Featured Graduate Student, January 2009
James Freeman

Interview:

How would you describe your area of study to your grandmother?
I would say, "Granny, almost everyone wants to have their say in how our forests are managed -- and that's good. But the problem is that people don't always agree about how the forests should be managed, even the people who are in charge of managing forests. This disagreement happens for a lot of reasons, but they still have to work together. I study how these people work together and look for ways that they could improve how they work together so that our forests can ultimately be managed better."

What is your primary motivation for persevering through graduate school?
Big fat paychecks, giant mahogany desks, and bookshelves lined with leather-bound first editions. All of which are awaiting me upon graduation. No, not really. I love learning how to learn and hope to devote my life to the education of youth in some way in the future.

Do you think there is any value in social networking with other graduate students in non-related fields?
Absolutely. One problem with higher-ed is that it forces you to be a specialist. Grad students have the unique opportunity to be free to learn about other fields while still focusing on their degree program. While, it is good to have expertise in your area, if you don't learn about what others are doing and socialize with them, you could miss out on this unique opportunity in Grad School.

What is your favorite stress-reduction technique?
Meeting my friends at the Hokie House at 5pm every Friday.

What is the last book you read strictly for pleasure and how long ago was it?
"Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions" by John Kotter. I read it over holiday break.

Please describe your most meaningful academic relationship.
My most meaningful academic relationship is probably with my wife, Laura. We constantly help each other out with our work and ideas even though we are not in the same discipline. Additionally, she pushes me to be better and better. (Awwwwwwww...)

What surprised you the most about graduate school?
How much you are treated like a colleague.

If travel to Mars happens in your lifetime, would you want to be one of the scientists on board? If yes, what would you contribute to the mission?
No. I get motion sickness and I hear barf in space is gross and hard to clean up.

What is your favorite comfort food and why? How often do you consume it?
Fish and chips SOAKED in malt vinegar, because my grandmother used to take me to Long John Silvers when I visited her in the summers as a kid.

If you hadn't been admitted to graduate school, what do you think you would be doing right now?
Working at the Government Accountability Office in the Natural Resources and Environment group, probably on Department of Energy contract management.

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