Kaz Wright: Teacher Who Makes Magic

Congratulations to LAA Board Member and Franklin Township teacher Kaz Wright, who on
December 12 was named by WMGQ radio (Magic 98.3 FM)as a Teacher Who Makes Magic.
According to Kaz, she was nominated by her school's principal and "he interrupted
classes promptly at 9:15 am as they made the announcement on the radio."

Kaz and the other teachers selected for this honor will be recognized at an awards
banquet in the spring.  She also became a lifetime member of the
"Teachers Who Make Magic" Class.

Congratulations, Kaz!

Livingston Distinguished Alumni Awards

Join us on May 16, 2009 for the presentation of the Livingston Distinguished Alumni Awards. Those of you who read the LAA blog will have inside information on our honorees, which include Marla Diamond, Francoise Jacobsohn, Dr. Martha Nell Smith, Thomas Ellery and Kevin Apuzzio, whose memory will be honored with the presentation of the Seth Dvorin Young Alumni Award to Kevin's family.

With the construction going on at the Livingston Student Center, it looks like our home for the 2009 awards ceremony will be the Douglass Student Center. Stay tuned for more information!

Livingston Legacy Series

Plans for the Livingston Legacy Series are taking shape, with a program set for March 4, 10 or 11 featuring speakers such as Gerald Pomper, Gordon Schochet and Robert Jenkins, all of who were faculty members during very key years in Livingston's development. Tentative start time is 7 pm in Yorba Lounge, details to come.

A second program will be held Reunion Weekend 2009, where alumni will be able to report on "What I learned from Livingston." We're looking at a breakfast format for this program; also more details to come.

Reunion Weekend

The LAA is already at work on Reunion Weekend 2009, with a number of exciting events planned, including:

• Family Day
• Cabaret Night
• Distinguished Alumni Awards presentation dinner. We will be announcing the recipients shortly, and I think you will be very proud of the choices
• University-wide Reunion Weekend programs

Mark your calendars now for May 16-18, 2009 and stay tuned for more info!

Congratulations to Jason Goldstein LC '02, who was recently selected to serve on the first Rutgers University Alumni Association board. The RUAA is the new governing body for the university's alumni activities and Jason's selection is a true salute to the abilities and energies that Livingston Alumni have brought to the planning and implementation of programs for all Rutgers alumni.

1987 Livingston College Yearbook

Debra Holston O'Neal, LC'87 attended Reunion Weekend and participated in a short discussion with LAA annual meeting participants about her undergraduate experiences at Livingston.

She sent a follow-up email:

I have a LC yearbook from 1987 and Martin Dickerson indicated he has a yearbook from his class. I pulled mine out and there is a photo of the Livingston Medium folks and one person is holding up what appears to be a yearbook for the class of 1978 (I scanned a copy of my cover and the picture of an student holding the '78 book).

There may have been a gap in time, but it appears that LC has a history of caputuing student life and the graduating class via the year book. I suggestion for next years reunion...ask alumni to bring their year book or some photos to the luncheon event. Pictures speak volumes to the memories we all have.

2008 Pride Award Winner, Livingston Campus Upgrades

Congratulations to Livingston senior Jacqui Whitfield, who has been selected to receive the Livingston Alumni Association's Pride Award. The Livingston Pride Award is given annually by The Livingston Alumni Association to the graduating senior who most embodies the spirit of Livingston College. The Livingston Pride Award is presented each May at graduation commencement.

Dean of Student Life Lea Stewart presented an update on the Livingston Campus at yesterday's LAA annual meeting. It was great to hear that 7,000 solar panels will be placed at Livingston, with the goal of providing at least 10% of the power needed for the buildings at Livingston and making Livingston the first green campus. Lucy Stone Hall is undergoing renovation, with new furniture to be in place in time for the incoming student population. All of the quads and both towers have received upgrades and a "waterfall" structure will be placed in the plaza by Lucy Stone and Tillett Halls. Renovations to the Livingston Student Center are scheduled to take place in coming months, with recent delays due to recalculating the needs for Internet access and study areas. Once the Student Center upgrades are completed, renovations to the dining area in Tillett will begin. Tillett currently using all-electric equipment for food preparation and that will be upgraded to include hookups for natural gas.

First Livingston Student Tapped For Rutgers Cap & Skull Society

Congratulations to Nick Martucci, LC '09, the first Livingston student ever to be tapped to join the Cap & Skull Society of Rutgers University. Cap & Skull was established in 1900 and recognizes dedication, leadership and academic excellence. Congratulation, Nic!

Early Livingston College Newsletters

Courtesy of Louis Economopoulos, LC '73, here are some early version of Livingston College newsletters, which were named the Mudslide (all of you early Livingston grads know the reason for that name!) and Fango, before becoming the Livingston Medium. View the newsletters. Louis is a journalist in Greece - thanks, Louis, for sharing these great reminders of Livingston's past!

History and Preservation of Livngston College

The Livingston Campus Council's University Affairs Committee recently held a program on the History and Preservation of Livingston College that celebrated the advances that Livingston brought to Rutgers University. More information in a Daily Targum article. No matter how you feel about the creation, history and transformation of Livingston College, the article and findings are important reading.

LAA Board Member Mike Beachem LC '73 Profiled in Star-Ledger

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Beachem, a 1973 graduate of Livingston College and chair of the LAA's Elections and Nominations Committee, on a recent profile in the Star-Ledger. Read the article.

Paula Braxton, LC '73, Named Principal of Rahway HS

Congratulations to Paula Braxton, LC '73, on being named principal of Rahway, NJ High School. It's great to read about the graduates of Livingston in its early years who have gone on to such great achievements!
http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/NEWS010301/803070494/1001

LAA Distinguished Alumni Dinner

Mark your calendars for some great upcoming events:

• March 19, 2008 - Business Card Exchange at The Rutgers Club. A great opportunity to network with fellow alumni and free food!
• May 16-18, 2008 - Reunion Weekend - join us for the Knights On Broadway cabaret program, the LAA Annual Meeting (lunch at The Rutgers Club!) and the first-ever Family Day, a picnic at Johnson Park. More info coming soon
• We are working on an exciting program for May 2009 - Livingston College Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner - dates and details, and honorees to be announced soon.

My thanks to all alumni that participated in the Speed Networking Night organized by the Student Activities Council earlier this month. Your efforts make a real difference in the lives of students.

Livingston Legacy Series

Later this year, the Livingston Alumni Association will kick off a series of Livingston Legacy programs, where we will bring together alumni, faculty and staff to talk about what made Livingston College so special, its impact on the Rutgers University community, and how its alumni have instilled the values taught at Livingston College into their own personal and professional lives. Help us plan these programs by leaving a reply to this post or emailing laaemail@alumni.rutgers.edu

The Reward of Helping Rutgers Students

In February and November 2007, members of the LAA had the opportunity to meet with students through networking night programs and help provide guidance on job searches and using the alumni network to gain contacts for their first job. These programs are among the most rewarding that I have ever participated in as a Rutgers alumnus. Another program is taking place on February 20, 2008, this time in conjunction with the Rutgers Student Activities Committee and with the support of our friends at the Rutgers Alumni Association's undergraduate committee and Rutgers Career Services staff.

If you are an alumnus interested in giving back to your alma mater but don't have the ability to give a financial donation or devote major hours to being a volunteer, this program is a great opportunity to spend just two hours in one evening and give students the value of what you have learned through the years about the job market and life after college.

Livingston College Graduation

A little-known fact: even though Livingston College is no longer in existence, a number of students who were freshmen, sophomore and juniors during the 2006-07 school year have indicated to Rutgers University staff that they would still like to have a diploma reading that they graduated from Livingston College. As a result, plans are in the works for a graduation ceremony in May 2008, where the Livingston Pride Award will be presented to a worthy Livingston College graduate.

Rutgers Reunon Weekend

Keep May 16-18, 2008 free for a great Rutgers reunion weekend! We will be holding the first-ever Family Day where alumni can bring their families for a picnic at Johnson Park in Piscataway and catch up with classmates from the past. We'll have great food and great times for all! This program is sponsored by the Livingston Alumni Association and is open to all Rutgers University alumni! Also in the plans: A Knights On Broadway cabaret night featuring Livingston Theatre Company members and a chance to participate in the traditional parade down College Avenue, and the LAA's Annual Meeting. Contact laaemail@alumni.rutgers.edu for more details!

Welcome To the Livingston Alumni Association Blog

Welcome to the LAA's blog. This is a way to share additional information with you about our association's programs and activities. We invite you to join our online community and share your thoughts!