Most Americans are familiar with the story of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 that gave birth to our magnificent Constitution. What many don’t know is that without the presence of George Washington, many delegates would not have come, and the Convention could have dissolved without any agreement.  With the very survival of the young American nation in the balance, Washington reluctantly came out of retirement to preside over the deliberations of our Founding Fathers.  His steady and commanding presence inspired delegates to set aside their differences and compromise for the good of the country and the future.  Dr. Frey’s lecture will tell the story of this remarkable summer in Philadelphia and the critical role that George Washington played in creating the nation’s unique form of government.
 
Dr. Raymond Frey has taught at Centenary College since 1990.  Dr. Frey holds graduate degrees in history and philosophy from Fordham University and Drew University.  He is the recipient of three major awards for teaching excellence.

 In 2006, he was the Gates-Ferry Distinguished Lecturer at Centenary.  In 2008, Dr. Frey was awarded the New Jersey Historical Commission’s Award of Recognition for his work on New Jersey history, and in 2009 he received the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement in History and Civics. 

Dr. Frey regularly lectures on New Jersey history around the state, and has written a popular and widely used textbook – New Jersey, A Journey of Discovery.  He has also contributed eight articles to the New Jersey Encyclopedia.  Presently, he is at work on a new history of Centenary College for Arcadia Press’s College History Series.

“I am honored to present at this year’s celebration,” says Dr. Frey.  “It is my hope that my speech will be insightful for scholars of Washington and history enthusiasts alike.”

For more information about this event, please call the Washington Association of New Jersey at (973) 292-1874.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.  The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.

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Institutions that were selected were judged by three industry professionals from Washington, D.C., Colorado and California: Christopher O’Brien, Director of Sustainability from American University; Paul C. Hutton, Principal, Hutton Architecture Studio; and John R. Dale; Principal, Harley Ellis Devereaux.

“It is such an honor for Centenary’s newest building to be recognized nationally in this manner,” says Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, Centenary College President.  “The David and Carol Lackland Center has certainly made the goal of Centenary becoming ‘A Beacon for the Region’ one that is now a reality.”
Criteria that were considered important when choosing citation winners included building sustainability/daylighting, security, transparency, flexibility, adaptability and community connection. Some other elements that the buildings needed to possess included the efficient use of space and incorporating a connection to nature and encouraging a learning relationship between the inside and outside. 

The Collaborative Inc. architects for the College’s latest project, submitted the Lackland Center to American School & University for consideration.

The David and Carol Lackland Center opened in Fall 2010.  It was made possible by a lead gift from Centenary alumna Carol Burgess Lackland, a member of the Class of 1954 and a Centenary College President’s Circle Member, and David A. Lackland, a College Trustee.  It is a 68,000-square-foot building that provides a home for the Centenary Stage Company; WNTI 91.9 FM radio station; and CCTV Channel 23 television station.  It also houses a 485-seat theater named the Sitnik Theater; the Edith Bolte Kutz ’42 Theater, which is a black box theater; a 400-seat dining hall; a 55-seat café; a dance studio; as well as classrooms, offices, meeting spaces and lounges.

Since the opening of the Lackland Center last year, theater attendance has increased by over 100 percent.  For information about performances, please visit www.centenarystageco.org.

The Lackland Center was also selected for Warren County Economic Development Corporation Tourism Award recently making the Center the recipient of two Awards in recent months.
 
Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.  The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for Study Abroad.
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 Clockwork Prince is the sequel to Clockwork Angel.  

According to The Los Angeles Times, “In Clockwork Prince, the second installment in a prequel trilogy to the bestselling The Mortal Instruments series, Cassandra Clare demonstrates her relentless authorial alchemy, blending societal restraint and an otherworldly battle into a steamy steampunk drama.”

This raffle was made possible by the prize donation from Dr. Lynn Taylor, Associate Professor of Equine Studies at Centenary College.

“I thought this was a wonderful opportunity to raise some funds for the Taylor Memorial Library, which serves the students of Centenary and beyond,” says Dr. Taylor.  “The raffle was a fun way to get members of the community involved in helping this important resource, plus also provide them with the possibility of winning valuable prizes.”

Raffle cost is $2 per ticket, three tickets for $5 and 8 tickets for $10.  Drawing will take place at 5 p.m. February 29, 2012, at the Taylor Memorial Library.  The winner does not need to be present at the time of the drawing.  Entry forms are available at Taylor Memorial Library, located at 400 Jefferson Street, Hackettstown, N.J.  For more information, please call (908) 852-1400, ext. 2345.

The project was sponsored by the Friends of the Taylor Memorial Library Board, which is a volunteer group that values the mission of the Taylor Memorial Library, and, as such, it supports and raises funds to enhance the services, informational resources, and equipment provided by Taylor Memorial Library beyond the constraints of its annual budget.

The Taylor Memorial Library provides library services for the residents of Hackettstown.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. 

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.
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Jim Matthews, M.Ed., provides students, faculty, staff and parents with critical information about college and alcohol in an entertaining and non-judgmental manner.  Matthews’ presentations, workshops, and books provide vital information about drinking impact on college students and their friends and families is available.  He is the Coordinator of Health Education at Merrimack College in Massachusetts.  Prior to this position, for 13 years he was the Assistant to the Vice President for Alcohol and Other Drug Programs at Keene State College in New Hampshire where the campus newspaper identified his courses at the “most popular courses” at Keene State.  In addition to the college guide, which bears the name of his Centenary talk, he is the author of “The ABC’s of College Drinking…25 Tips for Navigating the Collegiate Party Scene” and “The Parent Guide to College Drinking…Facing the Challenge Together.”  Matthews has appeared on ABC-TV, WOR-TV, CNN and NBC.  He has spoken to over 400,000 students on more than 400 campuses through the United States and Canada.

“Jim Matthews is one of the most foremost experts on high-risk drinking in the country today,” says Elaine Pasqua, one of the premier speakers about high-risk behaviors in colleges across the United States.  “His passion to inform students and change lives is remarkable.  Students love his engaging style and respond positively to his powerful programs.”

Your Campus…Own it! at Centenary is the one-stop shop for tools and information about creating a campus culture that does not tolerate interpersonal violence or drug and alcohol abuse.  All members of the Centenary and broader campus communities can get information and learn practical strategies and tactics that will help foster a stronger more responsible community.

For more information, please call (908) 852-1400, ext. 2500, or e-mail yco@centenarycollege.edu.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.
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“The goal of the Writing Collaboratory is to help people become better writers, in general, instead of helping them with writing a better paper for a specific course,” says Dr. Richard Sévère, Assistant Professor of English and Director of the Writing Collaboratory.  “We want people who seek our assistance to become more confident writers and address techniques that will enable them to do so.”

The students who work in the Writing Collaboratory have completed a 16-week Writing Tutor Practicum course on writing center theory, teacher writing pedagogy and have been trained to work with second language learners.  The students will also conduct workshops on various topics, such as resume writing and computer quick reference tips.  The peer tutor position is a paid opportunity. 

The Writing Collaboratory is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and students receive 30-minute consultation appointments with their peers.  Students who utilize this service can expect to experience a collaborative environment that will not only help students become more effective writers, but will make them aware of various writing strategies, promote critical thinking and will embrace diverse perspectives.

“I was interested in this opportunity because I am studying Education and English and was intrigued by the idea of teaching my peers to become better writers and feel much more comfortable about the writing process,” says Amanda Stevens.  “I also feel that this experience will help me become a better teacher when I graduate.”

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County). The College’s School of Professional Studies Program offers accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.
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A protégé of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Steve Earle quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Travis Tritt, The Pretenders, Joan Baez and countless others.  1986 saw the release of his debut record, Guitar Town, which shot to no. 1 on the country charts and immediately established the term “New Country.”  What followed was an extremely exciting and varied array of releases including the biting hard rock of Copperhead Road (1988), the minimalist beauty of Train A Comin’ (1995), the politically charged masterpiece, Jerusalem (2002), and the Grammy Award-winning albums The Revolution Starts…Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007) and Townes (2009).  Earle’s latest release, I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive, is his 14th studio album and also received a Grammy nomination for the 2012 Grammy Awards (Airing Sunday, February 12).  

2011 saw the release of Earle’s critically acclaimed debut novel, also titled I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  The novel imagines the troubled life of Doc Ebersole as he is haunted by the ghost of his former patient and friend, Hank Williams. 

 American Singer-Songwriter Patti Smith says: “Steve Earle brings to his prose the same authenticity, poetic spirit and  cinematic energy he projects in his music. I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive is like a dream you can't shake, offering beauty and remorse, redemption in spades.”  

Additionally, Earle has been a featured actor on the HBO Original Series The Wire and Treme and has also been seen on Law & Order as well as the major motion picture Leaves of Grass.  He is married to the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Allison Moorer and the couple lives in New York City.  

 “I am so pleased that Steve Earle has agreed to serve as Gates-Ferry Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at Centenary College,” says Dr. James Patterson, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Centenary College.  

The Gates-Ferry Distinguished Visiting Lectureship at Centenary College recognizes the dedication to the College of Joseph R. Ferry, Trustee from 1948 to 1976 and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for 20 years.  It was established to set high standards and goals for students and faculty alike, and to enrich the quality of life on the Centenary campus.

To reserve a spot, please call (908) 979-4355, ext. 1.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. 

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County). The College’s School of Professional Studies Program offers accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey. 
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The Academy is comprised of three major training events, and assorted written research projects, all under the guidance and tutelage of an experienced mentor/coach.  Each year the Academy accepts a limited number of applicants; therefore, the selection process is rigorous and highly competitive.

Lee is originally from Seoul, Korea.  She graduated from Centenary College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and from Ewha Womans University, Seoul, in 2009 with a Master’s Degree in International Studies.  She began working in her present position in November 2009.

“NAFSA’s Academy is the premier training program for individuals working in the international area,” says Dr. Joseph P. Linskey, Dean of the School of International Programs at Centenary College.  “Ms. Lee is a truly deserving candidate and Centenary is very pleased that she has been accepted for participation in this year’s training academy.”

With nearly 10,000 members worldwide, NAFSA is the world’s largest nonprofit professional association dedicated to international education.  NAFSA’s focus is on establishing mutual understanding among nations, preparing the next generation with vital cross-cultural and global skills, and creating the conditions for a more peaceful world.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County). The College’s School of Professional Studies Program offers accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.
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Marya, who is a performance artist, annually produces multimedia installations.  For the past 13 years, she has presented her art at her studio/alternative gallery, the Museum of Ethnography, located at 22 South Third Street, 2nd floor, Easton, Pa.  The museum is open to the public at no charge; hours are Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., or by appointment. 

Marya holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Centenary College and a Master of Fine Arts from Vermont College.  Her feminism-based work is overlaid with anthropological references and she also creates independent films.  She is one of the founding members of ACE.

“I am honored to join the ranks of the former Artist of the Year recipients who, through their creative outpourings and their commitment to their artistic journey, have inspired me,” says Marya. 

For more information about Marya’s work, please visit www.maryaclarity.com. 

Founded in 1999, the mission of the Arts Community of Easton, ACE, is to encourage and promote the arts of all disciplines, to foster an appreciation of the arts, and enrich the quality of life of the Easton area by offering arts education opportunities and community.  For more information about ACE, please visit www.eastonart.org. in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary
College is an independent, coeducational liberal arts and career studies college
distinguished by an accomplished faculty, small class size and diverse student body.  Centenary is the only baccalaureate and master degree granting institution in northwest New Jersey.

Founded

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian
facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  Centenary’s School of Professional Programs
offer accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.

This year, she signed on with a group of students she didn't know from Hackettstown and traveled south to lend a hand. She's happy she didn't wait.

"Good choice on my part," she said. "I had a blast and would do it again in a heartbeat with or without somebody."

For the seventh consecutive year, students and professors from Centenary College helped New Orleans-area residents rebuild from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Rita.

The initial trip, in January 2006, came five months after Katrina first overpowered the city's levies, flooding it and leaving widespread destruction.

This time, the combined group of about 47 students and 12 administrators returned from New Orleans on Jan. 9 after six days in the Big Easy.

The group stayed at Aurora United Methodist Church in Gretna, La., just outside New Orleans. They worked with St. Bernard Parish, assisting the St. Bernard Project, which was co-founded by CNN's 2008 Hero of the Year Liz McCartney.

View full sizeCourtesy photoAndrea Senkarik, a senior at Centenary College, works on a home during a recent trip to New Orleans.
J.J. Mitchell, 22, a senior from Hackettstown, said St. Bernard Project volunteers estimate it will take until 2018 for the city to be completely rebuilt.

"The houses we worked on were completely gutted out," Mitchell said. "We did a lot of spackling, insulating, finished most of the Sheetrock work. We cleaned out all the crawl space underneath the house, insulated under the floor boards, painted the house.

"We did a lot of work in the six days we were there."

The annual trip has support among the Centenary student body, with many fundraisers helping to cover costs for the trip.

Neil F. Andrito, the Hackettstown college's director of residence life, said New Orleans still needs plenty of help.

The overturned cars and stranded boats may have been swept away from the area, he said. But just because there is no debris doesn't mean it's restored.

"You walk through a neighborhood and it will kind of feel vacant," he said. "Half the people, if that, have moved back into their homes.

"The community is still missing. And that's what they're trying to focus on bringing back again."

He will review the history of the civil rights struggle nationally and in New Jersey over the past 50 years.  Freeman also will cover the recognition of a new “ethnic majority” inclusive of minorities of all ethnic groups continuing the struggle for equality from a social, economic and political perspective, as well as embracing diversity to support the ethnic majority and how it is important to understand, respect, value and appreciate one another’s differences.

In addition to serving as Assistant Director with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights under the Office of the Attorney General, Freeman is the Division’s Affirmative Action Coordinator.  He has been with the agency for 31 years and has held the positions of Investigator, Regional Manager, Special Assistant to the Director and Community Relations Coordinator prior to his current position.

Freeman also serves as a departmental Hearing Officer under the Office of the Attorney General, which requires him to hear and render departmental decisions on behalf of the Attorney General in major disciplinary matters.  

President Oveston Cox of the Warren/Sussex NAACP will also speak on Civil Rights and Diversity, and Centenary College President Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite will also speak on the subject of Black History Month.

“I am so pleased that we have the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month by having Mr. Freeman, Sr., serve as keynote speaker in for this celebrative event,” says the Rev. David Jones, Vice President for Student Engagement at Centenary College.  “I would also like to thank the NAACP Centenary Chapter for making this opportunity possible.”

Please contact Alison Grenon, Founder/Chapter Advisor of NAACP at Centenary College at grenona@yahoo.com for any questions about Mr. Freeman’s talk.
Other events for Black History Month that are open to the public include a Soul Food at the Marketplace Event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on February 15, 2012 at the David and Carol Lackland Center.  Lunch will be available for $6.65 for guests and various vendors will be selling African-American jewelry, art and books (sponsored by the College’s Educational Opportunity Program Dept) and a Candlelight Vigil will be held at 3 p.m. on February 29, 2012 at the George H. Whitney Chapel .   For those interested in night entertainment, the Mayhem Poets, who are Spoken Word artists, will perform at 10 p.m. February 29, 2012, in the Soulful Café in the Edward W. Seay Adminstration Building.  

The Mayhem Poets were dubbed “an amazing ride” by the New York Times.  These theatre-trained, comedically gifted, lyrical virtuosos seamlessly blend raw elements of hip hop, theatre, improve and stand-up comedy.

Other student only activities throughout the month include Black History Month trivia sessions, Black History Month movie nights, viewings and discussions of the movie, The Help and a Black History Month Trivia Gameshow and Prize Ceremony.

For questions about any other Black History Month events, please contact Tiffany Kushner, Director of Co-curricular Transitions at Centenary College, at (908) 852-1400, ext. 2426 or at kushnert@centenarycollege.edu.  

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. 

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County). The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offer accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey. 
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Dr. Lewthwaite was named the 12th President of Centenary College on May 15, 2009, becoming only the second woman and second former faculty member to hold the position since Centenary’s founding in 1867.  Part of the Centenary College community for more than 25 years, she brings to the post sound academic credentials, strong educational leadership skills and valuable business acumen.

Dr. Lewthwaite is widely published with regard to student learning, was honored by Garden State Woman’s magazine as Woman of the Year in 2011, and was inducted into the Warren County (N.J.) Hall of Fame in 2011.
 
NAICU serves as the unified national voice of independent higher education.  Since 1976, the association has represented private, nonprofit colleges and universities on policy issues with the federal government, such as those affecting student aid, taxation and government regulation.  With more than 1,000 member institutions and associations, NAICU reflects the diversity of private, nonprofit higher education in the United States.  NAICU members enroll nine out of every 10 students attending private institutions. They include traditional liberal arts colleges, major research universities, comprehensive universities, church -and faith-related institutions, historically black colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, single-sex colleges, art institutions, two-year colleges and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business and other professions.

Members of NAICU’s board of directors set the association’s agenda on federal higher education policy; actively encourage support of NAICU priorities and initiatives; and oversee the association’s financial administration.  There are 44 members of the board and they serve three-year terms.

“President Lewthwaite was selected by her peers because of her expertise in the field, proven leadership, and commitment to America’s college students,” says NAICU President David L. Warren. “She assumes her responsibilities at a time of great challenge and transformation for American higher education.”

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary
College is an independent, coeducational liberal arts and career studies college
distinguished by an accomplished faculty, small class size and diverse student body.  Centenary is the only baccalaureate and master’s degree granting institution in northwest
New Jersey.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies program offers accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey. 

Bridgewater Middle School held auditions for a speech at the school's eighth-grade graduation, and Santulli spent hours preparing her address, she said. She presented the speech to her language arts class, but it wasn't picked.

"I wanted to do it so bad," said Santulli, who lives in Somerset County. "I wrote so many drafts, and I didn't get picked. But I found it, so I went through it and that was kind of my motivation for a hook.

"I tried to find that same ambition I had then to want to do it, to really kind of use it now," she said.

Santulli, 22, delivered her speech today to classmates at Centenary's 137th January commencement. She focused on the lessons learned from hard work and dedication, and how to parlay her college education and experiences into a fulfilling adult life.

Not much different than her eighth-grade draft, she said.

"Thinking back on it now, it's funny, but (I focused on) what can we take from middle school and bring into high school," she said.

  
Centenary conferred degrees on 264 students during a ceremony today at the Reeves Student Recreation Center. 

Santulli graduated with a bachelor's degree in English with several education certificates. She performed her student teaching at Hackettstown Middle School and left such an impression, the school hired her.

As of Jan. 3, Santulli began working as a full-time supportive teacher, or teaching assistant, to help educate fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students. She said she liked the middle school since the beginning.

"Since my freshman year we went into the middle school and did a few projects," Santulli said. "I just really liked the atmosphere at the middle school, I liked the staff and I just kind of felt a connection there.

"So I chose to do my (student teaching) there, and I just fell in love with the school and the kids and just feel like I fit," she said.

Deanna Craig, an English teacher at Hackettstown Middle School, said she enjoyed working with Santulli.

"Besides seeing (Santulli) with the kids, I really saw her ability to just meld into the group," Craig said. "She was contributing just like a veteran teacher. You would have thought she taught for years."

Santulli, who also played for the college's soccer team that she captained for three years, said she chose Centenary for the small-school setting.

"It just felt right," she said.

Santulli plans to attend graduate school within the next year and look at possible places to live in Warren County with her boyfriend, Charlie Cannella, a former wrestler at Centenary.

Taking from her past, Santulli emphasized what the future holds for her and her classmates' future.

"We built our foundation here," she said. "But we have plenty more to build in the future using what we take away from here."

***

On Saturday, Campanile, 25, a Stanhope native, took another step forward in his pursuit of that dream, celebrating the completion of his bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Centenary College, one of 264 graduates at the college's January commencement ceremony in the on-campus John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center.

"The great professors here helped me achieve what I needed to achieve," Campanile said.

Rochelle Hendricks, New Jersey acting secretary of higher education, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony and received an honorary degree from the college, as did Robert Gratz, the superintendent of schools for the Hackettstown School District. The class valedictorian, Bianca Santulli, also delivered an address to the crowd.

For Campanile, Santulli and the rest of the graduates, the commencement was a triumphant conclusion to years of hard work.

Campanile was born and raised in Stanhope and graduated in 2004 from Lenape Valley Regional High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team for four years. Post-graduation, Campanile enlisted in the Army, in large part to gain experience that could help him eventually land a job in law enforcement. Campanile said his father's long-term employment as an officer with the Bergen County Sheriff's Office was the primary source of his interest in the field.

In 2007, Campanile deployed to Iraq with the 812 Military Police Company out of Orangeburg, N.Y. Over the course of the year-long deployment, his unit split its time between the cities of Mosul, in northern Iraq, and Fallujah, near the country's center. Campanile was in charge of training classes for Iraqi police forces and also maintained routine patrols and helped man armed convoys to escort high-ranking Army officers and dignitaries.

Upon returning home from Iraq, Campanile decided to pursue his bachelor's degree at Centenary College through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The college's program turned out to be a great fit, Campanile said.

"Everything was very hands-on," he said. "You get one-on-one time here you wouldn't get at a larger college."

Prior to Saturday's graduation, Campanile celebrated another euphoric milestone, marrying his girlfriend of four years, Loren, in September. Campanile said the support of his wife, family and friends has been important throughout his collegiate journey.

Campanile has already been accepted to Centenary College's 30-credit Master's sequence in Leadership and Public Administration and will begin the program immediately. He said he's not certain yet what specific position he will aim for in the future, but it will certainly be "in a police department or another branch of law enforcement." In the meantime, another year-long deployment -- to an as-yet undetermined overseas location -- is on the horizon for 2013.

David was 10 years old when he passed away from neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer on February 10, 2011.  His goal to create crane mobiles was a result of seeing the play “A Thousand Cranes,” His wish was to send hope, love and courage in the form of paper cranes to other children battling cancer. 

Anderson saw the story about David and his legacy in the newspaper and was inspired to help.  Her class folded approximately 250 cranes and Anderson brought them to Heard at Centenary College recently.  She also asked Heard to speak to her class about the subject of “hope” in the upcoming months.

“As a breast cancer survivor it has given me a new perspective on life,” says Anderson.  “I want to make a difference and I teach my students to help other people and make a difference.  If we can help even a little bit to make David’s dream a reality, then I feel like we did a great job.”

The National Crane Project will continue accepting cranes until the project is complete.

“I am continually amazed and energized by the commitment Centenary College and other organizations have shown to the National Crane Project,” says Heard.  “The loss of my son has been devastating to my family, but the involvement from alumni, current students, faculty, staff and the community continues to light our path toward healing.  We are grateful that Sherry and members of the Warren Hills High School community are among the many hands that are making one of David’s final dreams come true.”

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary
College is an independent, coeducational liberal arts and career studies college
distinguished by an accomplished faculty, small class size and diverse student body.  Centenary is the only baccalaureate and master’s degree granting institution in northwest
New Jersey.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies program offers accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey. 

###

Genung and Arnold, who both graduated in 2011 (Genung in May and Arnold in January), participated in the trip multiple times during their time at Centenary, as well as being heavily involved in fundraising efforts during those years.

As part of this effort, the teams will again focus their attention on working with an agency that assists those who were affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Rita.  The project’s mission will be to rebuild homes through St. Bernard Project.

Liz McCartney, Co-founder and Director of the St. Bernard Project, was named CNN’s 2008 Hero of the Year and was featured on the cover of U.S. News and World Report with St. Bernard’s Project being named as one of the country’s top 10 socially innovative organizations.  This is the fourth time Centenary College will have worked with St. Bernard Project.
 Over 650 Centenarians have participated in this process since 2006 and have volunteered close to 20,000 hours.  Other organizations that the group has partnered with throughout the years include Beacon of Hope and United Methodist Committee on Relief/Southeast Louisiana Disaster Discovery Project, among others.
“There is a passion and drive behind this trip that is hard to describe,” says Neil Andrito, Director of Residence Life at Centenary College and co-manager for this year’s trip.  “I believe that Centenary College will continue to do disaster relief work as long as it is needed, as community service is a prominent theme in a Centenary College educational experience.”

This opportunity was the brainchild of Dr. Norman Cetuk, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Centenary College, as part of the community service component of an Academic Foundations Course that he taught for first-year students called “The Simpsons: An American Family,” which started a month after Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area in 2005.  Cetuk received an E-Chievement Award from eTown, a nationally syndicated radio station, for his work associated with Centenary’s Disaster Relief Program.

Joshua Ecochard, Centenary College’s Community Service Coordinator, will co-manage this trip with Andrito.

For more information, please visit www.centenarycollege.edu/relief. St. Bernard Project (SBP) is an independent, nonprofit organization that was founded to help families who lost their homes due to Hurricane Katrina attain humane, affordable and sustainable housing.  The St. Bernard Project believes that housing is a human right.  The St. Bernard Project is a direct service organization that rebuilds homes in St. Bernard Parish and Orleans Parish for community members who cannot afford to hire a contractor to complete their repairs. 

The

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary
College is an independent, coeducational liberal arts and career studies college
distinguished by an accomplished faculty, small class size and diverse student body.  Centenary is the only baccalaureate and master degree granting institution in northwest New Jersey.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian
facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies program offers accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey. 

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