Photos by Christi Mathis
December 05, 2012
Ten Questions With ... Michelle Rositch
Job on campus and department you work in: Illustrator/graphic supervisor in Printing & Duplicating
How long at SIU Carbondale: Almost 16 years, I started working full-time for the University in spring 1997; I attended SIU Carbondale as a student beginning in fall 1994.
Hometown: Channahon -- it was a wide spot in the road outside of Joliet when I grew up there.
When you were a youngster, what did you want to be when you grew up? I think I was born to do what I am doing. In one of my early memories -- I was about 5 -- I made my own scratch and sniff stickers. I accommodated for bleed before I cut them out, put perfume on them and then varnished them.
If you could choose another profession, what would it be and why? Photography. It has become my second passion. I love capturing moments and being able to make a viewer feel something from a photo.
What is one random fact about you? I love mushroom hunting. It is hard to keep me inside during the spring and fall, especially after it rains.
What three things are at the top of your bucket list? Traveling to Alaska and wandering for a month is the only item on my bucket list. I suppose I could add not getting eaten by a bear while I am wandering to that list.
If you could take a photograph of your life, what would the picture be? It would involve the Golden Retrievers and the Jeep, some sunshine and mountains and the Jeep hanging precariously off the edge. Kind of like my last vacation. Actually.
What is the best advice you ever received? Professionally -- to diversify my education to be more marketable. I took it to heart and studied not only design but photography, marketing, journalism, technical writing, management and took a physics class or two. Personally -- to not take life so seriously.
What is one word to describe you? Genuine.
If you could meet an historical person, who would it be and what would you talk about? Albert Einstein. I’ve always been fascinated by him. I wouldn’t do much talking I’d be content to just sit and listen. Or Van Gogh. I’d love to chitchat about Starry Night and the church being dark.
What is your pet peeve? That’s a long list -- don’t touch my computer screen with your oily fingers. Laziness, gossip, Bullies, self-centeredness, wasting talent.
What would you like your gravestone to say about you? Life was good - what a ride!