Caught on Campus: Grad student opts to phone a friend
Utah Statesman: Why did you come to Utah State?
Bateman: Because my wife wanted to come here.
US: What do you like about Utah State?
Bateman: Friendly people.
US: What do you not like about Utah State?
Bateman: Sometimes in grad school, freshmen can get annoying. I hate parking; I’m always on the lookout for a free parking spot here or there or when the parking lot is open for free parking – I refuse to pay for parking
US: What are you going to do when you graduate?
Bateman: Work in a hospital in Salt Lake.
US: Do you already have a job lined up?
Bateman: No, but they are so desperate for anyone that I can pick where I live and then find a job. So I will be doing speech pathology in Salt Lake.
US: What five words would your wife used to describe you?
Bateman: Friendly, obnoxious … should I call her and find out? Bateman (on the phone): Hey, what five words would you use to describe me? Bateman (on the phone): I said friendly and obnoxious, is that accurate?Bateman (on the phone): She said she wouldn’t say obnoxious – she’d say outgoing, funny and loving.
US: Do you have any children?
Bateman: I have a 15-month-old and another one due in February.
US: What is the hardest thing about being a student and a parent?
Bateman: The hardest thing at this point is motivation. I’m excited to be done with coursework. The parent thing is hard to find time for yourself and learning to be unselfish.
US: What was the last movie you saw in a theater?
Bateman: I think it was “Cars”, or the Twin Towers one.
US: Did you like the movie about Sept. 11?
Bateman: Yes, I thought it was well done
US: Do you think it came out too soon?
Bateman: No, I think it was about right. There was a lot of people who thought it was really stupid, but I liked it.
US: Have you ever met anyone famous?
Bateman: I met Neal A. Maxwell once
US: Where did you meet him?
Bateman: Our seminary building burned down, and he came to speak.
US: What television family would you compare your family to?
Bateman: A single mom “Simpsons”.
US: What is one thing you never leave home without?
Bateman: My phone, my wife likes me to be available.
US: If I looked in your refrigerator, what would I see?
Bateman: We need to get rid of those muddy buddies, and we go through a lot of milk.
US: How much milk do you go through in a week?
Bateman: With a pregnant wife and a 15-month-old, we go through a couple gallons a week.
US: What would you do with an unlimited supply of monkeys?
Bateman: Besides starting an advertising agency, it might be unethical to use them for labor.
US: What are you most looking forward to after graduation?
Bateman: Not living on a student income. Before I got married, I liked school, but then when I got married, I wanted to get done. Now with a kid, I’m dying to get done.
US: If you could choose between a million dollars and a flying carpet that works, which would you choose?
Bateman: A flying carpet would go for a lot more on eBay, so I’ll go with that.
US: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Bateman: Figure out your major quick and get out.
-etippetts@cc.usu.edu