Roberta, Peter, Maribelle, Max, and of course, Lucas Jennings pose for a family photo. Courtesy | Peter Jennings

Peter Jennings, associate professor of leadership studies and chair in business administration talks white labs, the soldiers’ monument, and Gettysburg.

If you could replace all the squirrels on campus with a different animal, what would you choose and why?

White labs like Lucas — can you imagine the smiles and joy that would give everyone?

If you could turn any campus building into a giant bounce house for a day, which would you choose and why?

Simpson dorm…but then, that dorm already is a kind of “bounce house.”

If your life had a theme song that played when you walked into class, what would it be and why?

Well, that would be a vanity contrary to good teaching. But, in all good humor, with a big fat tongue in my cheek, play either “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” or “If I Only Had a Brain.”

Walmart, Meijer, Kroger, or Aldi and why?

Outside my domestic lane, but when we need wine, I go to Meijer.

What’s one class you wish you could take as a student?

I teach the classes I wish I could have taken as a student — strong medicine for the heart. That said, I want to take Professor Moreno’s History of Baseball.

If you had to teach an entire class while speaking in rhyme, how long would you last?

Depends. Can I use expletives I learned in the Marines?

What’s your favorite Hillsdale tradition?

Memorial Day service around the soldiers’ monument — but we haven’t done it in 100 years.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Captain James Harrison: “Love your Marines.” It was my first lesson in what it is to be a real leader. It taught me to slay the ego and eventually led me to the cross.

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?

Guitar, so I could make music and not just listen to music with my family and friends.

Dream vacation?

Walk the Holy Land.

What’s one of your favorite college memories?

Officiating the weddings of my students — hands down the most important service and greatest honor.

Who are the most influential people in your life and why?

On my person, I always have these keepsakes: around my neck is the cross for Christ, on my finger is a ring for my wife Roberta, and on my wrist is a POW bracelet for Admiral James Stockdale. Common thread: love — we are each other’s keeper.

What are your thoughts on AI? Is it more friend than foe?

It is a blessing and curse as all technological advances are.

If you could instantly teleport your students to any historical event for a field trip, when and where would you take them and why?

Gettysburg, the Wheatfield, July 2, 1863, in order to teach the meaning of the soldiers’ monument and the true purpose of education here.

If you had to enter your classroom via a method other than walking , what would be your signature entrance?

I would walk, but I would take the sandals off my feet because the real pursuit of truth leads us to God.d