Michael Owen is president of the ISU Faculty Senate and a professor of agronomy.

What is your favorite memory of college?

The second date with my wife who was a freshman at Iowa State when I was a junior. I proposed to her then although she did not take it seriously until six years later. Also, Dugan’s.

What is your favorite thing about Iowa State or Ames?

This is a tough one, as Ames is my hometown. I think the most important thing is the nurturing atmosphere that the two communities provide students. I very much value central campus and the green spaces. I still enjoy intramurals.

Where is your favorite place to eat in town?

This is a tough question also because Ames and campus have numerous places that are my favorite. If I have to pick one, I choose Wallaby’s.

How was your freshman year?

A great disappointment to my parents, but I had a great time.

What was the most embarrassing moment of your freshman year? Did you make any silly freshman mistakes?

There were too many embarrassing moments to remember. Getting sat upon by Chris Taylor comes to mind. The answer to the second question is of course.

What advice would you give to incoming students?

Recognize and accept as many opportunities that put you into a situation that is out of your comfort zone. However, also recognize that academics must come first. According to me, the toughest thing for new students to learn is how to go to college. Keep an open mind and expand your horizons. Volunteer.

When did you know what you wanted to do with your life?

I am still working on it. It is a continuous journey and as new opportunities present themselves, they become part of the fabric that is my life.

When did it click, when did learning become fun?

Fun? Seriously, when I finally understood the process of going to college, learning became fun. I suspect if I were to try and pin it down, the second quarter my sophomore year. It was that or be drafted.

How did you get where you are now in your career?

Through the hard and significant efforts of many people — my parents; my undergraduate adviser, George Knaphus; my major professors, David Staniforth and Fred Slife; my colleagues through the years; and of course my wife and children.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

The mentoring of students, working with growers in Iowa and the opportunity to add to the scholarly literature.

Describe your job. What are your duties?

My job is currently made up of several responsibilities; the component of Faculty Senate President, my extension responsibilities, the research and teaching/mentoring students and service to Iowa State and the community. Each is prominent and important, but the focus changes depending on the day, the task and the deadline.

What was your proudest accomplishment of the last year? 

I participated on a committee in the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences and co-authored a report “Impact of Biotechnology on Farm-Level Economics and Sustainability”. 

What is your biggest goal for next year?

As faculty senate president, my goal is to support faculty initiatives and help them better serve the students of Iowa State; and survive, intact.

What do you think is the biggest issue currently facing students? What can we do about it?

Student debt. Seek out all opportunities for scholarships. Iowa State has excellent support that helps students find scholarship opportunities. While the individual scholarships may not be large, each one will be helpful. There are also many opportunities on campus to work with professors hourly. Again, these jobs will be supplemental and need to be balanced with attention to academics. However, often these jobs will provide experiences that will be extremely valuable in making future decisions.

What are you most looking forward to in the next year? 

My son graduating.

What are your must-do and must-see things for students?

Win an intramural championship T-shirt, determine where the manhole covers on campus come from and appreciate the beauty of the ISU campus.

What does a student need to do before they finish their freshman year?

Meet as many professors as possible and introduce yourself to the administration. Participate in Government of the Student Body. Become a member of a Veishea committee. Throw a Frisbee on central campus. Read all of the plaques marking historically significant events and places on the ISU campus. Build a snowman on Central Campus. Organize a group to pick up trash on Welch Avenue on a Sunday morning. Appreciate the opportunities that are provided by Iowa State and the impact the experiences will have on the rest of your life. Go Cyclones!

What does a student have to do before they graduate?

Experience as many opportunities Iowa State offers as possible. While college seems to drag on, in truth, the days will be the best of your life, and you need to savor your time at Iowa State.