Welcome to efocus — news & events for December 2005
Editors Note: Efocus is published monthly by the Office of Marketing and Public Relations. Contact us with any questions or comments at efocus@wpunj.edu or call 973-720-2444.


Four Senior Citizens Honored at Eighth Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

The University’s Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented by Pedro Martinez (second from right), associate vice president for academic affairs. Recipients (from left) were Osvaldo Aquirre, Mary Wheeler and Harvey Nutter (right). Not pictured is recipient Virginia Martinez.

Four longtime residents of Passaic County were honored at the University’s Eighth Annual Thanksgiving Dinner held on November 20 at the Brownstone House, and the 400 guests who attended were invited to celebrate their contributions to their own communities.

News Notes

Daniel Ellsberg, a writer, activist and lecturer who leaked the Pentagon Papers to the media in 1969 and thereby helped increase public awareness of the Vietnam War, presented a lecture on campus, “Free Speech in a Time of War.” His visit was sponsored by the Department of Political Science, the Pre-Law Program, the Master’s Program in Media Studies, and the Master’s Program in Public Policy and International Affairs. After the lecture, he participated in a student panel. More News Notes


Jazz Nativity Performance Held

A production of “Bending Towards the Light, a Jazz Nativity,” featuring Slide Hampton, Jimmy Slyde, and Dave Valentin as the three kings, was held at William Paterson University on Saturday, December 3. The Jazz Nativity began in 1985 as a musical benefit for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New York, and has attracted the talents of some of the most recognized jazz legends as the kings, shepherds, and angels.


Mid-Year Commencement Scheduled for January 22

The University will celebrate its mid-year commencement on Sunday, January 22, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. in the Rec Center on campus.  In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held on Sunday, January 29 at 1:00 p.m.

A total of 893 undergraduate students are scheduled to receive bachelor’s degrees at the event, which marks the University’s 182nd commencement.  All students will have completed their degree requirements between August and December 2005.

President Arnold Speert will address the graduating class. Donaldo Garcia, senior faculty member in the College of Arts and Communication, will lead the academic procession in the role of University marshal.

Master’s degree candidates who anticipate completing their degree requirements in January will be invited to participate in the graduate commencement ceremony that will be held in May.  That event, scheduled for May 16, 2006 at 4:00 p.m., is specially designed to honor the achievements of graduate students, and includes a hooding ceremony.

Space Travel Discussed as Part of Distinguished Lecturer Series

Distinguished Lecturer Series participants (left to right) Gordon Schmidt, Gregory Olsen, Eric Anderson, and Kathryn Thornton

A space tourist, an astronaut, and a businessman who makes space travel possible presented three different viewpoints about extraterrestrial visits during a lecture on November 18 as part of the Distinguished Lecturer Series.


In Memoriam
Marcello Llarull


Marcello Llarull, professor of mathematics, died on Wednesday, December 7 at age 47. Llarull joined the faculty in 1990. His time at the University encompassed more than teaching math and reflected an interest in the entire campus community. He developed online courses for several math courses including contemporary mathematics, history of mathematics, multivariable calculus and using technology in the math curriculum. In addition to serving as advisor to the Math Club, he served at the webmaster for AFT Local 1796, and was assistant negotiator to the Union VP. He is the author of three books on mathematics and was widely published in his field.


Swimming and Diving's Clegg, Gurka Make History

William Paterson University 30th-year head coach Ed Gurka won his 500th career meet as the Pioneer women (10-2) downed Division II Adelphi University, 58-37, for their 10th straight victory on Dec. 10. Senior All-American Kristin Clegg became the women's team's all-time points leader in a 104-80 triumph over Hunter on Nov. 29.


Football, Men's Soccer Place Players on All-Region Squads

The Pioneer Football Team's senior safety Andy Howell was named to the d3football.com All-East Region first team and junior linebacker Shadee Davis earned third-team honors. In men's soccer, junior forward Jay Hooper was selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Adidas Division III All-Metro Region second team.


 
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