THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9411290088
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
Gerald D. Tyler is in his 11th year as director of university relations for Norfolk State University. Before that he was special assistant to the chancellor of Elizabeth City State University.
When he took his current job, he says, it was like coming back home.
Tyler had graduated from the university with honors in 1977 before joining the ECU staff. While there, he commuted to Norfolk to work on his master's degree at NSU, graduating with highest honors in 1983. The same year, he began pursuing a doctorate at Old Dominion University.
Full Name: Gerald DeForest Tyler
Hometown: Spotsylvania County.
What brought you to the Beach? I came to Hampton Roads with the Marine Corps and to Virginia Beach after being honorably discharged having completed my six-year military obligation. I successfully took an examination for employment the same day I got out and became gainfully employed the next day. I relocated to the Beach primarily because of the peace, quiet, cost factor and availability of quality homes.
Birthdate: Feb. 28, 1946.
Occupation: Higher education administrator. Director of the Office of University Relations at Norfolk State University.
Nickname: Jerry
Marital status: Divorced
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Let me state clearly that this is not an invitation to nice eligible Christian young ladies with beautiful personalities and existing commonalities. Therefore, no calls please. I am merely responding to a given set of fixed inquiries. Thank you very much. However, should God allow me to ever meet such a person, then my idea of a ``perfect'' day off would be to begin with a prayer breakfast, discussing each other to become better acquainted. Do some enjoyable things that we both like, such as going swimming, playing tennis, having noonday Bible study, taking a short motorcycle trip, going to dinner at a favorite restaurant and then spending a couple of hours at church praising God for who he really is. And most importantly, to be able to do this without having our good to ``be evil spoken of.''
Last smart thing you did: I sold one of my two vehicles. I didn't need to be paying double maintenance, decals, tags, personal property taxes, insurances, etc.
Last dumb thing you did: I got suckered into what was explained as a sound, wise and lucrative financial investment based on a company's successful historical track record and its current interest rate at the time. Upon my initial lump sum investment, the agent put my money in junk bonds. Need I say more?
Favorite meal: Mostly any seafood entree, especially scallops, macaroni and cheese, a tossed salad, German chocolate or carrot cake and Seagram's ginger ale.
Favorite movies: None. I don't go to the movies.
Favorite song: Most of the old time gospel songs. If I had to select just one it would probably be, ``My Soul Loves Only You Lord.''
Last book read: The Holy Bible (daily). ``Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America'' by Nathan McCall.
Hobbies: Reading, writing, swimming, playing softball, basketball, tennis and working out in my weight room.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would give myself perfect health throughout this lifetime.
Favorite restaurant: Scale O' De Whale in Portsmouth and Red Lobster in Virginia Beach.
Your favorite night on the town: Meeting, engaging in dialogue and having dinner with upwards of 500 special people. Especially the 20 or more celebrities, who visit the NSU campus and our communities each year, while here in support of The Tim Reid Celebrity Tennis Tournament to raise scholarship dollars for our students.
Favorite TV shows: News and sports.
Favorite sport: Boxing. Once an undefeated amateur welterweight champion in the Marines, I remain a loyal fan of the sport. Incidentally, I believe that Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard were the two best complete fighters of all time.
Last vacation: The Poconos.
Worst job: Buffing floors at a Washington, D.C., hotel in 1964.
Of What achievements are you most proud? Achieving and maintaining a high degree of being at peace with myself with the help of God. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Gerald D. Tyler
by CNB