News Article

Let’s take a moment to meet the engineer and out-of-the-box thinker who decided to take robotics construction and programing to second graders at Valley View Elementary School to inspire them for STEM learning, Shivan Haran.

Shivan Haran

Place of birth:

New Delhi, India

Why did you choose A-State?

Size, location and the fact that there was plenty to do and grow with the program.

What makes a good professor?

Willingness to listen, patience, understand and guide students in every which way.

Who was your favorite teacher (and why)?

My Math teacher – because he made it all so simple.

What makes for a good student?

Willingness to learn, think through a problem and work towards understanding basic concepts.

What’s the value of a university education?

Priceless!

Your philosophy on education in seven words:

“Education teaches us how to spell experience” (I am paraphrasing someone, forget the source)

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

Mathematics – extremely fascinating and challenging... a must-have “tool” for engineers.

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

Believe it or not, we are all “engineering” things in some form or the other.

Before you retire I want to...

no plans yet!

In college, I was known for...

being boisterous.

What music is playing in your car?

Classic Rock

My favorite motion picture is...

Too many to list, but Citizen Kane and Roman Holiday are two of my favorites.

The television series I must TiVo...

Dr. Who.

The last book I read for fun was...

“The Bed of Procrustes” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

My favorite trip was...

to Dublin, Ireland.

If I could travel anywhere it would be...

Chile.

Four people I’d take to coffee...

Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, Malcolm Gladwell and my Father (I would just listen to them).

The best advice I ever received was...

“Whatever you attempt do your best and don’t worry about what others think of you.”

What is the one thing I’ve learned I’d tell my college self...

Be patient; some things just take time.

My hobby is...

reading and playing chess.

My passion is...

I would like to try and make a difference, however small.

My pro sports team is...

New England Patriots.

My pet peeve is...

blatant lying.

My favorite meal is...

not very finicky about food, so - anything I cook.

A perfect day is...

having accomplished everything on my to-do list!! (unlikely).

My spirit cartoon character is...

the Spirit himself.

What I like about Jonesboro is...

the size, people and the weather.

When I want to crush karaoke, my song is...

Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock ‘n Roll”

Cats or dogs?

Dogs!

E-book or hardback?

Hardback

Beach or mountains?

Mountains – always fascinated by them

Dinner or supper?

Supper

The one thing I’d take to a desert island (and a boat is not an answer)...

a bottle of 25-yr old Single Malt Scotch (preferably from the Highlands).

I wish I could...

play the piano.

Only my friends know I...

I don’t like to be politically correct.

My favorite saying is...

It’s a quote: “The only guide to a man is his conscience; the only shield, the rectitude and sincerity of his actions.” (Part of a speech given by Sir Winston Churchill)