Homecoming and Sesqui Grand Finale Celebrate Old and NEw

The trend of rainy weekends finally broke for the College’s Grand Finale Homecoming Weekend, October 28-29. Clear skies and brisk sunny days supplied the perfect ambience in which to say goodbye to the Sesquicentennial, and offer an official welcome to several of the newest campus buildings.

Full of energy, the campus was packed with alumni, families, friends and special guests as early as Friday afternoon, when a large crowd gathered to hear TCNJ’s Jazz Ensemble and awaited the dedication of the new library. Dr. Gitenstein and Dean of the Library Taras Pavlovsky shared their reflections on the completion of the awe-inspiring edifice, as well as the journey the College undertook in constructing it. State Librarian Norma E. Blake, who is both the daughter of a Trenton Normal School graduate and the mother of a current TCNJ junior, was a special guest. She stated, "One can judge the quality of a college or university by the quality of its library," and, at The College of New Jersey, the new library is proof that the administration truly cares about the students’ learning experiences. Finally, Susanne Svizeny, vice chair of the College's Board of Trustees, had the honor of cutting the ribbon, symbolizing the official opening of the library.

Immediately following was the dedication of the Alumni Grove, located between the new library and Eickhoff Hall. Alumni Association President Greg Bellotti ’92, along with past association presidents Christine Walley ’88, Jim Gater ’71 and ’80, and Bob Gladstone, chair of the Sesquicentennial Committee, dedicated a centerpiece stone for the grove that reads, “To Commemorate 150 Years of Excellence.” At the heart of campus, the grove provides space for hundreds of personalized bricks, which alumni can purchase through the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.

Science Complex Dedication

Following the football game on Saturday, October 29, which the Lions lost to Montclair State University, 21-14, after a valiant rally, the College officially dedicated its Science Complex. The event began with tours of the complex and poster presentations of projects by students who participated in TCNJ’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Later, President R. Barbara Gitenstein introduced Congressman Rush Holt, the ceremony’s keynote speaker.

Over 200 people gathered for the address in the fountain courtyard. In her opening remarks, Gitenstein called the Science Complex "critical to the advancement of the institution." She added that this "quality facility" offers the College’s "dynamic students" a chance to engage in the kind of research necessary to foster inquisitive minds.

"Science is research!" Congressman Holt emphasized in his address. "Science has made our country what it is, and we have to increase commitment to science education." Holt affirmed the Complex’s place in this effort while urging students to continue to ask questions and produce empirical and verifiable answers.

Interim Dean of the School of Science Deborah Knox noted that several of the School’s faculty members were involved in designing the facility—Don Lovett (biology), Paul Hiack (physics, professor emeritus), and Phil Dumas (chemistry). 

Class of 2005 alumni Katherine Uyhazi, Sean Halloran, and Kerry Mauck attended the dedication and visited with their former professors. The biology graduates experienced research in both the old facilities and the new Science Complex and noted that the expanded laboratory space, new instrumentation, and greenhouse were pivotal in enhancing their undergraduate research. 

"The couches in the [new] biology building became my home," joked Uyhazi.

Nursing Alumni Luncheon

On Saturday, the School of Nursing hosted an alumni luncheon in the 1855 Room, where several decades of nursing alumni were represented. More than 40 graduates chatted over a buffet lunch, the biggest alumni event the School of Nursing has had in over five years, according to Assistant Dean Patrick Roger-Gordon. “We are very pleased by the turnout,” he said. “The alumni are very happy to be here. Five members of the faculty have been here for over 15 years, so many alumni have a chance to talk to people they know.

Sesquicentennial Closing Ceremonies

A large gathering of students, alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends took to the Sundial Lawn at dusk for history in the making, as the College officially closed its yearlong sesquicentennial celebration. A procession of bagpipes, members of the class of 1955, sesquicentennial ambassadors, a recent alumna torchbearer, and, of course, Lions' mascot Roscoe, took center stage as the sesquicentennial cauldron, initially lit after the September 8, 2004, torch run, was extinguished by class of 1955 alums. The skies were then lit with a spectacular fireworks display as the College’s first 150 years became history – with a bang!