| Q: So, Dr. J., what do you do here at Samford University? | |||
| A: | Well, I advise students, solve their academic problems, write letters of recommendation, teach. I listen much more than I talk, and I like to photograph spiders in my spare time. | ||
| Q: Do you really have a Ph.D.? | |||
| A: | Yes, I do, but it's from Auburn -- so does that really count? My specialty is comparative physiology of the nervous system. My research topic used chickens, but you'd expect that from Auburn. | ||
| Q: What do you like most about teaching at Samford? | |||
| A: | Being the teacher -- in truth, the interaction with the young at heart keeps me young. The other teachers in the department are fun to work with. We all are energetic, quick-witted, conscientious about being good teachers, and make good targets for bouncing ideas back and forth. | |
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| Q: What do you like least? | |||
| A: | I worry about spending all the money I make here. | ||
| Q: What advice can you give a student who wants to major in biology? | |||
| A: | Listen to your advisor. If you have really tough questions, just ask Linda Wood. Study hard and play hard. When studying, you read, organize, and critically think with the information. But most of all, recall the information. "Repetition makes the reputation." Your good reputation in this department will get you into graduate school or professional school. | ||
| Q: As a biology major, why do I have to take so much chemistry? | |||
| A: | Like life is independent of chemistry? Yeah, right! | ||
| Q: What's your favorite subject to teach? | |||
| A: | Whenever I have the chance, I enjoy teaching anatomy or
physiology. We use cadavers in anatomy -- so, if I'm ever looking
you over, I'm looking for your great saphenous vein or your brachialis
muscle. I am interested in bugs and spiders and enjoy teaching zoology.
Today, we teach zoology with photography and sight identification of the
critters. This has required developing a skill in photography, but
I'm a better biologist for it.
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| Q: Do you remember being an undergrad in college? | |||
| A: | Of course. With selective memory, I even remember
being a straight "A" student at Carson Newman College. I fell
asleep in chapel once with my head on the shoulder of a young lady who
became Miss America. I also did research on ticks with Dr.
Joe Chapman.
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| Q: Are you actually married and have kids? | |||
| A: | One wife and two kids -- that's better than two wives and one kid. . . | ||
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