If you know Jordan Tedesco-Blair, the fact that he’s been a residence hall director in Davidson and Webster since 2019 won’t surprise you. You also probably know that he previously worked at Hampshire College in a similar role. But did you know he’s good at tennis? Or that he collects headphones and loves board games?
Jordan Tedesco-Blair, residence hall director in Davidson and Webster, on Mackinac Island in Michigan.
As Jordan tells it, “My hometown is Buffalo, where my parents still live, but I also spent a substantial amount of time in St. Catherine’s, Canada, as I attended a tennis academy for most of high school. I’ve been playing tennis since I was 9 years old and have done most everything you can imagine with the sport – from tournaments to coaching, to getting burned out after playing D1 at my undergrad, Niagara University, where I studied philosophy and sociology. For graduate school, I went to Canisius College for their higher education and student affairs administration program.
"Outside of work, I take care of two cats. Smidget is around 11 years old and is a scruffy Maine Coon. And Morris is a black and white lanky lad who was born in March. I play all sorts of video games and board games. I’m an avid film watcher and enjoy collecting headphones. I like headphones because there are so many different flavors and tuning, which can subtly change the sound, comfort or their best use. Mid-to-high range models are typically built really well and will last for years. I have 14 pairs in rotation currently. For video games, I regularly play Hunt: Showdown for PC, but my favorite would probably be Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars for Super Nintendo. For board games, I really enjoy a classic game of Clue. I’ve also recently gotten into hiking and camping, and I aspire to work up into backpacking if things go well.”
FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING:
Ember Mug. It connects with a ceramic mug that warms up to keep my coffee hot.
ONE BOOK YOU HAVE READ MULTIPLE TIMES:
"Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice. It is the first book I can remember looking up from and realizing a few hours had passed since I began. I need to check out the new TV series based on it. The film is also pretty good.
BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED:
Heroes can be for moments in time, rather than idealizing someone’s entire life. Nobody’s perfect.
FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS:
Reamer Campus Center. It has everything and I enjoy the atmosphere and energy. Can get a bit hectic during common lunch, though.
GO-TO BREAKFAST:
I don’t typically eat breakfast beyond drinking some coffee, but when I do I’ll have bacon, egg and cheese on a toasted plain bagel with ketchup and orange juice.
FAVORITE PODCAST:
“Defunctland,” which isn’t exactly a podcast but a YouTube channel that makes documentaries on theme parks and entertainment.
ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD:
Speak another language, like Italian or Japanese. I’ve taken classes for each before but it is difficult for it to really stick. I’ve been to Italy before but not Japan, yet.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU:
I have good eyesight, better than 20/20 in both eyes. Everyone else in my immediate family wears contacts/glasses.
THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased):
Paul Verhoeven, John Carpenter and Peter Jackson. Each has directed one of my favorite films: “Starship Troopers” (1997), “The Thing” (1989) and “Lord of the Rings” (2001-03), respectively. It would be exhilarating to bring them together to discuss films and the industry.
FIRST CONCERT:
Barenaked Ladies when I was around 13, but I don’t remember where. “If I Had a Million Dollars” was a hit. They were so real when they said, “If I had a million dollars I’d build a tree-fort in our yard.” That’s the dream, with a little fridge in there? Dude.