John Duryee

Professor of Psychology
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Since 1974.

If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you pick? Why?

It seems silly to narrow it down to one person, but it would be one of the great figures in art, literature or music like Shakespeare, Michelangelo or Brahms. Probably a violinist, since I play the violin a little (not so well), someone like Kreisler, Mutter, VenGerov, among others. I am fascinated by the ability of such people to express the depth and breadth of human experience so magnificently.

One of the things I have in my refrigerator all the time is ...

… a good rib steak with some bone marrow so I can make Steak Bordelaise, a French dish — grill a thick steak to taste, butter amply with the bone marrow, pass under the broiler for just a minute, serve with real mashed potatoes and a good red Bordeaux.

What book or film did you recently enjoy? Why would you recommend it?

I’m too busy with learning and doing the other things in life, but I’ll never forget reading Moby Dick in college. The sweep and magnificence of this book as adventure, as social analysis and as transcendental mysticism, are breathtaking. I also find Melville’s style to be as magnificent as the ocean on which this story unfolds. One should go read the last sentence in this book.

Something I’ve always wanted to learn is ...

… master marine carpentry or violin making.

I collect ...

… good memories, they’re wonderful, and they can really help when you reach a bad patch in life.

Things that brighten my day are ...

… succeeding at doing something really difficult that matters to people — teaching a good class, helping a patient or doing something for a loved one. A good meal also never hurts either.

Complete the phrase: People would be surprised to know that I ...

… learned to enjoy Tripes à la mode de Caen, a French preparation of tripe. Try it with Normandy cider.

What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt, and what profession would you want nothing to do with?

I would have liked to be a surgeon and professional violinist if I were good enough. I prefer not being in settings where political jousting interferes with constructive results.

Ruben Flores

Assistant Director of Residence Life
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

Since December 3, 2002.

If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you pick? Why?

Humanitarian and activist Cesar Chavez, for his humility, service and grace. I was an undergraduate student in Indiana University when I met him in 1990. A photo of the two of us currently adorns my desk.

One of the things I have in my refrigerator all the time is ...

… Diet Snapple ice teas (peach or raspberry), porterhouse steaks and frozen green beans.

What book or film did you recently enjoy? Why would you recommend it?

… I enjoy reading biographies/autobiographies, especially anything about the Kennedys or politically based. I just completed the biography of the late balladeer, Luther Vandross (coincidentally we share the same birthday, April 20). I am a movie buff; my recent favorites are Casino Royale, The Queen, Little Miss Sunshine and Déjà Vu.

Something I’ve always wanted to learn is ...

… to speak Chinese (Mandarin) and Italian.

I collect ...

… music. I am a music fanatic, my iPod has reached its maximum storage capacity. My favorites are Anita Baker, U2, Sarah Vaughn and A Tribe Called Quest.

Things that brighten my day are ...

… talking with my nieces and nephews in Indiana and Kentucky, and having dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

Complete the phrase: People would be surprised to know that I ...

… had a very small role in the movie “Best of the Best 3” with Gina Gershon. Since I was part of a choir in the movie, we were registered as members of the Screen Actors Guild for our work during the days we actually sang, and as extras on our non-singing days. The movie went straight to video.

… play the clarinet and saxophone, and, to date, still hold my high school’s record (since 1989) for most awards won at local and state competitions.

What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt, and what profession would you want nothing to do with?

The idea of being a music executive appeals to me. I am fascinated by all aspects of this industry. I don’t envy the folks who have to clean up an arena after a concert or sporting event. I was a janitor in college during the graveyard shift and vowed to never do that job again.

Glennena Haynes-Smith

Assistant Professor of Nursing
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

More than nine years.

If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you pick? Why?

Rev. Desmond Tutu. I would like to converse with him about his vision of bringing the world closer to peace.

One of the things I have in my refrigerator all the time is ...

… Häagen-Dazs pineapple coconut ice cream.

What book or film did you recently enjoy? Why would you recommend it?

Memoirs of a Geisha. The book is entertaining and informative.

Something I’ve always wanted to learn is ...

… how to play chess.

I collect ...

… quotes and hugs.

Things that brighten my day are ...

… smiles, sunshine and my collection of oldies music.

Complete the phrase: People would be surprised to know that I ...

… read the newspaper funnies daily and enjoy solving Sudoku puzzles.

What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt and what profession would you want nothing to do with?

I would like to attempt to be a professional dancer, and I would not want to be a pathologist.

Denise Marshall

Reference Librarian and Head of Information Literacy
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Since January 3, 2003.

If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you pick? Why?

Edward Gorey, an artist who did the etchings for the opening sequence of PBS Mystery, and the stage sets for Dracula; a writer and artist of quirky wonderful books with drawings and etchings and a wild, wonderful, off-base sense of humor. Wait, I did meet him once — at the New York Book Fair one September. He signed some of my books. But I’d still like to have breakfast with him. I went to his house when I vacationed on the Cape where he lived, and peeked in the windows. He left a good portion of his estate to animal concerns, especially cats. He drew lots of cats — one wonderful T-shirt is titled “Cat Aerobics” and shows cats doing what cats do, rolling and stretching those wonderful flexible bodies. He also liked to collect rocks that had been smoothed by the ocean. I have one from outside his house, I use it as a paperweight.

I’d also like to talk with Don Marquis, the creator of “Archy and Mehitabel.” A wonderful loony sense of the world, a sustained comedic genius — not a one-liner or one-joke person. A terrific sense of hilarity about the world, coupled with shrewd analysis and pointed criticism — a light in dark times.

And I’d like to have tea with these women — all are writers of various kinds and all have wit, intelligence, laughter and a sustained sense of the ridiculous: Phoebe Atwood Taylor, Barbara Michaels aka Elizabeth Peters, Donna Andrews, Dorothy L. Sayers and Virginia Woolf. What a long and wonderful conversation that would be!

One of the things I have in my refrigerator all the time is ...

… flavored club soda and chocolate.

What book or film did you recently enjoy? Why would you recommend it?

“A Good Year,” with Russell Crowe and Albert Finney, and “The Prestige.” Good stories told well with excellent acting and fine cinematography. And fascinating ways to put the tales together.

I recently read The Time Traveler’s Wife [by Audrey Niffenegger], an intriguing tale and idea told well. I’m saving the latest Charles de Lint [book], Widdershins. He is a writer who combines fantasy and reality — perhaps we could call him the Canadian magical realist. His writing is superb, and it captures the reader. Barbara Hambly is likewise a wonder. Her series, beginning with A Free Man of Color, takes place in New Orleans shortly after it has been ceded to the U.S. When I read these writers I leave the world. I also recently finished The Historian, an interesting, involving book with wonderful places where answers keep unfolding only to lead to other puzzles — a quest novel if you will.

I’m also reading Edith Wharton, Isabel Allende and Luisa Valenzuela. I usually read several books at once.

Something I’ve always wanted to learn is ...

… to fly gliders and to play traditional Spanish guitar. I own a backpacker’s guitar but have only strummed it aimlessly.

I collect ...

… teapots (I have one called Teatanic), fountain pens, art prints when I can afford them and illustrated and unusual books.

Things that brighten my day are ...

… laughter, my cats, good conversation, hanging out with friends, good chocolate or ginger cookies.

Complete the phrase: People would be surprised to know that I ...

… spent a summer in Oxford, England, studying paleography (the study of handwriting) from the medieval period and I almost stayed there to get a B.Phil. in medieval studies. I have a passion for the medieval period. I took many courses in the medieval period when I did my Ph.D. I also am hooked on the Arthurian sagas. I held the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and Chaucer manuscripts in my very hands — they were my special study.

What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt, and what profession would you want nothing to do with?

I would like to be an archaeologist or paleontologist. It’s what I originally wanted to be. A friend of mine says it’s one of the only professions where you can be an adult and play in the dirt. I would not want to be a lawyer or a surgeon. I wouldn’t mind the money, though.

December 2006 / January 2007

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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