Name: Mike Gralla Hometown: Nesconset, NY Major: Visual Arts: Animation and Electronic Media Grad Year: 2014
What made you choose your school? It was suggested to me by my cousin's husband who is an alumni of the university. My grades were not good enough to get into SUNY Stony Brook University, but also SUNY Old Westbury offers a Visual Arts program. This peaked my interest, and combined with my grades and my love of cartoons, SUNY Old Westbury was my top choice
What activity makes you happy? Completing a big project that had taken many, many hours to complete, and exhibiting it in-front of fellow students getting direct praise or criticisms. Other than that, I enjoy hanging out on campus with friends
What is your biggest pet peeve? Not being able to find parking, and especially the registration and the process of scheduling classes. Everything else is pretty good. Faculty, facilities, services available are all excellent
What is something about you that might surprise someone? I'm smarter than the average bear
What is your favorite book, movie, or TV show and why? Too many to pick from! Favorite TV shows especially, and to name a few...Venture Bros., Frisky Dingo, House, Scrubs, The Daily Show, Mythbusters..the list goes on. Why? Because they are entertaining as Hell!
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? Australia, I've always wanted to visit. Plus I really want a kangaroo. Though it is illegal to possess one, it would still be pretty cool to have one as a pet. Also, I would like to visit the Bon Scott statue located in Perth, Australia
If you had a million dollars, how would you spend it? Good question! Kind of cliche, but still good. I would pay off the mortgage to my mom's house, take a chunk of it and invest in grad-school, buy some stock in some of my favorite companies, and enjoy a bit of financial freedom (while still going to school and working full-time)
What are your plans for after graduation? Graduate with honors and land a job at an animation studio where I will be able to help work on and produce televised animated series
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be? I would want to be my own superhero, but with the ability to use cartoon physics at my disposal