Cougar Queries is a series profiling BYU employees by asking them a few simple questions about their work, interests and life
Name: Matthew Richardson
BYU employee since: 1993 (part-time) 1996 (full-time)
My job at BYU is? Advancement Vice President
Currently I'm working on... advancing the mission and influence of Brigham Young University
I'm currently reading...
For my Salvation: The Doctrine and Covenants
To my Grandchildren: The Story of Little Babaji by Helen Bannerman
For additional perspective: The Complete Collection of Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
I get most excited about my work when... Others are enlightened and inspired.
When I tell people I work for BYU, they often say... "You have my dream job!"
What makes teaching the greatest job in the world is... Seeing how learning impacts the way people live their lives.
I always smile when... I see my wife.
The best advice I've ever got about teaching is... Live what you teach.
My advice to incoming freshman is... "Seek inspiration, have courage to live by faith, and never give up."
My advice to graduating seniors is... "Seek inspiration, have courage to live by faith, and never give up."
The best-kept BYU secret is... BYU chocolate milk (what I call the "nectar of the gods").
I've been an avid BYU fan since... I was 14 years-old.
My go-to BYU Creamery ice cream flavor is... Whoosh Cecil
My favorite BYU tradition is... The BYU homecoming Parade.
I've hiked Y Mountain... At least 31 times (I try to hike it every year).
My favorite Cougar athlete is? Megan Richardson Fereday (Soccer, '06-'12) and Lauren Richardson Brown (Track, '10-12)
My most cherished memory at BYU was when? The day I met my wife on the first day of school.
On Saturday mornings you'll find me? Making Mickey Mouse pancakes.
You'll never find me without? A watch.
The title of my autobiography would be? "The Luckiest Man on the Planet."
I'm most looking forward to? Hanging out with my family.
I'm secretly good at? Making my children's Halloween costumes (Yes, I can sew).
I dream about one day? Taking a nap.
I wanted to be? An astronaut when I grew up
My favorite sayings are? "Talk is cheap," "If you think you can or can't, you're right."
If they made a movie about my life, I'd be played by? With my luck, it will probably be a muppet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Know of another Cougar we should feature? Email Natalie Tripp.
