College and School Happenings

Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences

Black History Month

The Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the FDU libraries, are cosponsoring a variety of free events in honor of Black History Month.

Upcoming virtual and in-person events include:

• “The Black Academic, Scholar and Intellectual” Panel Discussion (via Zoom)
  Thursday, February 22; 7 p.m.
  Panelists include Uchenna Baker, vice president for student affairs/dean of students/Division III athletics administration; Michael Cotto, literature; Frederick Engram, Jr., higher education; Vaniah Howell, animation (Flor); Adam Rudder, humanities and program coordinator, BA in individualized studies (Van); and Randall Westbrook, education (Flor). It will be moderated by Melissa John, research and instruction librarian, Metropolitan Campus Library.

• An Interview with Dr. Jonathan Gray (in-person and via Zoom)
  Associate Professor of English, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York (CUNY) and CUNY Graduate Center, N.Y.C., and author, Civil Rights in the White Literary Imagination
  Tuesday, February 27; 3 p.m.
  Hassan Orangerie, Monninger Center for Learning and Research, Florham Campus

Registration is required to attend the February 22 and February 27 events. For information email Michael Cotto, literature (Metro), at michaelcotto@fdu.edu.

The FDU libraries are hosting a presentation on “African American Genealogy (1790–Present)” with Cherekana Feliciano, president, and Janice Gilyard, past president, Afro-American Historical and Genealogy Society, Inc. – New Jersey Chapter, and podcast hosts, “Speak On It! History and Genealogy Conversations with Janice and Cherekana,” on Friday, February 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., via Zoom.

In addition, the libraries are also holding exhibits. The Metropolitan Campus Library exhibit, “African American Genealogy and Historical Narratives,” will run until Tuesday, February 27. It highlights resources, tips and strategies that can be used to explore African American genealogy and trace one’s ancestry; and features books that illustrate narratives, stories and history from time periods dating back to 1800s America. For information email Melissa John, research and instruction librarian, Metropolitan Campus Library, at m.john@fdu.edu.

The Monninger Center for Learning and Research at the Florham Campus is having an exhibit through Thursday, February 29. Titled “African Americans and the Arts,” it will feature a selection of related books (e.g., African American literary, musical and visual artists and/or their works) drawn from the Black Literature Collection, Douglas Lloyd Kahn Collection in the History of Photography and Film and the general circulating collection. For information email Eleanor Friedl, research and instruction librarian, Monninger Center (Flor), at eleanor_friedl@fdu.edu.

For a complete list of Black History Month events go to FDU Black History Month 2024.

Theater This Spring

This spring, the School of the Arts will stage “Flipped,” an original production by Stacie Lents, theater and director, theater arts (Flor), and the musical “9 to 5,” based on the book by Patricia Resnick and with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, at the Florham Campus.

“Flipped” is a new, contemporary production completed as part of a commission for Prison Performing Arts’ (PPA) National New Plays Initiative and inspired by the work of Stacie Lents with incarcerated artists in maximum security prisons. The professional production of her previous commission for PPA (“Run-On Sentence”) was nominated for a St. Louis Theatre Circle Award for Outstanding New Play in 2019.

Set in rural Nebraska, “Flipped” is a tragi-comedy about siblings Finn and Flip, who are desperate to escape their childhood. Encouraged and pushed by Flip, Finn fights to break free of the alcoholism and violence he grew up with to venture into a new world of his own. The play asks: can people truly escape their circumstances and are their choices really their own?

It will run from Thursday, February 29, through Monday, March 4, at the Barn Theater. Performance times are 10:30 a.m. (preview) and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; 7:30 p.m. on Friday; 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (special late-night performance) on Saturday; 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3; and 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

Lauren Shields, BA’18 (Flor), director, audition repertoire coach and actor, will direct the production; with set design by John Ehrenberg, theater production manager, School of the Arts (Flor); lighting design by Cameron Filepas, lighting designer for theater/dance/opera; and costume design by Samantha Lewis, BA’18 (Flor), freelance assistant costume designer.

Based on the hit musical comedy movie, “9 to 5” is about three women who team up to break through the glass ceiling and run their sexist bully of a boss out of town. It will run from Thursday, April 18, through Sunday, April 21, at the Dreyfuss Theater, Dreyfuss Building. Performance times are 10:30 a.m. (preview) on Thursday, 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

It will be directed by Nolan Hennelly, theater (Flor); with choreography by Cynthia Thole Loewus, musical theater (Flor); musical direction by Dimitri Nakhamkin, independent entertainment professional; set design 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 for “Flipped” and “9 to 5” 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 because performances sell out quickly. When available, a limited number of tickets may be sold at the door. For information go to FDU Theater Season.

Social Media’s Impact

Kara Alaimo, communication and deputy chair, communication (Metro), and Francesca Degiuli, sociology (Flor), will be discussing “How Social Media Is Impacting Women and Girls” on Tuesday, March 19, from 5 to 6 p.m., in the Hassan Orangerie, Monninger Center for Learning and Research, at the Florham Campus, and via Zoom.

It is a topic that Alaimo’s latest book, Over the Influence: Why Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back, focuses on. The conversation will look at how social media is affecting every aspect of the lives of women, girls and nonbinary people — from their relationships and careers to their physical and mental well-being, as well as what users, lawmakers and tech companies can do to solve these problems.

The free event is cosponsored by social sciences/history, communication and the FDU libraries. It is open to the public, but registration is necessary for those attending via Zoom. For information email Tanama Cruz, technical services/outreach associate, Monninger Center (Flor), at tcruz01@fdu.edu or go to How Social Media Is Impacting Women and Girls.

Biology Seminar

The biological sciences department is hosting a free seminar on Thursday, February 22, at 5:30 p.m., in Room 1144, Dickinson Hall, Metropolitan Campus.

Maniaha Dixit, postdoctoral research associate, New York University, will speak about “Skeletal Response to Insulin in Naturally Occurring Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Mouse Model.” For information call 201-692-2391.

Marion McClary, biological sciences and chair, biological sciences (Metro), is seminar coordinator.

Writing Workshops

The Metro Writing Studio is holding free writing workshops via Zoom and in person this semester.

Upcoming virtual workshops to be led by faculty/staff members (all Metro) will include: “Recognizing and Avoiding Plagiarism,” with Yelena Shekhtman, Becton College and tutor, Metro Writing Studio, on Thursday, February 22, 1–2:30 p.m.; “Common Essay Patterns,” with Helen Kuttner, Becton College and tutor, Metro Writing Studio, on Monday, February 26, 3–4:30 p.m.; “Introduction to APA Format,” with Danielle DesFosses, Becton College and tutor, Metro Writing Studio, on Wednesday, March 6, 2–3:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, March 20, 2–3:30 p.m.; “Essential Spoken English for International Students,” with Paul Caruso, tutor, Metro Writing Studio, on Thursday, March 7, 7–8:30 p.m.; “Advanced APA Format,” with Helen Kuttner on Thursday, March 7, 4–5:30 p.m., and on Thursday, March 21, 5–6:30 p.m.; “Basic Grammar,” with Rochelle Moskowitz, Becton College, on Monday, March 18, 2–3:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, April 24, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; “Undergraduate Academic Essay and Research,” with Paul Caruso, on Thursday, March 21, 5:30–7 p.m.; and “Creating the Works-cited List,” with Yelena Shekhtman, on Thursday, April 11, 1–2:30 p.m.

In-person workshops on “ESL Casual Conversations in English,” led by Rochelle Moskowitz, will be held on Wednesday, February 28, and on Wednesday, March 27, from 11 a.m. to noon, at the Metro Writing Studio, Second Floor, Metropolitan Campus Library.

For information and Zoom links go to Metro Writing Studio, call 201-692-2166 or email Julia Wagner, rhetoric/composition and director, Metro Writing Studio (Metro), at jawagner@fdu.edu.

Student Research Symposium

The 25th Annual Student Research Symposium and Awards Night will be held on Friday, April 26 in Room 4468, Dickinson Hall, at the Metropolitan Campus. 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 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 6 p.m. and the plenary lecture on “Using DNA Sequencing to Understand Protein Structure and Function” by Neel Shah, chemistry, Columbia University, N.Y.C., at 6:45 p.m.

The symposium is being cosponsored by the department of chemistry, biochemistry and physics, Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences, and the Hudson-Bergen Chemical Society. Admission to the event is free but registration is necessary by Friday, April 5. To register and for information contact Mihaela Leonida, chemistry and preprofessional studies/graduate school adviser (Metro), at mleonida@fdu.edu.

Silberman College of Business

Former NJ Senator Joins Board of Advisors

Former New Jersey State Sen. Bob Gordon was recently appointed to the Silberman College of Business Board of Advisors. With a career spanning public service and corporate consulting, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the advisory group.

According to James Almeida, entrepreneurship and dean, Silberman College, “[Senator Gordon’s] extensive experience in both the public and private sectors will undoubtedly enrich our discussions and strategic-planning efforts. We look forward to leveraging his insights to further enhance the educational experience and opportunities for our students.”

To read more go to “Silberman College of Business Welcomes Former NJ Senator Bob Gordon to Board of Advisors.”

Spring Events

This semester, Silberman College is hosting a variety of student-focused events such as Recruiting Fair Preps, Bring Your Own Business, Dining Etiquette Workshops, information sessions and networking events. For a complete list of events go to Silberman College Events.

Puerto Rico Service-learning Trip

Sixteen Silberman College students traveled to Puerto Rico in January for the college’s first-ever service-learning trip to San Juan to participate in educational activities and service work. They were accompanied by Mary Sakin, executive director of alumni/external relations; Melissa Quinn, manager of social media; and Sandy Holder, advising counselor for undergraduate programs, all Silberman College (all Silberman College [Flor]).

The trip’s highlights included a presentation by Christina Fernandez, who talked about their family-owned car dealership (Toñito Auto), and what it takes to run a successful family business; a tour of the Caribe Hilton Hotel; and a visit to Hospital de Niño, where they brought donations. They also visited Colegio San Juan Bosco, where they talked to high school students about investment tips, social media, the power of LinkedIn, creating a strong resume and dressing for success. They also visited the Boys and Girls Club of Puerto Rico and met with the Scuba Dogs Society, which helps revitalize small communities to fight gentrification.

To read more go to “Service-learning Trip Success!”

International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management

The Second Annual Hospitality Alumni Reception and Celebration, “Launching the Future … Remembering the Past,” will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, N.J. The event, which is hosted by the FDU Hospitality and Tourism Alumni Chapter, will celebrate the class of 2024, recognize distinguished alumni and provide attendees the opportunity to network with former classmates.

The cost to attend is $125 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, with proceeds supporting scholarships for students of the International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management. Attendees may also bring nonperishables/household goods to donate to FDU’s campus pantries (Devils Care Pantry [Florham Campus] and Knights Care Food Pantry [Metropolitan Campus]).

Registration is necessary by Monday, April 15, or until the event is sold out. 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.

Henry P. Becton School of Nursing and Allied Health

The School of Nursing and Allied Heath has launched a new two-year (six-semester) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Entry-to-RN-Practice program. The 72-credit curriculum program gives college graduates the opportunities to enter the nursing profession beyond the Bachelor of Science in Nursing accelerated program. This additional coursework and elevated degree level better positions graduates to excel in leadership roles within the health care sector.

Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse. They can also seamlessly transition into the FDU Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with 9 credits already completed.

For more information about the program’s admission requirements, application procedure and academic program go to Nursing Entry-level MSN.

School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

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. Upcoming tours will be held at 10 a.m. on the following Fridays: March 8, April 12 and May 3.

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 Horbert, associate director for health science admissions, pharmacy/health sciences (Flor), at j.strasle@fdu.edu.

MPH, MSW Open Houses

Virtual open houses for the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs will be held this spring.

• MPH Open Houses will be held at 7 p.m. EST on select Mondays: March 4, April 1, May 6 and June 3. Registration is necessary. For information email Andrea Brace, public health and director, MPH program (Flor), at a.brace@fdu.edu.
• The MSW Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. EST, and will include a program overview and a Q&A session with the MSW program director and faculty. Registration is necessary. For information email Zakia Clay, social work and director, MSW program (Flor), at zakiaclay@fdu.edu.

Virtual Information Sessions

The school will be holding virtual information sessions at 6 p.m. on select dates for its occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) and pharmacy (PharmD) programs.

Sessions for the OTD program will be held on Wednesday, March 6, and on Wednesday, April 3.

Upcoming dates for the PharmD program are Tuesday, March 26; Tuesday, April 16; and Tuesday, May 14.

Registration is necessary. For information contact Jennifer Horbert, associate director for health science admissions, pharmacy/health sciences (Flor), at j.strasle@fdu.edu.

School of Public and Global Affairs

Faculty Colloquia

The School of Public and Global Affairs is hosting monthly Faculty Colloquia via Zoom — on select Wednesdays at 1 p.m. EST — on a variety of topics.

Upcoming colloquia are “Beyond Silos: Advancing Integrated Oral Care,” with Abiola Adeniyi, health/human services (Van), on March 20; and “Believe It or Not: Does Distance to Grocery Stores Affect Obesity?” with Amirmohsen Behjat, health/human services (Van), on April 10.

The colloquia are free and open to the public. For information contact Peter Woolley, political science and founding director, public/global affairs, at woolley@fdu.edu.

Open Houses

The School of Public and Global Affairs will hold open houses for the Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree and Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with specialization in healthcare management. They will be held on the following days:

• Tuesday, March 19, and Tuesday, April 23 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Cafeteria, Clara Maass Medical Center, 1 Clara Maass Drive, Belleville, N.J.; and on
• Tuesday, March 26 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., On the Bridge, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark, N.J.

Registration is necessary. To register text MHA INFO to 973-214-2863. For information email Christina Costa, program manager, Master of Healthcare Administration (Metro), at c.costa1@fdu.edu. She will be at the open houses to answer questions and assist prospective students with their applications.

Wroxton College

Revamped Abbey Page

The Wroxton Abbey’s page has been updated courtesy of Howard Goldbaum, spring ’68 (Wrox). He had created the original page and has since created an extensive and very detailed virtual tour of the Abbey. The online “Virtual Wroxton Abbey” VR tour was adapted from the 2003 CD-ROM of the same name, which won the “Best of Festival” award from the Broadcast Education Association that year. Goldbaum also updated most of the website’s pages.

In 2022 all the VR photography was recreated, using newer technologies including overhead (drone) VR views. The gallery of scenic Wroxton Abbey images on the homepage features photographs by Goldbaum and Andrew Rose, creative writing and librarian (Wrox).

Summer Getaway

The Wroxton College Summer Getaway for FDU alumni and friends will be held from July 18 to July 25, 2024. To reserve a spot on the trip, a $350 deposit (per person) is due by May 15. Final payment (trip balance) is due by June 1.

Guests will visit iconic sites, cultural and intellectual centers, explore the Abbey and the grounds of Wroxton College, attend lectures by Wroxton faculty and relax in the college’s Buttery pub.

The cost of $1,550 per person includes the room, some meals as well as transportation and tickets to attractions in the itinerary. Airfare is not included.

Register online at Wroxton Alumni and Friends Summer Getaway. For information call the Office of Alumni Relations at 201-692-7017, email fdualumni@fdu.edu or go to Wroxton Summer Getaway.