15 minutes with Ryan Lowry

Interviewed by Mary Pannabecker Steiner

What year did you graduate from BHS?

I graduated from Bluffton High School in 2007.

What year are you at ONU? What is your major? Career plans/hopes?

I am a junior at ONU, majoring in marketing. I would like to get a marketing job after graduation. I’ve really enjoyed my market research class, so maybe something along those lines.

Do you have a job and/or have you had summer jobs? What kind of work have you done?

Right now, I’m working at McDonald’s as a marketing intern. I’ve also been working in Communications & Marketing at ONU since my freshman year. I worked at Citizens National Bank as a marketing intern this past summer.

Did you attend Bluffton from kindergarten through graduation and if not, when did you first enroll in Bluffton schools? Who were some of your favorite teachers? Any fun stories?

Close – we moved to Bluffton the summer before first grade. Some of my favorite teachers were Mrs. Goode, Mr. Smith, and Mrs. Riffle. My friends and I once weaved through Wapak after a soccer game trying to lose this suspicious-looking Suburban that was following us for miles. After lots of yelling and no success, we got on 75 and saw them pass us... turns out it was some friends and their parents, following us so they could find their way back to 75.

I think you have at least a few brothers. Tell me your sibs' names, ages, etc. Did they all go to ONU?

Yes, Paul is an older brother (23), but he went to BGSU for film. Kyle is my oldest brother (almost 28) and he did go to ONU for computer engineering. Kyle and his wife (also from ONU) have one kid – a 140-pound dog named Murphy (half lab, half mastiff).

What extra-curricular activities are you involved in at ONU?

I’m the communications coordinator for our student planning committee, which is the group that puts on all the free entertainment. We actually just got back from our retreat at Beulah Beach where I had to pick gumballs out of a pudding-popcorn pie without any hands. I’m also in Students in Free Enterprise and American Marketing Association. I also play intramural Frisbee once a week.

Any hobbies or sports that you enjoy?

Other than Frisbee, I like to bike, take photos (see http://www.flickr.com/rl07), go camping, boating, and play sports. In high school, I loved playing drums on Friday nights before the football games.

Do you watch a lot of movies? If so, what are your favorites? Any particular tv shows?

I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I really enjoyed the Ocean’s movies and most Will Smith movies (especially The Pursuit of Happyness; his last few didn’t interest me that much). Most people know I’m a huge Seinfeld fan, but I also watch The Office, Arrested Development, and The King of Queens.

I know you're knowledgeable in Drupal...how did you develop that interest? Does your computer interest date back to high school?

My computer interest actually dates back to middle school. I was able to develop this interest even more in high school as part of the SWIFTY program (students working in future technology) that Mardy Herr led. I picked up small computer jobs throughout high school and learned Drupal after getting my job at ONU.

What do you enjoy about working on the Icon? Do you think it's something that might be of interest to those of your age (as opposed to print media)?

The numbers. I’ve always been interested in math, so seeing statistics and the growth of the site has simply amazed me. There are times that I really wish people could see the statistics of the site. I’ve also always been very proud of being from Bluffton, so being involved in something like this is really exciting.

My age group is tough to capture. We have so much information (through so many channels of communication) being thrown at us. But I think the Icon is definitely a step in the right direction. We use the internet for so much now (I can’t remember the last time I looked in a phone book for a phone number). It’s second nature for us to get our news from the internet.

Do you live in the dorm? Describe your room and roommate.

I live in an on-campus apartment (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a little kitchen/dining room, and a living room). My roommate, Dexter, is a science education major from northeast Ohio. This is our second year living together—we get along great.

What kind of car do you drive? What kind of car would you like to be driving?

I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. It’s been a really good car, but I really like the new Chevy cars.

Can you cook?

My friends and I tried frying chicken once. Two hours later, we ended up with hot oil splattered everywhere, set off the fire alarm, and accidentally sprayed the fire extinguisher. The chicken turned out really good.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I’d like to be doing marketing for a decent-sized company. I’d like to be married and have a Schnauzer (my dog, Corki, is a Schnoodle). If I’m not living around here, I’d love to live in northern Michigan. My entire family spends a week or two up there each year. The lakes are perfect.

Do you like to read? Any favorite books or authors?

I don’t mind reading, but any reading time is usually spent with class textbooks instead of novels. I did, however, just start Cat’s Cradle.