Camilla Coniglio

Administrative Assistant, Department of Chemistry and Geology
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

I have been at FDU for three-and-a-half wonderful years. I have met many interesting people during that time. It has truly been a pleasure. I was informed by many that the professors in the chemistry and geology department are a great group to work for. I discovered this to be a true statement.

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

There are actually two films that I enjoyed recently. They are “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Runaway Jury.” The scenery of Italy in “Under the Tuscan Sun” was so beautiful that even the audience gasped. “Runaway Jury” was a perfect story about how people try to manipulate the jury, in this case, the lawyers. There were many twists and turns, which kept you on the edge of your seat.

What do you most value in your friends?

Mutual admiration, loyalty, trustworthiness and humbleness are four traits I value in a friendship. The relationship should not be a one-way street but should be one of mutual admiration. If you find that you are the one that is always calling and that friend does not reciprocate, this is not a true friendship. It is what I call a one-way street. A true friend will stand up for you even if it means that he/she will be ostracized. This is loyalty. A true friend is someone that I can confide in without having to worry that the whole world will know what I said. This is trustworthiness. I value a friend that is down to earth and does not constantly try to impress me with their wealth or knowledge. “Show-offs” or “know-it-alls” are not very humble friends. Good friends help one another through any crisis.

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

… in my first year of marriage, my husband and I were the three millionth and three millionth and first passengers to take a trip to Washington, D.C., via the Amtrak Metroliner. We received an all-expense paid, one-week trip by train to Miami, Fla., as a prize. In return for this publicity stunt, we appeared on all the major television channels on the evening news, in all the local newspapers, in the Daily News, The New York Times and even Il Progresso, the Italian newspaper. The reporters asked me if our trip to Washington, D.C., was our honeymoon. I stated that it was not. The story that appeared in the news the next day was titled, “Honeymoon Couple Wins Trip.” This was a perfect example of: “Do not believe everything you read in the newspapers.” My husband teased me about all the publicity, because when we were engaged I refused to put our engagement announcement in the newspaper. I wanted to keep my life private.

My hobbies are …

… reading, researching and traveling. I love to attend plays as well as the operas of Giuseppe Verdi. I saw “Picnic” and “Boy Gets Girl” this semester at FDU and have to say, “Congratulations to a talented group of students!”

My greatest hobby in the last 18 years has been the family excursions to visit as many baseball stadiums as we could find on the eastern seaboard.

Attendances at my son Jon’s baseball games are memorable. Last spring, I drove to Quakertown, Pa., for Jon’s FDU game. Guess what! After a half hour, it began to rain, and the game was postponed. As I drove back home, I thought, “You have to really like this game!”

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

If they were alive today, my two perfect dinner guests would be: [former] First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana. The charismatic Jackie brought the tradition of the arts and music to the White House as after-dinner entertainment. She restored the famous building and was influential in placing it on the National Register of Historic Places, making the public aware of the greatness of our history.

The well-liked Princess Diana had many causes of her own. She taught her sons to know more about the real world outside the palace and to have sympathy for the less fortunate. Diana was the first royal to hug an AIDS patient much to everyone’s surprise. She would personally shop for groceries and distribute them to the poor people living in the street.

Jackie and Diana were involved in the making of history. Their presence impacted our world and aroused such a public interest that both were stalked by reporters and photographers to an uncomfortable level.

I think they had much in common and would have had a very interesting dinner conversation comparing notes about life in Camelot and life at the Royal Court.

I usually serve Italian meals. However, with these two guests I would find out what their favorite meals are and use the freshest ingredients from the garden. I might even hire a chef from the Culinary Institute of America. On second thought, I would hire FDU’s hotel and restaurant management students. These students did an excellent job last year at their fund-raising dinner. I was extremely impressed with the gourmet meal they presented.

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

The profession I would like to attempt would be a musician of classical music. It is a very happy and satisfying profession. Where else do you get applauded at work? The music is very soothing, calms the mind and changes the mood. Many music conductors have lived a very long life. A perfect example of this is Giuseppe Verdi who lived to be 88 years old.

I had a small taste of public life as the three millionth passenger on the Amtrak train. I definitely would not want to be a public figure. Imagine losing your privacy — wherever you go reporters and photographers are chasing you. People you do not know appear at your door and ask all sorts of questions. Untrue facts about you are reported and you cannot stop it. Give me private life anytime!

Maureen Kieff

Clinical Assistant Professor of Quantitative Analysis
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

I returned to FDU this fall after a seven-year absence.

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

During the Thanksgiving break I saw the movie “Master and Commander,” starring Russell Crowe. It was suspenseful, entertaining and well acted, and it had a historical context.

What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty, integrity, ethics, traditional values and morals.

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

… grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania.

My hobbies are …

… baking/cooking, walking/hiking and watching sports events.

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

Probably someone who played a significant role in American or world history such as Abraham Lincoln or Winston Churchill. I would serve his/her favorite dish and dessert.

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 owning/operating a small business such as a bakery/café. I would not want to be a dairy farmer.

David Landau

Instructor of Electronic Filmmaking
College at Florham

How long have you been at FDU?

Last year as an adjunct and full-time this year.

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

“Pirates of the Caribbean” — great fun, a must see. “Thirteen” — excellent but depressing. Don’t see it if you have teenagers (I do).

What do you most value in your friends?

Optimism and energy.

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

… like to do gardening and enjoy cooking meat dishes (but don’t get the chance often).

My hobbies are …

… fencing — foil and sabre, collecting pirate books and hiking.

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

William Goldman, screenwriter and author of The Princess Bride. I would serve lamb chops broiled in soy sauce and celery seed, with string beans and almonds and seasoned curry rice. Also, French bread with dipping oil and wine.

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

A trapeze artist, but who wouldn’t like to try that? I would want nothing to do with politics — I run from it although I am very opinionated.

Nicholas ‘Nick’ Scarpa

Program Coordinator, Enrollment Services
Metropolitan Campus

How long have you been at FDU?

A year-and-a-half.

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

“Office Space.” Everyone who works in an office environment can relate to some part of this movie. The movie keeps you laughing from beginning to end!

What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty. Especially when an honest opinion is needed.

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

… have a black belt in martial arts (Tae Kwon Do).

My hobbies are …

I really enjoy playing all sports, but right now I am trying to play golf. The key word is trying, I’ll be honest with you … I’m horrible.

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

Emeril Lagasse. Actually I would ask him if he didn’t mind cooking for me. If he refused I would probably make him a deep fried turkey.

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

If I had a choice, I would really like to become a professional comedian. I’ve always enjoyed making people laugh but never had the guts to get up on stage and do so.

The one job that I would not want to attempt is a professional referee in the NFL (National Football League). I don’t think I could handle thousands of people being mad at me if I made a bad call in a big game.

December 2003/
January 2004

View text only for this complete issue.

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

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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