by DANIEL MOLINA, Senior Writer

After dozens of meetings with potential candidates from a national search,  Donald E. Gibson was named dean of Manhattan College’s O’Malley School of Business, being effective June 1, 2018. 

Gibson comes from leadership roles at Fairfield University as vice-provost for academic affairs and dean of Fairfield’s Dolan School of Business. 

Through his time at Fairfield, Gibson raised significant amounts of money and increased recognition on national ranking lists. This also included additional program launches in entrepreneurship and business analytics.

“We are delighted to have Don[ald] join our community to serve as dean of our O’Malley School of Business,” said, Brennan O’Donnell, President of Manhattan College. “His vision and experience will help to strengthen our programs and provide our students and faculty with the support and resources they need to succeed. This is an exciting time not only at the College, but at our O’Malley School of Business.”

The Quadrangle conducted an exclusive interview with Gibson. 

What is your favorite type music?

“I love classical music, specially symphony. I also like Billy Joel and Beyonce” 

What are you favorite movies?

Because I was affiliated to the industry, this is a tough question. I love Alfred Hitchcock movies, also Sofia Coppola’s’ Lost in Translation, and ‘The Incredibles’… especially because the second part is coming this summer.

What is your favorite type of food?

I love southern Cali food. I really appreciate good Mexican food. I love a good burrito! That’s how I test a good restaurant.

If you were not the Dean of the O’Malley School of Business, what would you be?

I believe I would be a game show host. I think they can be kind of annoying, then they record for a day a couple of shows and the rest of the week they are free to do whatever they want. That would be very exciting!

Do you have a favorite sport? What’s your favorite team?

I love baseball. And because I’ve lived in New York, I’m a Mets fan. 

What was your last trip? What is your next trip? Do you have a favorite destination?

Last summer, my family and I went to Florence and Rome in Italy. It was an amazing trip and I would love to come back. 

This year, we are planning a trip to the national parks in the western US, including the Grand Canyon. 

My favorite destination, and one I would frequently visit because I have some relatives there, is Sweden.

Do you have a favorite place in the city to visit?

A couple of weeks ago I took my children to the Central Park Zoo and I loved that. I also love the theatre district and watching a good Broadway show. 

If you could live in any period, when would it be? Why?

I would live in the Renaissance, in Italy. I’m reading a book that revolves around that age, and thus I would love to live in the same period as Leonardo Da Vinci (cerca 1560s).

Do you have a favorite book?

I love Raymond Chandler’s books; I love the detective fictions genre. 

If you had a top three on your bucket list, what would it be?

Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru.

Climb Mount Whitney in California, which is the tallest peak in the lower United States.

Go scuba diving in Bermuda.

All said and done, Gibson is excited to continue his career at Manhattan college. 

“I am looking forward to engage with the Manhattan College community,” said Gibson. “I believe students are looking for someone with personality and that they can relate to. I look forward to have personal relationships with faculty, administrators and students among MC, and I’m looking forward to work with the rest of the O’Malley School of Business.”