Maria Servold remembers her late nights in the Collegian office fondly. Courtesy | Collegian
In this quick hits interview, Assistant Director of the Dow Journalism Program Maria Servold talks raising daughters, fighting the pleather jacket trend, and getting engaged at Garden Party.
What books are you reading right now?
I’m reading one for a book club called “So Young, Brave, and Handsome” by Leif Enger. I’m also working my way through “The Religious Potential of the Child” for the catechesis I teach. I am thinking about starting “Anne of the Island” because I’m very slowly working my way through the “Anne of Green Gables” series.
Top three favorite movies?
My number one favorite movie is “Amadeus.” When I need a pick-me-up, I watch “The Paper” and I really liked the movie “Arrival,” which is about an alien encounter. It just has a lot to say about life and the importance of life.
Beach or Mountains?
I should say mountains because I’m from Colorado, but beach.
What is one of the best memories you and your husband share?
When he proposed to me at Garden Party my senior year.
What is your favorite memory from your time as a student at Hillsdale?
That’s really hard. I would say I have the most fond memories from random adventures with my friends, like late night trips to Taco Bell or watching movies with my friends or any of the late nights in the Collegian office.
Do you have a favorite adventure from your time at Hillsdale?
When they were building the Student Union, my best friend and I found a way into the tunnels under campus from the construction site. It was just an open door, so we wandered around in the tunnels and then ended up in the basement of Delp. So, I can confirm that the tunnels are not that exciting. They’re mostly just for mechanical pipes.
What do you think is the best place to study on campus?
The tables in purgatory that look over the hill because you get to people-watch.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
At one of my baby showers, a professor’s wife told me not to compare myself to other moms. And to remember the phrase “not my circus, not my monkeys.”
Do you have a hobby?
I cross stitch and embroider, which I discovered that I love a couple years ago. It took me years to find a hobby that I could stick with and not give up on after several weeks. I’ve now been embroidering and cross-stitching for several years, and I even won an award for embroidery at the fair.
Who is your confirmation saint?
St. Joan of Arc.
What is one trend from your childhood that you wish would come back?
The really brightly colored neon windbreaker jackets. They were useful and cool.
What is one trend you hope never comes back?
Pleather jackets.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs, because they love you back.
Is Mulan a Disney princess?
Yes, because she is the lead female character in a Disney movie.
If you were not a journalism professor, what would you be doing?
Besides being a reporter, I really enjoyed my psychology classes at Hillsdale, so maybe something with psychology or ‘just’ a mom.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Pretty much anywhere I can relax and my kids are entertained.
