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New York
Memorable professor
At Hofstra University, Peter stood out as a frank, discerning and supportive professor whose direction helped make me a successful journalist. He was stinting in his praise, so when he did note good work, it meant a lot. I took news writing, feature writing and magazine writing courses with him.
He urged us to get off campus and cover real news — be it an accident, court trial, or election return. "You're not going to learn about journalism covering the garden club," he explained. Indeed, he treated us like adults, handing us blue, wallet-sized cards that said, "Hofstra News Service." No such service existed. No matter. It was our ticket to venturing into the real world. He also expected us to know what was going on out there.
"You have to read The New York Times every day," he said. At times, he was hard-core, suggesting that we write about spending a night in a homeless shelter. I wasn't so brave. But I did write a feature about the people who serve food at a soup kitchen in Hempstead, and in the process, they put me to work in the kitchen. Peter also was a stickler for language, primarily pointing out words to avoid. Like Strunk and White, he preferred the specific to the general. Or as he put it, "Various is a castration word." Really, Peter was my first editor and provided a hint of what was to come: a hard-to-please bunch of men and women who would read my stories critically, suggest how to make them better, and at times, offer words of encouragement. After college, I still had a lot to learn, both as a newspaper reporter and magazine writer. But Peter prepared me for the life of a journalist. His lessons stick with me to this day — 36 years later. And for that, I'm forever grateful.
Friends & Family, Writings
1980s
Peter and Jack
Friends & Family, Places
I didn’t know Peter loved those rubber chickens as much as Jack did! And Jack DID love them!❤️
The door to the graveyard at St Patrick's Cathedral
The door to the graveyard at St Patrick's Cathedral. Peter will be crashing it.