Mon, Jul 06, 2009

Caliente

Q&A with the ASUA president

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.21.2008
Tommy Bruce is the first president of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona to serve two consecutive terms.
Under his watch, ASUA landed Kanye West, one of the biggest names in pop music, who packed McKale Center last semester.
And Katy Perry signed on to perform at CatFest on Aug. 29, long before "I Kissed a Girl" became a summer sensation. While she's since postponed her appearance until possibly the spring, next week's CatFest has landed personable up-and-comer Eric Hutchinson, whose song "Rock & Roll" is getting good play.
And look for MC Lars, Cartel and the Shop Boyz at the UAVotes block party Sept. 26.
Bruce, a marketing senior and Sabino High School grad, answered a few questions via e-mail.
Facebook or MySpace?
"Facebook."
Dorm guy or frat guy?
"Student Union Guy (meaning where I live), but if I have to choose then it would be dorm guy since I lived in one freshman year."
Phone plan?
"Well, I have two phones. One is my ASUA cell phone, which is a blackberry (some may refer to it as my addiction, while I just consider it one of my vital organs). I also have a personal phone, which is a Motorola RAZR. Both my plans are with Alltel, so the My Circle helps out with the amount of minutes per month, but I usually average nearly 4,700 minutes per month and about 2,500 text messages."
If you could change one thing about the college experience?
"It would be free!"
Best place in Tucson for those under 21?
"The University of Arizona campus. Between all of the sporting events, concerts, fine-arts performances and student activities occurring, there really is no better place to be!"
Best place in Tucson for those over 21? "Main Gate Square! There are a ton of great places to hang out with all of your over-21 friends, and there is even free transportation on the T.I.C.E.T. that can take you from Main Gate Square to Fourth Avenue and Downtown!"
Senior year resolution?
"Don't waste one minute. It will be gone in the blink of an eye."
What's your best advice for a freshman?
"Embrace every aspect of the college experience. There is something for everyone, and the University of Arizona is the BEST place to make all your dreams, aspirations and goals a reality, all the while joining the best possible family you could ask for and becoming a Wildcat for life!"
Best-kept secret about Tucson?
"Tucson, Phoenix and Flagstaff all had to fight over an insane asylum, state capital and a state university back in the late 1800s. Flagstaff got the capital, which later moved, Phoenix got the insane asylum and Tucson got the state university. At the time everyone was fighting for the insane asylum because it had the most money connected to it; now, I am sure that both Flagstaff and Phoenix would kill to have The University of Arizona in their city."
What's on your iPod?
" 'Bear Down Arizona,' Pride of Arizona; 'Stronger,' Kanye West; 'Rock & Roll,' Eric Hutchinson; 'Disturbia,' Rihanna; 'Lapdance,' N.E.R.D.; 'Don't Stop Believin',' Journey; . . . to name a few."
Performer he'd most like to bring to UA:
"Someone for the football stadium. . . . "
Plans after graduation?
"Off to New York City."
What would you do if you were a freshman today?
"Introduce myself to everyone I had the opportunity to, in my classes, in the student union, on the mall, anywhere. There are not many opportunities in life where you have the chance to meet as many people in your peer group going through a similar experience as you. Meeting people is by far one of the absolute best parts about college."
— Inger Sandal