College and School Happenings

Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences

Creative Writing for Educators Recognized

The MA in creative writing and literature for educators was named among intelligent.com’s Top 47 Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs list. Programs were evaluated based on flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost and reputation. FDU’s program was chosen as the best for educators. To read more go to The Best Master’s in Creative Writing Degree Programs.

Spring Productions Livestream

The School of the Arts is staging three productions that theater fans can watch online.

“As You Like It” by William Shakespeare and directed by Carole Healey, Becton College, may be viewed online at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.

“Your Lips Are Moving But There’s No Sound” by Jess Honovich and directed by Christopher Blass Núñez, visiting assistant professor of theater, will be online at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 30, and at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 1.

“The Theory of Relativity,” based on the book by Brian Hill, with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram, and directed by Cynthia Thole Loewus, musical theater (Flor), will be online at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 2.

Ticket price is $5 per device plus processing fee. For information go to Current Season.

Biology Seminars

The department of biological sciences is hosting seminars via Zoom this April. The Monday seminar will be held at 4 p.m., while the Thursday seminars start at 5:25 p.m.

Thursday, April 8 — “Multi-sector Mitigation of Single-use Plastic Pollution: Approaches from Biology, Policy, Law and Industry,” with Zoie Diana, marine science/conservation, Duke University, Durham, N.C.;

Monday, April 19 — “Adaptations to Light Predict the Foraging Niche and Disassembly of Avian Communities in Tropical Countrysides,” with Ian Ausprey, avian ecologist/conservation biologist; graduate fellow, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.; and small grants manager, Association of Field Ornithologists; and

Thursday, April 29 — “Revising the Dopamine Model: Is a Stimulus the Same as a Reward?” with Joseph Stout, biological sciences (Metro).

For the Zoom link and password for the April 19 seminar email Joseph Agugliaro, biology (Flor), at jaguglia@fdu.edu, or Edith Myers-Arnold, biology (Flor), at emyers@fdu.edu.

The Thursday seminars may be accessed via Zoom. For inquiries email Marion McClary, biological sciences and chair, biological sciences (Metro), at mcclary@fdu.edu.

Executive Lectures

The department of communication is hosting an Executive Lecture Series that has been made possible by an endowment from Schering Plough. The series features nationally and internationally recognized scholars in communication, business and media. This year’s lecture series revolves around the theme, “Uncertainty, Change, and Hope: The Role of Communication Scholarship in Understanding and Affecting Tumultuous Times.”

Upcoming topics include “Branding, Work and Organizing: The Dialectics of Struggle Under Communicative Capitalism,” with Dennis Mumby, Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor of Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; “From Figure to Ground: How Humans Became Technology’s Tools,” with Douglas Rushkoff, media theory/digital economics, Queens College, City University of New York; “Social Media, Connective Journalism and Youth Civic Engagement,” with Regina Marchi, journalism/media studies and Latino/Caribbean studies, Rutgers University; and “Don’t Talk Yourself into an Early Grave: Intergroup and Personal Challenges of Ageing Successfully,” with Howard Giles, Distinguished Research & Edward A Dickson Emeritus Professor, University of California at Santa Barbara.

For information contact Gary Radford, communication and director, communication (Flor), at gradford@fdu.edu.

Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becton College organized various events that were participated in by members of the University community.

An online panel discussion on “Serena Is Not the Only One: Shedding Light on the Crisis of Black Maternal Health,” was participated in by Otito Iwuchukwu, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy/health sciences (Flor); Judy-Mae Lima, biology honors student (Flor); and Edith Myers, biology (Flor), who moderated the discussion. Marie Roberts, art (Metro), with Sara Houboult, internationally acclaimed blind actor, dancer and physical theater performer, discussed “Pushing the Boundaries: Women, Disability and the Arts.” Denise Rangel Tracy, mathematics (Flor), led a Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon; and Carrie Shanafelt, English (Metro), moderated a Hot Topics discussion on “Gender, Sexuality and Civil Rights in the Workplace: What the Equality Act Means for You.” A discussion on “University Woman: Conversations About Life and Work,” was held by Luz Huertas, history (Flor); Judy Moonelis, fine arts (Flor); Jenn Noon, director of athletics (Flor); and Donna Robertson, University director of career development (Metro). Janet O’Neil, computer graphics and director, graphic design (Flor), unveiled posters and Zoom backgrounds created by students based on the Women’s History Month theme “Women Who Care: Changing the World Through Scientific, Cultural, Political and Artistic Leadership.”

Black History Month Celebrated

Becton College hosted a variety of virtual events in February to commemorate Black History Month.

Among the events held were a presentation on “The Truth About Black Twitter” by Meredith Clark, media studies, University of Virginia; a screening of “Mr. Soul,” a documentary about Ellis Haizlip’s public TV series “SOUL!”; an African-American Read In; and a Hot Topics panel discussion on “The Color of Corona: COVID-19 and Racial Disparities,” with panelists Michael Avaltroni, dean, pharmacy/health sciences (Flor); Joshua Bornstein, educational leadership (Metro); Novlette Edwards-Hammond, nursing (Metro); Brittney Holom-Trundy, senior policy analyst, New Jersey Policy Perspective; Marion McClary, biological sciences and chair, biological sciences (Metro); Olufunke Lola Oyedele, nursing (Flor); and moderator Richard Nisa, geography (Flor).

Martha Pitts, English and coordinator, African and African-American Studies minors (Flor), organized the events.

Silberman College of Business

Innovation Forum Held

The Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship held an Innovation Forum on “Embracing Innovation at a Pivotal Moment” in February. The forum included a keynote address by Aaron Price, president/CEO, TechUnited: NJ; and a panel discussion with Jennifer Cable, president, business development, Thorlabs Inc., Newton, N.J.; Mitch Cahn, president, Unionwear, Newark, N.J.; Doug Collins, partner, Nisivoccia, Arlington, N.J.; Thomas Ryan, managing partner, Laddey Clark & Ryan LLP, Sparta, N.J.; and Alan Scharfstein, president, The DAK Group, Rochelle Park, N.J. Dale Caldwell, executive director, Rothman Institute (Flor), moderated the discussion.

International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management

ISHSTM Places 8th in Top Schools

The International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management (ISHSTM) landed in the eighth spot in CEOWorld magazine’s Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World for 2021.

The magazine surveyed 186,350 graduates, industry professionals, employers and recruiters in 96 territories between November 15, 2020, and February 22, 2021. The top schools were chosen based on the following criteria: perceived global brand influence, recruiters’ responses, employers’ feedback, job-placement rate, admission eligibility, specialization and academic reputation.

School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

COVID Vaccine Volunteers

In February, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences students and alumni volunteered at the MetLife Stadium COVID vaccine megasite, to help administer vaccines to more than 7,500 New Jerseyans.

Virtual MSW Courses Offered

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program offered two free virtual courses in March: “Social Determinants of Health” and “Triple Threat: Co-Occurring Disorders and Legal Involvement.”

Justin Bucchio is department chair and founding program director. For information on the fully online program go to Master of Social Work.

Wroxton College

Overall Top Study-abroad Provider

Wroxton College has been selected by Go Overseas in the Overall Top Study Abroad Provider of 2020 in their Community Choice Awards. For its annual awards, Go Overseas looked at providers who excel at offering students an unforgettable study-abroad experience. It also rated the study-abroad providers based on academics, support, fun, housing and safety.

In the Overall category, the winning providers scored the highest across all factors, offered a variety of programs in destinations around the world and consistently received positive reviews from their alumni.

To read about Wroxton and its alumni’s reviews go to Wroxton College. For more information about the other 2020 winners go to Community Choice Awards 2020: Study Abroad.

Lord North’s Birthday Bash

Wroxton College Dean Nicholas Baldwin is hosting a virtual birthday bash for Lord North, former prime minister of England who used to call Wroxton home, on Tuesday, April 13, noon–1 p.m. (EST). John Hitchman, Wroxton staff member/Buttery bartender, will demonstrate how to mix delicious cocktails and will host a Buttery bar quiz.

The free event is open to all alumni, friends and guests. Registration is necessary to get the Zoom link. All registered guests will be entered to win a Wroxton swag bundle.

Anyone who makes a gift in support of the Wroxton College Now & Forever Fund at the time of registration has the chance to win a hand-carved piece of art from Robert Denton, Wroxton College groundskeeper.

For information and to register go to Lord North’s Birthday Bash. For inquiries email fdualumni@fdu.edu.

Spring 2021 Zoom Classes

The spring 2021 classes are being offered virtually through My 16 to students as well as to Wroxton alumni.

This semester’s courses offerings and the respective faculty members teaching them are as follows: Britain in the Modern Era and Ethnic/Race Relations in Britain with Angela Morris, social policy/history; Cross-cultural Perspectives with Andrew Rose, creative writing and college librarian; Women Artists with Wendy Hart, history of art; and Cross-cultural Perspectives and Global Issues with Linda Lee-Davies, international business/Core.

Virtual Tour

The February 24 virtual tour of Wroxton College led by Dean Nicholas Baldwin is now available online for those who missed the tour and would like to know more about FDU’s campus in England.

For more information about the Wroxon study-abroad experience go to Wroxton College.