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.