Staff Spotlight: A moment with…William Marion

in Highlight
January 31st, 2018

1. What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy helping students transfer their immigration records after acceptance to their degree programs. It’s great to see our students do well at CELOP and achieve their academic goals.

2. What did you do before working at CELOP?

I worked in international sales and accounts receivable at a music distribution company formerly based in Malden, Massachusetts. I spent most of my paycheck on the records and CD’s that we distributed.

3. Where are you from?

My father was in the military so we moved around a lot when I was growing up. I often tell people I’m from Florida as that’s where my father retired and where I graduated high school.

4. Favorite thing to do in Boston?

I am a huge music fan, so I go to concerts quite often. Boston has an amazing music scene with a variety of music venues; from club shows, art museums to huge stadiums. Speaking of which, my wife and I are really looking forward to taking our nieces to see Taylor Swift at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts this summer.

5. If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

That’s pretty simple; it would definitely be phở  (Vietnamese soup). I find a well-cooked bowl of phở not only makes you full, but actually makes you feel better. A good falafel wrap is a close second. I could also eat that all the time. Just thinking about this question is making me hungry.

6. What’s your favorite TV Show?

Probably all of Anthony Bourdain’s television shows. He’s a chef that travels the world, interviews interesting people and tries different types of food. An upcoming episode of “Parts Unknown” has him interviewing Anton Newcombe (one of my favorite musicians/producers) in his Berlin, Germany recording studio. Supposedly Anton ends up cooking him an Icelandic lamb dish. I guess that future episode is pretty much where my “worlds collide” (see the question and answer below)!

7. What is the best destination you’ve travelled to?

It’s a three way split between Reykjavik, Iceland; Berlin, Germany; and Beirut, Lebanon. Of course, as you can imagine, it’s because all of those cities have great music scenes and restaurants.

8. Favorite restaurant in Boston?

Alden & Harlow is an amazing restaurant in Harvard Square, Cambridge. They serve small portions so you can try and share different types of menu items. The restaurant also have delicious vegetarian dishes that meat eaters would also enjoy.

9. What are your hobbies?

I like to cook, especially grilling or barbecuing outside. I also collect vinyl records. During my free time I like to go hiking and camping usually in Vermont or New Hampshire.

10. What is your hidden talent?

I have a high tolerance for cold weather. I don’t know if that’s a talent but I just wanted to share that fact with you all.

11. What would people never guess you do in your role?

Because I lived in a lot of different places in the U.S. I end up being an informal travel guide for different U.S. cities & states. Ask me about the San Francisco Bay Area or the Southern U.S. and I can talk your ear off!