Nikki Graf Interview

Interview with Nikki Graf (Cook College, Class of 1977)
Date of Interview: February 17, 2004
Interviewer: Bonnie McCay, Brian Guelich, Amanda Carl, Robert Strohmenger

Q: What is your relationship to Cook College ?

NG: Right now I am employed at Cook. I run the Floriculture Greenhouses and Vegetables, as well, for the Plant Pathology and Biology Department. It has so many names. I've been doing this for the last 15 years. I am a Cook Graduate; I graduated in 1977.

Q : Any unusual and/or memorable experiences come to mind from your years at Cook?

NG: I met my husband at Cook. He, too, graduated in 1977. We were in the Newell Apartments. Well, we started out in Woodbury the first year and the last 3 years we were in Newell. He was in the apartment above mine, but we didn't start dating until the second semester of our senior year!

Q : Really?

NG: Yeah, we had all our classes together. We were Animal Science majors. Of course, I'm in plants and he's in food but basically it was a good biological basis for our careers. We had a great time at Cook; we loved being here. We had a lot of good friends that we still have, faculty and staff and people that we graduated with. So we stayed pretty involved as a result—plus working here helps too, but even before I started working here, we still kept in touch with everybody. My husband was big into the Rec Program, so that kind of involved him even more also.

Q : So if you graduated in '77, then you started most likely in '73? So you were—

NG: Yes, we were it! Yeah, we were that scary bunch! Oh boy, I remember getting into Woodbury Dorm and I was on the 3 rd floor--no elevator--and it wasn't working at any rate. But you know, we had students helping. My roommate (who I also roomed with all four years-Pam Skowski [?] ) was there and was kind of the bandleader already. She was dominant, I should say, so we kind of stuck together. She was very tall, I was a little short, and so we were quite the pair! Yeah, we had a good time...we were a fun bunch of people. We did a lot of damage in Woodbury too. I remember one of the guys put a giant antenna on top of the roof, which ended up causing leaks through our floor. I think it was a HAM radio; it was a giant thing. That was a mess because it rained and the leak came through and the lights started exploding along the hall. We got through it though; it was fun. We had a great time in Woodbury. We always were all together. We had a nice bunch of people and what else? I don't think I went to the first Ag Field Day but after that--every one. That was sort of an event. I should've brought the pictures I have of me and my cows—I always showed dairy, the Holstein . I think I got a 2 nd place. My senior year I ended up with mono so someone else showed for me.

Q : Did they still have Ag-Queens at that time?

NG: Oh no, I don't think so. We did have a parade, though, one year. I think that was third year because my roommate and I were clowns. We were in the newspaper, too. I've got that as well. So, it was kind of fun.

Q : Prior to your freshman year the college was all male, right?

NG: Yes, I think it was the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science.

Q : So how was it for you when you entered and the school was mostly male?

NG: You know, I was trying to think about that and I guess we were all together so it really didn't affect me a lot that I realized, although I know my advisor didn't think I should be in the sciences or Animal Science because I was a woman. He tried to talk me out of that. I talked him into it later on though!

Q : Who was that?

NG: That was Dr. Tudor.

Q : He was notorious!

NG: Yeah, but he was a great guy and we got along really well afterward. He did that and I said, “Well, you know this is what I want to do.” So, he wasn't really pushy about it, but he just stated his opinion and I stated mine and then we were great buddies after that, really. He helped me quite a bit. I took his Animal Parasites course and he put me right in the front of the room and made me do the first rectal on the cow at 8 o'clock on Monday mornings. That was a treat; but it was a great story and I've had lots of laughs with it! He really enjoyed that. But other than that, I can't really think if anything. I think because my roommate and I were—she was so strong willed, we were a pair to be reckoned with, which is nice. We stayed roommates for all four years, which was kind of unusual because we got along really well.

Q : Do you still keep in contact?

NG: Yes! She comes to Ag Field Days with her daughter—yes, she's great. We actually keep in contact with quite a few people—or try to.

Q : That's something we should talk to you about, too, in terms of other people to talk to so that the students might interview.

Q : What was the student life like of that era? Brand new college...

NG: Well, we didn't have a lot of buildings; we didn't even have our own student center. We shared Douglass'. All we had was the—is it the PAL building now? That was there and we did do the Cookie Jar, although I can't remember how that worked. I know we were involved in it. I remember doing the patio out there...

Q : The patio...?

NG: Yes, the brick that is on the right side.

Q : I work there now; I'm a manager now. I didn't know it was a part of it!

NG: Yes, we originally did that. We had a big party to do that; that was fun. I think a lot of it has changed since, because that was a long time ago.

Q : No, it's still there. The patio is still there.

NG: The landscaping is a little better!

Q : Those old library shelves are still there.

NG: I actually did a mural in the housing office, too. I did them in my apartment as well.

Q : Murals of what?

NG: I did flowers, butterflies, and in the apartments I actually did the album cover from Mountains. It was that wizard. It was kind of fun to look at.

Q : My apartment had New Riders of the Purple Sage. Were you involved in that? Was that yours?

NG: Well, no, but my friends were probably involved!

Q : We maintained it for many years, painting around it rather than over it.

NG: You know, I was thinking, they must've had to paint quite a bit over that. I think probably someone wouldn't mind the butterflies because that was on the kitchen wall. I know we had a lot of concerts. We had really good concerts. I was always involved in freshman orientation after that, Animal Science Club. I think my husband purchased me at the auction for that Animal Science Club! He couldn't go so he had some friends, my friends, do the bidding. It cost him! Yes, it was kind of interesting. Also, I forget which year it was; there was also a pub in the Douglass Student Center . What year was that? It was freshman or probably like junior, junior and senior. Yes, that was quite the hopping place.

Q : Where was it?

NG: It was at the Douglass Student Center where I think the Faculty Lounge, Faculty Dining maybe, is downstairs. It was beer and wine.

Q : I heard about that from one of the maintenance people.

NG: Well, the drinking age was 18 and we had giant parties and the like, but we didn't have town people come in. I think there is a big problem with that now. If we ever had to have registered parties for six people, yikes! I can't even imagine. We were always in groups together. I think the first night in Woodbury we were out on the patio and all sorts of things came out. I actually think the RA's brought it all out. We were all together; we were very involved with them and they were all our good buddies. I can't remember the one on mine. I remember John Mateo (NOTE to NG: are these names correct?) was one, “Crazy Horse”, his nickname, and John Bruick ( ? ), who was on the 3 rd floor. I know Rick grew up with him. We didn't get into that much trouble, really. I don't remember. Actually, I don't remember anyone getting really sick. We all had our deal of drinking to excess, so to speak, but not to the extent it is now. We were all much poorer, too! We didn't have the cars. I was the only one with a car sophomore year. We didn't have the clothes, the cars, or the money to spend, so I think that's why we were a tight group, as a result, because we had our own kind of fun in that way.

Q : What made you initially come to Cook College ? Obviously an interest in a certain major, but why Cook?

NG: I knew I wanted Biology. I thought I wanted to do vet medicine but I turned out to be a bigger chicken where that was concerned. I also, finally, didn't do as well as I needed to in order to get into a vet school, but I found an interest in Chemistry and other directions that I was fond of. I think I applied to Florida and I can't remember where else, but I wanted to stay. I didn't want to go out of state really. I wanted to stay close and I was going to live at school, so that was fine. I preferred Cook to the rest of the University because it was a little smaller. I like the trees and stuff, and the plants and the animal life. We always had a real sense of community. I think that still sort of comes through today when I talk to a lot of the students. I stay pretty involved in other activities besides just the greenhouse.

Q : Where do you still see that sense of community?

NG: In the activities. We do the Cancer Relay in the gym and we always [indecipherable word) students in our group. I guess I do a lot with Lee Schneider and Ed Levy, and they've always had a great sense of the student life. They're in charge of it and they've always been close to students. I also do a lot of things with students in the greenhouse. When there was a Hort Club, when it kind of comes and goes, I'm involved. We had a lot of volunteers that liked being around there. My husband is still involved in Rec. He still plays basketball with the guys. I guess when they have that golf outing we always supply the students with their food and beverage for the day. Rick always covers that bill. Can't get rid of us!

Q : Who is your husband?

NG: Rick Graff. I was Soranno; actually, my maiden name was Soranno. For a while they had his T-shirt hanging in the gym! Everyone thought he was dead!! They always used to bust his chops because he looked a little older. He has white hair. It was blond, but it's gone kind of white, and he's always injuring himself one way or another! He comes home with a bruise. He has never been hospitalized.

Q : What did he end up doing?

NG: He's in Food Science. He works for International Flavors and Fragrances. When we got out of school, one of his friends met somebody from IFF and he got an interview. It turns out he has a really exceptional sense of taste and smell. It is in his family. His uncle was the VP in a fragrance company and had developed Herbal Essence, the original formula. Rick, when he was interviewed, had to taste 60 or so things; he's incredible at that. If there is ever a question on a flavor or anything, he's the one they always put on the panel and he always can pick out what's wrong with it.

Q : Did either of you take Libby Steer's (NOTE to NG: please check name, again) course then? She was in Food Science; she was a specialist at that.

NG: No, because we were both Animal Science.

Q : So you didn't, it just happened afterwards?

NG: Yes, and he's been there since we got out of school. He's a VP of Vendor Quality now. He started in Quality Control and now they keep on renaming that as well.

Q : You mentioned the Animal Science Club. What kind of activities did the Club do? As a brand new club?

NG: Well, we had the auction to raise money.

Q : Auction of people?

NG: Yes, people and faculty, that was always a treat. Let me think, that one was always the highlight. I don't know if they ran the Animal Shows on Ag Field Day, or maybe we did I'm not sure...this is testing my memory.

Q : Club meetings? Speakers?

NG: You know, I don't remember. I'm bad at meetings, still. I don't recall having as many formal meetings with them, actually. I think it's because we weren't huge. I forget how many were in our class, 400 or so, and I don't remember how many in Animal Science. We were all sort of together all the time, so it kind of all runs together.

Q : Ok, let's go back to the pub. I want to go back to some of the things that you mentioned now that you've had a little time to process them. Describe an evening at the Student/Faculty Pub.

NG: It was probably 4-5 o'clock, we needed to get there a little early because the line was long and it got really crowded. So we sort of said we're going now and kind of get over there. We'd sit there for a while; it wasn't like a “spend the night” kind of thing. We'd sort of start off there and make a plan for the weekend. It was a smaller crowd that stayed on weekends. I think freshman year we didn't stay as much, but then we sort of hung out more and more. It was basically tables; I don't remember snacks and food, to tell you the truth. It was probably just pretzels, potato chips, that sort of thing. I wasn't a big burger fan. I don't remember how much they charged either, but it was in our realm. It was better than going out because, once again, none of us really had cars or the like at the time.

Q : Was there entertainment there? Did you bring your own entertainment—board games or anything?

NG: I don't remember card games. There had to be some kind of music. I don't remember any of the shows there; most of the time we had concerts in the gym where we'd go up to Busch. I remember going. We had quite a few here.

Q : What were some of the memorable concerts? Who came?

NG: Renaissance, New Riders of the Purple Sage. I liked (indecipherable word) though; they came a couple of times. Billy Crystal was the opening act for someone, I don't remember whom, at the Cook Gym. We were talking about that, I think, at the 30 th Anniversary thing. That was pretty amazing. We actually did have quite a few people. Janice Ian, was it Janice Ian? Hall and Oats. I think I went to most of the concerts, but I don't think Rick did. He was more of a Rolling Stones-type of person. Bruce Springsteen was at the RAC. That line was too long for me. I wasn't getting on that one. That sort of stuff, though, and the Oktoberfest. We had a lot of dances, actually, now that I'm thinking about it. Those were always fun. My roommate and I were big dancers, so we were always out dancing. That's what it would turn into, now that I'm thinking about it. The first party at Woodbury, we were dancing—we always had a lot of music going. It went from rock to sort of country rock. Joni Mitchell, I remember, and The Who, all still my favorites. So those were sort of our activities. Pretty music based. Some athletics too. I know I did do volleyball. Rick was way more athletic than I. Although I did do some of the Rec stuff, that was fun. We just had the Gym, we didn't have the pool or anything else either; it was just the Gym.

Q : Did you ever go to the College Ave. area? Or did you always stay on Cook?

NG: Some. That frightened me a little. That was so vast. I remember we went to see Gone with the Wind; my roommate Pam and I went cross-town on the bus. That was my first introduction to transvestites on the bus. That was a real eye opener! They scared the willies out of me! They were very loud and flamboyant, and I was like, “What is going on?” Once again, Pam's like, “Get over it.” I grew up in Morristown and she was in Bergen County , so I was a little more sheltered. It was just so big over there. We went to the dining hall once, and I was like, “Oh my gosh! There are all these people.” I kind of liked the country of Cook. We used to go out to the Gardens a lot.

Q : The Rutgers Gardens ?

NG: Yes, that was always nice. I was always drawn there.

Q : What was New Brunswick like?

NG: Well, we didn't spend a lot of time in town. Tumulty's was sort of closer to Rutgers at the time; it wasn't at the center of town.

Q : It was by the river?

NG: Yes, it was closer to the river, but very close to Old Queens. It was still a little scary; you didn't want to go by yourself. We had streaking back then! We did very strange things. That was a biggie. I think one of my friends actually went across town on a bicycle naked. He got caught by the cops. I did not streak, but, boy, there were a lot of naked people hanging around. And that was freshman year.

Q : Were you ever scared of any crime on campus? Especially on Cook?

NG: Well, you know, we had mounted patrol so we always felt a little safer there.

Q : The actual police officers at that time, not the students, were mounted?

NG: Yes, we always felt safe with those guys. We were still careful, because it was a dark campus; the walkways weren't as well lit.

Q : This was before “Take Back the Night”?

NG: Basically, we stayed at the Newells or we went across town on the bus. We always went in pretty large groups. I never felt threatened, I think, because of that. We were pretty aware, I guess, because I don't remember anyone really getting hurt. I think only because we paid attention, I hope. I want to say that! We still did our things but we really didn't take too many chances and we stayed on campus; we didn't venture off too much. Because I had a car from sophomore to senior, I was one of the only ones, so we kind of loaded everybody in that, too. Or there were bikes; the guys were really good riding bikes and they were pretty fast. I remember one of the guys almost beaned me across town on his bike and I was driving! And I think we used to fit 10 or 11 people in my car.

Q : Was it a big car?

NG: It was a Mercury Comet. It was a fair size; it wasn't tiny, but they were laying everywhere. I could still see, but it was the only way to get everybody together so we didn't go alone. We didn't leave anybody out.

Q : So what was the parking situation on campus like back then?

NG: It was still bad. It was always bad. I got my fair share of tickets.

Q : How much was the parking pass back then? Do you remember?

NG: I don't know how much we paid, but I know parking tickets were only $3.

Q : That must've been wonderful!

NG: Exactly! That was a biggie to us, though! Now I look at them—yikes! One time there was a storm and I had parked in one of the Residence Counselor parking spaces, but I didn't realize it because it was a storm and I just didn't see the sign at the time. No one came and got me so they kept on ticketing. I was like, “Why?” If they had found me, I would've moved the car. I didn't do it on purpose. They didn't have a good sense of humor about that. I only had to pay one actually, so they were kind. But, yes, parking has always been bad.

Q : Was there a large off-campus housing community? I know a lot of people live off campus.

NG: After sophomore year, a lot of people wanted to move out. A few of my friends did.

Q : Was it mostly on College Ave. or the Nichol Ave. neighborhood?

NG: Nichol Ave , they sort of stayed close.

Q : Were there still the same rent problems and things like that?

NG: You had to be more careful off campus. There, people would break in and that sort of thing. My parents wouldn't have let me, even if I asked. But I really had no desire to. I felt pretty comfortable in the Newell Apartments; it was an apartment, so that was fine. I didn't need any more challenges at the time!

Q : Were there many interactions between the women at Cook and the women at Douglass when you were a student?

NG: Well, we still took classes at Douglass, so yes. Since we were in their student center, and I guess because we shared that and so many buildings too at the time.

Q : Yeah, you were sort of interwoven with them.

NG: Yes.

Q : So what about the faculty you had? Who were the notable teachers? You mentioned Tudor…

NG: Yes, Dr. Tudor, and Dr. Mitchell from Animal Science.

Q : Ralph Mitchell?

NG: Van deer Noot ( ? ) . All the Animal Science guys were fun. They usually busted us pretty badly. Dr. Mitchell was always yelling out the 3 rd floor window at my husband! He would hang out the window, “Hey Graf!” Karyn Malinowski was his TA at the time. She actually took over a class, Equine Judging, for Van der Nooten. Dr. Santa Marina—he was cute! I loved his accent! And I remember Dr. Sukalis (?) in Plant Science.

Q : He's still there.

NG: Well, I help him with class now, too. He's great. He was the only Plant Science. Dr. Merritt was the Dean of Students, and Lee Schneider. Pam and I were always going to him to get out of trouble in some way. We had a dog in the dorm at some time. He was like, “Get it out of here!”

Q : What about Locandro then?

NG: Yes, he was Plant Science.

Q : But I'm just curious, he was a Dean?

NG: Yes, well, he did interest in edible plants and animals (NOTE to NG: please clarify) , and Rick took those classes, so yes, he was involved. They were very involved with u [?], too. In the classes, we were always close to the professors. We did a lot of field trips for Animal Science. We were always going to the farms and stuff, even our farm. We had classes in The Roundhouse. Why can't I remember his name—big burly guy with the hat, he passed away not too long ago. His son works out at the farm. Knifing (?)! Yes. Oh, he'd pull me up to the front as soon as I'd make a face. And Doc Mitchell was always a lot of fun.

Q : Did you have a sense that you were part of a new college? You were a student and you heard a lot from faculty that this is new, this was completely different, it was all very exciting—as a student, if could you think back?

NG: I don't know if we really realized that, although we did. I knew it was the first year, but having not gone to other schools, I wasn't sort of aware. I visited a few of my friends later on, but, because I really didn't know that much else that's what was normal. After listening to some of the things from the 30 th Anniversary celebration, it was kind of interesting to listen, we weren't really as aware that all of that was going and that it was such a big to-do. We sort of accepted that Cook College was there. And it sort of stuck with us right from day one, too. I'm still pretty protective of it. Well, when I say where I work or where I went to school, it's always Cook College , Rutgers University , not Rutgers , because we were always a little different--in a good way.

Q : What way?

NG: I think we had a little more community because we were smaller. I think in Animal Science and those kinds of sciences, earth sciences, we had a little different touch. It wasn't just mathematics or just a big giant classroom. We had big lecture halls, but we then had our small, in-touch classes.

Q : If you could describe that touch, what kind of students did Cook attract at that time?

NG: You know that I can't say that we were farmers, really, because I wasn't. I don't really think of myself that way, but we were comfortable—you know, flannel shirts and overalls were the thing. We were always very comfortable! But also, to even walk to class or even ride a bike, it's like 20 minutes to go from the Newells to the Biology Building . And if it was raining, the mud, oh man- places I fell! I remember when they were doing the gym, there was this big ditch, and of course, I tried to get across it and I was holding for dear life on my books like a silly, instead of letting them fly. I just went flat down. I didn't hurt myself but I laughed at myself. I used to wear giant boots—what a schlep. But my feet were dry! And my raincoat, you kind of sloshed along. We didn't have those paths that you walk. I rode my bike. I wasn't that great on a bike either, so I was better off walking and falling off the bike.

Q : We're focusing on Ag Field Day this semester and how it's changed over the years. You still participate in Ag Field Day; how have you seen it change over the years?

NG: Well, I think it's gotten a little larger. We did a lot of games. I don't know if they do the ice cream eating anymore. That would give you a really bad headache. There was the tug of war across the pond, the faculty and students. There was the one with the cigar--you had a lit cigar and the tanks of water. We played a lot that day. That was always fun. There was still always the egg toss, so that was kind of cool. We had a lot of that kind of involvement and everybody stayed around. That was the event. Spring was there and we were always outside. Everybody wanted to be outside. As soon as it got a little warm, all the speakers went to the windows and everybody was outside. I could see the bean bag chairs outside—you had your books and you were sitting outside. We were the outdoorsy type. That was nice. I don't know if you could do that over at Rutgers , really, that much. So that was kind of nice that we were back here and we had a lot of green. I think that made a difference. I think that's what really made me want to be here, as well. I think they do the candle thing around the pond now as freshman; we didn't do that. I kind of wish we had done that. That was kind of cool. That sounds like some thing we could do.

Q : Do you want to make it an alumni thing?

NG: Yes! I'd like that!

Q : Fish Fry!

NG: Yeah, that's a nice thing. Stuff like that—different. That makes you feel all kind of together.

Q : Do know of anything else that you feel was unique to Cook?

NG: Not off hand. I think it was just the farms and the Gardens, those sorts of things.

Q : We were just talking about how difficult it was if you didn't have a car. There were no markets around. It was difficult to get the basics.

NG: We had to go out to Route 18 to shop.

Q : So where did you go shopping?

NG: We went out. Well, the first year I had a meal plan, although on weekends we didn't. Sometimes I would go home or my roommate's boyfriend would take us out. We'd go to church then breakfast; that would carry you through. But then, sophomore year, we cooked ourselves. Although, I think I had like 6 meals a week, just in case—my mom didn't want me to starve. We'd go out onto Rt. 18. I think there was a Pathmark and there was the Pepperidge Farm store where you could get stuff cheaper.

Q : Oh, yes, it used to be day old bread and stuff.

NG: Yes, and we both were fixed on how much money we had. My mother got a Social Security check each month and I got a portion of that. So I think it was somewhere around $65-69, and that was what I had for the month. We'd get some stuff at the bookstore if we needed little things, but food was out there. We never really did clothes shopping or anything else. Some little needs, but we were way limited! But we all were; it was kind of the way we were. We were fine.

Q : How do you think the community has changed from the time you started here to the present?

NG: Well, it's grown quite a bit, just in numbers alone. And everybody is way more fashion conscious—a lot of getting dressed up just to go to class. Rolling out of bed was like… At least I would get up for morning classes, Rick usually didn't. But he could read through his notes once and know it. He was so damn smart! If you could read through once and know everything, that's kind of-wow! That's pretty amazing. So he could get away with it, I couldn't. In numbers, it might be all the stuff that everyone has--cars and things... I guess people go home a little more; maybe there isn't as much activity. Although, when I see some of the student stuff they do--there are the talent shows and all that stuff--so that's still kind of big and students show up, so maybe it hasn't changed that much.

Q : Do you think there is still the same kind of relationship between the students and the faculty? Because it seems that some of the professors, in particular one whose tape I transcribed, feel that people have become too focused on their research because that's what is driven by the university and, as a result, faculty aren't involved in the teaching as much as they should be. Do you feel that is necessarily the case?

NG: I think there is. I notice it more because I am more involved. We teach in the greenhouse and I can see the professors that don't really want to do it and the ones that do. We lose a lot of guys and women that are really involved. You can really feel the people that want to teach and are popular, so you really kind of cling on to them. It's some of the older faculty, actually. There are some new ones that are coming along that are okay, but some of the old ones, like Dr. Sukalis still teach a lot of classes. And he's a good teacher—he's involved and he enjoys it. Dr. [?] , the same thing. So I think yes, because of that there is that push. I could see it in the greenhouse, too, that we're more teaching than research. We have research going on, but because the facility is very old and not maintained as it should be there is a problem there (NOTE to NG: please clarify) . We're less likely to get the money; it's going to go over to the new greenhouses, so that's sort of a shame.

Q : Did you mention the Greenhouses are over by the Cook/Douglass Student Center?

NG: Yes, the one is off of Nichol. The research greenhouses are relatively new and still the maintenance has always been a problem. I remember that when I was here and it's a battle. I think that's an existing problem, maybe because we were a little smaller then, and there was a little closer knit.

Q : Compared to classes you've taken on College Ave. , which are generally much larger, here you find a greater level of faculty involvement. But then, it seems some teachers couldn't be bothered and are really not interested in teaching. I hear so much about the great community between the teachers and the students, that from the beginning it's really striking that it's not necessarily the case.

NG: Yes, those guys really stick out in your mind. There are a few I remember that were kind, as kind as others, that would go the extra step for you and help you out.

Q : Did you have a job on campus?

NG: No.

Q : Do you remember what kind of jobs were available for the students then?

 NG: Dining hall, a lot of my friends were there. What did we do? I know both my roommate and I didn't have jobs. Rick worked in the Rec Center . They always had some jobs available then. But the dining hall was a biggie.

Q : Nielson Dining Hall?

NG: Yes, and I think Cooper opened up after. That wasn't open when we were freshman. That was new. They made grilled burgers! The simple pleasures! But we had a pub! It's nice to have the Student Center now and everything, its definitely nice plus, but I don't know that we really missed it while we here.

Q : Were all your classes offered at Cook College ?

NG: Most of them were, but you could take courses wherever you wanted to really. I took a course up on Busch. It was always such a hassle then. That was a long trek. I don't think I ever took one at Rutgers College , Busch, and Douglass.

Q : I hear they're going to have Route 18 tied up for 4 years. So don't plan on taking courses across town.

NG: Are they doing something with Route 1 too? Or was that 18?

Q : 18 is the main thing I heard about. But that will tie up New Street , Commercial, etc.

NG: Yikes.

Q : Do you have any more questions? This is your chance. We should wrap this up quickly. Did you look at your list and make sure you got them all? Were you involved in any other clubs? Animal Science was you major club, were you involved in Alpha Zeta or anything else, or Greenprints?

NG: No, I know my roommate was editor of Greenprints. We always helped her out.

Q : What about the Council? Were you involved in Cook College Council?

NG: No, Rick might've been, but I can't remember.

Q : Can you think of anyone else that we should interview? Anyone off the top of your head?

NG: Rick would be good, because of the Rec part of it also. I don't know if my roommate could get down here, but I'll give her a call.

Q : Maybe a telephone interview. Where does she live?

NG: I'm sure she'd do that—up in Bergen County .

Q : Well you said she usually comes for Ag Field Day. We might be doing something on Ag Field Day, perhaps setting up something to interview people during the day.

NG: I'll give her a call.

Q : What's her name?

NG: It was Pam Skalski (Note to NG: name?) when she went here. Gould is her married name. Actually, you should talk to one of the other guys that Rick works with. Oh, what is his name—I am so bad—Dave. I'll get Rick to get him. God, we go to football games and everything. Why am I losing that name?

Q : Let's get some contact information. Do you use emails? Do you use telephones? What's the best way?

NG: You could get me at the Greenhouse or email-….

Q : And at the greenhouse the number is 2—

NG: ….

Q : Do you answer your email too?

NG: Yes, I do actually!

Q : Yes, an evolution I see!

NG: Well, we didn't have a computer in the greenhouse for a while, and then when we got it, Jeff was really good at it so I sort of left it for him. We got one at home, but I'm so tired by the time I could get up to the computer. But now that Jeff got a different job and Gail is good at it, I had to get better. Everyone was yelling at me, so now I'm pretty good. Not great. I do check both emails each day now, and answer.

Q : So what do you think about the idea that the students have of doing something special on Ag Field Day on the Cook History Project?

NG: I think that's great, especially if you could get it out to alumni, too. I know that every year we usually have people come back, but to get to some of them and to get them back. We always had the one tree by the pond where whoever was in our class would meet. So we would wander over there and always meet a few. I think the most showed up for 10-year reunion. I think it was the 10th, because for the 25th there weren't as many. You have some that come back out on Ag Field Day. Now they're not really sure about the summer one, but it's catching on.

Q : The summer one, in some ways, is replacing Ag Field Day.

NG: For reunions...But yeah, that would be a good thing definitely.

Q : They are trying to get photographs together, too, so if you do have a good photograph, maybe you could make a copy of it. You talked about yourself with your cow!

NG: I still have the t-shirt—it's terribly yellowed! I know where that is, and I know where the photographs are, too. There's one of Pam and me in the Star Ledger with the Parade for Ag Field Day.

Q : That would be great! I think we should make it a point to go back to everyone we interviewed and ask them if they could share their scrap books with us, even just photocopies, because you guys know they save all of this stuff in the Archives and nobody is willing to give up their scrapbooks yet. At least if we have some of the copies, it would be nice.

NG: I could probably get my brother to copy those pictures too.

Q : That would be good, too, because most of the pictures we have for Ag Field Day are mostly the same old thing—Ag-Queens and straw.

NG: I think we have some of the Rec basketball shots, too.

Q : That would be great!

NG: I think they were the Muckrakers. I've got all that.

Q : That would be good blackmail.

NG: You should see the hair! I have some graduation pictures. Rick was kind of conservative and you look at that picture and his hair is down to his shoulders—it's like wow!

Q : This has been very, very good! Thank you!

NG: Thank you!