Geography Professor Fights Stereotypes - Interview Article

            Ogden Utah, Oct. 24 2005:  “I have a conspiracy that Disney is out to make people from England look scary.”  Professor Daniel Bedford said.  “Look at a lot of their animated movies and the main evil character always has an English accent, but you have to remember that is was also England that brought the world Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

            This is what Professor Bedford explains on the first day of class to his students.  Bedford, originally from London England, uses humor to wart off any stereotypes or fears people might have about him.  “It’s a legitimate claim,” he states.  “People are intimidated by my accent.”

            Bedford came to Weber State back in 2002, transferring from Middlebury University, a small town college in Vermont.  He came to Weber for numerous reasons, mostly because of his wife’s family living in Salt Lake City, a recent job opening in the department, an old college friend, Professor Brian Dorsey, and a strong desire to leave Middlebury.

            Bedford says he gets most of his enjoyment from work when a student, “Finally gets it.”  He also enjoys it when the class meshes well and when they, “Laugh at my jokes, and get comfortable to make their own jokes.”  What Bedford resents is how Weber State is a commuter school, not because of the lack of a social life, but for the amount of time that is spent in the car, inevitably creating poorer air quality.

            Professor Bedford got his Bachelors Degree at Oxford University, and his Masters and PhD at Colorado State University in Boulder Colorado.  He brings with him extensive experience at both the university level and at the high school level.

            When asked about what other profession he would follow, he stated, “Ruling out being an astronaut, I would be a musician.  I love music and have been involved in music since a child.” 

            His advice for the students, both past, current and future alike, he borrowed from the movie, The Dead Poets Society, as being, “Carpe Diem, you’re only here once.  Make the most of it.”