Name: Tiel Lundy
What university did you attend? I started at Colorado College, but my family was experiencing financial difficulties, so I had to drop out half-way through my sophomore year. After many fits and starts, I ended up graduating with my BA (Philosophy) from the University of Colorado Denver where I also did my MA (English). Finally, I completed my PhD (English) at the University of Denver.
What extracurricular activities did you participate in during college? I was a ballet dancer, so during my CC years, I participated in dance for academic credit and as an extracurricular activity. After that, I had to work my way through school, so there wasn’t a lot of time for extracurriculars.
Tell us about your achievements and experiences throughout your college years. I’m very proud to have finished my PhD. There were so, so many times I almost gave up! It took me seven years—and I had two kids in the middle–but I managed to complete it.
What do you love most about CU? As a native Coloradan, I love the instant affection new students have for our state, and the beautiful CU campus is a big part of that love and devotion. I also appreciate how polite the CU community is. When I first got here, I was so struck by how people always hold the door for you.
What classes do you teach at CU? I teach primarily film studies, with a little bit of communications mixed in. My classes include genre film courses, film theory, and the history of communication.
What is your favorite part about teaching? Like pretty much every educator, I love seeing students get excited about the world of ideas. Sometimes I see that passion in a student’s writing, and often I hear it in class discussion. There’s just nothing better than being a part of that intellectual discourse.
What’s your favorite movie? That’s an impossible question! I’m an Americanist, so I know Hollywood cinema best. One of my favorite movies is The Big Lebowski, by the Coen Brothers. Actually, I like most of their films. And of course, you can’t go wrong with Hitchcock, Scorsese, and Kubrick.
When you aren’t teaching, what are you likely to be doing? One of the following: knitting, exercising, reading, being a soccer/gymnastics mom.
What is your favorite thing to do in Boulder? I live in Denver and commute to Boulder, so I don’t know the town as well as I might. I do, however, think there are some great restaurants in Boulder, and I love going out to eat. Also, the Pearl Street Mall never fails to entertain.
Tell us a fun fact! I can’t run anymore because of an injury, so now I do stair-climbing races. I’ve raced the Las Vegas Stratosphere tower—all 108 floors–three years in a row.
What is your life motto? Hmmm. I don’t really have a motto, per se, but I guess I try to live my life with integrity.
Who or what motivates you? Fear is a pretty good motivator.
What is a piece advice you have for CU students? Hang out with the nerds. (I’m a nerd, so I can say that.) They’re likely to be the funniest, smartest, most interesting people you’ll meet, and they’ll challenge you to get better grades.