Name: Steve Meyer
Position at UWGB: Associate Professor (NAS – academic background is agricultural climatology) and Secretary of the Faculty and Staff (SOFAS)
Summary of what you do: Still trying to figure that out
How long have you been employed: 17th year at UWGB
Brief history of employment with UWGB: Assistant/Associate Professor (2001-present), Faculty Co-Director of FOCUS (2007-2011, 2012-2015), SOFAS (2015-present)
Three words that describe you: Compassionate, loyal, honest
Any favorite line from a movie? “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”
Are you messy or organized? Organized (usually)
Describe what you were like at age 10. Hard working (already had two paper routes by 5th grade) and loved 1930s and 1940s Universal Studios monster movies.
Do you have a favorite quote? “Fat may not be fashionable, but it is functional.” (I am rarely cold)
Do you have an office nickname? What is it? Although only unnamed one person (Scott Ashmann) calls me this…King SOFAS X
Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work? The time a student came up to me after class and said “Do you know your shirt is on inside out?” (give me a break, I dress in the dark so as to not wake up the Mrs.)
Favorite travel spot? Northern Wisconsin.
If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day? The Governor – I would increase the budget of UWGB and give everyone a 50% raise.
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be? Jesus Christ
If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? Crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
If you were an animal what would you be? My dog…spoiled, spoiled, spoiled.
If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save? Family photos.
Least favorite Food? Liver.
Motto or personal mantra? It takes a special kind of stupid to be SOFAS.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us? My guilty pleasure is Hallmark Christmas movies.
Tell us three things most people don’t know about you. 1) I enjoy horror/monster movies, 2) I love the Fall season, 3) 35th anniversary coming up this May.
Top 3 life highlights? My marriage, birth of my kids, Cubs World Series Championship.
What advice would you give to recent new hires? Get to know as many people who work here as possible. Faculty, get to know staff and students. Staff, get to know faculty and students. Students, get to know faculty and staff. This place is surrounded by amazing people, get to know them!!
What book did you read last? The Walking Dead Compendium (don’t judge me, it is research for my First Year Seminar “The Science and History of Monsters”)
What celebrity do people think you look like? Jeffrey DeMunn (played Dale on “The Walking Dead”)
What children’s character can you relate with most? Why? Charlie Brown.
What do you like most about your job? Developing relationships with colleagues and students.
What do you like to do in your spare time? What is this “spare time” of which you speak?
What does a typical day look like for you? Try to be at the Kress Center gym by 6:15, in the office at 7:30, teaching/faculty duties in the morning, SOFAS duties in the afternoon. Leave around 5:45. Watch ABC Evening News and Jeopardy, walk the dog, watch a show, go to bed.
What is an ability you wish you had? The ability to control the weather.
What is the first concert you attended? Jethro Tull (they have been my favorite band since 1974)
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years? Patience is a virtue…and I am not very virtuous.
What is your biggest pet peeve? When I care more about a student learning the material than they do.
What is your favorite meal? Thanksgiving dinner.
What is your favorite movie and book? Movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Book “Tuesdays with Morrie”.
What is your favorite sport? As a kid: baseball. As an adult: golf.
Hidden talent? Salsa making (although maybe that isn’t so hidden anymore).
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work? Golfing, gardening, fishing.
What one food do you wish had zero calories? Chocolate.
What phobias do you have? Claustrophobia: not a fan of tight, enclosed spaces. So, no, I’m not going spelunking with you.
What places have you lived in? Des Plaines, IL (24 years), Lincoln, NE (18 years), Green Bay WI (17 years).
What was your favorite book, toy, or outfit as a child? Tabletop hockey game.
What would you like to be famous for? Convincing the President and Congress that climate change is real so that they finally act on it.
What’s the one thing, you can’t live without? My wife.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? You mean besides my own words?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Retired?
Where is your favorite place to eat? Mackinaws.
Where is your home town? Des Plaines, IL (suburb of Chicago)
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation? I’ve always wanted to go to Vermont or New Hampshire in the Fall to see the turning leaves, but something always prevented me from doing so.