News Article

Paul Mixon’s passions are his engineering students and mountaineering. He recently added one of the most remote peaks of the Colorado 14ers – San Luis – to his 35 summits of 14,000-feet or above. Let’s get to know the professor who wants to be the first person from Arkansas to complete the list of 53.

Paul Daniel Mixon

Place of birth:

Memphis, TN

Family:

Wife Tonya, daughter Taylor, son Jack

Why did you choose A-State?

I thought it represented a great opportunity for me to make a real difference in our region by engaging in my passion for teaching.

Your philosophy on education in seven words:

Never lose your passion for lifelong learning.

What’s the value of a university education?

In today’s world the value of a university education cannot be overstated. It demonstrates many things about the person who has earned a university degree, and speaks volumes about how well-equipped the person is to succeed in life.

What does e3 mean to you?

That is about 20.086.

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

Probably either philosophy or economics, the two classic disciplines of “thought and action”.

My passion is...

Mountaineering.

My favorite trip was...

Probably one of my mountaineering expeditions to South America.

A perfect day is...

Camping somewhere with my wife Tonya.

If I could travel anywhere it would be...

to the continent of Antarctica.

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

The primary motivation for studying engineering is to use your skills and abilities to help people and improve the overall quality of life for society.

What music is playing in your car?

“Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis

My favorite motion picture is...

“The Bridge on the River Kwai.”

The television series I must TiVo...

Either “MASH” or “The Rifleman.”

The last book I read for fun was...

”David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell.

What are you working on right now?

Designing a new undergraduate program in Computer Engineering, increasing graduate enrollment in engineering, and growing our program.

Four people I’d take to coffee...

Nobel physicist Dr. Richard Feynman, high-altitude mountaineer Ed Viesturs, and of course the two “Bobs”, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley.

My pro sports team is...

Denver Broncos.

My pet peeve is...

Whiners and self-centered people.

My favorite meal is...

Home-cooked Mexican food.

What I like about Jonesboro is...

Great people, modern city with a “small town” feel.

Beach or mountains?

Mountains!!

I wish I could...

Play the violin.

Only my friends know I...

would rather sleep in a tent than a house.

The best advice I ever received was...

Learn humility and don’t take yourself too seriously.

My favorite saying is...

“One has done nothing when one has bested a fool.”