James R. Whitley, JD
Dean, John P. Burke School of Public Service and Education
School Attended: Cornell University
Major: Linguistics
Toughest Class: Graduate Seminar in Spanish Syntax
Favorite Class: Intro to Linguistics/Intro to Philosophy
Favorite hangout? The dorm—(my dorm—Risley Hall—had a dance studio, an ice cream bar, a movie room, a cafeteria, a theater, and a hot tub in it—so why go anywhere else?)
Did you live on campus? Yes, although I switched dorm rooms several times
Roommate troubles? My first roommate had a problem (understandably) with my pet rabbit Erica chewing through his stereo, lamp and typewriter wires.
How often did you go home? About twice a semester
How far was your family? About 225 miles away
Favorite dining hall meal: Bacon triple cheeseburgers, at least 5 days a week in freshman year – my metabolism and I were friends back then
Did you work while in school? Yes, usually in one of the campus libraries
Did you know anyone at your school freshman year? Yes! Fortunately, over 30 seniors from my high school started with me freshman so I had a lot of friends at college even on day one.
Name something your tried. Did you stick with it? I tried pineapple and Canadian Bacon pizza for the first (and last) time at college.
What were the big fashion trends? Skinny ties, Members Only jackets, and designer denim jeans (esp. Jordache, Sergio Valente and Calvin Klein).
Song on the radio: Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves (I played the song so much that I had to buy that cassette tape 3 times because it kept popping from repeated use!)
What’s one thing you wish someone had told you during your first year? “No matter how much you idolize Michael Jackson, do not get a Jheri curl.”