one of my birthday parties.  I still vividly recall when he made milk come out of my elbow.

Q:  How did it feel to have  a group of LSU students run a 5K race in your name?
A:  The 2010 Baton Rouge Komen Race for the Cure was filled with many emotions for me.  I have run at least 25 Races for the Cure, but this was different because I ran as a breast cancer survivor.  Conquering chemotherapy + radiation + being supported by the LSU community has been humbling + overwhelming.  I was sincerely touched by the number of students who ran the race and who remain committed to the cause of finding a cure.

Q:  What superpower do you wish you had?
A:  If I had the superhero power of body duplication, I would be able to attend more student events, while still getting exercise, while running the lakes.

Q:  What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to and why?
A:  One of my favorite places that I have traveled to was Maui,  as the second largest Hawaiian island, it has beautiful beaches + a spectacular coastline.  A close #2 for favorite places would have to be Banff, the highest town in Canada.  Great skiing + phenomenal views.

Q:  What’s your ideal meal?
A:  My ideal meal is less about the food + more about the relationships + the social nature of sharing a meal.  Don’t get me wrong, I love food, but am happy when good authentic people come together and share an experience.

Q:  If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?
A:  If I could have any other job in the world, it would be one where I could make a positive difference for the individuals with whom I came in contact with + financial resources were abundant  to improve the lives of all involved.  I’d also like to be intellectually + physically challenged in that work. The Dean of Students role meets many of those characteristics, except for the financial abundance : ) .

Illustration by Caroline Boudreaux

Q: How often do you eat Cane’s?
A: I once bet my crew at the original location that I could eat a Box everyday for a semester. I won. Now that I’m not in the restaurants as much, I eat Cane’s about three times a month.

Q: Is Cane’s doing anything to “go green?”
A: In November, we opened the first Raising Cane’s that serves 100% compostable products on the campus of Boston University. We are researching the potential of expanding this to other markets. We are also incorporating environmentally friendly building design and construction practices into our development planning.

Q: How many Cane’s dogs have there been?
A: Two – Cane II just celebrated her 10th birthday with her canine friends at the Raising Cane’s dog park.

Q: Who invented the secret Cane’s sauce?
A: If I told you that, I’d have to drown you in Cane’s sauce.

Q: What would your last meal be?
A: Seriously?? A Box Combo NSXT (no slaw, extra toast) and a fresh squeezed lemonade.

Q: What’s your favorite social network? Why?
A: Twitter. I don’t have time for Facebook but I can manage to write 140 characters. Are you following OneLoveFounder?

Josh Harvey, LSU graduate and co-founder of the popular custom T-shirt boutique, Storyville Apparel, gives Legacy the answers. Storyville has locations in New Orleans, Austin, Texas and on 236 W. Chimes Street in Baton Rouge.

Find out more about Storyville at www.wearyourstory.com.

Q: How did you come up with the idea to “wear your story?”
A: My siblings and I grew up wearing tee shirts made by local designers like Mojo Ware in West Monroe. We wanted to create a shop that was dedicated to celebrating local culture and individual spirit.

Q: What was the inspiration behind the ‘Brad Pitt for Mayor’ shirt?
A: A Tulane professor named Thomas Bayer brought the idea to us. He though the “Brad Pitt for Mayor” campaign would be a good way to get some good press for the city of New Orleans, and to raise awareness about the upcoming mayoral election. We agreed.

Q: Did the NFL do anything to pull the “Who Dat?” shirts?
A: We received a “cease and desist” letter from the NFL in early January 2010. We held firm that the NFL – or anyone else for that matter – could own “Who Dat.”

Q: What’s the strangest things you’ve put on a T-shirt?
A: We’ve put lots of animals on shirts. There was an “apple giraffe” one time –half apple, half giraffe (a girapple?). That was odd. We also have a dinosaur sending text messages – a “Tyannosaurus Text.”

Q: What was your favorite shirt you’ve sold?
A: We’ve had a lot of success with “Brad Pitt for Mayor” and “Who Dat Nation,” but one of my all time favorites is “Beign-Yay” (a dancing beignet) because it was one of our earliest hit tees – and it features our original artwork.

Q: What made you decide to expand Storyville?
A: We think the formula of locally-themed apparel and custom tee shirts can work in markets all over the country. And each shop that we open will be a reflection of the community in which it rests.

Q: Where does the Storyville name come from?
A: It comes from the historic red light district in New Orleans, which existed from 1898-1917. It was an early place of experimentation, which included that performance of jazz and racial integration.

Q: What’s the most popular shirt ever sold from Storyville?
A: “Who Dat Nation” recently passed “Brad Pitt for Mayor” as our all-time best selling tee shirt. But we’ve got lots of hot new designs coming out in 2010.

Q: What’s it like working with all of your siblings as the owners and managers?
A: It’s awful. That’s why we have to spread out among so many cities… Just kidding. It’s fun (most of the time). We fight amongst ourselves sometimes, but we mostly get along. We all want to see Storyville succeed.

Q: Who’s the most famous customer you’ve had come to the store?
A: Kevin Spacey, Nicholas Cage, and Adam Yaunch (aka “MCA”) from the Beastie Boys have all shopped in Storyville. MTV Real World filmed there yesterday. We’re still waiting on Brad Pitt to come by.

Q: What did you do before Storyville?
A: I was a lawyer in Manhattan. And before that, I went to LSU. Geaux Tigers!

Q: What MLB team would you like to coach for and why?
A: I have no interest in coaching in the MLB. I love the college game and only want to coach at LSU.

Q: What’s your second favorite sport?
A: Baseball. My favorite sport is football. Playing QB in high school will always be my greatest thrill in sports.

Q: Are the uniform pants you have to wear as uncomfortable as they appear?
A: Do they really look that bad? I wish I had a little more rear end to fill them so they wouldn’t look so bad.

Q: Where do you get your dashing  looks from, your mother or your father?
A: First of all, thanks for the compliment, although I can’t ever remember anyone accusing me of having “dashing looks.” I’m sure I look more like my father.

Q: What song do you sing in the shower?
A: “Take me out to the ballgame.” Had to practice for Wrigley Field seventh inning stretch. Didn’t help!

Q: Which baseball movie do you prefer, “Angels in the Outfield” or “The Sandlot”?
A: “Sandlot.” Watched it every night for five years while my son, Tommy, was a little guy. My favorite character was “The Great Gambino.”

Q: Facebook profiles let students express themselves by posting a status. What would your status read?
A: Paul Mainieri is happily married to a wonderful woman!

Q: Describe yourself in five words or less.
A: Honest, Competitive, Loyal, Passionate, Leader

Q: If you could drink a beer with anyone — dead or alive — who would it be and what would you two talk about?
A: Vince Lombardi, probably the greatest coach of all time. We would talk about how to inspire players to reach their full potential.

Q: What’s your favorite mean at Walk-On’s?
A: Catfish Acadiana

Q: What’s your favorite chicken wing flavor?
A: Not a big fan of them.

Q: What’s your favorite TV show from the ’90s?
A: The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I loved it most when Rodney Dangerfield came on.

Q: If you could challenge one of your players to an arm wrestling match, who would it be?
A: Blake Dean. He just had an arm surgery so he’s the only one I could beat.

Q: Boxers or briefs?
A: Boxers.

Q: Who would win in a fight: Batman or Spriderman?
A: Batman. He’s the man!

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