I Am West Georgia

David Manuel

Years at UWG:  More than 17.

My job title: Technical Director for the Townsend Center.

What I really do: I make sure that all the technical equipment works at the Townsend Center, which makes the events there look good.

Birthplace: Garrett, Ind.

Family: Wife, Kari; daughter, Kelsey (13); son, Conner (10).

People describe me as: Professional and easy to work with.

My favorite things to do: Paint, design and build theatrical scenery, design lighting and have fun with my family.

My proudest accomplishment: Helping to deliver my son at his birth.

My passion: To help those hurting to find the Lord.

My pet peeve: People doing unsafe things that can get them or someone else hurt.

Before UWG, I: I lived in New Orleans and attended Tulane for graduate school.

I joined UWG because: I wanted to teach and work with students on designing for the theatre.

I stay because: I love the university and the community.

One thing I would change about UWG: Increased funding, so that all of the departments could have the most current resources to educate the students to their fullest potential.

The best advice I ever received: Most of the stories you hear, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

The best advice I’d give to new faculty and staff: Be happy in your work.  Make friends throughout campus, not just in your own department.

When I was a child, I wanted to be: A film director.

Most people don't know that: For the last 10 years I have been a pyrotechnician for Independence Day fireworks shows including Lenox, Mall of Georgia and Rhythm & Booms in Madison, Wis.

My favorite quotation: Never give up.

The book I think everyone should read: Anything that interests you -- just read!

The movie I think everyone should watch: Star Wars (the original).

My favorite memory: Watching my wife walk down the aisle at our wedding.  Watching my kids' faces at Disney World.

The person (alive or dead) I’d most like to meet: Jesus.

What I would most like to have if castaway on an island: A boat.

What I would do if I won the lottery: I would donate more to charity, help my family members and invest for my children’s higher education.

What I most want to contribute to students: The drive to succeed in whatever they find as their passion.