Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski tells it how it was

Where did you go to school?Thomas Morus Gymnasium, Oelde, Germany - a German state secondary school.

Were you cool or were you one of the nerdy kids?

I think I might at first have been a little nerdy, but somehow became cool later on. Maybe because I had the biggest collection of rock albums in the class. All vinyl, of course.

Give us an extract of a school report.

I no longer have them, so I cannot quote from them.

Who was your favourite teacher in primary school? Why?

That was in Ireland, and it was Mrs McAleese. I rather fancied her (at the age of eight). I was in awe of the school principal, who was a major influence on me at that time.

How about secondary school? Anyone who you liked/inspired you?

Herr Stegborn. He was the maths teacher, and was full of irreverent chat about everyone and everything. Herr Zimmer, the German teacher, awakened my interest in politics.

Did you have a nickname?

Yes, Oemmel. That's pronounced "Ermell". I won't explain it.

What was the first music album you bought?

The Beatles' White Album.

What's on your iPod now?

Exactly 638 songs, which is a small number compared with my sons' iPods. Everything from AC/DC to Whitesnake, with some classical in between.

What posters did you have on your bedroom wall?

Che Guevara; Willy Brandt, the German politician; and an optical illusion painting that looked like a mountaineering scene but, on closer inspection, if you looked hard, was actually a nude.

Who was your first crush?

Hella Schefenacker (I very much doubt she'll read this, so it's safe). I have no idea where she is now.

Who would play you in a movie of your younger days?

Well, probably Brad Pitt.

What did you study in college?

Law. It worked for me, but now I don't advise it, because we don't need so many lawyers.

Regrets? Have you had a few?

Oh, yes. But then again, too many to mention. But I don't regret anything about my life now.

Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski is president of DCU