Chris Ellen Cunningham

Coordinator, Cyber Crime Training Laboratory
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

Fifteen incredibly fast-moving months.

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

I would love to play a round of golf with [former New York City Mayor] Rudy Giuliani. A five-hour window to pick his brain, listen to his thoughts — that would be fabulous. Of course, it would qualify as some sort of punishment for him.

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

… parmesan and/or romano cheese. Always.

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

My schedule is so crazy I don’t have time to read all I would like to — pleasure reading is normally limited to 20 minutes with the Williams-Sonoma catalog (heaven!). I did finally finish the book I’ve been nursing for months — You’ve Got to Read This Book! It’s a compilation by Jack Canfield (of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame) made up of short essays by different people explaining the most significant book they had ever read and how it affected them. I found it interesting to see what books motivated such a broad spectrum of successful people.

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

… how to operate a Zamboni, an ice resurfacer. One of my silly life goals is to somehow get someone to let me drive one.

I collect ...

… cookware, kitchen toys and gadgets, books and motivational quotes.

Things that brighten my day are ...

… bright sunny mornings, daisies, clean sheets, compliments, jokes, hearing a favorite old song on the car stereo, my friends, watching the sun set with cigars and cocktails on the beach with my dad … many things.

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

Considering my position, that I had the worst reputation imaginable with the IT department at my former place of employment. In one day I managed to completely disable the controller’s division server and cripple PeopleSoft campuswide. I was then the third person to call and complain about the system failure. Our network administrator told me to get out of finance and go to work at the Chubb Institute — as the final graduation requirement. If anyone could fix a PC I had monkeyed around with, he figured they deserved some sort of degree. If he knew what I was doing now …

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

Without a doubt, I would go into golf course/country club management. I worked at a club a few years ago and loved going there every day. The job comes with built-in, stress-relief access — there’s always a driving range nearby. I would never want to be a K-12 teacher because I simply do not have the patience.

Bernard Dick

Professor of English and Communications and Coordinator, MA in Media and Professional Communication
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

Since September 1970.

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

Among the departed, Eugene O’Neill, to thank him for writing the greatest of all American plays, “Long Day’s Journey into Night”; among the living, soprano Renée Fleming, for the great joy she has given me at the Metropolitan Opera.

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

… a carton of eggs.

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

The French film, “Caché (Hidden),” which is everything a film should be: enigmatic, absorbing and visual, with a final long shot that kept me thinking of its meaning for days after.

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

… Lithuanian, because of my heritage.

I collect ...

… movie and theater memorabilia, Golden Age radio tapes and original cast recordings of Broadway musicals, both the famous (“South Pacific”) and the obscure (“Seventeen”).

Things that brighten my day are ...

… Jeff Spurgeon’s morning show on WQXR radio, Turner Classic Movies, a well-written student essay and not being asked when I plan to retire.

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

… grew up in a house without indoor plumbing until I was nine, when my mother, an extraordinary woman to whom I will always be indebted, married a man who could provide it.

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

I think I could have been a good agent or producer. I would not want any profession that would require me to travel by ship, boat, yacht, canoe or ferry. I am a non-swimmer and am hydrophobic.

Patricia Melloy

Assistant Professor of Cell Biology
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Since August 2006.

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

In the course of my scientific training, I have been lucky enough to meet several great scientists, so I always welcome the opportunity to pick the brain of a great scientist. After that, I would say I would like to meet a great national or international political leader like Madeleine Albright or a good old-fashioned rock star like Bono.

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

I most recently enjoyed “The Last King of Scotland.” I would recommend it because the lead actor, Forrest Whitaker, gave a wonderful performance.

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

… the Irish language.

I collect ...

… music from the 1980s.

Things that brighten my day are ...

… my husband, Frank, and when I see students working and having fun in the lab at the same time.

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

… am the first and only scientist in my family.

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

If I were not in my current profession, I would most likely attempt being a science writer, or designing exhibits or programs for a science museum. I would like nothing to do with being an accountant.

Joseph Trentacoste

Assistant Director of Financial Aid
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Four years.

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

I’d love to sit down with the President [George W. Bush] so we can chat about the military action overseas.

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

… orange juice.

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

… how to play the guitar.

I collect ...

… DVDs.

Things that brighten my day are ...

… my wife’s smile, making people laugh, a good meal.

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

… wanted to be a doctor until my sophomore year of college.

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

I’d love to go to culinary school and become a pastry chef. My wife and I have talked about opening our own bakery one day. I would not want to hold any kind of government office. I think you have to be a special type of person to deal with all that stress.

April/May 2007

View text only for this complete issue.

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

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

Information Deadlines