Martin Farris, ’80 BS

W. P. Carey School of Business

Oak Point, TX

My father was one of the first 10 professors in the business college, joining Arizona Teacher's College in the 50s. I spent my entire childhood roaming the campus watching it grow to what it is today. I now live in Oak Point, working as a professor in the College of Business at the University of North Texas. In the late 1970s I was on the cheerleading squad as Sparky the year we went into the Pac-10 and have attached a copy of my student ID to prove it.

After cheerleading I formed a student group called "Traditions," rescued the victory bell from salvage and am delighted to see that it is now an integral part of each football game. We also reinstated the lighting of the "A" on game nights using torn open Coca-Cola cans stuffed with newspaper and filled with lighter fluid. All of these activities helped me shape my people management skills.

Most influential time of my life growing up and experiencing the world.