Aviso: What is your favorite part of being at Malone?

King: These two things are the things that come instantly to mind: number one, the students; number two, the clear sense of fit.

Aviso: Where did you grow up?

King:I lived in Holmes County from Toddler to fifth grade, specifically Walnut Creek. From fifth grade into high school, I lived in West Liberty. I

came back up to Wayne County for my last two years of high school. I grew up in Ohio, so it’s kind of fun to be back where the Buckeyes are meaningful.

Dr. King sat down for an interview before his inauguration. (Photo courtesy of Malone University)

Aviso: What did you want to be when you grew up?

King: It wasn’t the college president ironically enough. When I was a kid I wanted to be two things at once: I wanted to be an architect and a cattle farmer. Between my sophomore and junior year of college I changed my major from physical education to social work. I had a clear sense as if what I wanted to do when I grew up was help people. At the end of the day I want to have a clear sense that I have fully spent myself for Him in ways He has purposed.

Aviso: What is the most interesting “Malonism”:

King: I heard the phrase recently: “Awkward barn couple.”

Aviso: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

King: Assuming that people often times might experience me as an extrovert; I’m really not an extrovert. Since Malone people see me and perceive me in a particular way…with a coat and tie…I’m not a coat and tie kind of guy at all. I much prefer shorts and a t-shirt.

Aviso: Were you in any clubs or organizations in high school or college?

King: In high school, I was a class officer and I was on the fish-fry committee. During college I played a year of basketball and a year of soccer. I was part of an intentional community, a group of ten students who lived off campus in college sponsored housing and a faculty member lived with us. Beyond those things, in college I was kind of a wallflower.

Aviso: Do you prefer the moose or the pioneer?

King: With all due respect to whatever work study student might occupy the costumes, I prefer the pioneer. Not only do I prefer the pioneer, I think we should have two of them:  a male and a female. Our athletic teams deserve two mascots: a Walter and an Emma Pioneer.

Aviso: If you were to dress up for Halloween what costume would you choose?

King: A moose.

Aviso: Do you have any weird phobias or fears?

King: I don’t like the idea of getting locked out of a car. I never gotten used to and I do not like electronic car locks. I much rather put my key in a door and turn it. I always have to check twice.

Aviso: If could be any character from a movie or a TV show who would you choose and why?

King: I think I’d be Tom Hanks in Castaway. It gets to the idea of really knowing oneself. How would you respond when it’s essentially just you, a volleyball and God for a really long time—I was always struck by that.

Aviso: Would you survive in the hunger games?

King: I would say no. Without being Pollyannaish here, it goes back to the idea of what prompted me to pursue the path I pursued in college, which was I just want to help people; so that’s the antithesis.

Steena Hymes is the managing/news editor for The Aviso AVW.