FDU ranks high among veteran-friendly schools. Several veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan tell how the University is helping them build new lives.
Join Dean Nicholas Baldwin as he reflects on his 25 years as head of FDU's first international campus, Wroxton College.
Bruce Springsteen and poet Robert Pinsky headline WAMFEST: The Words and Music Festival at the College at Florham.
Psychology professor Katharine Loeb looks at eating disorders and pediatric obesity and how parents may hold the key to treatment.
Service opportunities make Spring Break rewarding and educational for student volunteers.Alumni Profile
The Jokes Are on Them!
Arlene, BA'68 (T), and Harlan Jamison, BA'68 (T)Alumni Profile
A Portrait in Public Service
Harold “Cap” Hollenbeck, BA'61 (R)
AROLD “CAP” HOLLENBECK, BA’61 (R), always knew he wanted to go into government and perhaps law school. After all, his father was mayor of East Rutherford, N.J., it was the Kennedy era and “that’s what we all were thinking at the time,” he says. He did more than just think about it. Over the course of more than four decades, he served the East Rutherford borough council, the New Jersey Assembly and Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Superior Court of New Jersey.
It all began at FDU. “Fairleigh was great. The offerings were good; it had an emerging reputation; the professors were on a par with other schools; and adjuncts brought all the experience and expertise of working on the outside.” As a former FDU trustee and past president of the Alumni Association Board of Governors, Hollenbeck says, “FDU always had a international involvement. I’m glad that President [J. Michael] Adams is enhancing our reputation in that sphere.
“I particularly remember Dorothy Bland [then assistant professor of English], Charles Angoff [associate professor of English] and Ken MacKenzie [chairman/ associate professor of social sciences]. MacKenzie’s history seminar really piqued my interest in government and law.”
After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1964, he commenced practice in Ridgewood, N.J., and began serving the public of East Rutherford on the borough council. He was elected to the state Assembly in 1967, where he was the prime sponsor of the Uniform Dangerous Substances Control Act, the first major act in this area in decades. “An important achievement for me was creating and chairing the Cable Television Study Commission, which held the cable industry development in place until we were able to develop a comprehensive cable television bill,” he says. He vigorously supported both Meadowlands and Sports Authority legislation in the Assembly and in the Senate, to which he moved in 1972.
Beginning in 1977, Hollenbeck served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a member of the bi-partisan House Ethics Committee during the hearings on ABSCAM, the famous FBI sting operation that resulted in public corruption investigations and the removal or resignation of several House members, a senator and other officials. “My most meaningful achievement, however, was being the prime and moving sponsor of the first POW-MIA bill that honored Vietnam participants,” he says. He was also involved with the Council on Soviet Jewry, environmental caucuses and, although a Republican, supported consumer-rights, equal-rights and pro-choice bills.
Hollenbeck was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey in 1987 by Gov. Tom Kean, and subsequently moved to family court, focusing on juvenile, child-abuse and neglect cases, as well as matrimonial and family matters. “I was involved in protecting children. I feel proud that I was able to help a generation over a bad time in their lives.” Sharing the wisdom he gained through his years of public service at his retirement celebration in 2008, Hollenbeck cautioned against societal polarization, arrogance and bias. He stressed the need to understand diverse cultures and religions. He touched on the avoidance of blind allegiance to the “cult of personality,” rather than substance, in public affairs, and he urged rejection of conspiracy theories as the easy answer to disturbing or tragic events.
Following his retirement, Hollenbeck is considering several projects. Among other things, he plans to write his memoirs and hopes to share the lessons he’s learned. He also wants to once again be closely involved with FDU. After all these years, he’s still looking to serve others.
— C.K.B.
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FDU NOW: The Campaign for Fairleigh Dickinson University
FDU Magazine is published twice yearly by the Office of Communications and Marketing, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, H-DH3-14, Teaneck, N.J. 07666.
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J. Michael Adams, President; Richard Reiss, Senior Vice President for University Advancement; Angelo Carfagna, Assistant Vice President for University Advancement and Communications; Okang McBride, Director of Alumni Relations; Carol Kuzen Black, Director of Publications/Senior Editor; Rebecca Maxon, Editor and Web Designer; Nina Ovryn, Art Director
Contributors: Nicholas Baldwin, Scott Giglio, Katharine Loeb, Andrew McKay, Tom Nugent, Melissa Payton
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