Mad About Midd Getting to know 'Liebo'

Author: Dave Barker

He has been president for almost two years, but do you really know the guy who occupies an office the size of a few Painter singles? Armed with a tape recorder, I entered the unknown confines of Old Chapel, hoping to get some answers. Considering that a Facebook Group called "John McCardell Is and Always Will Be My President" boasts 145 student members, I think it's time we finally embrace and get to know "Liebo." For starters, the boss of Middlebury likes the Boss and would be content living in just one of those Painter singles.

Dave Barker: Do you have a nickname?

President Liebowitz: In college I had a nickname: "Liebo."

DB: Tell us something that we don't know about the job of President.

RL: Probably, how many constituencies there are that one deals with on a day-to-day basis … Students, faculty, staff, alums, trustees, parents, townsfolk and prospective students. It's summarized by saying that if you can keep five of those eight groups happy at any time you're doing an excellent job. It's impossible to keep any more than five happy at one time.

DB: Do you miss teaching?

RL: Absolutely. Terribly.

DB: In your years to come as president, who would you like to see speak at commencement?

RL: I have several I would like to see speak…Václav Havel. Probably that would be my number one choice right now. He is someone who I have pursued and would hope to get on campus. Václav Havel to me represents so much good about humanity. Beyond that, that's an excellent question…. Elie Wiesel.

DB: What's your favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor?

RL: I can't keep up with them now. My wife and I just tried one that had vanilla ice cream, chocolate swirl and caramel center. That was the most recent flavor I tried.

DB: What about the old school flavors?

RL: Probably Cherry Garcia. I have to be in the mood for Cherry Garcia but when I am it's my favorite.

DB: What's your favorite place in the world?

RL: My favorite place in the world would have to be Napa, California. It's where my wife and I had our honeymoon.

DB: You like wine?

RL: Well, I liked the honeymoon.

DB: This is Vermont, do you consider yourself an outdoorsman?

RL: No, not particularly.

DB: What is your favorite song right now?

RL: Well, since I'm not really on top of contemporary music any longer but deeply committed to classical music more than ever, I would say Mozart's Clarinet Quintet.

DB: When was the last time you went to a concert?

RL: It might have been a Springsteen concert.

DB: Let's say you were in charge of bringing the spring concert, not MCAB, and you had to make a choice to please the students?

RL: I wouldn't have a clue. I don't want to embarrass myself.

DB: It could be classic rock. Students love classic rock.

RL: Yeah, but it's disgusting that you have people like the Rolling Stones playing at the age of 60. Springsteen I could take. I could definitely see him on campus. Do you think students would come?

DB: Oh yeah.

RL: OK, Springsteen.

DB: How would you characterize yourself during your undergraduate days at Bucknell?

RL: I would like to think of myself as studious and engaged in a whole number of activities offered at Bucknell. I was on the swim team and I was involved in the international club and student government.

DB: Were you in a fraternity?

RL: I was not. I was a God Damn Independent. It was called a GDI. At Bucknell, I think frats were about 70 percent of the guys.

DB: What was the preferred choice of cheap beer back then?

RL: I was in Pennsylvania so it was Iron City. Iron City, Latrobe and Yuengling were the three big ones.

DB: If you had to live anywhere on campus, where would you live?

RL: Probably Starr or Painter. Great location, near the library, old buildings.