Mark Jordan joined the Department of Agriculture in 2016 as an instructor of agricultural economics. His extensive experience conducting research and fundamental analysis of the poultry and livestock industries prepares students for successful Agribusiness careers.

Mark Jordan

Place of birth?

Pine Bluff, Ark.

Family?

Wife and 2 kids (ages 3 and 1); one older brother who is married with 4 boys; parents in Star City, Ark.; in-laws in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Why did you choose A-State?

It is my alma mater (undergraduate) and this area has always held a special place in my heart.

What makes a good professor?

One who listens and learns as much or more than he/she talks and instructs.

What makes for a good student?

Being open-minded and curious.

What’s the value of a university education?

Having access to so many people and so much information.

Your philosophy on education in seven words:

Be patient with yourself and your students.

If you could teach another field, which one and why?

English and/or Literature. Through the years, I’ve come to greatly appreciate the ability and need to command the English language to communicate properly and effectively.

What is the one thing you wish you could teach everyone about your field?

That agriculture is an incredibly dynamic and technologically advanced arena and is considerably more than "just farming."

Before you retire I want to...

make it to the seven states in the U.S. I haven’t visited yet (Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska).

In college, I was known for...

probably a few things that shouldn’t be repeated here.

What is your favorite podcast?

2beersin, which my brother-in-law manages and oversees. I’m one of several contributors.

My favorite motion picture is...

Braveheart.

The last book I read for fun was...

I'm working on the book Guns of the South, but it’s been a very slow process. I have many distractions in my life at the moment.

My favorite trip was...

a cruise to Bermuda a few years back.

If I could travel anywhere it would be...

to see the wonder that is Antarctica.

Four people I’d take to coffee. . .

probably my Dad, my Uncle Charlie, my brother John, and my cousin James. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I just cherish the idea of all the Jordan men gathered together telling stories.

The best advice I ever received was...

trust God in all things.

What is the one thing I’ve learned I’d tell my college self...

try not to consume so much of everything because those pounds will stick with you and are more difficult to shed as you age.

My hobby is...

brewing beer at home, playing poker, and fishing all grab some of my free time now and again.

My passion is...

sharing knowledge and information.

My pro sports team is...

the St. Louis Cardinals.

My pet peeve is...

reckless/careless drivers.

My favorite meal is...

a big, greasy cheeseburger with a side of seasoned fries.

A perfect day is...

When you’ve got absolutely nothing else important to do and just take a road trip through some previously unvisited part of the country – likely rural – and engage with the locals and whatever the “cool thing” may be in that area. It certainly helps if it’s a sunny day and sports a high temperature of about 74 degrees.

My spirit cartoon character is...

Shaggy (Scooby-Doo).

What I like about Jonesboro is...

It’s big enough to feature nearly everything you’d want in a city, but not so big that you really feel overwhelmed.

E-book or hardback?

Hardback.

Beach or mountains?

Beach with a large group of family and/or friends; mountains on a solo trip or very small group.

Dinner or supper?

It’s dinner.

The one thing I’d take to a desert island (and a boat is not an answer)...

a big knife.

I wish I could...

fly.

My favorite saying is...

"what we do in life…echoes in eternity." (Gladiator, 2000)