Interview with Erica Spicer, 04/26/2016

HS: I am Hayley Stumbris and I am interviewing Erica Spicer. Where did you grow up?

ES: Cambridge Wisconsin.

HS: Can you tell me a little bit about it?

ES: It's a small town, less than 1000 people. The school was about 400 students, give or take. It was kind of that farm town where majority of the students worked on farms or did a lot of kind of personal labor for their families, that's about it. (Laughs)

HS: Can you tell me about, like, your neighborhood, did you live in the country or..?

ES: I lived sort of out in the country; it was kind of that in between where it wasn't directly in town but not totally in the country. We were on a cul de sac, which at first there were only a handful of houses but then later on it really got built up. So we had a nice big yard, which then houses later came right side by side by each other. So it was kind of like you found your own ways to stay 00:01:00occupied for a while but then a lot of kids ended up moving to the neighborhood later on.

HS: Were you guys like close to each other, like friendship wise?

ES: Yes (laughs)

HS: Yeah

ES: Well not close to the point where we are still in touch but close enough where we, you know, we went to their house for dinner or our house. Or that kind of closeness.

HS: Yeah, you like interacted

ES: Yes.

HS: And then what are your parents like?

ES: My parents are... My dad's one of those where he only has four rules but don't ever break those rules kind of a guy. My mom is one of those where she's always wanting to look out for us, and wanting us to be the best of the best. And also sometimes forgetting the balance of having fun along with the hard work sort of a way but I mean in the end you couldn't ask for better parents really in that sense. Raising four children while they are divorcing and so forth isn't an easy task but they went through it in those sort of a things. I think really 00:02:00with all three of my sisters and myself you couldn't really have done much better.

HS: Yeah, when did your parents get divorced?

ES: They... It was a long divorce process. They started when I was in 5th grade and it was finally, the 1st set was done when I was in freshman year of high school but then obviously there are child support issues and all of that that went back and forth.

HS: You said you had sisters?

ES: Yes

HS: How are they?

ES: They are good, I'm number two of the four. Kind of, you know, the oldest is always the one taking the leadership role and is always the one telling you what to do while she doesn't necessarily do it but whenever you need something she will step up and do it. Number three is kind of like that rebellious child always out being that odd ball but always wanting to be the Abercrombie and Fitch top of the line products and stuff like that. Then number four is sitting 00:03:00in a corner read a book kind of person. So, even though we all have things in common we all have our different personalities and we like to call ourselves interdependent where we like to count on each other but at the same time we can support ourselves.

HS: Are you guys like really close?

ES: Yes we are very close. Number three is a bit more independent to the point where if we do something, if it doesn't really fit in her schedule she won't rearrange things to be a part of it. Which is fine, she kind of has her own life. The other three of us will cancel things with other people to get together with each other, call each other on a regular basis, and try to Skype. Those types of things (Laughs)

HS: (laughs) yeah.

ES: We are each other's best friends.

HS: What did your parents do for a living?

ES: My father worked in law enforcement. Started on patrol and moved to 00:04:00detective and then moved to sergeant in the jail before he retired. My mom worked a few different jobs. She was a 911 dispatcher. No, before that she was a pre vet assistant, then was a 911 dispatcher, then was... I forgot her actual title but she worked in school and she helped students with homework and what not, like students who needed a bit extra help and now she works for a hospital.

HS: Oh that's nice! How old are you siblings?

ES: The oldest one, hold on how old am I, ok (laughs). The oldest one is 29 and then 24 and then 21.

HS: And then do they go to school and do they have jobs now?

ES: Yes, the oldest one works for Carthage College. The one right after me actually just got hired, I forget the name of the school but she's going to be a special ed teacher starting in the fall. The youngest is still currently attending UW Whitewater.

HS: So you're not in touch with any neighbors?

ES: Not from Cambridge no. (Laughs) Once in a while they will pop up on Facebook but no we haven't stayed connected.

HS: Did you guys move around a lot as a family or..?

ES: We moved when I was in 1st grade from Jefferson to Cambridge and then we moved when I was in 8th grade from Cambridge to Grafton with my mom but then my dad went to Fort Atkinson. So then just trying to go back between parent who lived two hours apart we kind of just lost touch with friends for a while. There are a few, um, my sister was a freshman in high school when we moved so she staying in touch with a few connections. I have a few from middle school but none that we played with and that lived in our neighborhood.

HS: That's sad. You said that the neighborhood really grew up. How was that? Did 00:06:00you like that or?

ES: No (laughs) mainly just because of the traffic. My sisters and I, we loved kind of being wild children in the sense where there is trees and miles and miles of woods all around our house before those house came in. So once those houses came in a lot of those families were pretty formal families where if they didn't have dinner at 6 o'clock it was chaos. Where with us my mom let us play outside till we came in and said we were hungry. So I felt like life was a bit more, I don't want to say restricting, but seemed like more timely I guess in a way instead of just free spirited. If that makes sense.

HS: Yeah, so then it was like where if you go into a city it was like those, you know what I'm talking about, where it is like those big houses.

ES: It's not the mansions but the majority of houses when we first moved there 00:07:00were ranch houses, one level with a basement. Then new houses had two plus stories to them or more. They looked bigger than just our one ranch little square house.

HS: Ok, and then were you guys like involved in anything, like activities like the church?

ES: Yes, we went to church. We were part of the conformation groups and youth groups there for a while. We did piano lessons. We played some summer leagues for a while on and off summer school kind of, that kind of stuff. My mom was one of those where she liked to try us in a little bit of everything so we didn't stick with one thing throughout our entire childhood until like high school. We made our own decisions for sports but like we played softball and soccer. I wouldn't have anything to do with cheerleading but my sister tried cheerleading. All those sorts of things. So we were pretty active to the point where some people thought my parents were crazy have us in so many things. We liked it and 00:08:00we had a lot of energy that we needed to burn off. I mean four girls in a household; things can get crazy so it was nice kind of being out there and knowing that we tried those things.

HS: Yeah, that's good. Then are you still involved in that like the church or like any piano?

ES: Um, I do piano somewhat. Like it's not something I do professional or anything like that but I still like to tinker around and so forth. It is one of those where some of us will, like my oldest sister still does club teams like community club teams, but the older you get it is kind of harder to do so many things so we find things here and there of all the things that we've don't but it depends on the year and all the things going on but we try to stay active in some way shape or form.

HS: Yeah, um how were the holidays? Were they crazy?

ES: Our least favorite times of the year (laughs) just because obviously with divorced parents and the one parent being remarried and the other in a relationship trying to coordinate all those family members. And then also my husband's family being divorced and remarried we average seven to eight Christmas's a year and that is just doing immediate family so then extended families is one of those where you want to see them but you're already getting drained and burned out. So yeah holidays aren't fun.

HS: So you said you're married, can you tell me about your husband?

ES: Um, he's tall (laughs) he is over six foot, we met here at UW Oshkosh in the music department. I was a freshman he was a junior at the time. He is one of those where he is a very hard worker but he's not one of those where he brags about himself. He just kind of does his own things but is kind of not necessarily shy but he won't just put himself out there. So it is kind of nice 00:10:00coming from a family that I love to death but they can be crazy and obnoxious, he was kind of a balance for me to help me kind of just settle down and not always feel like action needs to be going on I guess in a sense or drama and those sorts of things. So um but he ended up now being a music teacher so that's where I kind of keep up with my piano and music playing and that kind of stuff is through him.

HS: Where is he from?

ES: He is from Gays Mills Wisconsin. A really small town that literally the street is barely a mile. (Laughs)

HS: Do you guys have children?

ES: We are expecting our first this fall.

HS: Aw, congratulations.

ES: Thank you.

HS: Do you guys live in Oshkosh?

ES: We actually live in Pardeeville, where his my husband's father grew up as a child. So what would be my grandfather in laws house we bought after Martins 00:11:00grandfather passed away in Pardeeville. Family stuff is sentimental to me so us being able to live in a family home seemed kind of cool so we live in Pardeeville, another small town. But I like small towns so.

HS: What's the neighborhood like?

ES: Our neighborhood kind of has that mix of retired folks who don't stay around in the winter but come around in the summer because it is a lake town. Um, and then it has those families with really young children. So there really is no in between, actually my husband and I are kind of like the odd couple in the neighborhood until now with our children coming but that's kind of cool too because I never seemed to be that person too to kind of mingle with my age group. I always either had older friends or younger friends. So I feel like I fit right in. (Laughs)

HS: Ok, so what high school did you go to?

ES: Grafton High School.

HS: Ok, can you tell me about that?

ES: It was a bit bigger than Cambridge so it was a bit of a shock when we moved 00:12:00to Grafton, but from studies done and ratings it seemed to be a pretty decent high school. I enjoyed it for the most part, like I said the majority of my friends were either older or younger so every year I either had to say good bye to friends or I had to say good bye to friends when I graduated and they stayed in high school but it was that typical high school where there were some clicks but also there were them students that didn't really click anywhere so then they were kind of just friends with a little bit of everyone everywhere and I was one of those students. I did a little bit of everything. I was also a music nerd too where, it was one of those where they didn't disrespect the music nerds but it was kind of like they just let them do their own thing.

HS: That's nice, what music instrument did you play?

ES: Saxophone was my primary but then I slowly picked up the trumpet, the clarinet. I tried the trombone but it's not my favorite and then euphonium and a few random things when I get a little itch here and there.

HS: Did you do band concerts and stuff?

ES: I loved band concerts. Marching and pep bands though were my favorite. I think just because of the excitement and still feeling like I could be a part of you know athletic side of things when I no longer play say like basketball or something like that. So, that was a lot of fun when you could still feel like you are a part of those jock groups for a while. Also I just felt like the people in the band had the most versatile personalities where it just wasn't one kind of student in it and we had a pretty decent band size. I think we had like 65 students in out band or something. If you put the choir and band together it was over half the students in the school which is pretty awesome. And then because of that, that got me interested and involved in musicals, which I love, and we still attend musicals here and there so yeah. In a way I guess I was finding myself (laughs) in band.

HS: Were the band concerts through the school, right?

ES: Yes.

HS: And then what kind of marching bands were you in?

ES: Marching band, it was the kind of high school where we went and competed during marching. It was just like for Memorial Day we marched and homecoming we marched. Just the typical walk down the street and play. We had between one and three songs but um homecoming we did a field show, just something pretty simple and nothing ecstatic but still enough to feel like you did more than just sit in a chair and play which was pretty cool because I'm someone who I like to, I can't really focus on one thing for a very long period of time so being able to focus on playing my instrument and marching just kind of seemed calm and relaxing and joyful for me to do because then it blocked my brain from trying to think of other things that just didn't match.

HS: Were there like any other activities you were involved in like clubs or?

ES: I went everywhere and anywhere from being on the student council. I tried, I forgot what the club was called not but it was like that business club. I did 00:15:00FFA for a year. Obviously the sports with cross country, track, volleyball, and basketball kind of stuff. They had a history book club that I was a part of. Now I can't remember the rest but I had a long list when I applied to college (laughs) of things I was involved in.

HS: Did your mom influence you to do them or di you just like do it all on your own because you said your mom was like...

ES: Part of I did it because it was something that my parents were able to be excited for us about. Whether we failed or not failed, it was still a fun experience for them to come and watch us. So that was a cool thing and then my sisters and I kind of being competitive but in a lovable manor, like who could run better in track or something like that. So that's one of the reasons why we did them but also it was just more fun for us to be involved then go home at the 00:16:00end of the day, not that we didn't like our homes but you know with divorced families and then my mom was actually back in school for part time so she worked full time during the day and went to school at night. My sisters and I wanted something to do so we just stayed involved and then when we got home from our sports or practices my mom would be home there shortly after.

HS: Ok, yeah.

ES: It just helped to stay active and socialize with people.

HS: Yeah, did you have a job? No?

ES: In high school I worked a summer job. It was kind of just a soup and sandwich kind of lunch place in the summer just because for me school was not always easy so I actually had to spend a lot of time studying and so forth. So during the school year I just stayed involved in extracurricular activities and didn't have a job.

HS: Ok, did you enjoy that summer job or would you have rather like hangout with your friends?

ES: I was never much of a just get together and hang out with friends, I liked being with friends as long as they had plans to do something. I didn't like just 00:17:00getting together and watching a movie or sitting on a couch and chatting about boys and stuff like that. If you guys are, like we had running meets in the summer for those of us in cross-country so then I'd go hangout with my friends. Or hey we are going to the zoo, ok id go to the zoo with you but I was not much of just hey let's just hangout or let's play video games, that wasn't fun for me. So the job I enjoyed, I was just always one of those who worried about messing up because if I screwed up someone's sandwich, I was extremely hard on myself and just felt like I couldn't do the job till the next day when I had a fresh day. So that part was stressful but when I did have a really good day it was a pretty good feeling.

HS: That's nice, that's how I am.

ES: Yup.

HS: So the clubs were they fun or were it just more for like information?

ES: I think for me with being raised on trying a little bit of everything it was 00:18:00one of those where oh I haven't done something like that yet so ill join it. For the most part most of them were fun but it defiantly taught me organizations that had that were well put together and organizations or clubs that weren't put together so now coming into college or now even the work place I already have an idea of things that may work or things that I could try if something isn't working. So it was defiantly a learning and developing tool and there is nothing where I would say oh I wouldn't do that again if I had the opportunity but there was defiantly times where I felt my time was better utilized than others.

HS: Ok, did you or do you feel like in high school you did well in your classes?

ES: I did the best I could do, yes (laughs).

HS: Did your parents push it on you or was it like on if you did how good you did then it was fine?

ES: That was one of those where my parents were different. As long as we didn't 00:19:00fail out of classes my dad was like you're smarter than I am so. He couldn't help us with math after like 3rd grade so. Where my mom was like ok you got a b are you going to get that a next week. In a way it was good to have both types of parents because we were able to relax when we were at my dad's but were able to continue knowing that we could always do better without stressing ourselves really with my mom. So that was pretty good.

HS: Did you have like a favorite class?

ES: Besides band and lunch? For me the classes really depended on the teachers, like one year it would've been math and another year it was history. I always liked those classes like shop or home ec or something like that a lot. So it was really a mix of any and all of them and I always struggled in Spanish but it was always fun learning that one cool word that one-day or another day so there were days with all of them I guess. The one class that I really, even though I liked 00:20:00the teacher, I never really liked was economics but (laughs). I mean there is good and bad with all of them.

HS: Yeah, did any of your teachers influence you to the job you work today?

ES: The job I work today specifically no, but what got me to the job today, yes.

HS: Ok.

ES: Honestly almost all the teachers that I connected with in some form of fashion affected my life in some form of fashion, some more than others but for me every sort of one of them made an impact on how I am where I am today.

HS: Ok, so then would you say that your goals you had in high school you met them?

ES: I am one of those where I have goals but I'm not one of those where I keep track of the goals. It is just one of those things where it keeps me moving forward so honestly I couldn't tell you what they were in high school but if I look on my life today I am, I'm not going to say satisfied because there is 00:21:00still always things I want to move forward with but I wouldn't change where I'm at today.

HS: Ok, so how did you... Actually thinking of college what made you decide that you really wanted to go?

ES: honestly it was just one of those expectations from the family. Actually, believe it or not, I actually did look into joining the forces. I even met with a navy recruiter but I wasn't of age yet and my mom wouldn't sign the forms so then by the time I was of age I already had college stuff put in place and I'm one of those where I can't start stuff and not finish it so then with college stuff already started I didn't want to leave it unfinished in a sense. So then I was thinking well id join a little later but then you know life started happening and it just never happened so it was one of those where you know where my first year I wasn't really sure I still wanted to stay in college but I 00:22:00needed to finish it but I started it then things kind of just blossomed the next four years.

HS: What options did you have, like what schools did you want to go to?

ES: Really honestly I had no idea because of me wanting to join the forces instead but then we came and tour Oshkosh and I liked it but I didn't want to admit it you typical high school student so I applied here and then I just applied to Eau Clair because that was where my dad's side of the extended family was from. But then u ended up picking Oshkosh because the food was delicious. That's what it came down to honestly (laughs) for my final decision but look it lead me to a good place.

HS: So then it was overall your number one pick?

ES: mhm

HS: Did you look at any other schools at all?

ES: Not as seriously, no.

HS: Ok ok, so then how was your first week at Oshkosh?

ES: My first week at Oshkosh had all the types of emotions you can think of because I am someone growing up with a house full of three siblings that were always around or someone was always around. I had a roommate that ended up moving out after three days because she just couldn't handle being away from home. So going from you know orientation where thousands of people are around you to now have an empty room was a bit of a shock for me and made me a little nervous which most people were saying oh now you have your own room be excited, it's like no it's not exciting being in your own room. So that was a bit of a struggle but my CA or RA, I always forget what they are called here, was fantastic helping me find things to be involved in getting to know who I am to connecting with better things. So the more things I found to be involved or once I got a campus job I really felt like I had my things to do to keep me occupied and then from there is where I actually met people to find a roommate to move in 00:24:00with me and move forward from there.

HS: Ok, what dorm did you live in?

ES: Scott, South Scott to be specific. 7th floor (laughs) room 732

HS: That's cool that you remember that. How was that?

ES: It was on a all-female floor, which I was happy just to be more comfortable there sort of thing because guys were always in my life but I was one of those where I had more guy friends than anything else. I was not really someone who pursued a guy just to date him that was until I met my now husband but so I was comfortable with all the girls. Even though I was not much of a drama fan, I feel like we got really blessed with the floor that we had because there wasn't no one really creating drama sort of thing. We did our own things but if we passed each other in the hallway we were able to acknowledge each other and do floor events and stuff like that together. My neighbors across the room from me there's one of the girls I still stay in contact with so that was pretty cool we have some pretty fun memories. My roommate who then became my roommate later on 00:25:00that year we still stay in contact here and there, we were roommates the 2nd year so even though there's some of those seemed to be down falls most of those down falls seemed to becoming just great things that I otherwise just wouldn't have had.

HS: Yeah, so were you like close with your whole floor or was it just the...

ES: A few selected that we actually did activities together outside of the organized activities but the whole floor was just respectful of each other.

HS: Ok, that's nice.

ES: Or if they weren't they weren't on the floor (laughs)

HS: What did you do like when you first moved in you know how you have the... Did you guys have free days before class like actually started?

ES: Not necessarily, we moved in on Sunday morning. We had then a resident's hall orientation thing Sunday night, had orientation all day Monday, and then taste of Oshkosh Tuesday morning and then classes started Wednesday.

HS: Ok, so then you didn't like really get to like engage yourself on your own in the community at all would you say?

ES: Not really, but that's probably a good thing because if we had free time I probably wouldn't have done anything.

HS: Ok, so then the rest of your freshman year how was that?

ES: It was fine, obviously the challenges of feeling like I could take on more than what I could occurred, realizing I wasn't as advance in the music areas as I thought because I was originally declared a music major and then later changed my major, three years later sort of thing, but really every year that I look at college or things that in the moment I would say oh I would've done that differently but all of that lead me to where I am today and the skills that I've created or the experiences I've had so for me I look more at the great times that I've had during that freshman year verses the times that some people consider the worst part of their life. (laughs)

HS: Yeah, so then what activities were you involved in?

ES: My freshman year I stayed kind of low because I was so involved in high school I thought maybe I should focus more on my academics but you know that rule of you know the more you're involved the more better you are at your academics so I ended up getting a job in career services my 2nd semester, which was great. Started finding people in the music department to do more gatherings with like just getting together and practicing together and studying together sorts of things. So then after my freshman year I learned to go and play the recreational activities that they have, I wasn't on any of the competitive division three teams but like intermurals and those sort of things. I did some CME & C stuff, which was the music educators club on campus students from, music which brought performers to campus, so a few of those things come and go here and there all through those years. (laughs)

HS: And then did you stay in career services all throughout college or did you..?

ES: No, I stayed there for three years but then I felt like there's just those times where you need to try something else. So then somewhere in between there I started working for the Polic Alumni office, which was great. I stayed there til pretty much almost graduation but then when I left career services I moved to the dean of student's office. So I got to learn about all the pressure of academics and personal lives and all that kind of stuff. But between those three jobs and then I worked in admissions as a student tour guide so between all those jobs you know there is always something there that I was able to you know pull out to make the professionals that I was able to do today, like resumes. My resume today wouldn't be what it is today without career services.

HS: That's nice. Did you like working or would you rather of had more free time?

ES: I wish I didn't have to worry about working as many hours as I had to work because I did pay for school on my own but if I didn't need that responsibility 00:29:00of paying for school I honestly don't know if I would've encouraged myself to work a job while in college, so I guess there is two ways you can look at it.

HS: Yeah, what did you do outside of campus?

ES: I didn't go off campus very much. We went to Wal-Mart once and a while, out to eat once in a while. There were a few times when we went up to Appleton when they had like, I forgot what the place is called now, but it's like a night that they have for students who aren't 21 yet could come and just have a good time and not worry about being pressured to drink or something like that because I wasn't a drinker at all in college. So we went and enjoyed those kind of events. Otherwise we loved, we stayed on campus a good amount of times, but there were those weekends where you just wanted to get away so wed go down to Madison for friends we had in that area or different universities or somewhat one of our 00:30:00friends family homes or something like that. So there was just a few of us, mainly music people, where we just kind of made our plans throughout the months and stayed on campus or stayed occupied or went to one of their places.

HS: Ok, so you didn't drink. What did you guys do for fun like you and your friends?

ES: Well for example, like right before the holiday break we had something called Christmas- Hanukkah-quantima? Where we had our just own party of getting together, playing games, watching Christmas Hanukkah whatever movies got together. It was one of those things where you got together and now that you look back it's like really what were we thinking just you know brain dead after finals kind of a thing. We loved playing games. We did do the typical movie night like every other week kind of a thing but not to the point where you are just zombie after watching too many but yeah that was that.

HS: Did you go home a lot?

ES: I did at first, still having my two younger sisters at home, still feeling pretty connected to my high school with the teachers there and what not. I did go back quite a bit that first year but then as each sister went to her own college and so forth there did come a time where my parents started calling wondering if I'd ever be coming home again. So I had that typically transition of it just taking time and not really going home that often.

HS: And then when you wouldn't go home would you just like hang out with friends in your dorms?

ES: Yeah, it was mainly because of some activity going on or some friend thing that just kept me here. Sometimes I would go home for say like an afternoon because it was just over an hour drive to go home so it wasn't that unthinkable but you know I didn't want to miss things here because the stories I hear 00:32:00afterword I would've been like oh that would've been so much fun.

HS: Like you music, you did music, right? So tell me about that.

ES: It was one of those things where the arts and communications building on campus is not the most ideal building. For one you get lost so easily in there and it is one of the most outdated buildings on campus that have never been touched. But what really made me enjoy it is the students didn't worry about that. Mold could be growing up the wall and if we were just laughing and having a good time they could care less about it. So that's really showed me that it is not all about the image, at least for buildings and so forth, it's about the people you surround yourself with. So then on top of that then having music it was a different way of communicating with each other, which was kind of cool. Kind of what I was saying with my high school band it was all sorts of different types of people in music and sometimes you get this idea of one type of person because of the genre like pop or rock or something like that but when you're a music student you see all those students together which is actually pretty cool 00:33:00and awesome. Of course you have your rivals, where the trumpet players think you're all that and the tuba players think they get no music what so ever besides just whole notes and flutes think they're just all peppy and that kind of a thing but for us it was all fun and made fun of each other in a respectable manor and just a good time. The professors was one of them where they didn't let you get by just to graduate they wanted you to work your hardest and knowing that when you graduated it was because worked through your challenges and actually felt accomplished, which I think says a lot. I mean for some students they just want to get through college with those easy A's if they can get them but music department doesn't let you do that so.

HS: And then did you play the saxophone still or?

ES: Saxophone yes, and then when I was still in education major I picked up the trumpet as a secondary because you were required two for credits.

HS: Did you guys do shows and stuff or was it just more like class work stuff?

ES: We had concerts because as part of the music major/ and or minor you were required to be in an ensemble whether it be one of the jazz ensembles concert band ensembles folk ensembles, one of those. So we did have concerts from those. Other than that you were able to join like a quartet or something and do your own shows if you wanted to but for me the schedule was just so crazy I couldn't do those so I just did what was required at that extent because practicing I did have to do quite a bit.

HS: Ok, and then you didn't major in that, right?

ES: No, I ended up after my junior year I ended up changing it to human services with music minor instead.

HS: Ok, and then would you say you do anything with that minor today or is it just like you're waiting for it to come up?

ES: Things come up here and there. Like I said with my husband being a music teacher, back when I was still in grad school I was able to go back and do 00:35:00lessons with some of his students. Since he was the trumpet player, brass player me being a woodland player I was able to offer just a bit more assistance for those students at times so it does come into play here and there. I wouldn't say I am in something consistent with my minor but eventually down the road I wouldn't mind doing something that's more consistent in some way shape or form. I play in a community band so I am able to keep up my playing and those sorts of things. So I wouldn't say it's gone, it's just not prevalent in date today.

HS: Why did you switch your major?

ES: I struggled with the singing slash oral skills so that was putting on just so much stress that I don't know if I would've been able to fully complete that program. Also, just the changing in the education system. What made me finally decided to change my major was I was someone where I like to, even though I liked to have guidelines, I don't like to have set guidelines where I couldn't 00:36:00bring myself into the classroom. So by changing to human services kind of saw myself being able to teach just without the required licensures and that sort of a thing. So actually the first thing I did after changing my major was I created a music program at the boys and girls club. You didn't have to follow any state guidelines or anything like that. I was able to do what I thought the students one wanted but also too what they could learn for more

HS: That's really cool, how did you decide the major that you chose.

ES: Just a mix of things, obviously I didn't want to be her for another four years but I didn't want to pick a major just to graduate. So after looking at the classes I've taken, looking at some of the different majors now being in college and know what more majors are human services just kind of stuck out as one of those where I could do this or I could do that and they could be two totally different extreme and it wasn't really limiting me at all.

HS: Are you happy with it right now?

ES: I am, yes.

HS: ok, that's good. So did any like big events happen on campus while you were here?

ES: Obama was here during his first election. I didn't get to go because we didn't get out of class without losing credit and so then I don't skip class when I lose credit. Oh my gosh, now you are really making me think and it wasn't that long ago. We had, there was that one so we had that speaker series on campus and there was this one speaker, now I forgot his name, but he was from remember the titans not that coach but the real coach came to campus and spoke and he was pretty cool to listen to, great guy. Has a great sense of humor and all those sorts of things. I'm trying to remember what else happened, things happened I know they did I was just in the library a lot. I can't remember anything else specific. I mean orientation we had the evolution of dance guy 00:38:00come like three years in a row, he was pretty cool, honestly one of my favorite speakers I think but that's all I can remember right now.

HS: Ok, well if you think just go ahead.

ES: Ok.

HS: Was homecoming big during 2006-2012 at all?

ES: I would say it is about the same as right now. It is not what I expected from coming from a high school homecoming. It seemed selected from students who wanted to see it as a homecoming and other students who saw it as a just another typical week. There were some years where I seemed to be more involved than others and then other years where I wasn't even on campus for homecoming. So I think it really depends on the year. Part of it too is it seems very adult focused as well. Part of it being the location across the river, there were honestly come students who don't see it worth going to being across the river unless there was really something specific directing them over there but from 00:39:00what I remember going there as a student I saw more like alumni or athletes walking around than just the general student population.

HS: Ok, so when you did get involved in it like what did you do, like what activities and such?

ES: I worked tent city with being a student's employee we signed up for shifts or just volunteered for hours sort of a thing. Plus then when I learned there was actually free food obviously that always recruits you over there. But once I did get over there and saw kind of the activities and stuff going on and actually have like a responsibility to do it was a lot more enjoyable for me.

HS: Ok that's nice, was there any like other, like homecoming, was there anything like big like that like Bye Gosh or something like that you know what I mean?

ES: There was but nothing I participated in.

HS: So you didn't go to Bye Gosh?

ES: Nope (laughs)

HS: Ok, and then do you have like any really cool memories like with your 00:40:00friends or anything that you want to share?

ES: Oh my goodness, how much time do we have? I guess the biggest things that stuck out was when I look back at my college experiences the biggest things that stick out it just the good laughing times that we have together in class and outside of class. So two study abroad experiences that I had, honestly those were the highlights of my college career. Meeting my now husband obviously was a big deal and then just each year seemed to be a little different like if I were to look back to each year sometimes within those years I don't see the same person from one year to the next and for me that's a little strange because I always feel like you want to be the genuine person but when you look back and see two different people within the same person it's a bit of a shocker. The road trips were always fun and I think it's because of those that make me enjoy 00:41:00driving today because it makes you think of those times of just being funny in a car and talking about the most oddest things. People say a lot of weird things when you're sitting in a car for hours on end. So really just those experiences, educational experiences outside of the classroom I think really were the biggest highlights.

HS: Ok, were a lot of those experiences from like your dorm life or?

ES: Not much after my freshman year. After my freshman year it was more either on campus or even outside of campus, even outside of Oshkosh because after my freshman year I lived in Taylor and that was a very quiet residence hall. There wasn't much action going on so I didn't stay in there very much. And then after my sophomore year I moved to an off campus house so then I was more involved with, it was a organization house off campus so then I was more involved with people within that area. So, each year was a little different meeting different 00:42:00court kind of people or overlapping people from different times and so forth.

HS: What was the organization house?

ES: It was at the time titan Christian fellowship now his house.

HS: Ok and what was that like?

ES: It was fun (laughs). I mean putting four women in a house there's going to be drama that occurs and all that kind of stuff. So there was drama that occurred with some of the girls but that also taught me that you know that even if you are someone that can be flexible and adaptable you do need your space sometimes. But then at the same time if it wasn't me living in that house, I wouldn't have gone like pumpkin picking with some college students at a time. Pumpkin picking with your family versus college students is a totally different experience. But also from not always wanting to be in the house because of stuff that was going on in the house it got me out doing things with other people in the community, like I ran my first half marathon in college and doing kind of 00:43:00stuff like that. So there's all sorts of things.

HS: Did you live there your senior year too?

ES: I lived there, so freshman year I was in Scott hall, Taylor hall my second year, I was in that house my junior and senior year and then I lived in a different apartment my last year by myself.

HS: How was that?

ES: I loved it sometimes but then there were those nights where you just came home and even if you didn't feel like talking you wished having like a living presence there. Which made me realize, we always had animals in my house growing up, which made me realize that yes I do need an animal being with me. I couldn't have one then because it didn't allow animals but any time after that if I had to live by myself I had to find a place that allowed animals.

HS: Do you have an animal?

ES: I do, I have a dog.

HS: What kind is it?

ES: He's a lab retriever mixed.

HS: That's cute!

ES: Yes, wish I could bring him to work.

HS: So then did you like living off campus or did you wish that you would've been able to live in a dorm longer.

ES: I don't regret living off campus but honestly I wish I at least would've stayed on campus one more year just because really if you think about it yeah you don't have your own kitchen or something like that but not having to pay for toilet paper actually sounds really good now that I have to buy it for my own house. And just having everything right here on campus I did not take advantage of it like I should have when I did live on campus. It took more effort when I did live off campus. I don't regret living off campus because that also at least my last year made me really start feeling like I was growing up and getting ready for after college experiences. So there's both I wish I would've stayed a little longer, I don't know if I would've wanted to stay my entire college career but yeah. I try to at least tell students to do it for two years defiantly at least maybe even three if you can. And we didn't have horizon village when I was here but maybe even my last year I may have lived in horizon 00:45:00because it is a bit more independent living.

HS: Right. So then in Taylor did you have a roommate?

ES: I did, the same one I did freshman year.

HS: Ok, how was that?

ES: It was fine. She was in track, which was why we ended up moving to Taylor because a lot of athletes lived in Taylor. But then when we moved there with most of it being athletes a lot of them were gone on weekends, hence the more quiet atmosphere and so forth. So once I connected with more people outside on other areas of campus she was more connected then with he athletes. We were obviously conjure and got along just fine and what not but we didn't have the experiences we had our first year just because we kind of started taking our separate ways a little bit but we were fine. She was great, I think I was great to her. (laughs) you'd have to ask her but I mean we did have our times together still, still running to Wal-Mart when we needed to or when she didn't have a track meet going on we hung out on Friday night and those sorts of things.

HS: And then do you still keep in touch with her?

ES: I do, not on a regular basis but every few months we will touch base and see how each other's doing.

HS: Ok, where does she live? Does she live by you at all?

ES: She lives in Illinois.

HS: Ok, so then the friends that you made your sophomore year would you say that they came from the music or the other clubs that you were in or like classes?

ES: Most of them I would say came from TCF or music that year, yeah.

HS: Ok, and then do you still keep in touch with any of those people?

ES: We do, oh boy I'm going through the list of them all now, most of them you know now being married you don't hang out with friends as much as you think but during those times where sick of each other let's go hang out with friends, those are the people we still call and hangout with.

HS: That's really nice. Ok, so what were your classes like?

ES: (laughs) being in the music program and then having your general core curriculum I felt like I had two very extreme types of classes. You know your typical classes you go into and all you do is take notes the whole time, where my music classes you had discussions, you had you played tests in front of each other and all those sorts of things. So it was almost like going from playtime to you're in trouble sit and listen to me for an hour and a half kind of time mixed. But then we had those classes, especially when I got into human services, a lot of heavy discussion with different people so you really got to know what people were like. Sometimes people really got to know you even though they may not have wanted to get to know you or they wouldn't have connected to you in that way if it wasn't for that class. So I enjoyed those too because some people just totally shut you out by what they see on the outside sort of a thing, where you don't dress the way they want you to dress. So those kinds of classes I felt, really open people up. So I had those three different types, I enjoyed all 00:48:00but the lecture ones.

HS: Yeah, don't we all. Were you professors, in those classes, were they really connected to you at all or do you think it was just the class?

ES: Other than my, some of my gen ed classes I did connect with the professors, you know going to office hours and those types of things. There are some gen ed classes where I can even tell you what the professors name is today but between my human services and music classes honestly I could tell you some of those professors are some of my good friends today too.

HS: Oh, that's cool.

ES: Its great working this job now.

HS: Do they still work here?

ES: They do, well some do yeah.

HS: Ok, well that's really cool. So then do you think they influenced you to choose your major today?

ES: They helped me complete my major. (laughs) But from where I am at today, 00:49:00they influenced me to being able to continue in the position that I have today, but it was honestly the jobs and the people that I met in college that helped me get the job that I have today.

HS: Ok, did you guys have quest classes?

ES: No. I was before that time.

HS: Ok, did like any of your classes like make you get involved in the community at all?

ES: Not my gen ed courses but some of my pre ed courses for music had me go out into some of the music classes in the community but that was the only community requirements we had.

HS: What was the like?

ES: It was fun, I enjoyed getting out of the classroom. I mean I was an ed major at that time so I was really excited a passionate about it and being able to know that the next four years would get me to that point in time at some point it was a lot of fun. Students just get excited when strangers come into their room so I really enjoyed it.

HS: That's good, what was the whole community like when you were in school?

ES: Like Oshkosh community?

HS: No, like the school.

ES: Oh, the school. Boy that's actually kind of hard to answer because when you're a music major honestly you feel like you live in the music building so I didn't feel like I was really part of the campus community that much or at least the social community. But I guess the times where I felt like I was out on campus, other than those few exceptions of people who just want to make other people's life miserable it was a pretty open arms community in a sense where people just let people be people. There was not much hate going on so I felt safe on campus which I felt was a big deal for people. I wouldn't, I'd recommend people to come to this campus if they want to feel safe. Like I ran at night and those sorts of things. And there always seems to be, this campus seems to be a very versatile campus in the sense where no matter who you are you are going to 00:51:00meet someone that you can connect with here which I think is important a lot because sometimes in high school you feel like there is no one like you there and even though you don't want someone else to be exactly like you, you want some things in common. (laughs)

HS: Yeah exactly, so then do you think that the community is kind of the same or do you think that it's gotten better?

ES: I think it's gone both ways. Some things I think have gotten worse you know with technology and stuff like that people don't communicate like they use too. Or in a way that seems to be more positive in some people's lives but for other things I think that it has stayed the same. Like the outside community off campus it seems like some individuals like diversity do struggle feeling like they're welcome here or outside of the campus area but then something's have gotten better where more campus support like more with the quest classes having companies or organizations or just people in general supporting the quest idea 00:52:00and hopes for the quest class I think say a lot.

HS: So the community, or I guess the students, do you think that everyone was like you knew each other or was it like you all did your own thing?

ES: No, I think people defiantly recognized people but I wouldn't say everyone knew everyone. Maybe if for homecoming the people running for queen and king you may have known one or two people on the court but you wouldn't have known everyone.

HS: Ok, What intermurals did you do?

ES: I actually ended up not doing any official intermurals because of timing but I did enjoy going and like watching flag football and basketball and floor hockey.

HS: Did you go to like the actual sporting events at all?

ES: I went to a few football games and one volleyball game and that was it.

HS: So, you weren't really into that?

ES: I liked sporting events and so forth but just how they were here compared to my high school wasn't the same experience to the point where I enjoyed doing more music events like going to a concert up at somewhere sometime more than attending the sporting events.

HS: Ok, what kind of concerts did you go to?

ES: All sorts of ones. Really the only ones I didn't go to was rap because more of those were standing concerts and they hurt your ears crazy ones. Like I would go to orchestra concerts or I loved like mesh concerts where they would take a whole bunch of different kinds of songs and put dancing to it and mesh them all together for an hour concert, those were really cool. Obviously the musicals that I talked about but also there were times were our group would go to like a brewer's game that we would go to instead of staying on campus for those events.

HS: how was that?

ES: A lot of fun. It's always fun when you can go with a group of people but not so bit where you don't talk to everyone in the group. So we would sometimes have between like ten and or five to ten people which was just about the right amount because then you only what like two cars maybe so that's not too bad. And then just like doing your tailgating and cooking out and just laughing and talking about the possible game coming up and someone always spilling something on their lap you know those sorts of things were always good.

HS: And then did you do that like with your friends or did you do it... Because like right now they have like busses going down, did you do it with your friends or like that?

ES: I would always try the school offerings once but it always seemed like my group of friends whether they be through the his house group slash TCF or my music group or just the groups now I have met through like working or something. It always seemed to rotate back to going with them more frequently than the organized campus ones.

HS: Ok, and then when did you meet your boyfriend?

ES: When did I see him first or when did I officially meet him first?

HS: Well just tell me about it all.

ES: We, so I officially remember seeing him first my freshman year so fall 2006. Like I said he was a junior at a jazz concert. He was in the top jazz on the tumbolin? And somehow he just stuck out to me. But then I actually don't remember the first time we officially met each other but with us both being music majors we became friends. Our group of friends just hung out and then the next up until now we just stayed friends so.

HS: What'd you guys do for dates and stuff like that?

ES: We actually didn't end up dating while he was a student; we started dating after he graduated and so forth. With friends and stuff like that, because I knew I liked him but like I said I don't really run after guys so I just kind of 00:56:00sat by myself but just to show him I was interested I when he moved off campus I would offer him like one of my Blackhawk meals because he can eat like no other and he loved Blackhawk kind of things. He liked to run and swim and I like using the pool for open swim so I would always try to go swimming when he'd swim and you know just try to have casual conversations. You know try to practice when I knew he'd be in the practice room just to kind of touch base still because with him being actually when I started taking interest in him I started becoming a better student because he was that good of a student so that was kind of cool. So yeah his interest for me didn't start building until after he graduated so.

HS: Did he like contact you after he graduated or?

ES: He did because I actually asked him out while we were both college students and he said no but we stayed friends so then after he graduated he re reached out to me.

HS: Ok, and then where did he go when he graduated?

ES: He took a job up in Crandon just a one-year position and then he moved over 00:57:00to Lafarge over by his hometown. But now that we got married he now took a job in New Lisbon so we could live together.

HS: When would you say like how old were you when you guys really started dating?

ES: It was fall 2009 when we started officially dating.

HS: Ok and when did you get married?

ES: January of 2015.

HS: Ok so just recently.

ES: Yes (laughs)

HS: That's awesome.

ES: It is actually a very long story but we don't have time to sit through the whole story. He has a different version than I do too which is even more fun.

HS: Do you still keep in contact with your parents a lot?

ES: Yes, actually both of us are very close with both of our parents. I do wedding photography kind of on the side for fun and my dad's kind of what got me 00:58:00started in that so we will go and do weddings together. My mom is one of those where she gave up her life for her kids so now that the kids aren't in the house my life is still my kids so we need to do things with my kids. And my mom's big on traditions, not that the whole worlds ending is we stick to traditions but like you know getting that real life Christmas tree at Christmas and going for that big long bike ride in the summer and those sorts of things so we do stay connected. And Martins dad was a music teacher as well so obviously he has that connection with his dad and his mom owns her own music studio so he has that connection with his mom so yeah we are pretty close with our parents.

HS: Are you close with his too?

ES: Close, yes. I mean there are worse in laws in the world but I wouldn't say it's one of those where I would want them over every day of the week kind of a thing. You know we still pretty much even after we were married we had a 00:59:00distance relationship so now that we are living together it's like we are still trying to enjoy that time of learning to live together or appreciating living together so we need that time to ourselves too.

HS: How do they like feel about your marriage?

ES: They didn't like how long we dated before we got married or I should say his parents didn't. My parents said you should've dated longer. But they seemed to support our relationship just over all pretty well. I mean there are always those things that every parent has their concerns about but they don't seem to push to the point where they don't want us doing something or they don't for example like me as a daughter in law kind of the thing. I mean we support ourselves or each other and then our parents are there when we need them or want them around kind of a thing.

HS: Did they or did like either of your parents like influence or even your 01:00:00husband like influence you to work at Oshkosh or was it just?

ES: They all kind of did. With my commute I needed my husband's support to continue it because now when we moved in together my commute turned it over an hour drive and without his support I would not have been able to do that so he actually, first he asked what I wanted because obviously that was he wanted to make sure I wanted to do this and I said yes and he's like well as long as we can do it you mine as well do what you enjoy. So defiantly yes and my mom likes it because it is actually shorter drive to her house now than for me to go home so I'll go and see her on a regular basis when I don't want to drive all the way home sort of a thing. And my dad as long as I'm happy he's one of those where he is always happy as long as I don't forget about him kind of a thing and my actual husbands dad is 8an alumni of Oshkosh as well and knowing that we still have a connection here he thinks is pretty cool.

HS: What did he do?

ES: He was a music teacher.

HS: Oh, that's cool! Is he still a music teacher?

ES: No he retired.

HS: What do you do, like what is your job?

ES: My main title is an admissions councilor but admission councilors her have kind of a specified responsibility. So mine is coordinating special group visits meaning say like a high school counselor or the boys and girls club want to bring a group of students to campus and ill coordinate that visit for them. So whether they want to take a campus tour, get an admissions presentation so they know how to be prepared and start getting ready for college and those sorts of things. Get a student panel so they can hear from college student's first hand on what it is like to be in college and coordinate all of that for visits.

HS: Do you ever do the tours?

ES: I've had to give tours. It's hard because it's just trying to get everything 01:02:00ready and then have the energy to host them for the day and give tours but like I said I was a student tour guide here when I was a student and I loved it so it was nice to get out there once and a while but I do want the students to have some versatility on people they meet throughout the day so being able to get an actual student tour guide to give them a tour I think is a better fit for them.

HS: Yeah, how did you choose that you wanted to work here?

ES: I graduated from grad school and initially was going to go into housing a residence life just kind of like a starting position and find a place where I could live on campus and not have to worry about apartments and all that kind of stuff but then they called me and told me that they had a position open and that they'd be interested in me possibly looking into and at that time I didn't have any offers at that time so talking to martin and all that kind of stuff it seemed like a great place to start. I mean having an offer is not something you 01:03:00get every day so that's kind of why I took it and I enjoy it so I haven't left yet.

HS: Was there anything else in your mind that you really wanted to do or did you know that?

ES: I enjoy what I like to do but I am always one of those looking for what else can I do and I've always been a person who loved animals and loved people so I'm always looking at things like I love to volunteer work too but now with my commute and so forth volunteering can't happen right now, at least during the week day. So I am always looking at humane societies, pet cares and those sorts of things. Looking at after school organizations where they will do extra music activities those sorts of things. So I don't regret what I'm doing but there is always those other interest of mind where I'm always seeing what is out there.

HS: Ok, where did you go to grad school?

ES: University of Southern Indiana in Evansville.

HS: Wow, how was that?

ES: It was far away. I am glad I took it to let myself find out early on that I do want to become I want to stay in Wisconsin permanently. It was also hot, I found out winter is my favorite season. But I'm glad that I went away and I'm glad that I had that different campus experience especially now that my career is in higher ed. So I enjoyed it, two years was long enough, and I was ready to comeback.

HS: Did you live on the or can you live on the campus?

ES: Yes, I actually had a [unclear] within housing so I was looking for housing after graduation so they offered housing for my position.

HS: How was that compared to UW Oshkosh, like what was different?

ES: As student wise?

HS: Yeah.

ES: The campus there was a bit more newer. Actually that campus only had between 01:05:00two and three thousand students so it was actually a small population wise but the campus was so spread out it was actually kind of split in two, housing was in one area and the campus was in another split by woods so I love the campus. It was gorgeous recreational wise and that sort of thing but I defiantly missed that kind of unified just respect kind of everyone. They're defiantly there where you knew who a grad school was and you knew who a undergrad student was and staff was staff there. It wasn't like here where some professors would consider you peers so you're on a first name basis there it wasn't like that at all. So there is defiantly kind of levels there and still some things where it seemed like there they kind of skipped certain steps to be up with the other universities so there is holes and stuff with things but overall I enjoyed the experience like I said there is always that one or few things that teach you things so.

HS: What experience did you like more would you say?

ES: Oshkosh or there?

HS: Yeah.

ES: People wise the same, like there is actually students there that I connected with that I stay on regularly contact with but the overall experience here.

HS: Why?

ES: (Laughs) there is always that question. I think mostly just because of honestly my family being closer because down there the closest person to me was seven hours away. So I wasn't able to, even though I am someone who worked hard in school I work work work but then need that time with my family and for me that was extra harder to try and coordinate it being seven hours away one way drive. So honestly I think it was that, I could just pop in to see my sister on a randomly wanted kind of a thing when I needed it.

HS: Were that academics kind of like the same at all or would you say that that was like a lot more focused on academics?

ES: That's hard to say comparing undergrad to grad school. I guess though just 01:07:00listening to people talking about being in grad school here verses my experience grad school there seemed to be just very much listen to my thoughts or read this book, write about it, we'll discuss it, make sure you know what I know and then you'll be right where here it is more this is my opinion but everyone has their own opinion so go find your opinion kind of a thing or learn who you are kind of a thing not necessarily opinion. So it just seems like here its individual based and not just center focused I guess in a way.

HS: Yeah, ok. Did you have to go to grad school or did you just choose to?

ES: I just chose because changing my major so late in my undergrad career to a major that was more directly focused on a career path to a major that was not so 01:08:00much I didn't know where to start looking first. So grad school I felt like would help me give me time to do that but not make me become lazy because I'm one of those where I'm a hard worker but I need to set myself up to keep working hard, like I don't mind getting up early but I need something scheduled in the morning to get up early. So that's kind of why I did grad school because I knew with not having a plan then or my plans changing grad school would help me kind of stay on track to keep moving forward instead of just moving in my parents basement.

HS: So you are really happy you went to grad school?

ES: I am, yeah, because is I wouldn't have done it then I probably would never have gone back and done it all.

HS: Ok and then what did you learn as a person while you were in school?

ES: Both schools?

HS: Yeah, just your overall college experience.

ES: For me it's just staying true to who you are. People are going to try to, 01:09:00not necessarily who you are, but change you mentality on things and change what you should be doing. Everyone has their own way of living a life and you're not going to be happy unless you stick with what you like. Now that doesn't mean go outside the box and try something new now and again but that doesn't mean just always follow that other person because it is easier because they say they are right. Try it if you want, if you don't like it don't stick with it just because you are in it and that was one thing I had to learn because like I said earlier I said I am one of those where I don't like starting something and not finishing. So for me it takes a bit more evaluation now and consideration before me being willing to try something that I am not really sure is me ore not.

HS: Do you still stay true to yourself?

ES: Most days (laughs) There is always those days, especially being married you know there is always those days where you have to make sacrifices and what not but as long as you make those I guess still balance each other and communicate 01:10:00with each other you end up kind of molding into the one person like the one person, like they say two become one so that really is that way. And if it wasn't for my husband I don't know if I would have stayed in music things as long as I have sort of stuff. So I believe I still stay true to myself but like every one you hit those bend in the rode once in a while but those people I still stay connected to know me and help me get back on track if I really fall that far when I need help.

HS: Did you like going into college did you have goals that you had?

ES: Get through college (laughs) get through college, graduate. You know it was one of those everyone thinks go to college, graduate with as few loans as you can, and get a job but really there is so much more to that in college and until at least half way through my freshman year I didn't realize the majority of your leaning in college comes from outside the classroom but you wouldn't have that 01:11:00majority of learning if you didn't put yourself out there to learn that. So, I forgot what your question was, goals, so I had goals but I always was willing to fluctuate them and I wasn't disappointed if I didn't reach a goal because something else better than that would becoming along or something I realized that was more true to me than just an expectation.

HS: Ok, so then when you graduated you felt like or did you feel like you met everything that you really wanted to do at all?

ES: No, I would've liked to do maybe four or five more study abroad experiences. You know there are always those things but for the days do I have any regrets? No.

HS: Ok, after grad school how long till you go your job?

ES: I graduated in May and I was offered the job in July.

HS: Wow, so then what have you done since you graduated?

ES: Worked (laughs) I am one of those where I don't necessarily separate home and work life. To me I am actually happier with what I do being able to kind of blend the two. So being a student here and now being able to bring that personal experience into my work makes a huge difference. So for me work is not just work, it's me life but with that said obviously being married you know my husband being an alumni here he can come and I feel like he's a part of my job even though he is not here on a daily basis. So staying involved in music things and staying active my husband and I love being outside and you know hiking and you know traveling and those sorts of things. We are doing as much as we can, obviously we need to be a little responsible because I still have school loans I need to pay off and mortgage to pay but we aren't letting that control us having an experienced life either.

HS: Overall with your time being at UWO and you working here now what is your 01:13:00impression of it?

ES: Of the campus?

HS: Yeah, or of like the community?

ES: I can't really say much for the community because I don't live in the community but for campus wise there is always something new to learn. I've learned. Just looking at it from a student's perspective and a staff perspective but with the student's perspective in there, there is always something going on and there is always something changing but at the same time there is still value and tradition that is around. And that is one thing that I've enjoyed about Oshkosh. Even though they're moving forward they're still true to who they are or who they have been. Obviously you can't keep everything the same, buildings rundown, houses need to be built and those sorts of things there are new processes you have to follow and all those sorts of things. I am still proud to be considered a titan sort of a thing and students seem, anywhere you go when 01:14:00you talk about Oshkosh students talk about everything about Oshkosh it's just not one or two things that they will talk about where other institutions there is just one or two things only that they'll talk about which I think says a lot about the campus that students get that much out of just coming here and being a student and or staff member.

HS: Do you think that any of the activities like sport wise, intermurals, or clubs have changes or do you think that there had been like more added

ES: Yes, defiantly more. Like when I was a student here we didn't have the expeditions center and boy would I have liked that. The rec center was built when I was my last or one of my final years on campus sort of a thing. They have more kind of organized activities for students to be a part of, those monthly events is it where they will go to a brewer game or go downhill skiing, they didn't have as many as those or versatile options for students so I think there 01:15:00is defiantly more outside of the classroom involvement and learning expectations.

HS: And then what advice would you give student today like going into college today as a freshman?

ES: Don't over prepare yourself but don't do nothing and stay off the couch.

HS: Ok, well I think that's it so thank you.

ES: Ok, if any follow up questions come up or as you're typing that up curiosities come up just let me know I am happy to answer any follow up things. It hard when you are being recorded to really think of everything you wanted to say but honestly if there is something else you want added or something you want more followed up on don't hesitate to ask me.