Fernando Alonso

Senior Lecturer of Business and Director, Puerta al Futuro
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

Since September 2003.

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

Fidel Castro. He is near the end of his life, and he has been one of the most significant, if not controversial, individuals of the latter half of the 20th century. I would like to discuss his famous quote, “History will absolve me!”

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

… vanilla ice cream. Aah! The greatest contribution to mankind!

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

The book and the film “The Pursuit of Happyness.” This is a true American Dream story of a normal ordinary guy who struggles against all odds to keep his son. Most people give up on their dreams at the slightest appearance of trouble or difficulty. Any parent who reads this book or sees the movie will be greatly moved by [author Chris] Gardner’s determination to provide his son with a stable family and home.

Something I’ve always wanted to learn is …

… to play the guitar.

I collect …

… books on great leaders in history.

If I won the lottery, I would …

… buy the biggest yacht and go sailing around the world looking for the best golf courses to play on. Of course, I will bring Petrocelli College Dean Vehrkens and Associate Dean Swanzey along on my adventure because I will need some help carrying my clubs.

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

… once ran for Congress and the State Senate of New Jersey.

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

The profession other than my own I would most like to attempt is a novelist. The profession I would want nothing to do with is a surgeon.

Donalee Brown

Assistant Professor of Psychology
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Since 2002, as a full-time, tenure-track professor. I began as an adjunct faculty member in 1994.

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

It is hard to narrow it down. I would like to interview Abraham Lincoln, in whom I have been interested since I was in third grade, or have a long discussion with Jesus Christ, but, though I have certainly met her, I would most love to spend a day with my mother who died many years ago.

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

… lots of fresh vegetables and memories of the previous night’s dinner. My husband is a wonderful, creative cook who always is surprising me with his meals. The term “leftovers” takes on a whole new meaning.

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

Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod. I have a beloved Siberian Husky, Dakota. I read this book before she was a surprise Christmas gift. The Iditarod (a 1,180-mile, 17-day, sled-dog race through the Alaskan wilderness) has always captivated me with the fierce determination and relentless pursuit of adventure by its participants, people who challenge themselves beyond the boundaries of endurance. After living with Dakota, I find the book even more intriguing.

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

… to play the piano or guitar.

I collect ...

I am not a “thing” collector. However, I do collect “memories,” through the art of photography. The memories consist of events, people and places — both abstract and real — that have, in their unique way, enriched or impacted my life.

If I won the lottery, I would ...

… not tell anyone for a while … let it settle. I would share it with parents and siblings, my church, establish some kind of fund to support children who have aged out of the child welfare system and buy a BIG ski house in Colorado to accommodate our family and my daughter’s best friends and families all together.

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

… love adventure sports! I train throughout the year and try each summer to climb a different mountain in addition to technical climbing, whitewater rafting and horseback riding in wilderness areas out west.

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

Much of my clinical work has focused on forensic psychology. It involves an investigative process somewhat similar to putting together pieces of an intricate human puzzle. I always thought that it would be interesting to be an investigative news reporter. I would be very uncomfortable with the investment business. There are too many unknowns and one has to take risks that could have consequences for negatively impacting someone’s future.

R. Diane Purnell

Medical Assistant and Office Manager, Student Counseling and Psychological Services
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

Approximately two and a half years.

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

My maternal grandmother, because I’ve always been told by relatives that I am just like her and how much alike we are in appearance and personality. She is also my daughter’s namesake. I loved her without ever meeting her, so I would love to have lunch and girl-talk with her.

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

… fat-free half and half. I must be prepared for coffee at all times.

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

I just saw “21.” It was very exciting and it showed the struggles and lengths college students will go through to be able to afford their education.

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

… sign language.

I collect ...

… trinket boxes with hearts.

If I won the lottery, I would ...

… buy a house near the beach and set up trust accounts for my daughters.

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

… was a gymnastics instructor for 12 years.

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

I would love to be a doctor, but I would not do anything related to accounting or law.

Kevin Wojtaszek

Instructional Media Center Equipment Supervisor
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

At the end of August, it’ll be nine years.

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

The late, great [English author] Douglas Adams and [American novelist] Kurt Vonnegut. Both men had such brilliant wit, coupled with a bizarre sense of humor unmatched by anyone else.

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

… water. Apart from coffee, it’s pretty much the only thing I drink with any regularity.

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

“The Prestige,” starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. In a short time, [director] Christopher Nolan has already released some fantastic films and “The Prestige” is no exception.

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

… how to ice skate. I’ve always wanted to be able to play ice hockey, but I’m lacking one of the basic skills necessary to do so. For now, I just live vicariously through my hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings.

I collect ...

… Transformers figures. I’ve been collecting them since I was five and now have a collection numbering in the hundreds. In addition to all the figures, I also have a collection of DVDs, comic books and artwork based upon the property, and I’ve met several people at conventions over the years involved in the production of all of the above.

If I won the lottery, I would …

… immediately pay off all my debts and purchase a house for my wife and I. And maybe snag a Playstation 3.

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

… have braces (on my teeth). My teeth have always been a bit askew and crowded, so I finally decided to do something about it this past December. Most people might not notice it at first because I rarely show off my teeth (even when smiling).

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 a writer. Over the years, I’ve dabbled with the idea, but I can never seem to actually complete anything that I start, whether it is due to a lack of further creative inspiration or just pure laziness. And for a profession that I’d want nothing to do with — any job that host Mike Rowe finds himself in on the Discovery Channel show “Dirty Jobs.”

April/May 2008

View text only for this complete issue.

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

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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