They met while working in Spain and have been together ever since. Saint Nicholas is now in the Netherlands researching the possibility of using satellite and radar images to monitor global moral behavior. Meanwhile, De Zwarte is involved in exploring renewable energy. ‘I am particularly interested in how wood can be used as biomass for heating homes,’ he explained. ‘But I specialize in developing efficient and economical means to clean up the organic waste left in chimneys.’
‘Many people think I’m a bit odd because of my clothes,’ he said pointing to his Italian chimneysweep costume. ‘But this is part of my creative process. By assuming the role of chimneysweep, I can better access and discern the best solution for one of the world’s most pressing problems.’
Agreeing with his approach, Saint Nicholas said, ‘I may be wearing a red dress and mitre, but this outfit helps me get in touch with my intuitive insights. And I carry this big book around because it helps me to think big. Whenever I sense a lack of moral behavior, I make a note of it for my final publication.’
Saint Nicholas studied theology and philosophy, but now is interested in the scientific techniques for collecting data on human ethics. ‘With the world population increasing every year, it becomes more difficult to gage what is right and wrong. My goal is to compile digital images and create a model that systematically shows people’s intentions.’
Saint Nicholas comes from Myra, Turkey, while De Zwarte is from Morocco. What brought them together was their love of sailing. ‘Wind energy is also something we need to learn how to garner for future generations,’ said De Zwarte. ‘By sailing from Spain to the Netherlands every year, we are able to assess this potential source of power and gather essential scientific evidence.’
‘We used to travel by steamship,’ said Saint Nicholas, ‘but have since changed to sails as part of our research project.’ Their shared interest in how to best distribute mandarin oranges from Spain also united them. More recently, they have devoted much of their spare time in perfecting pepernoten, a spicy-sweet cake well-loved in the Netherlands.
In their spare time, Saint Nicholas enjoys riding a white horse and De Zwarte devotes himself to handing out sweets to children. Since moving to the Netherlands, however, they have both become poets. ‘This year we both entered the competition for Campus Poet Laureate,’ said De Zwarte. ‘We like the Dutch tradition of writing rhyming poems that point out people’s less admirable traits with wry humor and warm affection.’
Saint Nicholas feast day on 6 December is celebrated in the Netherlands as Sinterklaas on 5 December. He traditionally appears with his sidekick Zwarte Piet. For a full explanation of this beloved couple, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas
 |
| Highly impressed with Dr. Saint Nicholas’ research, Rector Magnificus Ed Brinksma made him an Honorary Chair. (Photo: Gijs van Ouwerkerk) |
