This year, President Richard J. Helldobler showed us that he’s not only the dedicated leader of William Paterson University, but also a devoted doggy dad. In addition to his adorable poodle, Lola, he introduced us to his new dog, Clementine.

Of course, we wanted to know more about this playful pup, so we asked President Helldobler to share some more information about her, which he was more than happy to do.

JS: When did you get Clementine?

RH: Clementine’s “gotcha day” was Jan. 23 of this year. She was born Nov. 27, 2025. I brought her home just before the big snowstorm, and she loves climbing snow piles.

JS: What breed is Clementine?

RH: Clementine is a Standard Bernedoodle, which is a mix between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Standard Poodle. We expect her to grow to be 80-100 pounds. Right now, she is all paws.

JS: Why did you decide to name him/her Clementine?

RH: Litters of dogs have identifiers to help potential owners pick out the dog they want. Her litter had different colors of bows around their necks, and hers was orange. The name Clementine is a name of French and Latin origin, meaning “merciful,” “gentle,” or “mild,” which we were hoping for in her personality. Plus, Clementine is also an orange colored fruit. Orange is my favorite color, in addition to being one of William Paterson’s colors, so it just seemed to fit her all around.

JS: What is Clementine’s personality like?

RH: Sweet but stubborn, and she likes to hog the bed.

JS: How does Clementine get along with your other dog?

RH: Clementine has a sister named Lola, who is a mini goldendoodle. Lola is a discerning player, meaning she likes to play but only with certain dogs. They get along great, after Lola laid the ground rules: Lola’s bones are her bones, and she is not to be disturbed during meals or napping. They both go to doggie daycare together, and Clementine seems to play with just about any dog who is willing.

JS: When will Clementine be on campus next?

RH: Clementine and her sister Lola do come to Hobart Manor on occasion, but their visits are not always scheduled, so it is hard to say. But when they are on campus, you can find us walking near the Manor for much needed breaks between our various meetings. Their unofficial titles are “Associate Provosts for Joy.” My staff and members of the Cabinet always enjoy days and meetings when they are present.

JS: Is there anything else you would like to share about Clementine?

RH: People often ask me what it is like to be the President of the University. I love it, and my experience at William Paterson continues to be the professional highlight of my career. But it can also be an all-consuming position, if you let it. So you have to provide yourself with opportunities for work/life balance. Clementine and Lola do that for me, prompting me to get out of the office to go pick them up at daycare, go into the backyard and throw the ball, go for walks or hikes, and to not think about work all the time. I often tell people to spend time doing the things that bring them joy. Clementine and Lola bring me joy. Work/life balance and experiencing joy is just a good practice, not only for university presidents, but for everyone.

President Helldobler even shared a photo of Clementine, which is the cover photo. It was such a pleasure to learn about Clementine, but President Helldobler also taught us an important lesson about making sure we enjoy relaxation time with the people (or animals) that we love in tandem with work and school. Hopefully, Clementine and Lola will make an appearance soon on campus!