The Blizzard of 2003

Almost two feet of snow fell on the campus on February 17 causing cancellation of all activities on February 18 and giving students of all ages a snow day.

Jazz Titan Slide Hampton Performs with William Paterson University Jazz Ensemble on March 2

Slide Hampton

Slide Hampton comes to William Paterson for an appearance with the William Paterson University Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Rich DeRosa for the Sunday, March 2 Jazz Room Series concert at 4:00 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts on campus in Wayne. (More Information).

Alumnus Shares Plan for Success with Students

Anthony Pessolano

Anthony Pessolano, general manager of Pepsi Bottling Group of New Jersey and a 1980 graduate of the University, challenged students to develop a plan for success after they graduate from William Paterson during a lecture he delivered as part of the Alumni Lecture Series sponsored by the University’s Office of Alumni Relations on February 11.

"Success is about your emotional quotient," he says. "Two out of three of the abilities considered vital to success are emotional competencies. You’ve got to have a degree, but you need a well-articulated plan for yourself. Leadership is an evolutionary process."

The Alumni Lecture Series brings prominent alumni back to campus to speak with students about their careers and experiences at the University.

Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company to Perform on March 1

Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company

The Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, which has won critical acclaim for its artistic excellence, performs at William Paterson University in Wayne on Saturday, March 1 at 8:00 p.m. in Shea Center for Performing Arts on campus.
(More Information).

Conference for Women to be held on March 1

A conference designed to show women students how to achieve academic and career success will be held at William Paterson University on March 1.

The sixth annual Sister to Sister Conference, "The True Essence of a Woman: Strength, Dignity and Excellence," will be held in the Machuga Student Center on the campus in Wayne from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.
(More Information).


Artists Honored at Reception

Jung Hyang Kim (center), whose work is on display in the South Gallery of the Ben Shahn Galleries through March 7, is an artist whose works juxtapose natural and man-made images. With her at the gallery reception on February 6 are (from left) her husband Ken Shung, and a friend, Mikyung Kim.

Biology Professor Lectures on Genes and Genomes

Miryam Wahrman, a professor of biology, presented a lecture in which she reported on recent developments in the field of genetics on February 11 as part of the Faculty Book/Creative Expression Lecture Series sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. Wahrman is the author of Brave New Judaism: When Science and Scripture Collide. Attending the lecture were (from left) George Robb, associate professor of history, and Edward Burns, a professor of English.

Budget Proposals Sought: New Forum Created to Gather Suggestions

A new e-mail address has been established to accommodate campus wide suggestions for cost-saving measures that could assist the University in
meeting Gov. McGreevey's proposed higher education budget reductions.  The e-mail address is budgetFY04@wpunj.edu.

"We encourage faculty and staff to use the new e-mail address to recommend ways to decrease spending in their own departments and throughout the University," said Vice President for Administration and Finance Steve Bolyai. "The e-mail box will be checked every day by my department and we will channel the suggestions to the appropriate departments and staff."

President Speert distributed a memo to all faculty, staff and students on February 3 to inform them about the Governor's proposed budget reduction.  President Speert characterized the reduction as "the most severe cut we have ever faced." 

To support the University's development of the budget for fiscal year 2003-2004, the President called on each area and department to reduce costs and said, "any and all suggestions will be considered."

President Speert's February 3 memo is reprinted below:

The Orchestra at William Paterson University Presents Concert Honoring the Spirit of America on February 22

Anat Fort

The Orchestra at William Paterson University presents a diverse selection of American music during a concert titled "Spirit of America," on Saturday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University in Wayne. The concert will include music from a wide range of genres, including classical, jazz and gospel, and will feature Anat Fort, pianist, Shunda Wallace, vocalist, and special guests the William Paterson Jazz Ensemble and the William Paterson Gospel Choir. (More Information).

Actor muMs, "Poet" on the HBO Series Oz, Participates in Poetry Slam on February 24

muMs

The actor muMs, who is known for his role as "Poet" on the critically acclaimed HBO prison drama Oz, participates in a poetry slam on campus on Monday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Machuga Student Center. The event is part of the University’s observance of February as African Heritage Month.

The recurring role of "Poet" was created especially for muMs, whose creations serve as the universal voice of the prison population on the show. The actor has performed across the United States and Europe, on the Lollapalooza tours, and was featured in the documentary Slamnation. He was prominently featured in Spike Lee’s film Bamboozled and also appeared in Martin Scorcese’s Bringing Out the Dead. For information, call the Office of Campus Activities at x2519.

Neil Simon Comedy, Jake's Women, on Stage February 21 to March 1

Jake’s Women, Neil Simon’s popular comedy and one of his later works, will be presented at the Hunziker Black Box Theatre on campus from February 21 through March 1. William Paterson faculty Jerry Beal, assistant professor of communication, is director, and Christian Holle, assistant professor of psychology, stars as Jake. (More Information).

Kevin Powell Speaks at Opening Ceremony of African Heritage Month

Kevin Powell

Kevin Powell, a poet, political activist and hip-hop historian, presented a lecture as part of the institution’s observance of African Heritage Month. Speaking at the opening ceremony on February 4, he stressed the value of knowing who you are and where you come from. He spoke of his own family, growing up poor in Jersey City, and his struggle to get a college education. "I was grossly miseducated," he says. "I learned little, if nothing, about the contributions of black people to this country. My education politicized me. I realized I had denied who I was."
(More Information).

Morris Sets Women’s Basketball Career,
Single-Season Steal Records

With two steals during a Feb. 5 game against Kean University, senior guard Katie Morris claimed the school career and single-season steals records. She surpassed the mark of 245 set by Stephanie Arrigo (1995-99) and moved ahead of Cheryl Bell’s (1991-92) single-season standard of 91.

Women’s Basketball Look Ahead

Jeanine Day

Erin Monahan’s Pioneers (11-10, 8-6 NJAC) are battling for the fourth and final spot in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament. The leadership of seniors Jeanine Day and Katie Morris, two of the league’s best defenders, will be crucial in road contests against Montclair State (Wednesday, Feb. 19) and Rutgers-Newark (Saturday, Feb. 22).

Jim Oriscak

Both the men’s (11-3) and women’s (11-5) teams are looking ahead to the Metropolitan Conference Swimming Championships, which will take place Friday-Sunday, Feb. 21-23, at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Freshman Kristin Clegg is strong in the freestyle and backstroke sprints for the women, while junior Jim Oriscak is a contender in the breaststroke for the men.

O’Connor Profiled in Pro Football Weekly Pro Prospects Preview

Senior tight end Justin O’Connor continues to attract attention for his potential to play professionally. In addition to being watched by National Football League scouts, he was the only New Jersey Athletic Conference player featured in the recently published Pro Football Weekly Pro Prospects Preview.
(More Information)