Raymond Toenniessen is director of new initiatives and external relations at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University and a veteran of the Iraq War. Before participating in a panel on jobs and veterans, he talked about Colin Powell and the movie Rudy, sunscreen and love in the Zócalo green room.
Who’s your favorite leader of all time?
Colin Powell.
What is the last habit you tried to kick?
Sweets!
What SPF sunscreen do you wear?
30.
Where would you like to travel to next?
Ireland.
Did you have any nicknames as a kid?
“Toe,” because my last name starts with T-O-E and there’s a bunch of letters after that, so a lot of people called me Toe.
Ask yourself a question, then answer it.
What do I want to be when I grow up? I’ll figure it out next year.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
Can I say love? My wife?
What does Syracuse have that Los Angeles lacks?
Snow. [That was too easy!] You want to ask it again? A good basketball team right now.
What’s the nicest thing you can say about Baghdad?
I think I would say new hope and opportunity.
What film are you most likely to quote?
I’m trying to think of a go-to film. I’d probably say Rudy.