By Charlotte Fron
Mike Segawa, the University of Puget Sound’s Dean of Students and Vice President, grew up in San Diego with his parents and three younger siblings, all of whom still live in California. Segawa graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Political Science degree, then attended Colorado State for his Masters of Education.
He has worked in residential life at several colleges, including Central State Missouri State University, University of Washington, and Evergreen State College. Segawa and his wife currently live in Olympia, enjoying the sense of community there that is similar to the one Segawa found amongst Loggers at the University of Puget Sound.
Segawa created “Mike’s List” eight years ago to encourage first-years to explore opportunities the University offers. “I don’t care what you all chose to do, as long as it’s legal, it’s just that you do”, said Segawa. The items on the list encourage students to engage with other Loggers in the community and fully embrace what a liberal arts environment provides. First-year students who complete 20 (or more) of the 28 items on the checklist are treated to an off-campus lunch with Segawa. Since the list was created, about 16 students have accomplished the task.
The Trail sat down with Dean Segawa to learn a bit more about his daily life beyond Wheelock Student Center.
Charlotte: What is the coolest thing you’ve ever done?
Mike: Jumped out of an airplane. When I was in college – it was the epitome of peer-pressure – we went skydiving; it was great. Once the parachute is open, the ride down is just so peaceful.
Charlotte: What is your Diversions order?
Mike: I have to admit, I never go to Diversions. [*laughs*] I don’t drink coffee, I don’t drink tea.
Charlotte: What is your first memory?
Mike: My sister coming home from the hospital, when I was five. I remember sitting on the steps of our house with my grandmother and my two brothers when my mom and dad drove the family station wagon up with my sister with them.
Charlotte: Who are your favorite artists?
Mike: The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Earth Wind and Fire.
Charlotte: What is your favorite hike?
Mike: Mount Rainier, short hikes out of the Paradise Area, especially in the springtime when the mountain flowers are starting to bloom and it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot.
Charlotte: What is your favorite thing to cook?
Mike: Barbecuing, all summer long; I do a really mean teriyaki flank steak.
Charlotte: What is your favorite baseball team?
Mike: The Seattle Mariners. Although, I grew up a San Diego Padres fan.
Charlotte: What is your current favorite Netflix show?
Mike: I don’t do Netflix. But, my favorite T.V. shows right now are “Scorpion” and “Madam Secretary.”
Charlotte: What did you do this past summer?
Mike: I went to London for ten days, it was the first time we had ever visited – we just loved [it]. We were going to visit our daughter who was in London last year for graduate school.
Charlotte: What is your biggest pet peeve?
Mike: Anonymity. I think social media is a great tool, but it just irritates me when people do it in an anonymous fashion, which means there’s no ability to engage constructively, there’s no ability to eventually do this face-to-face.
Charlotte: What are your thoughts on Taylor Swift?
Mike: [*laughs*] I like Taylor Swift, and I like a lot of the younger artists. What I wonder about, though, is whether we will still be listening to them thirty years from now. The test of time is, for me, an important one with an artist.
Charlotte: What was your first job?
Mike: Working at a hardware store.
Charlotte: What is your favorite fast food chain?
Mike: Locally, Ezell’s Fried Chicken in the Hilltop. True chain, Carl’s Jr.
Charlotte: What is your reaction if I were to give you free front-row tickets to a Beyonce concert?
Mike: I would definitely go. She’s an important part of our culture at this point.
Charlotte: Who was your childhood role model or hero?
Mike: Captain Kirk [*laughs*]. He was just way cool.
Charlotte: What would you sing at a karaoke night?
Mike: “Center Field” by John Fogerty.
Charlotte: Who would you want to be stranded on a deserted island with?
Mike: My wife. It’s really nice to be able to spend your life with somebody where you can just be you, and they can just be them.
Charlotte: If time travel were possible, where and when would you go?
Mike: The American Revolutionary War Period. I love history; that time-period always fascinates me.
Charlotte: Who is your favorite Marvel character?
Mike: Iron Man, I love the way that Robert Downey Jr. does that.
Charlotte: What is your favorite holiday?
Mike: Christmas. It was my mother’s favorite holiday, and that’s just been handed down.