NJCU’s 80th Anniversary: “Past as Prologue”

The physical presence of what is now New Jersey City University, a comprehensive teaching university with colleges of arts and sciences, education, and professional studies offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, has changed dramatically since it opened its doors as The New Jersey Normal School at Jersey City in September 1929 but the mission and founding principles of this public urban institution—access, diversity, inclusion, and excellence—have been embedded in its fabric since the first day of class.

This University has always been committed to strengthening and transforming the lives of its students, helping them to succeed academically while nurturing their development as leaders in their communities. The institution’s setting in the New York metropolitan area has been a constant source of extraordinary learning and life-enhancing opportunities.

New Jersey City University officially launched its 80th anniversary celebration at its Academic Convocation on September 10, 2008. Coordinated by NJCU’s Division of University Advancement, the institution’s cross-divisional celebration will culminate with an 80th Anniversary Gala in fall 2010.

In all of its incarnations, NJCU has prepared students to work and thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world. As much as a look back, NJCU’s 80th anniversary presents an excellent platform from which to look forward and to prepare students to meet the manifold challenges that are emerging in the 21st century.

• NJCU is home to the Actors Shakespeare Company at NJCU, a professional, classical theatre company. The university is one of only four institutions of higher education in New Jersey to be affiliated with a professional theatre company.
• NJCU is the home base of the Thomas Edison Black Maria Film and Video Festival, New Jersey’s only Oscar-qualifying competition for documentary shorts.
• NJCU has cooperative agreements with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and New Jersey Institute of Technology for joint and dual degree programs; NJCU has dual admissions policies with several community colleges.
• NJCU is a partner in New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey, a statewide alternate route teacher preparation program for candidates who already possess a bachelor’s degree and certificate of eligibility.
• NJCU’s Congressman Frank J. Guarini Library, a state-of-the-art facility, houses 250,000 books and monographs and subscribes to 1,579 periodicals and journals and more than 22,500 e-journals in about 100 online databases.
• Seventy-nine percent of NJCU’s faculty hold the highest degrees attainable in their fields.
• NJCU’s Cooperative Education Program combines work and study for undergraduates in their sophomore, junior, and senior years of study.
• NJCU offers graduate, professional certification, and continuing education courses at its off-campus site in Jersey City’s financial district on the waterfront.
• NJCU’s student/faculty ratio is 13:1.
• At Brookdale Community College in Wall Township, NJCU offers degree completion programs through the New Jersey Coastal Communiversity, an alliance of seven New Jersey colleges and universities offering selected bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and graduate certificates.

•  Ambassador Clay Constantinou ’73, lawyer and diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, 1994-99; Of Counsel, Patton Boggs LLC
   
• Dr. Camilo R. Cruz ’84, international best-selling author, renowned Latino business coach, and motivational speaker
• Pamela Fiore ’66, editor-in-chief, Town & Country magazine
   
• Dr. Laura Jannone ’81, M.S.’99, assistant professor and coordinator of the School Nurse Program at Monmouth University
   
•  Robert F. Kanaby ‘61, executive director, National Federation of State High School Associations
• The Honorable Jose L. Linares ’75, United States District Judge
• Dr. Adele T. Macula ’78, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Jersey City Public School District
• Darren W. Miller ’03, award-winning journalist and author
• Sister Francis Raftery ‘57, president, College of St. Elizabeth
• Vijay Sammy ’94, certified public accountant, New York and New Jersey, Vijay Sammy, CPA LLC
• Kevin M. Schmidt, Esq. ’89, corporate partner, Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP
• Karol Corbin Walker, Esq. ’81, partner, LeClairRyan, Newark, N.J.
• Karen Myers Ziccardi ‘68, founder and principal, Ziccardi Designs, Inc., Costa Mesa, California

“In all of my professional life, I’ve been competing against people from ‘top schools’ and I’ve always been proud of my college. I received an excellent education from world-class professors.”
- Dr. Jack Smith ‘86, Internist and Army Major  

“When you go to a good college and get a good education, it doesn’t mean you have to stick with your major. It gives you a foundation and you can jump off and do other things. That’s what State Teachers gave me—a great foundation.”
- Gertrude “Sissy” Harrington-McGill ‘54, Founder and Sole Proprietor, Solid Gold Health Products for Pets  

“My relationship with Coach Charles Brown had a huge impact on my life. When I arrived at Jersey City State, I needed a role model and found one in him – someone who was responsible, accountable, and strong. That experience inspired me to develop a program that provides role models for the next generation...”
- Jeffrey Jordan ’91, President and CEO, Nutraweb; Founder, GoodWorx Foundation 

“NJCU has been a tireless advocate and supporter of first-generation college students. It’s a special place--a beautiful campus and a faculty and staff that nurtures its students and provides them with a world-class education. NJCU demonstrates that equity in access to higher education is not only possible-- but provides a growth engine for the community.”
- Luke Visconti, Partner and Cofounder, DiversityInc 

“The Provident Bank Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life in our communities and we were impressed with the educational programs at NJCU. This University sets a great example for urban public higher education, providing wonderful opportunities to its diverse student body. We are proud to support its mission.”
- Kendall Warsaw, Executive Director, Provident Bank Foundation 

“When I attended NJCU (then Jersey City State College), I was unaware of how my life was to change. Through the many friendships there, I met the love of my life, my husband Al. After celebrating our 35th anniversary with some friends from NJCU, I appreciate the continuing importance of the University in my life. Its influence also prepared me for a successful 32-year teaching career in Cliffside Park. I cannot deny the influence of NJCU on my life.”
- Anita Parinello ’70, M.A. ’74, Retired Special Education Teacher, Cliffside Park 

“NJCU (JCSC) is where I learned about my own talents and creativity. Dr. Frank Miceli always took the time to explain complex media issues to us. Frank Capone promised me my first media job, then fulfilled that promise by calling the presidents of the major television networks to sell them on me. I’ve had a pretty good career ever since. These two personal heroes and others cared about me and now it’s my obligation to care about NJCU.”
- Al Parinello ’73, Chief Executive Officer, Jersey Shore Entertainment