columbia blue

Bob Farrauto

Happy Thursday. For our next Actual Wisdom we bring you Robert Farrauto, who has chosen to answer in all caps.

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: I AM A HAPPY FATHER, HUSBAND GRANDFATHER AND A TEACHER OF GREAT COLUMBIA STUDENTS.

Claim to fame: I REALLY RESPECT AND ENJOY BEING WITH THE STUDENTS AND TEACHING THEM ABOUT THE REAL INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING WORLD.

What’s your most valuable or unexpected college experience? SHARING MY 40 YEAR INDUSTRIAL CAREER WITH SO MANY TALENTED COLUMBIA STUDENTS

Back in my day… (what has changed at Columbia?): NOW INDUSTRIAL TRAINED ENGINEERS HAVE AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN THE UNIVERSITY.

What’s the craziest student excuse/extension story you’ve heard? MY GIRL FRIEND DUMPED ME SO I WAS NOT IN THE MOOD TO FINISH YOUR TAKE HOME EXAM.

Would you rather give up tenure or cheese? I WOULD GIVE UP TENURE SINCE IT MAKES MANY PROFESSORS TOO RELAXED AS THEY AGE. SOME CHEESE AND WINE GETS BETTER WITH AGE.

Three things you learned at Columbia:

  1. STUDENTS WANT TO LEARN HOW THEIR EDUCATION APPLIES TO THE REAL WORLD
  2. TENURE IS A CURSE ON ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION
  3. PROFESSORS NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME GETTING TO KNOW THE UNDERGRADUATES.

What’s your advice to students/academics/the human race in general? BE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR WORK AND RESPECT ALL WITH WHOM YOU INTERACT.