Spotlight — Bullard, Di Gregorio, Hsu, Nolan

Katharine Bullard

Assistant Professor of History
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

Two years.

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

Zadie Smith, author of On Beauty and White Teeth. I find her writing compelling.

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

“Planet Earth” documentary. I would recommend it for the underwater shots of elephants swimming alone!

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

… to speak Spanish fluently. I have tried but I am awful at languages.

My first job was …

… grocery store clerk!

Three things that brighten my life are ...

… my family, students and my friends.

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

… worked at the “NewsHour” with Jim Lehrer at PBS.

My biggest challenge is ...

… balancing work and family, just like everyone else.

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 public defender. I would be very bad at anything in sales.

Colleen Di Gregorio

Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator, University Libraries
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

August 18, 2008, marked five years.

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

If I may choose someone from the past, I would have liked to meet Mahatma Gandhi. I am in awe of what he was able to accomplish through nonviolent actions. Of course, a conversation with him would be rewarding, but somehow I feel that it would also be easy.

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

For my birthday this year, a friend of mine gave me Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across, Italy, India and Indonesia. As I read about this woman’s journey, I was reminded of the important things in life … the things that lead to true happiness.

Something I’ve always wanted to learn is …

… to speak another language fluently.

My first job was

… working as a cashier at Burger King.

Three things that brighten my life are...

… family gatherings, good music and sunsets in Warren County, N.J.

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

… as a child I dreamed of becoming one of the dancers on “The Carol Burnett Show.”

My biggest challenge is ...

… accepting that my desire for excellence is not necessarily understood by those around me.

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 teacher, but I’d never want to be a homicide detective.

Jeffrey Hsu

Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Seven years.

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

Benjamin Franklin … for all that he did in his life, spanning science, business and politics, and of course, the founding of our country. He also supposedly had a keen wit and sense of humor, so it would have been an interesting meeting in and of itself.

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

One film which was surprising was the Pixar film “WALL-E.” More than just a robot romance, but a filmmaker’s vision of what our world and us may be like in the future. It seems to drive home what many have been saying about the environment, fitness, etc.

Something I’ve always wanted to learn is …

... flying. It would be such an exhilarating experience to sail up and about in the clouds and sky, especially from behind the controls….

My first job was …

… writing tutorial manuals for a software company.

Three things that brighten my life are ...

… seeing someone blossom and grow over a period of four years in college — students I have had from freshman year to graduation and some even to a graduate degree; taking in some Impressionist art in a museum, while listening to the classics and sipping coffee and nibbling on pastries; and opening up the mail to see a new book or article of mine published, hot off the press!

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

… my great uncle was the president of the Republic of China early in the 20th century (1918–1922).

My biggest challenge is ...

… finding the time to do everything I want to. It seems that time goes so quickly and that there are never enough hours in the day.

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

I would most like to attempt going around the country and giving inspirational speeches, talks and seminars. Who knows what it might lead to? I would want nothing to do with any kind of factory work. I recently visited an industrial factory and saw what hard work really is and doing it for hours in a hot stuffy room surrounded by loud machinery.

Kevin Nolan

Associate Director of Financial Aid
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

Six years.

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

Patrick Ewing [Hall of Fame basketball player and Orlando Magic assistant coach], because he’s Patrick Ewing.

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

The Planet of the Apes book. The story is a little different, but it still involves smart monkeys and evolution (two of my favorites).

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

… botany.

My first job was …

… in a supermarket.

Three things that brighten my life are ...

… my wife, pets and TiVo.

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

… can’t swim or ride a bike.

My biggest challenge is ...

… making a happy life for my family.

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

I’d like to be pro athlete, because I enjoy competition and love sports. I would hate to be a dishwasher because it is extremely boring.