Rutgers Club of Washington
Alumni Quarterly – Fall 2002
(This Fall 2002
newsletter is being edited by Karen Reinbacher, DC 89. If you have any
suggestions, please e-mail me at reinbacher@case.org.)
1 A Word from our President
2 Rutgers Goes to NoVA College Fairs (Event, November 9, 2002)
3 From the Communications Desk
4 Rutgers Names New President
5 Community Service & Volunteer Outreach
6 Events – Cultural (Tickets available till November 22, 2002; Event, December 5, 2002)
7 Winter Sports Activities
8 Scarlet Knights Charge South (Event schedule)
9 Young Alumni Events (Event, December 14, 2002)
10 Webmaster Update
A Word from our President
Brenda Snyder, DC 73
It’s autumn in Washington following another incredible summer of activities for the Rutgers Club of Washington. Thanks to all the club members who took time to plan activities as well as the Rutgers undergraduate interns who worked tirelessly on the Rutgers in Washington (RIW) program. These incredible students set up visits including the Supreme Court, the State Department, and the Holocaust Museum, and talks by local Rutgers alumni. I hope you had the opportunity to participate in some or all of their activities.
This
August, the club distributed its first club directory. The club’s communications director supported
by the Rutgers interns spent their summer months collecting the information,
developing a great format, and getting it printed. Send in your annual dues to get a copy. Thanks, Francine!
The club scholarship has been resurrected for a fall
2003 incoming student. A $1700
need-based scholarship will be awarded to a Washington-area student attending
Rutgers University. The majority of the
funding for the scholarship is from the annual telethon managed by the
university each fall. When a Rutgers
student calls you, please tell him or her that you want your financial support
to go to the Casper Nannes scholarship.
Additional funding can be directed to the Annual Fund at any time. Please be generous. The contact information is:
The Casper Nannes Scholarship
Foundation Account # 037185
7 College Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1261
or call The Rutgers University
Foundation at 732-932-7898.
Did
you go to Homecoming? Five members of
the club’s leadership team participated in the annual Rutgers Leadership
Conference during Homecoming weekend, which culminated with a great victory
over the Black Knights of the Hudson (USMA at West Point). We listened to university speakers, visited the
Newark campus, AND for the second consecutive year won the William H. Campbell
Award for the best all around regional club program. This is the first time the same regional club has won this award
two years in a row (last year they told me it couldn’t be done). We are looking for a three – peat, so send
us your ideas and get involved!
I
wish to express my thanks to Kris Sbarra for her work as the club’s corporate
relations director. Richard Kurlantzick
has stepped in to fill the vacancy and is looking for some assistance to
develop a program. Welcome, Rich. Please contact him Richard.Kurlantzick@morganstanley.com with
your ideas.
The
focus of the entire university community is on the possible merger of the
existing Rutgers campuses with the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital/University of
Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, and NJIT. As the team working on this project works through the options
there is mention of a name change. This
thought horrifies me. We have all seen
Newark State College become Kean University, Glassboro State College become
Rowan University, and Trenton State College change to The College of NJ. I always thought these name changes were an
improvement as they removed the city names and the word “state”. I have not spoken to alumni of any of those
schools, but Rutgers alums will not tolerate it. University of NJ – Central - Will that even fit on a
T-shirt? Please voice your opinion
quickly and forcefully. Send you words
to Governor McGreevey at http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html
or the university by contacting Barbara Preston at preston@winants.rutgers.edu.
Most
important – please be careful as you go about your daily activities in the
Washington Metro area. My prayers are
with all those families that have lost their loved ones due to the sniper’s
activities. Although I have faith that
the local law enforcement groups have found the individuals, I hope that no
more lives are lost or even changed by these heinous activities.
Go
RU.
The
Rutgers Club of Washington’s energetic team of college fair alumni
representatives represented Rutgers University at seven college nights in late
September and mid October. The team
spoke to literally hundreds of high school students and their parents telling
them what a wonderful total experience completing an education at Rutgers
University is. The Rutgers table is one
of the only schools that is staffed by more than one person. The team offers specialized, one-on-one
conversations with interested students and encourages them to visit the
campuses and apply.
If
you would like to join this exciting team please contact Brenda Snyder. You will never work alone but with the
team. Just share your enthusiasm for
your alma mater. There is one event
remaining at Randolph Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia on Saturday
November 9 at 2pm. This is the team’s
first visit to Randolph Macon. Our next
event will be in early April 2003 at George Mason University.
The
club is trying to develop a team of enthusiastic people to participate in the
Maryland college nights. Further
information will be sent as it develops.
There
is much news to be shared about old Rutgers as of late. Most of you have now heard about the report
of Governor McGreevey’s Commission on Health, Science, Education and Training,
which suggests the merger of Rutgers, UMDNJ, and NJIT to establish a state
university system not unlike the University of California. Not surprisingly, the Commission’s findings
have generated passionate responses from alumni. Of particular concern is keeping Rutgers name intact. A merger would require the approval of the
state legislature, so keep an eye on the NJ newspapers for the latest on that
front. I’ve posted some of the
reactions I’ve received from area alumni below. Perhaps you’ll find some of your views represented.
“This is a very bad idea. The result will be to add
another layer of cumbersome and expensive bureaucracy to higher education in
New Jersey. It will not improve education one bit. Of course this produces a
lot of high paying jobs for the political establishment to provide for their
friends. The money would be spent much more
effectively by providing more classroom and research faculty for
each of the branches of the proposed merger.”
Oscar Wallace Greenberg, RC 52
“The Governor's proposal to "merge" Rutgers
into a new University of New Jersey is outrageous. It would dismember and
diminish a great university and the integrity of our Rutgers degrees. I
recently renewed my annual financial pledge, but will withhold payment until it
is known how this ill-advised proposal will be resolved. I will never write a
check to the "University of New Jersey." My father did not send me to
‘old UNJ’.”
Omer Brown, RC 69
”The Star Ledger editorial linked by the email from
the Rutgers Club of Washington DC was very well written and raised many good
points not addressed by the commission's report and recommendations. It
is one of many such responses we as alumni and friends of Rutgers University
will need to generate and disseminate to ensure this proposal does not come to
pass.
Surely there are many things that can be done to improve the educational
systems of state colleges and universities in New Jersey, or any state for that
matter. It only makes sense to look for better ways of doing things, but
it would be foolish to charge ahead with such a far-reaching and massive
upheaval of centuries of development and passion based on a study so microscopically
focused in vision and thought. As the editorial alluded to, building an
entirely new system where previously there was none is entirely different from
tearing down and force-fitting an extremely large and complex system with
hundreds or thousands of factors to consider.
I graduated from Rutgers College of Engineering in 1990, and am very proud of
the history and tradition we have in dear old RU. When I first heard of
the proposal, I was outraged that a group so alienated from my state university
without a personal stake in its history and reputation can come along and
propose we tear down and eliminate so much of what we hold dear to our hearts.
I do not think these individuals fully understand what they are
proposing. I believe they have ulterior motives driven by their
individual careers, and do not give a rat's behind what the hundreds of
thousands or millions of alumni, friends, and supporters of EACH of these
schools feel about their narrowly focused "vision." Those who
show no genuine respect and understanding of our schools have NO business
pulling them apart and putting them back together like tinker toys. Let
Mr. McGreevey focus on the hundreds of other REAL problems facing New Jersey
and its residents. I will not include a laundry list of these problems
because everyone has there own priorities regarding what New Jersey should fix
first. However, state budgets are extremely tight everywhere throughout
the country, which I have witnessed firsthand living in Virginia and next to
Maryland. With such a lack of funds, extremely high property taxes, less
assistance from the federal government, skyrocketing health insurance,
oppressive auto insurance, etc., etc., how can Mr. McGreevey propose with any
responsibility undertaking the biggest waste of tax payer money in the history
of New Jersey with blatant disregard for the history, reputation, students, and
alumni of our beloved institutions? We need to speak loudly to Mr.
McGreevey and his political cronies, and we need to speak NOW! If we are
silently, he will butcher our schools and universities and eliminate overnight
the heritage, prestige, and tradition each of us has helped build over the
centuries at dear, old Rutgers.
Mr. McGreevey can squash Rutgers and banish its name forever, but he is going
to have to squash me first.
See you at the next football or basketball game, Mr. McGreevey. Oh,
what's that? I didn't think so. You don't have the guts to set your
foot on any Rutgers campus since you have tried to shove your trashy plan down
our throats. The boos would drive you right into the 'Ol Raritan, which
probably isn't such a bad thing because this might be your first real encounter
with a piece of our history and tradition.
Sincerely with all the passion in my heart, mind, soul, and very being,
Steve Babish, RUTGERS College of
Engineering, 90
p.s. UNJ - What an insult...”
“The name change proposal is about the dumbest idea
I have ever heard. How about we suggest to the Gov that the name of his
alma-mater be changed to the University of DC-Georgetown...he may then get the
message!!!!!!”
M. Gary Costello, RC '70
Rutgers Names New President
Meanwhile,
Rutgers has named a new president, Richard L. McCormick. The Commission’s report on the merger
initially brought about the suspension of
the search, as candidates reportedly had legitimate concerns about what
they might become president of, exactly.
Norm Samuels, recently retired Provost of Rutgers Newark is currently
the Acting President of the university, until Richard McCormick takes the reins
on December 1, 2002. I’ve posted the
announcement by Board of Governors Chairman Gene O’Hara below, for your information. For more about Dr. McCormick and the
presidential search process as a whole, visit www.rutgers.edu/presidential-search/index.html
October 25, 2002
To the University Community:
The Board of Governors and Board of Trustees of Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey announced today that Richard L. McCormick has
been chosen as the university's next president. Dr. McCormick, who is
currently President of the University of Washington, will take office on
December 1, 2002.
Richard McCormick embodies the qualities that Rutgers is looking for in
its next leader. He is an individual of national stature and
accomplishment who is ready to engage Rutgers' community of students,
faculty, staff and alumni. He is a capable leader who will be a powerful
voice for higher education not only on campus, but at the state and
national levels as well. In his appointment we have fulfilled the most
important objective of the search, which was to find the very best leader
for this institution.
Richard L. McCormick replaces acting president Norman Samuels who the
Board of Governors appointed on October 3 to replace Francis L. Lawrence.
The board appreciates Dr. Samuels' dedication and his willingness to serve
as acting president of the university during this period. The Rutgers
community will continue to benefit from his astute guidance as we prepare
over the next several weeks for a transition in university leadership.
Finally, the board also thanks the members of the Presidential Search
Committee who spent many months reviewing more than 200 nominations and
applications and interviewing candidates. We are indebted to the members
for their service. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each committee member
for a job well done, especially John Colaizzi who served as chair and did
an outstanding job.
This is a momentous day for Rutgers. As a university community, we have
chosen an outstanding new president. We believe that Richard McCormick is
the right choice to lead this historic institution into the future. I'm
sure you will all join me in congratulating him and welcoming him back to
his home state of New Jersey and to Rutgers.
Gene O'Hara
Chairman of the Board of Governors
After
a few months of relative quiet in our community service efforts, Rutgers
volunteers recently showed their community spirit to benefit the DC Animal
Shelter on New York Ave., NE,. Armed
with a truly extraordinary assortment of annuals and perennials donated by
Johnson’s Garden Center on Wisconsin and Van Ness Sts., in northwest
Washington, a contingent of Rutgers alums spent the morning of Saturday,
October 19th digging up weeds, planting bulbs and preparing new beds
out front. The transformation from drab
industrial entrance to attractively landscaped grounds was immediately
noticeable not only to Shelter staff, but also to visitors. So if you’re thinking of adopting a new
canine and/or feline friend from the Washington Humane Society, be sure to take
a moment to stop out front and see how the garden is progressing
(www.washhumane.org). Props to Claire,
Gordon, Candy, Andrew, Greg and all of the staff at Johnson’s Garden Center for
stepping up to the plate in a huge way!
Elizabeth Post, Volunteer Coordinator for the Washington Humane Society,
extends her sincere appreciation to the Rutgers community on behalf of her
staff (and their four legged charges).
Be sure to check out Event Photos online shortly to view the day’s
efforts.
Upcoming
events include a long overdue visit to assist the Capital Area Food Bank, and
possibly another team entry in the District’s annual Help the Homeless 5k Walk
around the Capitol. About a dozen
Rutgers alumni, friends and family participated in last year’s event on a
beautiful November morning. The club is
currently trying to secure at least as many complimentary spots as last
year. If you would be interested in
walking this year to help raise funds for Homeless Shelters throughout the
DC/MD/VA region, please contact Carol Vilsack at cmvilsack@aol.com, or 202/337-1702. If alumni have any suggestions for future
volunteer efforts, please feel free to send Carol an email or give her a call.
Please join us for a Jazz Piano Christmas at the Kennedy Center on
Friday, December 5. Host Dr. Billy
Taylor and other noted musicians salute the Christmas season with an all-piano
jazz concert, recorded for holiday broadcast on NPR.
This year’s performers include Henry Butler, Bill Charlap, Freddy
Cole, Andrew Hill, Jason Moran, and Renee Rosnes. The performance begins at
7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater.
Tickets are $25 each. Please send your check payable to the
Rutgers Club of Washington, along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to
Liz Federico at the address below by Friday, November 22. Thanks!
Also in the works are plans for the second lecture in our
Distinguished Author Series and an evening of skating at the National Gallery.
We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, feel free to contact me at 202-544-1498
or efeder@alumni.rutgers.edu if you have
questions about these upcoming events…or ideas for others.
Please send your check for A Jazz Piano Christmas to:
Elizabeth Federico
308 C Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
This
winter both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be in Washington to
play Georgetown. Both teams should have very good seasons. The men, coming off
a season that resulted in an NIT bid, should be exciting to watch as they play
a pressing, fast paced style. The woman’s team, coming off a rare poor season,
has been identified as one of the surprise teams in the country and feature one
of the top newcomers to women’s college basketball, guard Cappie Pondexter.
The
men play Georgetown on Monday, January 20 at 8:00p.m. at MCI Center. We do not
have ticket information yet. Given the time of the game, we expect to have a
pre-game social function at or near the MCI Center.
The
women play at Georgetown on Saturday, February 22 at 2:00p.m at McDonough Arena
on the Georgetown campus. In the past tickets have been $ 5 for adults and $3
for children. This is a good family outing.
Rutgers
athletes will hit the road for several Washington-area contests. Show your scarlet pride by supporting our
teams when they are playing in local matches and tournaments. Here is Rutgers’ schedule against local
opponents through February:
Sat,
November 23, 2002 Wrestling at
Navy Classic Invitational, Annapolis 9am
Sat,
January 11, 2003 Wrestling
at Navy, Annapolis 7pm
Sat,
January 18, 2003 Gymnastics
at George Washington Invitational 1pm
Mon,
January 20, 2003 Men’s
Basketball at Georgetown 8pm
Sat,
February 22, 2003 Women’s
Basketball at Georgetown 2pm
Sat,
February 22, 2003 Men’s Tennis
at Navy 3pm
Sun,
February 23, 2003 Men’s Tennis
at Georgetown
Tired
after a day of holiday shopping? Need a
beer or a good college basketball game, or both? Come join your fellow Rutgers
alumni, as they gather to watch the men’s basketball team take on
Princeton. We will be gathering at
Champps at Pentagon Row (next to the Fashion Center at Pentagon City) at 7:30pm
on December 14, 2002 to watch, live from the RAC, the Scarlet Knights take on
the Tigers. Light fare will be
provided.
This
rivalry goes back to the first intercollegiate competition at Rutgers (1866),
where RU wiped out Princeton, 40-2, on the baseball field. Competition then continued with the
well-known first American intercollegiate football game, on November 6, 1869,
where RU again beat Princeton, 6-4.
Unfortunately, that luck hasn’t been passed on to the basketball team,
in the 109 times the two teams have met, Princeton leads 71-37.
If
you are interested in attending this event, please email mcurcio@alumni.rutgers.edu.
Don’t
forget to add the annual RU v. Georgetown men’s basketball game to you
calendar! The Hoyas square off with the Scarlet Knights on January 20th. The Rutgers Club will be hosting a pre-game
gathering, with time and location to be announced.
Event Details RU v. Princeton: December 14, 2002, 7:30pm, Champps
Americana, Pentagon Row, 1201 S. Joyce Street, Arlington, VA – Metro – Pentagon
City (blue, yellow lines)
What's new at www.rutgersclubdc.org? I'm working on Web dues payments. Testing of the necessary programs and Web forms is underway and showing great promise. The project will be completed in time for dues payments on January 1, 2003.
The
Club leadership, myself included, had a wonderful time at the Rutgers Club
Leadership Conference in September. I
also picked up some ideas for improving our Website and helping the club in
general. It was three days well spent.
Your Club Officers:
President – Brenda
Snyder
brenda.snyder@verizon.com
Capitol Alumni Network – Kevin Horahan
khorahan@alumni.rutgers.edu
Communications – Francine
Newsome
rutgersclubdc@alumni.rutgers.edu
Community Service – Carol Vilsack
cmvilsack@aol.com
Corporate Relations – Richard Kurlantzick
richkurl@vzavenue.net
Events-Cultural- Liz
Federico
efeder@alumni.rutgers.edu
Events- Sports – Phil
Keating
pkeating@dunncurcio.com
Networking – Steve Oriol
steve.oriol@hotmail.com
Scholarship – Anne Holtz
anneh@nahbrc.org
Treasurer – Rochelle Goldberg
rdgoldberg@hotmail.com
Webmaster – ChuckDivine
chuck.divine@worldnet.att.net