10 Questions with Interim President Steve Gold

Although President Gold has only been at Lyndon for less than a year, his time and dedication to the community has proven to benefit faculty, staff and students in many ways. Stepping into the position after four years of retirement, he assisted Lyndon when it faced financial peril and was heading in a rather "unpleasant" direction. He wakes up to answer his emails in the early hours of the morning, and can be seen attending late-night campus activities almost weekly. While many students likely haven't shared a full conversation with him, there is no doubt you've walked by the tall 66-year-old, who frequently sits next to students in the dining hall to share dinner. This week, the fourteenth president sat down with The Critic to share more about his life and time here at the Lyndon.

Q: Why did you agree to be the Interim President?

A: I had been retired for nearly four years when I got the call. I had to think about it for a little while, but I remembered my time in college. I am still friends with many people I went to school with - so I knew how much it meant to me. I also knew it was time bounded to a year. How could I not take advantage of a wonderful opportunity like this? As they say in The Godfather movies, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.

Q: What have you done in your life other than education?

A: I worked in Vermont state government for 35 years. I spent over 20 years in the alcohol and drug field, six years in the social welfare arena, Commissioner of the Department of Employment Training for four years, Commissioner of Corrections for 2 years, Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Administration for a year, and then I went back to the Agency of Human Services for a year and a half. In the spring of 2007, I realized my mother was beginning her path to passing. I was about 62 and decided I wanted to devote my time to her, so I retired that summer.

Q:  How did you like working with Howard Dean during your time in state government?

A: It was interesting, but I enjoyed it. He is a very forceful and decisive guy. You had to make sure you always had some workable solutions to a problem you were going to present to him...or he would solve them for you, and it might not be a good solution.

Q: What are your plans for next year?

A: I am looking forward to returning to the blissful state of retirement. I worked part-time for the Joint Fiscal Office of the Legislature during my years of retirement, as well as six different non-profit organizations, so I am looking forward to get back to working with them.

Q:  What is your favorite thing about Lyndon?

A: The students. One of my regrets this year is that I haven't gotten to know nearly the number I wished, and I have already warned Joe [Bertolino] of not getting trapped in his office because that's how I have felt at times. There are wonderful people here who are very dedicated, energetic, exciting and committed to their educational goals!

Q: What was your favorite job as a teenager?

A: I lived in South Hadley, Massachusetts as a teenager. At 14, I worked on a small farm raising dogs, Morgan horses and other wildlife. I really enjoyed taking care of the horses. When I was 17, I also worked for my town highway department for the summer - it made me feel like a real "he-man" doing that kind of stuff!

Q: What is the nicest car you have ever owned?

A: I would have to say the one I currently own, which is a 2007 Jeep Patriot 4-cylinder. It is very versatile, and has four-wheel drive. It is also geared appropriately to allow me to take out my fishing boat to the many lakes in the Northeast Kingdom.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: It's called The Track in the Sand. It is part of a police mystery series written by an Italian author. It features a lot of really interesting characters.

Q: Red Sox or Yankees?

A: The Red Sox. It's funny, I remember when I used to go to my grandfather's house to help him with a printing press business he ran out of his basement when I was a kid. I would go over on Saturday afternoons and we'd listen to the games on the radio while I helped him.

Q: Do you own a "smartphone"?

A: No - I am actually quite intentionally a luddite. I have an old fashioned view on privacy, I guess. I do use email on a desktop computer - but I don't have a personal cell phone at home. I also don't have a laptop or an iPad, and I'm not on any social media networks. Somehow, I manage to survive!

Gold will retire after Lyndon's 2012 commencement. He lives in Montpelier with his wife and looks forward to fishing, spending several weeks on Cape Cod, gardening and watching sports throughout his retirement. The Critic would like to personally wish Mr. Gold the best in his future endeavors.