Staff profile: Tony Tolnai

Title, length of service: Director, Media Services Group, School of Communication; 18 years. I was working in Elk Grove Village in a television production company as chief engineer when I read a newspaper ad for work at Northwestern. I applied for the job and got it.

What do you do? I supervise the Media Services staff of seven, plus additional temporary employees and work-study students. We design, install and maintain multimedia services for the school.

What interests you about Media Services? I love what I do. I’ve always been interested in electronics and challenging projects, such as construction of smart classrooms and videoconference facilities.

What do you like to do outside of work? I like to travel. I’ve been back to my homeland of Hungary three times in the last six years. I spent a lot of time learning about my native land during those visits. I know so much more now than when I lived there. I enjoy camping trips to the Southwest, particularly Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and California. One of my favorite places to visit is the Georgia O’Keefe House in New Mexico. I like to learn about different cultures. I’m also a Civil War buff with a particular interest in Abraham Lincoln. His history is so well documented. It is fascinating to me. I enjoy reading and listening to classical music. I swim regularly. It helps me manage stress.

Do you have family here? My wife and I live in Glenview. She is a teacher at a Catholic school. I have three children. My daughter lives in Westmont with my two grandchildren. I have two sons. One lives in Glenview and works as a Voice Stream salesman. The other is a college graduate in business administration. I am lucky to have them all nearby.

— Marilyn Idelman Soglin