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Vice Provost Marcia Brown watches as
Provost Steven Diner (right) greets U.S.
Rep. Robert Menendez, a graduate of the
School of Law-Newark, at the closing
brunch of the campus Homecoming Oct. 2.
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Jason Fredericks of Housing and
Residence Life shares the day with his
nephew, John Swensen Jr.
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Members of the Newark campus community, along with their families and alumni, came together to celebrate the spirit of Rutgers-Newark during its first four-dayHomecoming.“Experience the Renaissance: A Homecoming Celebration” encompassed volleyball and soccer games, a fall festival, a tailgate party and barbecue, live entertainment, a showcase of student musical talents and a fund-raiser to help
hurricane victims. The celebration, which began Sept. 29, ended with a presentation by U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez, a 1979 graduate of the School of Law-Newark. Activities were spread across the campus; walking tours showed off the growth in the campus and
its newest additions, the Life Sciences Center and the University Square residence hall, both under construction. The city’s renaissance was evident during bus tours conducted by Clement Price, Rutgers Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, federated department of history. The bus rides, through Newark’s past, present and future, highlighted landmarks of the “new Newark,” such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, along with the city’s historic sites. “Although our alumni feel warmly about the education they received here, many had not been back on campus for many years until this Homecoming,” said Provost Steven J. Diner.
“It was particularly exciting to show our alumni the dramatic transformation of both the city of Newark and the campus, especially the growth of our residential population. Many remembered this as strictly a commuter campus. I know they were impressed and delighted by the changes that have occurred.” The celebration, the work of a committee of students and administrators, was open to students, staff, faculty, alumni and families. The event evolved from a Family Weekend program held last year to allow parents of resident students to experience campus life, said Jaray Harvey, director of residence life.
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