In this quick hits interview, Director of the Dow Journalism Program John J. Miller talks Taco Bell chalupas, Clint Eastwood, and his favorite Collegian staff member. 

What would you order at Taco Bell?

Chalupas. 

Who is your favorite author?

H.P. Lovecraft. When I was a kid, he blew my mind. Reading him now is pure nostalgia.

What piece of writing are you most proud of publishing?

The last thing I wrote. That’s what it should be if you’re a writer. 

Do you believe in ghosts?

I’m willing to consider the evidence. 

What is your favorite thing about yourself?

I’ve got a good, strong family, and I’m a happy person. I feel blessed to be here at Hillsdale College. 

Who would you like to co-write a book with?

I did co-write a book a number of years ago with a college friend who is now a professor at Seton Hall. We’re still friends and the book was fine, but I don’t think I want to do that again. I want my books to be my own books rather than collaborations. 

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Matthew 6:7, “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.” That’s Jesus going Strunk and White, with his version of “omit needless words.” That’s totally Jesus the writing teacher. 

What is the most underwhelming state you’ve ever been to?

I want to say Ohio because it sounds like an insult, but Ohio is overwhelming with its awfulness. So I’ll say Nebraska. It’s flat and it’s empty. 

What are some of your hot takes?

The problem with the Mexican War is that the United States didn’t seize more of Mexico, Jared Kushner deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the Abraham Accords, and Picasso is the most overrated artist in the history of everything. 

What album would be the soundtrack to your life?

My favorite album is called “Starfish” by a group called The Church. I was playing it yesterday. It’s from 1988 and I play it a lot. 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Third baseman for the Detroit Tigers. 

If you could be the main character in any movie, who would you be and why?

It’d be a Clint Eastwood movie for sure. Maybe one of the “Dirty Harry” movies. But a Clint Eastwood film because I love what he represents as a vision of America. 

What’s your favorite Hillsdale College experience?

It’s when one of our journalism alumni edited me for the first time. The servant had become the master. Now it’s normal for a former student to edit me.

What was your all-time favorite movie growing up?

“Raiders of Lost Ark,” and it remains my favorite, partly for sentimental reasons. I was 11 when it came out and I saw it five times in the theater, which was, at least for me, extraordinary. I’ll never get sick of it.

What is one habit you have that you would recommend to anyone?

Wake up early. I get up between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. I don’t set an alarm. I had a hard time getting up early when I was young, but now I look forward to getting up early. I get a lot done. I also write best in the morning.

If you could only drink one liquid for the rest of your life, what would it be?

That’s a tough one between beer and coffee. I’m gonna go with coffee. I have coffee every day.

Who is your favorite Collegian staff member?

Always the editor-in-chief. I love you all, but the editor is the hardest worker and has the biggest responsibility. I really depend on a great editor with sound judgment.