UWF degree and year of graduation:  
BA Mathematics, ’87
MA Mathematics, ’91

As you look back at your days at UWF, describe your best memory.
The great faculty at UWF, especially Raid Amin, Dave Stout, Dave Sherry, James Weaver and Matatong Ncube, as well as the many students in the Math Department.

While you were at UWF, what did you think was its most outstanding and/or unique quality?
The natural setting of UWF’s campus provided an ideal environment for an academic institution.
It’s remote, yet accessible.

As you reflect, did your education at UWF have an impact on where you are today?
The education I received at UWF has definitely impacted my career. The basics I learned at enabled me to pursue a doctorate in Biometry by instilling a sense of carefulness and rigor necessary for mathematical proof. In addition, an early introduction to computer software; including statistical analysis software and programming, was very important in performing routine data analyses. Those skills have a direct impact on success in publication, teaching and consulting that we do on a daily basis. (Editor’s note: Biometry is the study of statistics as it relates to biology.)

Describe what you do/did professionally including the type of company you work for.
My current position is professor of Biostatistics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss. In that position, I teach graduate and medical students, as well as consult with many health care professionals concerning study design and statistical analysis.

What advice would you give students today who were looking at studying one of the disciplines in the School of Science and Engineering? 
Learn all that you can while you are at UWF. Broaden your skills as much as possible and take courses outside of your area of interest. Learn to use presentation tools effectively and practice presenting in front of a crowd of your peers. Be confident that you are getting a top-notch education at UWF.

Share one thing about yourself that would give others insight into your interests, hobbies, etc. 
Music. I like listening to all sorts of music. I also like playing blues and classic rock on the guitar and bass. I started building musical instruments, primarily guitars, and love giving them to kids in the hope that they will find as much satisfaction in playing them as I have.