Former marine, daughter of a racecar driver and mother of six, Lisa Beaudry is one of UVU’s newer students. She is our hero for the week. Here is what she had to say.
Q: What interesting or unique things can you tell me about yourself?
A: I have lived a very interesting life. My father was a racecar driver and was killed when I was 11 months old. My mom was pregnant with my brother. She didn’t remarry until I was a senior in high school. (I) was an Olympic-level archer, and at one time won a contest against the archer Darrell Pace who went on to win gold medals in the ’78 and ’84 Olympics. (I also) maintained a working farm with four kids, two cows, one horse, four pigs, four sheep, 10-15 goats, 50 chickens, six ducks, 20 rabbits, three dogs and three cats.
Q: Why did you decide to come back to school after such a long time away from it?
A: I came back to school because I want teach college. I have always enjoyed working with college students. I started classes as a freshman this past January of 2008. I love every minute of learning. I am an integrated studies major in communications and business.
Q: I was told you are a marine veteran; what can you tell me about your experience in the Marines?
A: I joined the Marine Corps in the summer of 1979. I joined to get job experience in a good field of work. I was trained as a computer programmer. Since I was attached to the Generals Mid-Atlantic Fleet, I was considered deployable with the Generals Staff, so I was combat trained. I was a Marksman qualification with an M-16; I was trained in landmine exploration, detection and a few others that I can’t remember. That was nearly 30 years ago!
My experience of being in the Marine Corps was an interesting and fun one. Even though I am not so lean, I am still proud to have been a Marine.
Q: Because of your military experience you were asked to give a speech during the upcoming ethics week …
A: I am slated to present during Ethics Awareness in the Literature and Ethics session. Kenn Reagle will read from a new poetry book he recently published called “No One Calls Me Hero.” I will read an essay or short story on my military experience. It will probably be dealing with how I feel strongly that we need to take a stand against bullies and that America is the country that others look to for that help in dealing with their bullies.
Q: If there was one message that you could tell UVU students, faculty and staff, what would it be?
A: That the nontraditional student is very important to UVU. They are working, raising children and are the future of the valley as they already live and work in here and have a vested interest in the Utah Valley area immediately.
