College and School Happenings
Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences
‘Into the Woods’
The School of the Arts’ production of “Into the Woods,” which is based on the Tony Award-winning book by James Lapine, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, caps this semester’s theater season. Performances will be held from Thursday, April 20, through Sunday, April 23, in Dreyfuss Theater, Dreyfuss Building, at the Florham Campus. Performance times are 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Known for its dark comedy, music and the enchanting world it weaves, “Into the Woods” follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to the attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk.
Suzanne Agins, adjunct faculty member, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, is directing the production; with choreography by Cynthia Thole Loewus, musical theater (Flor); and musical direction by Allen Cohen, music (Flor). Set design is by Maiko Chii, set and costume designer/owner, Clear Box Productions, LLC, Queens, N.Y.; lighting design by Cameron Filepas, lighting designer for theater/dance/opera; and costume design by Susanne Houstle, set/costume designer for stage/film.
Ticket prices are $15 for the general public, $10 senior citizens 65+ and $5 FDU community and students. It is highly recommended that tickets be purchased online in advance at FDU Event Tickets because performances sell out quickly. When available, a limited number of tickets may be sold at the door. Audience members are encouraged to wear face masks while attending the performances. For information go to FDU Theater Season.
Schering-Plough Executive Lecture
The department of communication sponsored Schering-Plough Executive Lectures via Zoom on select Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., this spring.
The final lecture this semester, Collaborative Practices in Organizations,” will be held on April 25, with Stanley Deetz, president, Interaction Design for Innovation, and professor emeritus, University of Colorado at Boulder. For the Zoom link and more information email Gary Radford, communication and chair, communication (Flor), at gradford@fdu.edu.
Previous lectures were “Moving Beyond the Individual: Community-engaged Communication Science and Community Health,” with Shawnika Hull, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J.; “Communication Scholar – Activism” with Srividya Ramasubramanian, Newhouse Endowed Chair Professor of Communications, Syracuse (N.Y.) University; and “What’s in a Wage?” with Sarah Dempsey, organizational communication and director of graduate admissions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Biology Seminar
Anna Debska-Chwaja, Becton College (Metro), will speak about the “Tribological Aspects of Bed Sores and Their Prevention,” on Thursday, May 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in Room 1144, Dickinson Hall, at the Metropolitan Campus.
The free seminar is hosted by the department of biological sciences. Other seminars held during the spring semester were led by Shawn LaTourette, commissioner, and Olivia Glenn, chief of staff/senior adviser for equity, Department of Environmental Protection (“Environmental Justice in Hackensack, N.J.”); and faculty members Mihaela Leonida, chemistry and preprofessional studies/graduate school adviser (Metro) (“Impact of Tannic Acid on Nisin Encapsulation in Chitosan Particles”); and Mohamed El-Sherbeini, biology (Flor) (“The Discovery and Development of Caspofungin, brand name Cancidas”).
The Biology Seminar Series is organized by Marion McClary, biological sciences and chair, biological sciences (Metro).
Spotlight on Student Film, Writing and Animation Projects
Film, creative writing and animation students from the Florham Campus will showcase their works in April and May.
The Richard J. Turick Screenings featuring the 2023 senior thesis films will be held on Tuesday, April 25, from 6 to 10 p.m., at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, N.J.
Presented by FDUFilm, this year’s student films are: “Heart of the Matter,” a drama about murder and redemption; “Decisions,” a young woman chooses between suitors or goes her own way; “Katherine’s Nightmares,” a college student’s visions seem to implicate her boyfriend as a killer; and “Silence Is Betrayal,” a young woman must decide the value of her silence after faced with being paid off.
Tickets are $5 each and RSVP is necessary. To RSVP and for information call 973-443-8646 to leave a message or email Howard Libov, film, chair of School of the Arts and director of MFA in film (Flor), at libovh@fdu.edu. The late Richard Turick was chair of the visual/performing arts department and technical director in the theater arts program at the Florham Campus.
The Creative Writing Senior Thesis Reading and Reception, sponsored by School of the Arts, will be held on Thursday, April 27, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Hartman Lounge, Hennessy Hall, at the Florham Campus. Admission is free. For information email students Nicolette Visciano at nvisciano@student.fdu.edu or Sarah Romeo-Horsman at sarahhorsman@student.fdu.edu.
The School of the Arts is also presenting Animation Thesis Night 2023 on Tuesday, May 16, at the Morris Museum. The exhibits will be held in the Museum Lobby from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by the screenings in the museum’s Bickford Theater from 7 to 8 p.m. Admission is free to the events. For information email Robin Barkley, animation and director, animation/video game animation programs (Flor), at robinb@fdu.edu.
Annual IMAGES Student Arts Festival
The School of the Arts is hosting the Annual IMAGES Student Arts Festival on Wednesday, April 26, at the Florham Campus. The festival will include the following events:
- Studio Art Exhibition Reception — Rothman/Admissions Building, 4:30–6:15 p.m.
Annual Student Art Exhibit featuring drawings, paintings, ceramics, sculptures and graphic novels in wide range of materials
Free admission - Concert Featuring Performances by Fairleigh Dance Project, FDU Band, FDU Chamber Choir and FDU Chorus — Dreyfuss Theater, Dreyfuss Building, 6:30–7:15 p.m.
Free admission - Graphic Design Senior Thesis Night — Hassan Orangerie, Monninger Center for Learning and Research, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Variety of projects such as David Hockney Traveling Exhibition, soccer training program, fantasy video game, aquatic digital experience, heavy metal band music label, automotive vinyl company, recycled material product line, refashioned thrift clothing line, endangered-species project, food chemical PSA campaign, rebranding of a high-school football team and autobiographical character design series
Free admission - Alumni Art Show and Reception, “Art for the Here, Now and Future” — Bottle Hill Pub, Santoloci Student Center, 8–9:30 p.m.
Presented by FDU Arts and the Black Alumni Chapter
Registration is necessary; $5 admission (includes light hor d’oeuvres, beverages and FDU gift)
While all the events will be held on April 26, the Annual Student Art Exhibit will be on display through Tuesday, May 2. Exhibit hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Rothman/Admissions Building.
For information about the Alumni Art Exhibit and Reception email Katie Tedesco, president, Arts Alumni Chapter, at ktedesco@alumni.fdu.edu. For information about the other art festival events email arts@fdu.edu.
Student Design Exhibit on Women’s Struggles
A student design exhibit titled “The Struggle Continues,” will be on display through September 30 at the Atrium of the Monninger Center for Learning and Research, Florham Campus. The exhibit will be open Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and on Sundays, 2–10 p.m.
The display will feature works by graphic design students who illustrated women in history who have faced difficulties, fought for their countries as well as for women’s rights and who broke the glass ceiling in business and the arts. For information email Janet O’Neil, graphic design and director, graphic design (Flor), at joneil@fdu.edu.
Student Research Symposium
The 24th Annual Student Research Symposium and Awards Night will be held via Zoom on Friday, April 28. The symposium gives students and faculty mentors from FDU and other colleges in the area the opportunity to showcase the results of their research.
Student presentations will start at 3 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 5 p.m. and the keynote address at 5:15 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker, alumnus Giorgino Macalino, BS’12 (Metro), associate director of research and development makeup innovation at Estee Lauder Companies in Melville, N.Y., will speak about “Color Science — Optics in Cosmetic Applications.”
The symposium is being cosponsored by the department of chemistry, biochemistry and physics and the Hudson-Bergen Chemical Society. Registration is necessary. To register and for information contact Mihaela Leonida, chemistry and coordinator, preprofessional studies/graduate school adviser (Metro), at mleonida@fdu.edu, or Ish Kumar, pharmaceutical chemistry (Metro), at ikumar@fdu.edu.
Latinx Heritage in Art
The Hispanic Center is holding an art exhibit, “FDU Latinx Roots,” which will feature mixed media, digital art, oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings; pastels; and drawings by FDU students Jasmine Deppol, Michelle Fernandez, Miguel Lazo, Laileni Mendoza Reyes, Alexander Rivera, Sarah Rivera and Oscar Rosario that are inspired by their Latinx heritage. The exhibit will have an opening reception on April 25, from 3 to 5 p.m., in the Hispanic Center Office, Fourth Floor, Robison Hall, at the Metropolitan Campus.
The students’ works will be on display at the Hispanic Center Office through Tuesday, October 31. Exhibit hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (The University will be closed on Fridays from May 19 to August 4.)
The exhibit is curated by Colombian artist Michelle Melo, with the help of Sara Shannon, Becton College (Metro), as faculty adviser. For information contact Irene Oujo, executive director, Hispanic Center (Metro), at 201-692-2625 or oujo@fdu.edu.
Art Against Fascism
The School of the Arts copresented “Art Against Fascism: NAFO and the War in Ukraine: How an Online Army of Shiba Inu Dogs is Fighting Back Against Russia” on March 28 at the Florham Campus and via Zoom. The event was organized by George Cochrane, North Atlantic Fella Organization (NAFO) Fella George Cochrane, fine arts/studio arts and codirector, fine arts/studio arts (Flor).
Among the presenters at the event were Cochrane, who spoke about the role of NAFO in the conflict; Mary Druganova, a Ukrainian artist and NAFO Fella from Kyiv; and Olya Powzaniuk, a Ukrainian-American artist. Yana Kane-Esrig, a student in FDU’s MFA in creative writing program, opened the event with a reading of contemporary Ukrainian poetry.
Silberman College of Business
The Silberman College of Business is hosting a symposium on Wednesday, May 24, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., in Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall, at the Florham Campus.
The keynote speaker is Michele Siekerka, president and CEO, New Jersey Business and Industry Association, who will discuss “The State of the State.” Other guest presenters include alumnus Stephen Weiss, BS’77 (Ruth), managing partner and chief investment officer, Short Hills Capital Partners LLC, Maplewood, N.J.; Micheline Nader, president of Jesra Foundation, best-selling author and FDU trustee; and Scott Behson, management (Metro).
A happy hour and networking will follow the symposium. Admission is free and sponsorship opportunities are available. Registration is necessary. For information contact Mary Sakin, executive director, placement/outreach/alumni relations, Silberman College (Flor), at mary456_sakin@fdu.edu, or go to Silberman Symposium.
Lee Gildart and Oswald Haase School of Computer Sciences and Engineering
This year’s Engineering and Computer Science Senior Design Expo will be held on Thursday, May 4, from 3 to 5 p.m., in the Rutherford Room, Student Union Building, at the Metropolitan Campus.
The event showcases the semester-long group and individual projects of civil engineering, civil engineering technology, computer science, electrical engineering, information technology, mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology students. Admission is free. For information email Christopher Stubbs, mechanical engineering/mechanical engineering technology (Metro), at cstubbs@fdu.edu.
International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management
Hospitality Alumni Reception
“Launching the Future … Remembering the Past,” a hospitality alumni reception and celebration will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, N.J. The event, which is hosted by the FDU Hospitality and Tourism Alumni Chapter, includes the First Annual Alumni Awards Celebration and a seminar presented by alumni and industry professionals.
Recipients of the 2023 Alumni Award of Excellence include Tramaine Cooper, BS’07, MS’09 (Flor), senior director, Hilton Garden Inn Brand Management, Hotelier of the Year; Chris Droussiotis, BS’85, MBA’87 (Ruth), senior managing director, Kinisis Ventures, Entrepreneur of the Year; Ruth Hladyk, BA’00, MS’02 (Flor), hotel/restaurant/tourism management (Flor), Educator of the Year; David Keys, BS’83 (Ruth), MHMS’22 (Metro), president, Hospitality Keys, LLC, FDU Lifetime Pinnacle Award; B. Allan Kurtz, BS’83 (Ruth), managing director, Gotham Hall and Ziegfeld Ballroom, Food and Beverage and Events Industry Icon; Kathy Mendez, BA’13 (Flor), regional director of sales and marketing, Ironwave Hospitality, Young Professional of the Year; and Paul Wawrynek, BA’10 (Metro), clubhouse manager, Crestmont Country Club, Hospitality Industry Mentor of the Year.
The cost to attend is $115 per person, and it includes food, beverages and an FDU gift. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, with proceeds supporting scholarships for students of the International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management. Registration is necessary. For information contact Kane Pappas, hotel/restaurant/tourism management (Metro), at 201-692-7271 or kpappas@fdu.edu or go to Hospitality Alumni Reception and Celebration.
Sport in Britain
Sport in Britain, a faculty-led study-abroad component for the sport management courses (SPAD4000 International Sports Administration or MSA6630 Global Sports), will be held from May 23 to 30 in Wroxton College, England.
The group, led by Jong-Chae (J.C.) Kim, sport management and director, sport management (Metro), will visit a variety of sites such as the University of Cambridge, Twickenham Stadium; Arsenal Football Club; Chelsea Football Club; and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.
The cost is $1,100 and does not include airfare. For information contact Kim at jckim1@fdu.edu.
School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Annual Research Symposium
The School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will be holding its annual Research Symposium on Friday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., in Room 104 at the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 230 Park Avenue, Florham Park, N.J. The symposium, with the theme “Interprofessional Collaborations,” will also be virtual: presentations will be streamed live and posters will have online links.
The keynote address, “Impacting Disparities in Clinical Trials,” will be delivered by Canan Esinduy, senior director, cardiology/metabolism team, Internal Medicine Field Group, Pfizer. She will be introduced by Eunsun Kwon, social work and chair, Research Council.
The annual symposium highlights research and projects by faculty, alumni, students from all disciplines (public health, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, occupational therapy and social work). It features presentations by students, faculty, alumni and resident-pharmacists of FDU-affiliated institutions and FDU community partners. Andrea Cole, social work, and Maria Leibfried, pharmacy practice, will moderate the presentations.
Attendance is free and open to the public. Registration is necessary. For information email mleibfri@fdu.edu or a.cole@fdu.edu.
School Tours
The School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is holding tours of its state-of-the-art facilities at 230 Park Avenue, Florham Park, N.J., for interested students and their families through May. Tours will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the following Fridays: April 21 and May 5.
Registration is necessary. Those who register will receive a confirmation email with tour and parking information the week prior to their selected tour date. For information contact Jennifer Strasle, associate director for health science admissions, pharmacy/health sciences (Flor), at j.strasle@fdu.edu.
MPH Virtual Open Houses
Virtual open houses for the Master of Public Health (MPH) program will be held on the following dates: 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 27; and 10 a.m. EST on Saturday, May 6.
Hosted by Bojana Berić-Stojšić, public health and director, MPH program (Flor), the open house will include a program overview and a Q&A session with faculty. Registration is necessary. For information email BStojsic@fdu.edu or mph@fdu.edu or call 973-443-8411.
PA Students Join Storytelling Project
Students in the first physician assistant (PA) cohort participated in a storytelling project, My Life, My Story, where they worked with veterans to include personal stories and details in their medical histories. According to Melanie Olinsky, a graduate student in the program, “Adding a small piece of a veteran’s life story to their medical record is a huge asset to care providers.”
The FDU cohort worked with veterans at Veterans Affairs health-care system locations in East Orange and Lyons, N.J.
To read more go to “Physician assistant students add veterans’ stories to their patient histories: Practicing the art of medicine.”