THEIR LIFE'S WORK

10 Questions for Beth Paul

Getting to know Beth Paul, our College’s new president.

Now you’ll see hidden messages in whatever she’s wearing.

1

What about you would surprise people most?

I hand write a letter to each of my daughters, Martha and Sophie, once a week. It is a special time to share observations and stories with a little wisdom tucked here and there.

2

What phone app do you use the most?

NY Times Crossword app. I got my love of words from my father.

3

What books are currently on your nightstand?

To feed my interest in learning more about the significance of Rochester in social justice movements, I just finished reading David Blight’s biography of Frederick Douglass. Now I am reading Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi; her first book, Homegoing, was a powerful read.

4

What is your happy place?

I started going to the beach when I was 10 days old. All summer long, rain or shine, my mother would pack up her brood with breakfast, lunch and dinner in tow. I have warm beach sand in my soul!

5

What’s your favorite place to hang out?

I love to walk around campus, greeting each passerby. Noise-cancelling earbuds has created a challenging hurdle, but I delight in engaging in meaningful conversation with students, faculty, and staff on a regular basis.

6

What is your most-used emoji?

The panda bear emoji, because it represents my favorite stress-relieving pastime: watching the Panda Cam at the National Zoo – especially when panda momma Mei Xiang is nurturing a new cub like she is now.

7

What is your favorite snack?

Life really is like a box of chocolates.

8

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your 18-year-old-self?

The strengths and answers you seek are inside you and will unfold in due time.

9

What object best represents your perspective on life?

I love kaleidoscopes – come visit me in my office and you’ll find my kaleidoscope collection. It is so important to look at things from different perspectives – it is the best way to discover the beauty of our world!

10

What is one of your hidden talents?

I have an embarrassment of earrings, and especially delight in whimsical and arty finds. Sometimes I wear earrings that contain hidden messages for my day – for example, I might wear my Ouija board “yes” and “no” earrings during decision-making, or question mark earrings for a day full of critical dialogue.