Year: Non traditional- Freshman
Major: Surgical Technology at Missoula College
Goals after obtaining degree: After I get my AA from COT I would like to work for about a year and then pursue more education to become a Physicians Assistant.
Status: I am married. My husband is also a student at the University, he is an Education major.
What is your favorite thing about your spouse: My favorite thing about Mike is his devotion and his barbecuing skills.
Why Missoula: We moved to Missoula to be closer to the U. My grandparents retired here back in 1988 and when they passed away in 1993 we moved back to Oregon. In 2006 while visiting my mother Mike and I decided to stay. Now we are both students at the U as well as one of our daughters and our oldest son.
Favorite type of music: I love music some of my favorites are Shinedown, Nickleback, and Halestorm. I am pretty diverse though I also like R&B and Blues. Music is pretty big in our family so we listen a lot and to a lot of stuff. Locally it would have to be Marshall Catch they are really good.
Favorite T.V. show: If I could recommend a TV show I dunno which one I would recommend I like so many. But if I had to narrow it down it would probably be Sons of Anarchy. I like the action in the show but I also like how it shows sometimes you are dealt a hand you just have to live with regardless of how you want your life to be.
Thoughts on the recent political ads: I was sick of the political commercials! When they came on I would mute the TV, they were so negative half of the time you never know what was the truth or not the truth. I am happy that they are over. As far as the election goes I don’t really know what to say; I voted. I voted for Obama because to me he is the only choice especially as a woman, student and part of the famous 47%.
If you could visit one place, where would it be: As silly as this sounds the only place I would want visit is Disneyworld, with all of my kids. I would want to be able to stay as long as I could and see all that it has to offer. All of my kids have been to Disneyland and seeing the smiles on their faces is the best feeling in the world. I also think it is a very romantic place, my husbands smile was as big as the kids when he was watching them play and meet the characters. It is truly a magical place and it brings a family closer when you visit. I am truly a kid at heart!
UM has been in the news a lot lately, as a student what would you like to say on behalf of UM: UM has been in the news a lot lately, I agree, however it is all so negative which is sad because what has been going on is not in any way a representation of who we are as a university. I think people need to know; which a lot don’t, is that u of m becomes your family when you attend whether you are a 18 yr old just coming to college, or a 39 yr old coming back. The staff and professors go out of their way to know you and help you to succeed. I have been to other colleges and they are very sterile in how they treated me business as usual. Here at the U, I am a person not just a number. It is nice to walk into the cot office and be known by name and be asked how am I doing, to see professors outside of school and they know my name and ask how I am doing. We have had some struggles lately as a school but all families struggle and that’s what I would say to someone the u is a family.
Favorite fall activities: Fall is here and I love to see the leaves turn. With fall comes one of my families favorite activities and that is football! GO GRIZ! My son attended Griz Football Camp this summer and tells us he is going to be a griz when he grows up! He is 7 now, so we have a minute. But going to games at Washington Griz Stadium or just snuggling up under a blanket on Sunday and watching football is awesome. I love the crisp fall air in the morning and seeing the red in my kiddo’s cheeks as he plays outside.
What is your favorite part of campus: My favorite part of campus is just outside the Lomasson building where everyone hangs out at one point or another. I like meeting my husband and friends there, saying hi checking in and seeing how everyone is doing. Of course getting a quick kiss between classes is always nice too! And to see my two oldest kids becoming young adults is amazing I am so proud to be a student at the u and to see my children following not behind me in my footsteps but beside me. To have my husband beside me is amazing as well to go through this married, and older is hard but doing it together makes it special for both of us, I couldn’t do it without him I am very blessed.