Don’t know jack about the Board of Regents? Don’t worry, that’s temporary.
A&E sent out a cultural questionnaire to a pool of campus VIPs, including every regent on the board, the dean of each college and even a couple boss men in University Athletics.
Responses were read, organized and harshly judged.
Let’s see what’s up with the higher-ups.
Joel Maturi, athletic director
What’s the best/craziest concert you’ve ever been to?
I saw the Beatles in Minneapolis at Metropolitan Stadium.
What music did you listen to in college?
’60s — Beatles.
How do you feel about the pop music kids listen to nowadays?
I do not like the “rap”music.
What’s the last thing you read for fun?
[Wrestling coach] J. Robinson gave me a book on the military — “The Passion of Command.”
Where do you take friends out to eat in Minneapolis?
Ike’s [Place], Pracna on Main.
Favorite movie?
“Hoosier’s.”
James Parente, dean of the College of Liberal Arts
What’s the best/craziest concert you’ve ever been to?
I haven’t had a crazy concert experience yet — I’m still waiting. There was a particular opera I saw at the Metropolitan Opera in New York that was probably the best performance I’ve seen in my entire life. The title would be in German, so …
What’s the last thing you read for fun?
For me, just about all reading is fun. I’ll give you one: It’s a book called “Roderick Random” by Tobias Smollett.
How do you feel about the pop music kids listen to nowadays?
Actually, I am not up to date. I probably haven’t listened to pop music since the’’90s. But I do listen to country music every now and then.
Favorite movie?
“Casablanca.”
Thomas Fisher, dean of the College of Design
What’s the best/craziest concert you’ve ever been to?
The Who, crazily smashing their guitars on stage at the end of the performance.
What music did you listen to in college?
Rock and roll – the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc.
What do you listen to now?
Classical music – Bach, Beethoven, Brahms.
How do you feel about the pop music kids listen to nowadays?
I like most of it, although I prefer melodic music and am not a fan of hip-hop.
What’s the last thing you read for fun?
“The Devil in the White City.”
Where do you take friends out to eat in Minneapolis?
Spoonriver.
Favorite movie?
“Life is Beautiful.”
Sri Zaheer, interim dean of Carlson School of Management
What’s the best/craziest concert you’ve ever been to?
Sting.
What music did you listen to in college?
Roberta Flack, Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, Don McLean.
What’s the last thing you read for fun?
“Water for Elephants.”
Where do you take friends out to eat in Minneapolis?
Victory 44.
Favorite movie?
The Japanese version of “Shall We Dance?”
Clyde Allen, regent
What’s the best/craziest concert you’ve ever been to?
The wildest concert was probably Three Dog Night at the old Met Center in Bloomington in 1973 or 1974. At that concert, or one about the same time, the audience got a bit raucous and the police started tossing tear gas.
What music did you listen to in college?
In college I listened to quite a bit of jazz, many Broadway musicals (such as “Oklahoma,” “My Fair Lady”), operettas of Sigmund Romberg such as “The Student Prince,” “Desert Song,” and “New Moon,“ “The Grand Canyon Suite,” “Porgy and Bess.”
How do you feel about the pop music kids listen to nowadays?
I am not sure what the musical attraction is with most of today’s music. I am sure my hearing is not as sharp as it once was, but it seems to me if you do not know the words ahead of time at a concert then the words are very hard to understand.
What’s the last thing you read for fun?
David Brooks’ “The Social Animal.”
Where do you take friends out to eat in Minneapolis?
Stella’s.
Favorite movie?
“Casablanca.”
Venora Hung, regent
What’s the best/craziest concert you’ve ever been to?
Jake Shimabukuro in 2010 at the Cedar. I never knew the ukulele was so versatile.
What music did you listen to in college?
Indigo Girls, Carrie Newcomer and all the pop stars who have since had children and grown up
How do you feel about the pop music kids listen to nowadays?
The same way I felt when I was a kid — it’s fun music but not as meaningful as the oldies my parents listened to.
What’s the last thing you read for fun?
“Pride and Prejudice.”
Where do you take friends out to eat in Minneapolis?
Summers – Tin Fish or Seven. Indoor weather – French Meadow, Yum, May Day Cafe and Dogwood Coffee.
Favorite movie?
“Goonies” — I like how it’s about wanting to help, friendship and adventure.
Maureen Ramirez, regent
What’s the best/craziest concert you’ve ever been to?
Generally I’m a small venue, intimate setting, alt-country kind of concert-goer, but I have to say that the U2 concert at TCF Bank Stadium was the best concert ever. It was amazing to watch the band rock out in the rain with 55,000 people singing along.
What music did you listen to in college?
A lot of alt-country and local bands: the Jayhawks, Willy Porter, the BoDeans. But also Oasis, Counting Crows, Sarah McLachlan and inSpanish, a little Ricky Martin and Shakira. It was the’’90s.
How do you feel about the pop music kids listen to nowadays?
It’s a lot of fun to dance to. I like Gaga, Pink and Florence and the Machine.
What’s the last thing you read for fun?
“The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson.
Where do you take friends out to eat in Minneapolis?
The Birchwood or Il Gatto.
Favorite movie?
“Love Actually” because you just can’t beat a rom-com, ensemble cast, holiday movie, Joni Mitchell soundtrack and the triumph of the human spirit.
