Paul Standley, PhD (Wood working)

Meet Paul Standley, Ph.D.

Associate Dean, Curricular Affairs and Program Evaluation

Describe your morning – what time do you get up, what do

you do first, next and what is for breakfast?

I am an early riser, up around 4:30 or 5:00. Caffeine, news,

catching up with social media and hanging out with the dogs on

the back patio before sunrise are what I do first. Then I exercise

before the work day starts; usually a 5-10 mile run or a 10-20 mile

bike, often on trail. This sets the mood for the day, helps me

organize my thoughts, solve problems or sometimes just listen to

music or the nature that surrounds me. Breakfast is usually toast

and fruit, maybe some yogurt. Shower and off to work usually by

8:00.

What happens next?  What do you do for lunch?

After a quick commute to work, I catch up with people I work with,

figure out their priorities and begin a day usually packed with

meetings about curriculum, budget, HR, other college priorities.

Often times I teach. My scholarship (research, writing papers,

planning research conferences, serving on research boards are

all usually reserved for Fridays along with teaching prep time.

Lunch is almost always at my desk answering emails; I pack my

lunch every day.

What do you do for dinner?

Except maybe a day per week I eat at home with family. I cook 1-

2 days per week, usually grilling meat, fish, vegetables. My wife

cooks the rest of the days and we eat out usually once per week.

At home, every dinner is always replete with candles and music

without fail.

How do you end the day and what time do you go to bed?

My days end like my morning….early. Usually in bed by 9:00 or

so. I always read before bed to quiet things down; almost always

pleasure reading rather than work.

What art are you doing and when do you do it?

I am a woodworker. I love the natural feel, smell and workability of

all woods. They all have their own character. Although I have

designed and built furniture, I focus now on smaller projects like

custom picture frames, clocks, keepsake boxes, charcuterie

boards, and the like. I would classify myself as a woodsmith

involved in functional art. I love the creativity as much as I like the

mathematics and precision needed to create something eye-

catching and useful. While I occasionally work with my craft after

work, usually I create on the weekends when my schedule is less

structured, offering me more creative space and longer time

periods to work uninterrupted on a project.

What are you reading?

I read several books at once usually. A non-fiction book by

Christopher McDougall entitled Natural Born Heroes about

Cretans, natural fitness paradigms, and a WWII mystery

kidnapping; a biography of one of my heroes, Teddy Roosevelt;

almost always I am re-reading one of many John Steinbeck books

I have – he is probably my all-time favorite author; East of Eden is

the best.

What are you streaming?

On Spotify I am always listening to music, usually 1950-1960s

bebop or cool jazz from the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane,

Chet Baker, Grant Green, Dave Brubeck, etc. I often listen to

classical when I work – Vivaldi and Bach are favorites. I own

every Steely Dan “album” made. On Netflix I like anything Ricky

Gervais; currently watching Dead to Me, Last Kingdom, Better

Call Saul. Breaking Bad was some of the best small screen I’ve

ever watched.

How are you feeling?

With COVID, pretty isolated. Its allowing a lot more time to be

introspective, thinking about my station in life, what the next

chapter might bring, and what adventure to go on when it passes.

I’m finding myself being more thankful for small things.

What’s the first thing you’re going to do when the quarantine

ends?

I will go to North Mountain Brewery and have a cold Belgian beer.

Then, invite friends over and cook for them and catch up with no

masks on. Then, off on weekend adventures in the camping

trailer, visiting small towns, and hiking. I’ll be ready to go boating

again; I always take fishing rods with me.