Originally from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Tom Budd went to North Dakota State University where he earned his bachelor of Science and his doctorate. He was a biology teacher at St. Lawrence but retired earlier in 2009. He now announces the SLU hockey games, and still frequents the Johnson Hall of Science, where he still has an office. He enjoys brewing his own beer and wine and pursuing outdoor activities, such as hunting.
HILL NEWS: Why did you choose to teach at SLU?
TOM BUD: When I completed my doctoral work at the University of North Dakota, I became a member of the American Society of Plant Physiologists. St Lawrence was looking for new scientists and the rest is history.
HN:What has been your favorite moment at SLU?
TB: I have two favorite moments; my first one is when we finished building the Johnson Hall of Science. Also, when I became head of the biology department, it was eight white males. When I stepped down, SLU had a lot more new and interesting majors with a diverse faculty.
HN: How long have you been an announcer?
TB: I’ve been announcing games for about 15 years now.
HN: What is the best part of being the announcer at hockey games?
TB: Well it’s the best seat in the house. The announcer gets to be involved in the games because I get to talk to the coaches before games. I know the people who are scratched and who are starting. I get there an hour and a half before the game starts.
HN: What do you enjoy about home brewing?
TB: I enjoy putting biology to work, and brewing is a fairly easy thing to do now a days. It is a pleasant hobby that you can do with other people. Plus, economics, I can brew a thirty dollar bottle of wine for six dollars.
HN: If you could name one of your beers or wines what would it be?
TB: Budd Right or Budd Duck Wine
HN: What do you like about venison cooking?
TB: The whole process is like a religion, from the moment you pull the trigger to when you eat the deer. My wife and I do it all ourselves. My wife can fix venison more than fifty ways, and we use just about everything.
HN: What is your favorite meal?
TB: Venison tenderloin cut in medallions, lightly seared, with a little olive oil and black pepper.
HN: Where are some places you want to travel to?
TB: Alaska, New Zealand, Iceland, and the Bahamas.
HN: If you could have four things on an island what would they be?
TB: I’d say my wife, a short wave radio, hunting rifle, and my toolbox.
HN: What are your plans after SLU?
TB: I want to do more turkey hunting in the spring. I have a lot of remodeling projects to do around the house. I still want to keep my desk here (Johnson Hall) and make sure everything is running smoothly in the building.
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