News Article

As the proud first female PhD recipient from A-State, Jennifer Bouldin is a product of both the program and the region. Let’s get to know this Paragould native.

Dr. Jennifer Bouldin

Place of birth?

Paragould

Why did you choose A-State?

For my degree I chose it b/c of the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program as I liked the interdisciplinary nature of it and knowing that it takes a broader view of one’s discipline to make a well-rounded scientist. For employment, I chose A-State b/c the pride our university has in teaching and research.

What music is playing in your car?

KASU

What makes a good professor?

One who can get the student involved both mentally and physically in the subject matter. Using hands-on, research examples, and life experiences, a good professor gets the students physically and mentally involved. Also one who listens to the student and realizes that everyone learns differently – taking that into consideration when interacting individually with each student.

What’s the value of a university education?

Expanding one’s knowledge is invaluable and personally gratifying. It also makes the graduate more marketable for employment. I have read that the things we CAN take with us when we die is our knowledge and our love (M. Scott Peck). Sorry, got a little philosophical there...

Your philosophy on education in seven words:

Learn something every day of your life.

If you could teach another field, which one and why?

Math; as I stated above, I love math and it comes to me easily. If I could teach in another classroom setting it would be middle school (5th and 6th grade). This is when the excitement for science begins.

My favorite motion picture is...

The Sound of Music. When I was very young my Mother took me to St. Louis to see the movie when it was first previewed. She loved it – and I love the music and Julie Andrews as an actress.

The television series I must TiVo...

Grey’s Anatomy

What is the one thing you wish you could teach everyone about your field?

How important our freshwater is to the world. This resource is finite and protecting it is our greatest challenge to secure our global future.

What are you working on right now?

Student’s research projects (which are also grants in which I am PI) and a new grant that will fund a PhD student.

My passion is...

spending time with my grandson, Seth, and granddaughter, Brielle – and deer hunting.

Before you retire I want to...

Bring my research facility (Ecotoxicology Research Facility) to a new level. It has grown since I have taken over as Director and would like to see it grow even more.

The last book I read for fun was...

John Grisham’s Gray Mountain. He mentioned some environmental disasters that I worked on in Kentucky and West Virginia.

If I could travel anywhere it would be...

to Iceland – never been there and think it is a fascinating place.

Four people I’d take to coffee...

my friend, Penny, and my kids, Chris, Eric and Ashley.

The best advice I ever received was...

from my Dad. We used to work cleaning up fence rows and undergrowth at the farm and yard work at home. When we stopped, he would look at us and say: Do something, even if it’s wrong, just do something (in other words just keep working). He didn’t like to see us stand around when there was work to do. Perhaps this is why I never sit still...

My pro sports team is...

Denver Broncos – Peyton Manning. I met him at the wedding rehearsal dinner for his sister in law - wonderful family. Also the St. Louis Cardinals – we used to go to games as a kid and my Dad always listened to them on the radio when they were playing.

A perfect day is...

sharing my homemade bread with family and friends and enjoying the outdoors.

Beach or mountains?

Beach in the summer, mountains in the winter.

Dinner or supper?

Dinner.

I wish I could...

get caught up with all I need (and want) to do.

Only my friends know...

I have autographed copies of all of John Grisham’s book.

My favorite saying is...

"Are we having fun yet?" My husband used to say this when we were on family trips!