Newark Faculty Accomplishments

Friday, April 15 2011 09:31:38 AM

Rutgers faculty have dedicated decades to the continuing education of students. In this video, faculty members celebrate their memories from 10, 20, 30, 40, and even 50 years, of which they’ve been a part of the university. Watch a video about our faculty.
 
But the knowledge that students gain from the Rutgers–Newark faculty doesn’t just stop after graduation. Countless students have gone on to become successful leaders throughout the world and in every discipline, including these four:

	Elizabeth Warren NLAW ‘76 Named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, Elizabeth Warren serves as Assistant to President Barack Obama and Special advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Additionally, she is the author of 9 books, including best-sellers. On May 27, 2011, she will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Rutgers University.
	William Rasmussen RBS ‘60 In the early 1970s, William Rasmussen and his son wanted to create a local cable channel to broadcast regional sports. They learned, however, that it would be cheaper to broadcast 24 hours a day via satellite than by renting air space from another network. With careful planning, Rasmussen and his son set their sites on a nationwide network to broadcast sports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The result: ESPN.
	Ronald Jones NCAS ‘81 Ronald Jones began wrestling in high school to better condition himself for football. But by the time he entered Rutgers-Newark, it was clear he had a natural talent for the sport. Jones wrestled at 118 lbs. and was captain of the wrestling team for 3 out of the 5 years he competed. He was a two-time All-American champion, two-time NCAA Northeastern Regional champion, and two-time Metropolitan Tournament champion. In addition, he placed 3rd regionally and 6th nationally in the 1980 Olympic Trials.
	Judith Viorst NCAS ‘52 Just 18 years after walking across a stage for her NCAS graduation, Judith Viorst walked across another stage, but to accept an Emmy Award for her poetry. Viorst is a celebrated columnist and contributing editor to Redbook Magazine. She is also widely known for writing creative children’s literature, including: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Newark Alumni - The Class of 2001 Login to comment

Friday, April 15 2011 09:09:36 AM

Diversity is not always synonymous with unity, and it can be challenging to foster a deep sense of togetherness amongst the many ethnicities and cultures that exist throughout the world. By hosting and participating in the many cultural events on campus, however, the class of 2001 helped to educate students on the importance of cultural diversity and embracing differences. Without a doubt, these learned qualities would later prove to be priceless in the wake of 9/11.

Latin Night Bash

Newark Alumni - The Class of 1991 Login to comment

Friday, April 15 2011 08:25:43 AM

Over the decades, Rutgers–Newark students have dedicated countless hours of community service and involvement to various worldwide causes. As the class of 1991 began their freshman year in 1988, HIV/AIDs was rapidly spreading throughout the nation, including Newark (by 1998, Newark would report a staggering 5,006 confirmed cases of HIV). As a result, students focused their efforts on educating one another and the community about this deadly disease.


AIDS Memorial Quilt

The AIDS Memorial Quilt was an idea started in 1987 by a group of AIDS activists in San Francisco in an effort to memorialize friends, relatives, and colleagues who suffered, or died, from HIV/AIDs. In 1989, students decided to join the effort by creating a quilt of their own:

HIV Essay Contest
In 1989, the Rutgers–Newark English Department held an essay writing contest to help educate students and encourage involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDs. The winner was Malgorzata Wandycz, NCAS ’92, who offered up ideas on how to spread the facts about the disease:

Just last week I was witness to a conversation about AIDS. AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a disease caused by a virus, which interferes with the human immune system. While searching for a book in the Rutgers University Library, I overheard two students talking about how the AIDS disease could be transmitted. One of the students was trying to convince the other that AIDS could be transmitted by shaking hands with an infected person, by using the public toilet, by coughing, and sneezing. The second student said that according to what she had read in an AIDS pamphlet she picked up in Hill Hall, it was impossible to contract AIDS in that way. After the students departed, I pondered the conversation and thought how many other college students were so misinformed about AIDS as the first student had been. With all the media coverage and readily available information, there is absolutely no excuse for this naivety among college students.

According to a report published by the Department of Health on the subject of AIDS in New Jersey, the educational efforts have been quite extensive. With the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic, the Health Department has established many educational systems in order to inform the American public about this disease. In 1984, an AIDS HOTLINE was established, which has since received thousands of calls a year. While the AIDS HOTLINE is such a great success, other projects have not been as successful.

Since 1985, a variety of print and audio-visual materials have been developed for distribution by the Health Department. These materials have been developed for certain target audiences in which high risk behavior is common. The target audiences are intravenous drug users, prostitutes, and homosexual men. Because of the great difficulty in reaching these people, the Health Department has developed several educational programs specific for these people. Yet, for all the information available about AIDS, many college students continue to harbor fears, uncertainties, and misconceptions about the AIDS disease. This could be because the Health Department has not found a way to reach college students.

Some of the educational programs developed by the Health Department should be adapted by college campuses all over the country. A weekly educational seminar should be incorporated into the required curriculum on every college campus. Students should be required to attend AIDS seminars for college credit and to learn about the AIDS disease. These seminars should be hosted by medical physicians, medical technicians, medical researchers, social workers, and AIDS victims themselves. These speakers would inform the students about AIDS.

Another idea which could be adapted to the college campus is the use of a mobile education system. This mobile system, staffed by physicians, nurses and social workers has been developed by the Health Department as another means of providing information about AIDS. This system consisting of 2 vans could be stationed on college campuses during the first two weeks of classes.

Newark Alumni - The Class of 1981 Login to comment

Friday, April 15 2011 08:06:24 AM

For the class of 1981, it was a time to wave goodbye to the history created in the ‘70s and say hello to the future that they would help create. Rutgers–Newark students have always had big dreams but, as the need for new and advanced technology rose, the doors of opportunity were opening even wider for students–especially females.


Looking at The Future, Now Past

Four female NCAS ‘81 seniors take a moment from their busy school schedules to share future plans:

Newark Alumni - The Class of 1971 Login to comment

Thursday, April 14 2011 04:27:53 PM

With the election of Richard Nixon to the presidency in 1968, political tension was on the rise and the newly-admitted class of 1971 found themselves thrust in the midst of national growing pains. As a result, students came together to explore the unknown, speak their minds, and make a difference.

Today, Rutgers–Newark boasts 14 years of being the nation’s most diverse campus. This achievement would not be possible without the class of 1971.


A Step Toward Diversity

Until early 1969, white students comprised more than 95% of Rutgers–Newark’s student body, even though the city of Newark was predominantly a black community. On February 24, 1969, the Black Organization of Students (BOS) marched into Conklin Hall, which they renamed Liberation Hall, refusing to leave until Rutgers–Newark agreed to adopt policies to enroll and hire a greater number of minorities. Negotiations lasted for 72 hours, but the BOS emerged victorious and helped shape a more diverse campus.

Read a more detailed history of the BOS’ efforts.

The BOS continues to be an active student group within the Rutgers–Newark community and, in 2009, the BOS Alumni Association became a chartered alumni group of the University. You can find BOS Alumni Association on Facebook.


A Commitment to Peace

When military forces invaded Cambodia on April 30, 1970, Rutgers–Newark students joined students from other universities in rallying peacefully against President Nixon’s decision. On May 4, 1970, however, nationwide protests turned deadly when the Ohio National Guard opened fire at a Kent State event, killing 4 KSU students. Rutgers–Newark president Mason Gross, along with many other university leaders, encouraged a national student strike in response to the shootings. Not long afterwards, Rutgers–Newark students filled the streets of the city of Newark to continue their protests against Nixon.



The Newark Pledge

On June 3, 1970, Rutgers–Newark graduates wore white bands around their arms to memorialize the Kent State shootings. 83 of those graduates endorsed “The Newark Pledge,” which reads:



Campus Paint-In Protest

On March 10, 1971, a large group of Rutgers–Newark students, known as The Free People, gathered to paint the various “stumbling” blocks in the campus plaza. Shortly after their event began, two plain-clothed police offers arrested a student for painting outside of the designated area. Upset at the presence of the police within campus grounds, The Free People demanded that the student be let go. After gathering student support at a rally outside of Ackerson Hall, the “paint-in” continued and students extended their efforts to the entire Norman Samuels plaza.

Newark Alumni - The Class of 1961 2 comments

Thursday, April 14 2011 03:33:52 PM

Rutgers–Newark has a long history of supporting public debate on controversial topics, including the recent debate between Gary Francione, Rutgers–Newark professor of law, and Dr. Dario Ringach, UCLA, on the use of non-human animals in biomedical research. In1961, Rutgers–Newark hosted a debate between Malcolm X, a powerful force within the Nation of Islam, and Dr. William Neal Brown, a distinguished professor of Social Work at Rutgers–Newark, on the topic of racial segregation vs. integration.

Malcolm X vs. William Neal Brown

In 1961, Malcolm X made plans to build a mosque in Newark. To help rally support for this project, Malcolm contacted Rutgers–Newark School of Law professor Clyde Ferguson and the two made plans to debate integration vs. segregation. Shortly after Ferguson accepted, however, a White House official called Ferguson and warned him that participating in the debate would jeopardize his career.
Ferguson reached out to Dr. William Neal Brown to take his place in the debate. Brown accepted the challenge with only days to prepare an argument in support of integration. On November 3, 1961, Brown and Malcolm met at the gymnasium of the Rutgers–Newark School of Pharmacy and created history.

Photo courtesy Rayon Richards

The gymnasium was packed with supporters for both sides and the debate lasted for over two hours. After closing remarks were made, it was believed that Malcolm had won the debate and Newark’s first mosque was established shortly thereafter. However, Malcolm’s thoughts on integration would shift closer toward Brown’s in the years following the debate.

Brown taught at Rutgers–Newark from 1956 until his retirement in 1989. He passed away at the age of 90 on April 17, 2009, but his spirit and dedication to education lives on in the memories of those fortunate enough to have known him. Learn more about Brown’s life history, including his service as a Tuskegee Airman.

Read more about the debate and an excerpt of the opening remarks.

Those Were the Days

Prior to becoming the large and diverse campus that exists today, Rutgers–Newark was known as the University of Newark. Students attended classes in the old Ballantine Brewery at 40 Rector Street.
In a 1961 issue of the Observer, two Rutgers–Newark alumni shared their college experience:

Joseph Mellillo, NCAS ‘39 and NLAW ‘41, recalled: “There was a great deal of interest in student activities…when I was running for Student Council, we had very hotly contested elections. At times, the candidates even presented slates. We had the Mummers, then, too, a pretty-good basketball team (the bombers), and, of course, the Glee Club. Our debating team was known as the cavaliers and in 1938, under the direction of Professor Stevens, we won a Silver Cup in an inter-mural contest. The Chronicle was the name of our newspaper at first. Later it was changed to the Observer. There were always columns concerning current events and opinions of the day. We often had interesting and diverse points of view on the same subject.”

Orville E. Beal, NCAS ’37 and RBSG ’54, shared a slightly different perspective: “[My] happy memories center principally around people – especially faculty members. There is one in particular whose friendship I valued very highly and whose memory I shall always cherish. This is Dean Madison C. Bates… As an English major, I came to know Dean Bates intimately, and gained tremendous respect for him as a gentleman, a scholar and a teacher. His love for English literature, his thorough, patient method of teaching, and his unceasing enthusiasm for 19th century poetry, opened the doors of understanding and appreciation of his field for countless students, including myself. I feel that my life was enriched by the privilege of knowing and studying under this devoted and dedicated teacher. My recollections of the inconveniences and discomforts of attending classes in the old brewery building on Rector Street have dimmed year by year, but my memory of good teachers, such as Dean Bates, has remained sharp and clear.”

Building Futures

In 1961, a record 3,466 students graduated from Rutgers–Newark. As enrollment continued to increase rapidly, university officials initiated plans for a massive campus expansion. By 1973, the campus built several new buildings, including Boyden Hall, Conklin Hall, Ackerson Hall, and Dana Library. The goal was to build a campus in which the buildings were easily accessible and connected by a central plaza.

Revisiting the '80s: Springtime on Voorhees Mall Login to comment

Monday, April 04 2011 11:05:01 AM

By Vanessa Salazar, Rutgers senior

When spring arrives, the leaves revisit, the grass is yet again green, birds are chirping, Frisbees are flying, and all earth summons new life—which of course might make it hard for anyone to concentrate. As an '80s baby and a senior at Rutgers, I am enjoying my last semester before becoming an alumna and trying to capture these special moments by taking mental pictures of what the campus is like. In doing so, I can’t help but wonder what other generations of students were like during their own spring semesters, when they, too, were about to graduate from Rutgers.

With a bit of research, I found out that things haven’t changed much (apart from some of the threads they donned), and the scenes you’d see on a sunny spring day during the decade in which I was born aren’t so different from what my friends and I are doing on campus today.