For any Communication major, the name Ann Preston is simultaneous with the feeling of fear and fondness all at the same time. Dr. Preston holds a special place in all of the Comm department’s hearts. That is why to kick off the new Profile section I thought it would be fitting to have our first professor interview to be from the legend herself.
1. Where did you get your undergrad from? Moorhead State University in Minnesota.
2. Where did you get your doctorate from? The Ohio University in Athens, Ohio
3. What is your most memorable night from your undergrad time? Haha, it’s not a good memory, it was a bad date. He was trying to impress me, so he rented a car for the date. I don’t remember much of the date besides the fact that we took a wrong turn and ended up driving down a railroad track. I can only imagine the shape of the car when he returned it. Oh, another one would be when some of my undergrad students I taught in New York wanted me to go out with them for a celebration of the 100-day countdown to graduation. One girl lied and asked if she could look at my keys but she ended up taking them and made me stay the whole night with them! Including staying in the dorms with them. That is an experience I will never forget, that is for sure.
4. What beverage describes you best? Oh dear! I don’t know! Uh, probably the Apple pie with Goldschlager. It’s warm and spicy with a tiny bit of treasure in it haha! The first time I had it was when a student bought them for some us at our Rookies party a few years back.
5. Favorite drink? A good caramel latte or a black tea called Paris. It just smells like dessert.
6. Favorite local place to eat? Greatest Grains. It’s a health food store with café in the back a few blocks south of campus. Serves mostly, but not exclusively, vegetarian options. But my favorite thing about it is when you walk in it feels like you are walking into the 1970s. It’s just super fun and entertaining!
7. Speaking of vegetarian options, how is it being a vegetarian? It’s great, it’s been a little over 6 months. I started with it for weight loss, But the more I learned about it, the better I found that it is for the planet. My go-to meal is spinach pizza. It’s got ricotta and spinach and it is fantastic. Also, a white lasagna that my husband makes for me when he has the time, it is so good. There is a carb theme isn’t there? Haha
Cute throwback photo of Preston from the ’80s when she was getting her masters! Dat perm tho!
8. Favorite place to shop? TJ Maxx, Marshals, and the JC Penny’s sale rack! My favorite part of shopping would be the hunt for the deal. For a while, I shopped at Dillard’s when the sales were good. The worst store would be Old Navy, but I find such good deals! But it is such a mess it is ridiculous there is stuff on the floor it’s so hard to find anything. But it is definitely worth it. I do not like to shop online because I like to touch and try on my clothes first.
9. Favorite class to teach and why? I love all my classes for different reasons, but it would probably be our Media Law class. I find the information very stimulating and the students really help to make it fun. By the time the students get to that class, they have grown up into young adults and really start to show amazing work and their talents start showing through as well.
10. How long have you and your hubby been married? Good God, let me do the math real quick, uh probably around more than 30 years.
11. How long have you guys been doing long distance since he lives in Canada? We have been doing fine, we make it work. We have lots of funny little Valentines day stories over the years. Like one year I was sad that I wasn’t going to be with him for the day, so I drove up there and then I came back the next week to find 3 dead roses on my desk. Lo and behold, he had sent me roses because we wouldn’t be together.
12. What is your long distance relationship tip? Routines are very important. Like every Sunday at 9, we talk and we talk for a long time. We also watch a few TV shows periodically through the week so we have stuff fun to talk about that.
13. Advice for freshman? Many words of wisdom! Get to know people and that happens with getting involved. Get to know the students in your department. They will be to help you the most. And as a teacher, my last piece of advice is that you should buy your Stylebook! Don’t rent it and don’t sell it back. It will help you now and in the long run.
14. Students are a little intimidated by you because you have this air of power and being a badass boss lady. Thoughts? Oh, thank you! I kind of try! Hahaha. I dress up in something of a power suit to intimidate you, I grade harder at the beginning too, and give the hard projects at the beginning for the same effect! My hard work is paying off, yay! People who think I’m intimidating are welcome to come and visit and see my toy collection and just hang out.