Editor's Note: This is the seventh in a series of spotlights on mathematics and statistics faculty. Ms. Lewis joined us in Fall 2017.

Do you have a hobby or collect something?  How did you get into that?

Honestly, there’s not one single thing that I do on a consistent basis other than spend time with my family (which I definitely consider a hobby of mine)!  There are a lot of little things I enjoy doing such as sewing, cooking, decorating, and making soap.  I would consider myself a “Pinterest” person since I’m a little all over the place with my hobbies!  I have talented friends and family, so many times I’ll see something that one of them has done and think, “Oooh! I want to try that!” 

Tell us about an adventure you had, or would like to have.

My college roommate and I were always going on road trips back in the day.  It never failed that I ultimately drove us through the bad part of town and on one of these road trips to Louisiana, I drove us right past a convenience store hold-up!  Luckily, that’s as exciting as the story gets (we didn’t stop to buy Juicy Fruit). 

What was one of your biggest successes or failures?

Being lucky enough to be married to someone who gets me and my goofy personality because he has one of his own!  (This is my biggest success by the way...I just wanted to be sure to be clear!)

What kind of music, books, movies, sports, games, cars, etc. (pick one or more) do you like?  Is there any particular reason?

I enjoy old books and old movies/TV shows!  Some of my favorite authors include Dorothy Gilman, Louis L’Amour, and Agatha Christie.  They also need to be thin books because when I read, I tend to nod off!  No “War and Peace” for me!  As far as old movies and TV shows are concerned, I am partial to anything starring Andy Griffith, Abbott and Costello, Lucille Ball, or Humphry Bogart.  My husband taught me to enjoy John Wayne movies (I’m pretty sure that “must love John Wayne” was in the marriage agreement somewhere)! 

What is the closest you have ever come to dying?

There was this road trip to Louisiana…

What did you do to put yourself through school, or what weird job have you held?

I waited on tables at Casa Ole’ with the added benefit of free chips and hot sauce to take home and free lunch!  Can’t get much better than that! 

What was the best piece of advice you were ever given?

“You can’t always do your best.  But you can always do your best with the situation you are in at the time.” 

The thing that really makes you cool and unique is something that I would never have thought to list here.  What is it?

One thing that I didn’t list as a hobby, but that I really enjoy doing, is playing the banjo!  I haven’t for a very long time, but it makes me happy!  (And now you will have the theme music from “Deliverance” stuck in your head for the rest of the day!  You are welcome.)