RELEASED: December 24, 2009

DANVILLE, KY—1. Where did you grow up (and describe the place in one phrase or sentence)?
I can never answer this question easily...Norfolk, Va.; Orlando, FL, Keflavik, Iceland; Dunoon, Scotland; Va. Beach, VA; Glasgow, Berea, and Georgetown, Ky., were all "home" before settling in Danville some 16.5 years ago.

2. What are your hobbies?
Walking my dog, Brody, reading a book with my cat Eli in my lap, listening to music, and traveling.

3. Most memorable experience of your youth?
Living in Iceland and Scotland.  I came back to the States with a thick Scottish brogue -- which was oh-so-popular among my classmates in Virginia...

4. Most prized possession (and why)?
Photo albums with pictures of my grandparents.

5. Favorite novel (and why)?
The Lord of the Rings—first read it in Scotland after doing a book report on The Hobbit.  My teacher thought it might be a little over my head, but she encouraged me to try it. I loved it and have read it again and again since then. I also love the Tales of the City series by Armistead Maupin—just an easy, funny, read with characters that become part of your family.

6. Most memorable trip or vacation?
Disney World with my nieces tied with a trip to Cape Cod last year.  Different, but equally memorable in their own way.

7. Movies: favorite dramatic film? Favorite comedy?
So many favorites, so this is difficult...drama: Beautiful Thing, comedy: When Harry Met Sally

8.  Favorite album (and why)?
Wrecking Ball by Emmylou Harris—hauntingly, achingly beautiful

9. Favorite band, favorite solo singer, and favorite comedian/comic actor?
Band: Captain & Tennille, solo singer: Dan Fogelberg, comedian: Kathy Griffin and Chelsea Handler

10. Favorite food?
Mexican, broadly. Specifically, fried green tomatoes.

11. Most memorable student excuse for violating a rule or rules?
Well, he was kind of kidding, but a student once told me, and I quote, "The devil made me do it."

12. Historical figure you'd most like to meet?
JRR Tolkien. I'd love to talk to him about "Middle-earth" and to watch the movies with him.

13. Favorite aspect of your job?
Working with students. They keep me young and remind me how old I am all at once!

14. Advice you'd give to a young person contemplating a career in student life?
Save yourself! Run! It's not too late for you! Seriously—while you won't get rich, it's never dull and always rewarding. I can't think of many things I'd rather do...

15. What would you be doing if you weren't working at Centre?
I'd be running a bed & breakfast on Cape Cod. Or tending bar. Or a travel writer. Or a chef. Or...

16. Educational experience that's been most helpful to you?
Working with students. I learn from them all the time. I also learn from my staff—the most dedicated, wonderful group on campus! I also learn from my mistakes...

17. Best thing about growing up in your family?
Besides the travel (Dad was in the Navy), I learned to avoid the hoarding tendencies my parents and my sister have...(I'm going to be in so much trouble for that one!)

18. Favorite place on campus (and why)?
The Campus Center! It's open and airy, warm and comfortable, full of energy and relaxing all at once. What a great place for our community of students, staff and faculty to come together!

19. Advice you'd give to a first-year college student to make career success more likely?
Find the things about which you're passionate and devote your time and energy to them. But put your education first—both in and out of the classroom, and don't over-extend yourself. Finally, do what you love and love what you do. Life is too short to live otherwise...

20. Wish for members of the Centre community during this holiday season?
Safe travels, time with family and friends and memories to last a lifetime...

BONUS QUESTION!
What's the most surprising thing to you about the 21st century thus far?
Still no flying cars?!

Have comments, suggestions, or story ideas? E-mail leigh.ivey@centre.edu with your feedback.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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