Last word: Jana Houser

Jana Houser's love for this area of meteorology is infectious: students readily sign up for her storm-chasing experience class and spend their spring break on the road gathering data on severe weather, wherever it may be.

Ohio Today asked Houser to unpack who she is and her views on life. An excerpt of the interview follows.

Which would you pick: being world-class attractive, a genius or famous for doing something great?
I would choose being famous for something great because I want to make a difference in peoples’ lives and in humanity. I think from the standpoint of making progress as a society and culture, it’s important to be making strides forward.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. For many people it’s intimidating to admit you don’t know something, but learning to be OK with not knowing something is important.

What’s one choice you really regret?
I can’t say I have specifically regretted any decisions or choices I have made because even the poor decisions and poor choices have been a learning experience. I am a better person for the mistakes I have made.

If you could time travel, where would you go?
I would like to visit pre-European settler America, to see what life was like for that culture. I am so fascinated by the idea of Native American culture. I would like to know more about the simplistic yet very nature-centered lifestyle.

Do you feel like a leader or a follower?
I am a healthy blend in between. I assume leadership roles when I am put into a position that demands it, and I don’t have a problem in being a follower. I honestly could go either way.

If you had to leave earth on a spaceship and take four friends with you, who would they be?
My family members are really the most important people to me. That’s why I would take my husband, Cecil, and our two little girls, Caya, 6, and Sienna, 3. And then the fourth person would probably be my brother, Scott.

Do you have a hidden talent? Is there something you are good at that would surprise people?
I am musically inclined, I play the piano, flute, and I sing. And I really enjoy painting. I also really enjoy cooking. I love to garden and work outside.

If someone made a movie of your life would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic-comedy, action film, or science fiction?
More along the lines of an action film because the activities I chose to participate in tend to be a little bit more on the action-driven side than emotionally traced. You could probably weave some elements of science fiction into the things I do, too.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’ll divide my accomplishments into three parts: personal, scholarly and research, and classroom. I have a family, so I’m very proud, grateful, and happy to be at that personal point in my life. I think as far as scholarly and research accomplishments go, I have been participating with a group of people who have provided evidence to change the paradigm of how tornadoes form. As far as teaching- and classroom-related, I’m proud of being the recipient of the University Professor Teaching Award.

What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
I think courage can be defined in multiple ways. There is the outward courage, bravery from the standpoint of doing something that people find fearful. There is also a form of courage that would be to stand up for something you believe in, or the courage to choose an option that is not popular in the eyes of a broader perspective, to go a little bit against the grain.

Feature photograph: Houser is a 2019 University Professor Award recipient. Photo by Max Catalano, BSVC ’20