Table of Contents
Spotlight
A Destiny Altered
United in Peace
Hollywood’s Alien Assaults
FDU and Film
A World War II Diary
25 Years of Devils' Football
New Athletic Director
Alumni Profiles
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FDU Magazine Spotlight Articles

  The Name Game 
  Who Invited Them? 
  Congratulations! 
  Chapel Undergoes Renovation
  Notable Guests 
  Charter Day 1998 
  Thank You! 
  Volunteers Honored 
  University Day

The Name Game 

FDU Magazine thanks all those who responded to the previous issue’s trivia question. We asked if anyone could recall the name proposed for FDU that was rejected by the State Board of Education and why it was turned down. We’ll let this excerpt from University founder Peter Sammartino’s Of Castles and Colleges tell the tale. “The decision to use the name ‘Dickinson’ wasn’t made until the Spring of 1942, principally because the Colonel [Colonel Fairleigh S. Dickinson] was against it. But the State Board of Education turned it down, fearing that Dickinson Junior College … might conflict with Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, one of the oldest colleges in America. And so in desperation we picked on the Colonel’s first name, ‘Fairleigh,’ and came up with Fairleigh Dickinson. We had practically to bludgeon the Colonel into accepting the idea, but once the legal papers went though, he took quiet pride in having his name 
associated with the small but interesting educational development.” 

Who Invited Them? 

The graduates were anxious to hit the world running. The diplomas were ready to be awarded. The grounds looked lovely and the scene was picturesque, yet hundreds of uninvited guests decided to show up for the party. 

The intruders, a swarm of locusts, made it an unforgettable day. As one witness recalled, “The insects kept dropping into the laps of parents resulting in occasional  shrieks. They clustered around the microphone, their chirping made the speeches difficult to hear, and finally, as the audience marched out, it was to the squashing, ugly sensation of stepping upon hundreds of locusts.” 

When did the swarm occur? On which campus was the ceremony disrupted? If you know, contact us at FDU Magazine, Publications Office, H336C, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, Teaneck, N.J. 07666. 

Congratulations! 

In celebration of the commitment and talent of our finest professors, the University annually presents Distinguished Faculty Awards for teaching, research and scholarship and service. This year’s recipients, honored during the annual Academic Convocation, are Christopher Devine, above, second from left, chemistry professor, who received the Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching; Harry Keyishian, right, English professor, and J. Warren Blaker, second from right, physics and chemistry professor, who both were honored with the Distinguished Faculty Award for Research and Scholarship; and Leonard Grob, left, philosophy professor and University coordinator and director of University Core, Teaneck-Hackensack Campus, who earned the Distinguished Faculty Award for Service. 

Like the previous award winners, the 1998–99 honorees were selected by their fellow faculty and are characterized by their intense devotion to their students, their studies and their University. Congratulations to them all! 

Chapel Undergoes Renovation 

The use of the Interfaith Chapel on the Teaneck-Hackensack Campus has increased dramatically as more FDU students and faculty are expressing interest in spirituality and religion. In an effort to better serve their needs, the University is renovating and relocating the chapel. 
The new facility will double the worship and meeting space, and add individual offices for the chaplains, a lounge-kitchen area and a bathroom. Complete with an ornate stained glass window, the chapel will be located near the Student Union Building and residence halls.

The support for the renovation has been led by President Frank Mertz and his wife, Gail, who pledged $25,000 to the project. In addition, the University has received a major gift from the St. James Foundation, Westfield, N.J. 

Notable Guests 

The University hosted an eclectic assembly of prominent guests this semester including authors Margaret Atwood, Umberto Eco, Oscar Hijuleos and Malachy McCourt. Also visiting the University were Maureen Kanka, the activist whose daughter Megan was raped and killed and the driving force behind “Megan’s Law,” which provides for the public notification that convicted pedophiles live in neighborhoods where children reside; and Samuel White, the great-grandson of Stanford White, a member of the architectural firm that designed the Vanderbilt-Twombly mansion, now the Mansion on the Florham-Madison Campus. 

Charter Day 1998 

FDU’s ninth annual Charter Day dinner-dance was a resounding success and grossed a record total of nearly $500,000.  Officially known as “An Evening at the Mansion,” the event brings together the leadership of the corporate community, friends of the University and the academic community to celebrate the achievements of students and support scholarships at FDU. Approximately 600 people, the most in the dinner’s history, attended this year’s affair in June. 

Since the initial Charter Day in 1990, more than $1.8 million has been raised for students and more than 200 students have received Charter Day scholarships. 

For information on reserving a table or purchasing tickets for next year’s Charter Day, to be held June 4, contact Lauren Hirsch at (201) 692-7012 or e-mail her at hirsch@mailbox.fdu.edu. 

Thank You! 

FDU is proud to announce that the 1997–98 Annual Fund campaign was the most successful ever. Thanks to all of you who made this accomplishment possible. In fact, approximately 7,400 supporters contributed a total of more than $3.3 million (including $1.6 million that was dedicated to FDU’s recent capital campaign). 

Your support has made a terrific impact on the University in so many areas. Annual Fund contributions are dedicated to every aspect of University life, helping to ensure innovative academic programs and a fulfilling collegiate experience. From scholarship funds to library books to computer equipment, the Annual Fund helps make an FDU education memorable. If you haven’t joined the ranks of enthusiastic supporters, please consider making your own gift. 

Such support contributes to the enhancement of an FDU education and the continued value of your degree. To become an Annual Fund supporter, please call Khatmeh Hanna, director of annual giving, at (201) 692-7015. 

Volunteers Honored 

As part of University Day 1998, alumni volunteers and leaders were honored at a special brunch following the official opening of the Rutherford Room in the Teaneck-Hackensack Student Union Building. Recipients were selected by the members of the Alumni Association Board of Governors. 

The FDU Alumni Loyalty Award was presented to Lori Lee Dickson, BA’82 (F-M), who has been an active volunteer since her graduation from FDU. As chair of the alumni-in-admissions program, she “has demonstrated tremendous dedication and service to that program,” said Lee Eagles, BS’71 (R), president of the Board of Governors. 

The Castle Award, given to a member of the Alumni Association Board of Governors who has shown commitment, allegiance, support, teamwork, leadership and Enthusiasm, was presented to Richard Krieg, MBA’67 (R). Active in the Alumni Association since the 1970s, Krieg recently has been involved in the Career Services Committee and frequently holds networking receptions. 

The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Edward Puzio, BS’82 (R), and Douglas Rizzo, BS’93 (R), Puzio, co-chairman of the Special Events Committee, “has been a tremendous asset to the alumni office ... and his dedication in making calls encouraging people to attend the Rutherford Campus reunion resulted in that event being a huge success,” said Eagles. Rizzo was honored for his efforts as a Special Events Committee member. 

The final award was presented by chairman of the Board of Trustees Stephen Tumminello, BS’58 (R), and bears the name of Elia G. Stratis. (The late Stratis, BS’67 (R), MBA’76 (T-H), was a president of the Alumni Association and the first alumnus to be appointed to the FDU Board of Trustees. He was inducted posthumously to charter membership in The PINNACLE Society and in his honor, FDU established the Elia G. Stratis Memorial Scholarship Fund. His wife, Mary Kay Mastronardy Stratis, BA’69 (R), MAT’71 (T-H), has continued his legacy and made special efforts to preserve his memory and support his favorite causes including FDU.) 

“The Elia G. Stratis Award was established to recognize others who gave effort characteristic of what Elia stood for,” said Tumminello. Trustee Robert Budelman, Jr., BA’59 (T-H), “embodies those same values,” Tumminello continued. “Bob’s service has been invaluable.” He helped organize the University’s endowment fund and served as president of the Alumni Association and the Century Gift Club. As a trustee, “he is a vital part of the decision-making process,” and he was honored “for those unique qualities of leadership and service to others that have enhanced {his} family life, {his} career and our alma mater.” 

University Day

As the competition heated up, intercampus combatants raucously roared their respective battle cries, “Madison!” … “Teaneck!” But when the dust had settled, the opponents drowned the daylong rivalry with one unifying chant: “FDU!” … “FDU!” … “FDU!” 

More than anything, that cheer symbolized the celebration that is University Day. This, the fourth annual event, was the first held on the Teaneck-Hackensack Campus and featured several activities honoring our global community, including an international food court and an international students’ fashion show. In addition to the first-ever intercampus competition and the presentation of the inaugural University Cup (narrowly won by the Teaneck-Hackensack Campus), attractions included various FDU showcases plus games and children’s events. Also, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the University officially opened the Rutherford Room in the Student Union Building, a tribute to FDU’s original campus. (A Rutherford Room also exists on the Florham-Madison Campus.) In addition, awards were presented to outstanding alumni volunteers and leaders. 
 
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