Alan Fask

Associate Professor of Statistics
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Thirty years.

What book or film did you enjoy over the summer? Why would you recommend it?

“Pirates of the Caribbean” is a stupid, meaningless movie with no socially redeeming qualities but a lot of fun. It is perfect to clear the mind of unnecessary clutter. It should help people get in touch with their real selves.

What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty and intelligence, in that order.

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

… I care about them almost as much as I care about myself.

My hobbies are …

… watching the world go by and providing it with some instructions.

Who would be your perfect dinner guest? What would you serve?

My perfect dinner guest would be Sir Isaac Newton. We would discuss the philosophy of science, physics, mathematics and, most importantly, mysticism. I would serve him apples.

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

Deep down, I always wanted to be a cabdriver in New York City and try to outrun just about everybody. I would have a lot of trouble being a sportscaster, since I know nothing about sports.

Christina “Tina” Genest

Administrator, Corporate Communication Institute
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Four years.

What book or film did you enjoy over the summer? Why would you recommend it?

The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. It is a fictional tale spun around historical facts that challenge our past understandings. I recommend it because it is a page turner that confronts beliefs and assumptions.

What do you most value in your friends?

Faithfulness and a sense of humor.

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

… negotiated and coordinated annual conference agendas and logistics with counterparts from the Soviet Union for a U.S.-based, nonprofit citizen-exchange organization.

My hobbies are …

… reading, gardening, singing in a choir and Home & Garden Television; love those home decorating shows.

Who would be your perfect dinner guest? What would you serve?

My parents, brothers and sister. Because we live at some distance from each other, we see them rarely. I would serve dad’s barbecue steak with all the seasonings or Maine lobster.

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

I have taught as an adjunct instructor and loved it. I wish I had pursued educational administration at the elementary or high school level or college teaching. I would not want a position that sat me in a cubicle day after day.

Reji Joseph

Assistant Lab Director, School of Computer Sciences and Engineering
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

Two years and two months.

What book or film did you enjoy over the summer? Why would you recommend it?

The book, Abundant Living, by E. Stanley Jones. It deals with the question of creation and systematically describes how the world came into existence.

What do you most value in your friends?

I believe in the phrase “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” Friendship is not only to say “hi,” but also to understand the other person totally and to be a part of his/her joys and pains.

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

… became the principal of a science and technology college in India at the age of 28.

My hobbies are …

The most interesting thing in my life is my prayer life. Then comes reading and singing in a choir.

Who would be your perfect dinner guest? What would you serve?

I have several close friends whom I would like to invite for dinner. And, I would like to serve them some special Indian food.

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 move my focus to medical physics. That’s my dream.

Teresa Oettinger Montani

Associate Professor of Learning Disabilities and Interim Director, Learning Disabilities Graduate Program
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

I have been at FDU since 1995.

What book or film did you enjoy over the summer? Why would you recommend it?

“Anything Else.” Nobody captures the essence of New Yorkers like Woody Allen, except Ed Burns whose films such as “The Brothers McMullen” and others provide insight into the lives of New York in the boroughs such as Queens.

What do you most value in your friends?

I value honesty and a sense of humor — not necessarily in that order.

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

… I have recently developed a love of surf fishing.

My hobbies are …

… learning to play the piano, playing with my two adorable kittens and jogging in the park.

Who would be your perfect dinner guest? What would you serve?

I would love to have dinner with Pearl Primus, who first introduced me to modern dance. As a first-year, first-semester student at Hunter College, I was assigned to a modern dance class to fulfill one of my physical education requirements. As freshmen we did not realize the legacy of our instructor who was a leader in the field of modern dance. Pearl Primus sparked my ongoing interest in modern dance — I would love to have had the opportunity to let her know what an impression she made upon 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 songwriter and performer like Loudon Wainwright III or Carly Simon. I would least enjoy being a pathologist or a medical examiner.

October 2003

View text only for this complete issue.

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

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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