TCNJ

7 Prairie FALL 2023 L to R: Daughters Claire and Eleanor Bernstein Michael Bernstein and partner Patti Harp ILLUSTRATION KATHRYN RATHKE; PHOTO ANTHONY DePRIMO Michael Bernstein Even though he loves a good mystery (James Lee Burke is a favorite author of his), TCNJ's newly minted president was happy to share a few fun facts to help us all get to know him. — Kara Pothier things you need to know about … I don't dance, I don't know how to ice skate, and I don't speak a language other than English, which has always bothered me. I golf badly, and haven't played in a long time. But my father was a really good golfer, so I have a lot of good memories of playing with him. I've been a Yankees fan since I was a little boy. Although, they played like meatballs this season, so I didn't enjoy them as much. I confess, finding work-life balance has not always been my greatest art. But family means a lot to me. My daughters make me smile. They're perfect in every way. They're 34 and 27 years old, and both live in Los Angeles. The best career advice I could give to anyone is to find a passion and be committed. Do what inspires you. I've had the opportunity to travel a lot. I've been to China, Japan, Korea, and Alaska. All great. I have soloed an airplane. Places I'd like to go: India and also backpacking overnight in Zion National Park. An ultimate bucket list item would be to go to a Stanley Cup final elimination game, preferably with the Rangers. My perfect day on campus as an undergraduate: end of exams; it was the best day of all. Perfect day now, as an administrator: start of the term. I majored in economics. But I took a class in economic anthropology and wow, it blew my mind. If I could do it over again, I would study anthropology.

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