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What is your favorite food?
I enjoy all sorts of food. Of course, living in Texas, one has to
love Mexican food. However, Chinese and Italian food rank right up
there with Mexican food.
What kind of music do you like?
As far as music is concerned, there is a real dichotomy of my taste
in music. When it comes to dancing, nothing beats country and western
music. For easy listening and thought
provoking music, I enjoy contemporary Christian music.
 What
do you like to do during vacations? Susan and I love
to go to the mountains, especially in Colorado. In the summers of
2001, 2002 and 2004 we were campground hosts at Colorado River State
Park near Grand Junction. Even though we worked 30 to 35 hours a
week, it was really a two month vacation for us each of those
summers. In 2003, we enjoyed a 15 day vacation in Alaska. In 2006
and 2007 we were onsite volunteers at Red Rock State Park in
Arizona. This summer we are planning on campground hosting at South
Beach State Park in Oregon (note: Bill's "other half" is Professor
of MIS Susan Sliva).
What
reading material do you keep on your nightstand?
I don't keep any reading material on my
nightstand. If you come to my house, you will find much reading
material next to my easy chair. Within arms reach you will find
copies of "Trailer Life" and "Guideposts" magazines, a Bible with
some daily devotionals, and "Full Time RVing" by Bill and Jan
Moeller.
What activities or interests do you
have outside of SU? My favorite
outdoor activities are camping and hiking. Several years ago I began
piano lessons. SU's own Dr.
Don Crandall was my private instructor for six and a half years.
Dr Crandall is an excellent instructor. My advice to anyone
interested in the piano, don't wait until you are 45 to begin
lessons!
note:
Schreiner's Star Parties are the brainchild of Dr. William Sliva, and
over the years they have proven to be a popular event for stargazers
of all ages. Dr. Sliva has received a Schreiner University Creative
Teaching Award for the Star Party program.
What
activities & interests do you have connected with SU? Every two years I get the opportunity to teach an introductory astronomy
course. Astronomy is a fun class to teach. I can talk about all the
different theories in astronomy, some of which seem to be rather bizarre,
and still retain student interest. The students really enjoy the evening
viewing sessions.
Additionally,
I'm involved with two student organizations, Kappa Mu Epsilon and
Baptist Student Ministries. Dr. Clint Coles and I co-sponsor KME,
the mathematics honor society, while I'm the sole sponsor of BSM.
All of the campus ministry organizations work together to encourage
students in their spiritual walk.
 What
is your favorite class?
When people ask me what is my favorite class, my response is "all
of them!" What makes the classes so enjoyable is not the subject
matter, but the students. I do love mathematics, physics and astronomy,
but mathematics is not the most glamorous subject to teach. Often
times students tell me that they hate mathematics. So, I normally
inject a little humor in my classes to put the students at ease. My
goal is to show them the structure of the math. Once students get
a "feel" for the subject matter, math is a little less intimidating.
Students still may not like mathematics, but they appreciate the subject
much more.
Is there any particular advice you give
to students?
I usually start every freshmen class with the statement that each
person has unique God-given talents and abilities. The person's job
in life is to discover those talents and abilities and put them to
use. I try to impress upon the students that enjoying what you do
is much more
important than making big bucks. Nothing would seem more depressing
to me that to go to a job you utterly abhor. The day I feel that I
cannot walk into the classroom is the day I know it will be time to
retire.
What inspires you? When I look back at my life, I clearly see God's hand at work. When
I graduated in 1977 with my masters' degree, I never thought I would
be teaching at a private, liberal arts university. Not only do I get
to share my knowledge and learn along with my students, I have the
opportunity to share my faith and encourage them in their faith walk.
My colleagues at SU are a superb group of individuals. I'm honored
to be associated with them. I have been truly blessed by God being
a part of Schreiner University!
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