Explorations Prin S George H

g 2015

explorations prin S George H. Cook Campus ma gazine fast facts We are a place of history and tradition. Founded in 1766, Rutgers is the eighth oldest college in the nation. Rutgers is a member of the Big Ten Conference and the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), a consortium of 15 world-class research universities, including all Big Ten members and the University of Chicago. We are the land-grant university of New Jersey.

School of Environmental and SEBS Student-to-faculty 3,432 Biological Sciences (SEBS) Full-time 10:1 ratio undergraduate students Affiliated graduate 400 Clubs and organizations 12 programs Participants in Student to Professional SEBS Majors 184 Internship Network (SPIN) 20 contents

01 Dean‘s Message 03 Students 05 Feature - celebrating 150 Years 03 07 07 Faculty 09 Research 11 News and events 13 Feature - Uncharted Waters 15 alumni 19 donoRs 21 Gifts 23 Alumni notes and Musings 13 Stay Connected 04 Keep up to date with what’s happening on George H. Cook Campus explorations facebook.com/RutgersSEBS twitter.com/RutgersSEBS Editorial Office Explorations Magazine youtube.com/user/RutgersSEBS Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 57 US Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554 Newsroom Office of Alumni and Community Engagement sebsnjaesnews.rutgers.edu Director, Diana Orban Brown Newsletter Office of Communications discovery.rutgers.edu/pubs Director, Michael Green Contributors Diana Orban Brown, Melissa Kvidahl, Cindy Rovins, Paula Walcott-Quintin, and Kelly Watts post-it! What’s up with you? We want to hear from you. Graphic Designer Lori Casciano @ [email protected] Photographers Office of Alumni and Community Engagement Nick Romanenko, Matt Rainey, Roy Groething Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 57 US Highway 1 On the Cover: Commencement 2014. Photo by Nick Romanenko. New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554 Inside Cover: Induction Ceremony for incoming students. Photo by Please include your name, school, class, mailing address, Matt Rainey. Table of Contents: iStockphoto, Roy Groething, Max email, and phone number. Häggblom, and Scott Glenn. Dean’s Message

A Message from Bob Goodman

elcome to the grant competitiveness; grown of a mostly young faculty cohort inaugural issue of our international program; recruited in the last eight W Explorations, the new completed a comprehensive years are women. Our student semi-annual magazine for overhaul of our agriculture and population is more diverse and alumni, retired faculty, donors, food systems major; created new international, like those who and friends of the School of institutes for climate and energy come to us through our Environmental and Biological studies and for food, nutrition, pioneering 2+2 programs with Sciences. and health; and begun to better top Chinese universities, while engage our thousands of alumni more students leave our shores Why the name Explorations? in support of the school. for study-abroad experiences It’s a reflection of imagination, that always transform their lives. creativity, investigation, and discovery, which are at A new building that will the core of what all great house the New Jersey universities do. Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health is set to open Why now? Last in 2015 and is but one year, Rutgers celebrated “concrete” (though mostly, 150 years as the state’s in this case, of glass) example land-grant institution of our commitment to trans- serving the residents of parency and collaboration New Jersey. Next year, in finding multi-disciplinary we will celebrate the 250th solutions to difficult and anniversary of Rutgers’ critical challenges, like founding. A much more nutritional security and modest milestone is that global human health. 2015 marks my 10th year as executive dean of the As alumni, you are the school. Taken together, living embodiment of our these milestones seemed impact throughout the to be a propitious time to world and I invite you to introduce a school-based become more engaged with magazine that will your school. Stay connected communicate the impact online as well as in person of our research, teaching, and Even if you have not set foot through any of our campus outreach as well as reinforce the on the George H. Cook Campus celebrations. I hope you enjoy value of a Rutgers degree. for decades, there is still much the magazine and I thank you that will feel familiar, like for your interest in and support While many of our existing Passion Puddle, Skelley Field, of all that we do. structures have served us well, and Helyar Woods, as well as some will no longer be as relevant the timeless rhythm of students, to the future of our school, so faculty, and staff that marks we’ve begun to introduce new a thriving campus learning models for excellence that are environment. interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, and international. We’ve What you’d experience as Executive Dean, moved our faculty toward a culture new is the face of our faculty that School of Environmental and of intense engagement in teaching is at once more diverse and more Biological Sciences and research; strengthened our international. Over 50 percent Photography by Roy Groething.

01 explorations Ourfuture.rutgers.edu/thanks Students

Back: Tara Zarzecki with ‘Gates,’ Billie Kurek. Front: Emily Martines with ‘Chase,’ Mallory Kolar, Rachel Jeronimus with ‘Figaro,’ and Lauren Clarke with ‘Quenna.’ Rutgers’ Furriest Students

‘Freckles’ waiting to graduate. ‘Graduate’ This Spring hey may not be paying The university’s Seeing Eye For the puppies, their time at attention in class—and Puppy Raising Club started in Rutgers is on par with being in may even be caught 2000 on the George H. Cook kindergarten. They’re socialized, Tdozing—but Rutgers’ furriest Campus. The club consists of learn basic skills, and are four-legged students often make puppy raisers, puppy sitters exposed to new people and it to SEBS Convocation, proudly (who lend a hand when raisers environments. When the puppies walking onto the stage wearing need a break), and general club are around 15 months old, they their little graduation caps, members. Raisers are each return to The Seeing Eye, Inc. for accompanied by their human responsible for their puppy’s four months of formal training companions. They’re the puppies healthcare and training, and live in harness before earning their trained by the Rutgers University on campus with their puppies Seeing Eye Dog degree. Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club, in special housing. The puppies As club members prepare to a student-run organization that are allowed in campus buildings say goodbye to their puppies this trains puppies for The Seeing (except dining halls, dorms, and spring, they get a dose of that Eye, Inc., a national nonprofit labs), attend classes, and ride on bittersweet feeling their parents organization dedicated to giving university buses. As part of their had when dropping them off at blind and sight-impaired preparation to be dog guides, the Rutgers’ doors. It’s hard to let go, individuals independence and puppies also venture off campus but they know their charges will dignity through the use of to interact with crowds at large go on to accomplish great things. service dogs. events, and even take the occasional trip to the beach. Photography by Matt Rainey and Gary Huntzinger.

03 explorations under the direction of nutritionist of nutritionist under the direction the Healthy Dining Team. Working science majors calling themselves of nutritional the help of acorps Rutgers students, especially with goalis an attainable for current on the pounds. healthy But eating bad eating decisions…and packing lead freedoms to very newfound 15,” notoriously achieved when dreads the “freshmanEveryone T Team. Dining Healthy the of A Schlitt, Miranda Tonnessen, Rebecca Students thewhich ways in firsthand public now experience can students manager Rutgers Crawford, Bruce Gardens to Rutgers Thanks T aking on C he H ealthy D entral P ining T ark eam H eam lexa Essenfeld, Jesse Tannehill, and Mary Tursi are part part are Tursi Mary and Tannehill, Jesse Essenfeld, lexa elps B elps two unique environments. two public gardens programming in garden design, andhorticulture, in areasknowledge such as volunteers, gaining practical interns toil alongside trained For 10 Park. Central weeks, Gardensjointly in Rutgers and summer internship operates program. This highly prized, paid college internshipfirst-ever (CC’91) to develop the park’s RussellOperations Fredericks (CC’83)Blonsky and Chief of president and CEO Douglas ParkCentral Conservancy teamed up Crawford with Apple. Campus andCook in the Big theH. George community—on the gardens serve and parks both deliciousboth and nutritious. guide dining hallthat offerings are into eating trends student to help eating but also provides insight on healthy students educates (CC’77), the team not only Charette Joe director by executive run Dining Rutgers Services, with (GSNB’93)Policastro in conjunction and Peggy dietitian registered attle the F the attle reshman 15reshman

work inwork the aquaculture industry. graduate school, and eventually in andmarine biology policy up?Next Huey’s plans are to study disease and overharvesting. populationoyster decimated by helping the Delaware revive Bay in Laboratory, akey partner Haskin Shellfish Research intern the Rutgers at student disease. She also worked as a on oyster a research project her seniorand year capped with in her sophomore year,starting opportunities research hands-on of a young Huey girl, took advantage sinceocean invertebrates she was Delaware Bay. Fascinated with thefightingin save theto oysters she’s already an old hand at Program scholar under her belt, four as years an with Honors a brand alumna, new Rutgers but Lauren Huey (SEBS’15) may be S marine systems. disease develops and is spread in goal is more to how learn about The other academic institutions. Foundation and collaborates with by funded National the Science Haskin at is researchThis project aving O the discovery.rutgers.edu yster Spring

2015 04

Photography by Clayton Leadbetter and Nick Romaneko. Feature Reflecting on and Celebrating150 YEARS George H. Cook “had more to do with Rutgers University as it exists today than any other single individual in its 250-year history.”

GEORGE H. COOK

So states Executive Dean Bob Goodman of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences in an article written for the commemorative book marking the 250th anniversary of Rutgers’ founding. As a prelude to the Rutgers 250 kick-off in November 2015, the school recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of Rutgers’ designation in 1864 as the land-grant institution for New Jersey. Here are excerpts from Dean Goodman’s article.

The Early Years “To carry out the land-grant single individual in its 250-year “In 1862, Abraham Lincoln mandate, Rutgers College created history. Rutgers Scientific School signed the Land Grant Act … “Early records show that (formally, The State College for [which] transformed U.S. higher studies in engineering and the Benefit of Agriculture and education, broadening its focus mechanics were at first more Mechanic Arts), and George H. from religion and the classics popular than those in agriculture. Cook was named its first dean to embrace the natural sciences, Nevertheless, studies in botany, and professor of agriculture. agriculture, and engineering. entomology, zoology, chemistry, Cook had led the campaign that The Act created a mechanism to and applied programs important gained Rutgers this status; in educate the ‘industrial classes’ to the state—like research on doing so, I believe, he had more and provide an engine of social mosquitoes and shellfish— to do with Rutgers University mobility through practical became parts of the curriculum as it exists today than any other education. by the early 20th century.”

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Professors’ work in the in 1973 became Cook College The Future area of soil bacteria led to the (named, of course, for the discovery in the 1930s and polymath George H. Cook). It “Public, comprehensive 1940s of antibiotics by Selman occupied its own bucolic campus research universities that emerged Waksman and his students, (also named for Cook) and spent from the land-grant movement which led to the development of the next 30+ years struggling of the 19th century … are today streptomycin, highly effective for recognition and ‘brand.’” struggling to define their future in controlling tuberculosis. roles … But I believe that there In 2005, during a university- This earned Waksman the 1952 remains an over-arching role for wide review of undergraduate Nobel Prize in Physiology or these large, complicated, and education, it was determined Medicine. “Waksman is the only expensive institutions … All that Cook would remain a Rutgers faculty member to date human progress in science, in “professional” school, similar to receive a Nobel Prize.” technology, and in the arts and to engineering and pharmacy. humanities depends on people What’s In a Name? “Out of much discussion (and with different knowledge and not a little controversy) emerged “The New Jersey Legislature experiences coming together in the name we have today, the in 1917 had designated the State places and institutions where Rutgers School of Environmental College of Agriculture as the ideas are shared, problems are and Biological Sciences. The State University of New Jersey, solved, the next generation faculty of the school quickly unleashing a significant can learn, and societal needs, coalesced around three high-level controversy that led, in 1921, to including governance, can be guiding themes that I articulated the formal creation of the New advanced. No other institution for the school: food, nutrition, Jersey College of Agriculture of human invention is more and health; climate and energy; (NJCA), … the public college suited to addressing these issues and international education.” that combined with the two than the large, comprehensive private colleges, Rutgers College public university.” and Douglass College, to form the nucleus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in 1956 … The College of Agriculture at Rutgers … took a stand in the early 1960s by adding to its name the word ‘environmental’—Rutgers College of Agriculture and Environmental Science (CAES). Industrialization of agriculture was in full swing. … New Jersey was a major supplier [of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers], and many of these industries we now know contributed their share of pollution of groundwater and estuaries … [which] we are still dealing with half a century later. “With the arrival of Edward Bloustein as Rutgers’ 17th president in 1972, … a group of CAES faculty created a plan for a To order the anniversary commemorative book, “Rutgers: A 250th new ‘college’ … and so the CAES Anniversary Portrait,” visit RU250.com/book on the web or send an email to [email protected].

discovery.rutgers.edu 06 Faculty Cheers! to Max Häggblom Professor Max Häggblom’s expertise is bacteria. To be precise, his research centers on environmental and applied microbiology, particularly the study of the “unusual appetites” of bacteria and their role in the biodegradation and detoxification of anthropogenic (man-made) pollutants. Even if you don’t quite understand what that involves, you’re likely not thinking that food is even remotely connected to the professor’s work.

But you’d be mistaken. For role bacteria and fungi play in When not teaching this the past five summers, Häggblom this process. And, yes, they get popular course, Häggblom has taught an intensive two-week, to savor the complex tastes and spends his time teaching in the 3-credit course called “Microbi- aromas of the diverse cheese undergraduate and graduate ology and Culture of Cheese varieties of the region. microbiology programs, as he’s and Wine,” a hugely popular done since he came to Rutgers While not quite earning him global learning experience in 1993. He also chairs the “rock star” status, word of for undergraduates in the life Department of Biochemistry and Häggblom’s course has Rutgers sciences. Students participate Microbiology. Among his most faculty and staff clamoring for the in lectures, group projects, and meaningful awards is the 2014 occasional mini-version offered field trips on site in the host SIMB Waksman Outstanding closer to home on the George H. city of Cluny, France, located in Teaching Award from the Society Cook Campus—of course, with southern Burgundy. The goal of Industrial Microbiology and artisan cheese and fine wine is to emerge with a greater Biotechnology; the nomination tastings as the ultimate prize. understanding of the science and came from his former and culture of cheese and current post-doctoral, wine manufacturing. graduate, and undergraduate students. Students learn the One of them, Preshita history of viticulture, Gadkari, who graduated the science of ethanol in 2012 with bachelor’s fermentation, and the degrees in biotechnology complexity of the and microbiology and chemical and biological who is currently in reactions during the doctoral program maturation that give for microbial biology, wine its character. calls him “an incredible Also taught is how teacher, scientist, milk is processed into leader, and advisor.” cheese, and the central We’ll toast to that. Photography by Matt Rainey and Max Häggblom.

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Rutgers Lifer Teeming with Life Sheer Fun! “If I were to try and answer the Though the name suggests Doug Eveleigh is probably the age-old question of what I want otherwise, the New Jersey Pine only professor in Rutgers history to be when I grow up, I would Barrens are “anything but barren,” who could pen a song about probably say I want to be Dr. says Ning Zhang, assistant antibiotics set to the tune of “On Clark. I want to influence students professor of fungal biology. For the Banks of the Old Raritan” the way Dr. Clark has influenced Zhang, this area of more than one (writing such lyrics as “actinomy- me.” Such is one student’s million protected acres, encom- cetes were found to abound”), appraisal of the effect George passing seven counties in and then persuade members of Clark has had on undergraduates southern New Jersey, is unique the Queens Chorale to sing it. Or in the Department of Human and vast—and vastly understud- host a departmental symposium Ecology. And in a large institution ied—and it offers an ecosystem entitled “Microbiology with where it can be hard to make rich in microbial biodiversity. As Professor Douglas Eveleigh–Sheer personal connections with faculty, a microbial specialist, Zhang has Fun!” Retired in 2014 as the Clark has been described as focused on the study of fungi, original holder of the Douglas downright warm and fuzzy. Clark, especially in the Pine Barrens, and Linda Eveleigh and Dennis an instructor in the department since coming to Rutgers in 2009. and Linda Fenton Chair in Applied for more than 30 years, was Recently, she’s discovered new Microbiology, Eveleigh still visits named SEBS’ Outstanding fungal species that she believes campus, keeps in touch with Academic Advisor in 2010 and help grasses and other plants scores of former students, and is describes himself as a “Rutgers survive in the marginal soils and working with department adminis- lifer,” having received his bachelor’s stressed environment of the Pine tration to find a worthy successor and doctoral degrees from Barrens. Zhang is using this for the Fenton Chair. Among Rutgers. His wife, Pat (CC’73), and discovery to develop a system many honors, Eveleigh was the his three children are also Rutgers that rapidly identifies microbes first recipient of the Society for graduates. Perhaps this tradition that cause turfgrass diseases Industrial Microbiology and helps him connect so well with because, ultimately, stemming Biotechnology’s Waksman students. As another put it, disease is crucial for the success Outstanding Teaching Award and “George must be the most of New Jersey’s vibrant turfgrass won the SEBS Teaching Excellence approachable professor at Rutgers industry, which contributes Award in 2013, in recognition of because almost every time I am upwards of $3.2 billion annually more than 40 years of enthusiastic, in the Cook Office Building, there to the state’s economy. passionate, and illuminating is a waiting room of students in approaches to student learning. line to speak with him.” Photography by Daniel Clark and Nick Romanenko.

discovery.rutgers.edu 08 Research

hazelnutsthe potential of f the world of candy had a other species, are a very imported plant star couple, hazelnuts and low-input crop. They require little species, the Ichocolate would be its Bogie or no supplemental irrigation, European hazelnut is susceptible and Bacall or Brad and Angelina. pesticides, or fungicides, and can to disease and also lacks a This trendy combination is be grown on various soil types, tolerance for New Jersey’s winters. driving the market for hazelnuts, including those that are typically Molnar, now an associate with 90 percent of the world’s deemed inhospitable. professor in plant biology and hazelnut crop currently going pathology, is addressing this into candies and demand issue by selecting and breeding exceeding supply. resistant and tolerant varieties Unwrapped from its that will not only thrive in golden foil shroud, however, New Jersey but also produce the true potential of this nut large, tasty nuts. Assisted by lies in not only expanding field researcher John Capik local agricultural markets, but (CC’04, GSNB’14), the first also helping to feed a hungry generation of plants from world. That, at least, was the Molnar’s breeding program vision of the late professor will be released in three years. C. Reed Funk (GSNB’62), a In addition to commercial pioneer in the field of turfgrass nut production, Molnar also breeding, who began an anticipates opportunities for ambitious perennial tree crops the New Jersey nursery industry breeding project at Rutgers in to produce hazelnut trees for 1996. residential use by breeding He set his sights on using several ornamental varieties plant breeding to develop with attractive purple leaves, highly nutritious and sustainable bright fall color, contorted tree crops that could be grown and weeping branches, and Tom Molnar on marginal land. With the edible nuts. help of his student protégé, Tom In New Jersey, native hazelnuts Funk passed away in 2012, Molnar (CC’00, GSNB’06), Funk grow as a spreading shrub, and but he devoted his last years to assessed which nut crops could produce tiny, thick-shelled nuts. establishing the roots of this nut breed hardy trees able to grow On the other hand, the taller breeding program. In addition on underutilized lands and European variety, which is to investing his expertise, Funk withstand the climate of the used commercially, grows as a provided financial contributions Northeast. single-trunk tree and produces large nuts with desirable thin of over $500,000 to both the They narrowed their focus on shells and high-quality kernels. hazelnut and turfgrass breeding hazelnuts, which thrive on rocky But, as is often the case with programs so this work would hillsides and, compared with grow and flourish. Photography by Cie Stroud.

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Vitamin A Deficiency Loredana Quadro’s Search for Alternatives

Vitamin A. Our bodies need it but cannot make it, so it becomes necessary to eat foods or take Protecting the Jersey Shore supplements rich in vitamin A or beta-carotene, the nutrient’s Sea levels are rising and so is the understanding of what is needed most abundant dietary form. But to protect Jersey Shore communities. At Rutgers, scientists working according to the World Health to protect the shore believe solutions must answer three interre- Organization, this is easier said lated questions. than done for hundreds of millions of people who suffer First, how can the ecology near the shore be saved? As the ocean from vitamin A deficiency, and rises, many of its natural resources will be lost. So it becomes the result is millions of deaths— critical to find a way to support the flooded salt marshes, coastal many of them children in vegetation, and animals that live there. developing countries. Second, how can the Jersey Shore’s economy remain intact despite The good news is that a team the repeated loss of beaches and low-lying communities? Any of Rutgers scientists, led by comprehensive solution to the shore’s eco-challenges must include Department of Food Science a plan to sustain the vibrant tourism industry of the Jersey Shore. Associate Professor Loredana And third, how can the recreational, laid-back culture of the Jersey Quadro, believes they’ve found a Shore remain intact while changes are implemented? way to fight this deficiency. In lab experiments, they’ve determined Rutgers ecologists, landscape architects, and social scientists that E. coli bacteria engineered have proposed some joint solutions. Regarding the shore’s barrier to produce beta-carotene can be beaches, like areas near Toms River and Barnegat Bay, concept a source of this vital nutrient for plans promote beach activities but move them further inland, various tissues within the body. where economy, ecology, and civic life can safely continue In the search for ways to increase without the threat of weather-related devastation. vitamin A intake without In areas without barrier beaches, such as those along Raritan consuming foods or supplements Bay, proposals include making room for water by carving out rich in the nutrient, the team’s land. This way, as the sea rises, there will be new areas (currently research represents an important upland) to which the marshes and coastal habitats can move, step toward figuring out how securing these valuable resources. The new coastal lagoons can human-friendly bacteria can be also support recreation, helping to maintain the economies of engineered to produce high levels these communities. of beta-carotene within the human gut. But since E. coli can’t Scientists don’t know the exact decade in which existing coastal be used in humans, on deck is lowlands will be lost, but these concept plans ensure the engineering “a human-friendly economic vitality of the Jersey Shore and its cultural joys for years probiotic strain that will be to come, while offering security for residents, visitors, and natural capable of producing high levels resources. In the end, the consensus is clear: we need to plan of beta-carotene,” says Quadro. now for the future of our famous shore. Stay tuned! Photography by istockphoto. by Photography

discovery.rutgers.edu 10 News and Events Iron Chef Competition Iron Chef is an annual competition held by Rutgers Dining Services and the RU Healthy Dining Team. Ten students are given 20 minutes to create an original recipe using ingredients and appliances found in university dining halls. The student creations are judged on flavor, creativity, practicality, presentation, nutritional content, and sanitation. Judges include professors, deans, chefs, and foodies from the university who taste, provide feedback, and choose the top three dishes. Winners receive bakeware, professional-grade cookware, and a gift card.

Climate March September 21, 2014 was a red-letter day for over 150 Rutgers students, who were joined by faculty and staff, and more than 400,000 other participants in New York City at the People’s Climate March. Streaming down Central Park West in what appeared to be an endless sea of chanting and energized humanity, the enormous throng worked to encourage world leaders who were gathering for the UN Summit on Climate Change—taking place two days after the historic march—to take definitive action on climate change and its societal consequences. The SEBS-based organization Students for Environmental Awareness showed great energy and creativity in organizing for the march and demonstrated this generation’s inspiring commitment to work for change. Photography by Nick Romanenko and Zhenni Lin.

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Congratulations Graduates!

Rutgers Day 2015 For more than a century, Ag Field Day has been an opportunity for members of the public to learn about and participate in programs related to the school and the experiment station. Ag Field Day is now part of a larger Rutgers Day celebration in New Brunswick, in which New Jersey residents are invited to learn more about Rutgers University through tours, performances, hands-on activities, demonstrations, exhibits, and lectures across the Cook/Douglass, Busch, Livingston, and College Avenue campuses.

Rutgers Gardens Gala The Rutgers Gardens Gala is an annual benefit to support the operation and expansion of this self-sustaining botanical garden and a vibrant part of the George H. Cook Campus. Held each year at the historic Log Cabin and Alumni Pavilion in the gardens, the gala presents an award for “Dedication and Outstanding Commitment to Rutgers Gardens” as well as the “Distinguished Achievement in Horticulture Award.” Photography by Nick Romanenko and Roy Groething.

discovery.rutgers.edu 12 Feature

Uncharted Waters The ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and contains 97 percent of the planet’s water.

t produces half of the oxygen we breathe and Rutgers researchers in the Department of Marine controls the Earth’s water cycle, including the and Coastal Sciences are answering that call. rains that support agriculture. It stores and I Given the scale of the ocean, international transports the heat that controls weather and partnerships are required, and progress will depend regulates climate. And yet, 95 percent of this vast on developing a globally informed community of frontier remains unexplored. ocean citizens as well as the ability to better forecast Oceanographers from around the world have the average conditions of tomorrow’s climate and raised the alarm that ocean exploration is critical the variability reflected in tomorrow’s weather. One to maintaining the human population, made more tool used to accomplish this is an autonomous urgent by the accelerating pace of global climate underwater glider capable of collecting data that change, which is altering the planet in ways that can fill a gap in the Earth’s global observing system. are still not understood. The global community In 2009, RU 27 (nicknamed “Scarlet Knight”), a will increasingly look to the sea for sustainable and Webb Slocum glider guided by Rutgers undergraduates, resilient solutions to meet the growing demand for completed the first trans-Atlantic flight from New water, food, and energy. Photography by Scott Glenn.

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Jersey to Baiona, Spain. As soon ocean-literate population through second flight went from Cape as RU 27 made landfall, the hands-on education and engage- Town, South Africa to Ascension Rutgers team from the Coastal ment. This will increase global Island and onto Brazil. The next Ocean Observation Lab (the ocean literacy, train the next two legs of the mission are slated “COOL Room”) was challenged generation of ocean scientists, to begin in spring 2015. to launch a global mission of develop a training platform for The Challenger Glider ocean exploration with a fleet of technology and learning, and Mission is based on partnerships. gliders. provide a means for people to The current team includes Rutgers join an international science The team soon began University, The University of mission. planning the Challenger Glider Cape Town in South Africa, the Mission, reimagining the four- A hallmark of this project is British Royal Navy, the United year historic voyage of the HMS that any undergraduate student States Navy, civilian personnel Challenger, which in 1872 was the can be involved. The students are on Ascension Island, the first dedicated global expedition the explorers participating University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, for science and signaled the in hands-on teamwork. The Universidad de Las Palmas de dawn of ship-based expeditionary mission requires collaboration Gran Canario, Teledyne Webb research in oceanography. in a multicultural worldwide Research, Iridium, and CLS community, and prepares partic- America. Critical support has That first expedition spanned ipants for the modern workforce. been provided by the U.S. nearly 70,000 nautical miles The goal is to excite the next Integrated Ocean Observing (128,000 kilometers), using generation to pursue science System at NOAA, the U.S. Office the latest sampling technologies and engineering careers. K-12 of Naval Research-Global, and the to painstakingly profile the ocean students are also engaged locally G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation. depths and sea floor. The modern around the world via Challenger mission involves a Indeed, the intention is for citizen science projects that fleet of gliders covering 128,000 the Challenger Glider Mission to follow the mission. kilometers around the five ocean help train the next generation of basins, and sampling the currents Test flights of the new oceanographers; but at its core, and conditions of today’s seas. generation of gliders (RU 29) it’s an open, global experiment have been completed, with one full of adventure. A central goal of the mission navigating from Iceland Challenger mission is to build an to Africa to the Caribbean. A Photography by Scott Glenn.

discovery.rutgers.edu 14 Alumni weatherForecasting

She initially planned to be a research

meteorologist, but for Dylan Dreyer (CC’03),

all it took was an small station in Pennsylvania. experiences as a crackerjack internship with a New York Eager to employ her science WeatherWatcher set the tone for television weatherman to realize skills, she was thwarted by the her success today. “My first day on that her true dream job was station manager who told her, “I the Today Show was September reporting weather on the small don’t want to see any wavy lines 14,” she says. “There I was on screen. or upside-down triangles on the national television, sitting next weather map. Just tell ‘em when to Lester Holt, a broadcast icon. Getting there was a different it’s going to rain.” I was sweating and nervous, matter. As Dreyer, who is now but it was just like all the other the meteorologist on NBC’s Her next job was in Prov- times—you just work on making Weekend Today Show and idence, a much larger market, the next show better than the frequently appears on the NBC where she honed her television current one.” Nightly News, puts it: “Becoming persona and performance skills. a broadcast meteorologist is She soon landed a position in anything but easy. It takes sacri- Boston, a top-10 market, with fice, commitment, perseverance, NBC affiliate WHDH-TV. She and a very thick skin. A good became friends with the staff dose of luck didn’t hurt, either.” and best of all, she met the man who became her husband, her Growing up in Manalapan, cameraman Brian. New Jersey, Dreyer wasn’t sure what she wanted to study when It wasn’t long before the call she got to college. She liked math came from the Weekend Today and science, “and meteorology Show, so Dreyer packed up and sounded like fun,” she remembers. headed to New York in September She joined Rutgers’ fledgling 2012. When Superstorm Sandy WeatherWatcher television hit just a month later, she was on program, which at that time call at network headquarters in consisted of a pre-recorded 12-hour stretches for days on end, broadcast from a small room with as backup for the established a PowerPoint and one camera. stars of the business. But she “I worked so hard to get this wouldn’t have had it any other way. little pre-recorded weather show Dreyer acknowledges that done,” she recalls with a laugh. her Rutgers experience helped After graduating cum laude, her develop a strong work Dreyer got her first break at a ethic and, as it turns out, her Photography by Heidi Gutman/NBC.

15 explorations Steven Gomez Spring 2015

Fans of Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Tacos can thank alumnus Steve Gomez for making this wildly popular treat a reality.

t looks like a very simple the brain. “I grew up in Union, dish—a taco housed in a New Jersey, and chose Rutgers i Nacho Cheese Doritos corn because it is a great state school chip shell. But don’t tell that to educationally and value-wise,” Steven Gomez (CC’01, GSNB’10), he remembers. “I started at who worked in test kitchens in Livingston College, and while I Taco Bell’s Irvine, California was in a business class, I started headquarters and manufacturing daydreaming about creating plants around the country for foods—things like food supple- years to perfect it. ments for athletes or just new food products I wished I could The development process buy.” was painstaking and rigorous, from working with the delicate So he gravitated to the shells to making sure the orange Department of Food Science and seasoning rubs off on diners’ found several mentors, relishing fingers, just like the corn chip the faculty involvement in his does. By the time of the national and other students’ progress. “The launch in 2012, millions of shells food science department has had been stockpiled across the excellent professors,” he says, country to prepare for impending “and the best part is that demand, and for good reason— students develop a family bond disciplines: chemistry, physics, the launch itself was one of the since we are a smaller group engineering, biochemistry, and most successful in fast food within the huge university.” more. Now I get to be a scientist history. with the additional perks of Gomez began working being able to work with food “In the world of food product for PepsiCo after earning his and food ingredients—and in development, the amazing bachelor’s degree in 2001. While most cases, I get to eat the success of Doritos Locos Tacos he was working, he pursued his ‘experiment.’” may sound like one of those master’s degree in food science, once-in-a-lifetime blockbuster completing it in 2010. He is products,” Gomez says. “But especially grateful for the faculty when you combine world class support during his graduate teams with a brand that embraces studies. He says, “It was tough an innovative culture, as Taco managing a full-time job with Bell does, you will see a lot more graduate courses, but I was able blockbusters like this in the to space it out enough that it was future.” manageable and well worth it.” Gomez didn’t come to He points out, “My food Rutgers with Doritos Locos science major allowed me to Tacos—or even food science—on draw from a vast number of Photography courtesy Bell. of Taco

discovery.rutgers.edu 16 Alumni

Eyes On H H H THE WHITE HOUSE H H H Zaid Abuhouran (SEBS’12) is experiences on the George H. biology in Baltimore’s Paul headed to the White House—but Cook Campus, specifically citing Laurence Dunbar High School. not by way of a political campaign. his dedicated professors and the At the same time, he earned a Starting in July, he will begin a myriad leadership opportunities master of science in education six-month rotation in the educa- available to students. Before he degree from Johns Hopkins tion office of the White House’s graduated in 2012 with a bache- University. Domestic Policy Council, where lor’s degree in public health and But it wasn’t just college that he will work alongside President political science, he involved ignited Abuhouran’s enthusiasm Barack Obama’s team of advisors himself extensively in enrichment and ambition. on nationwide issues in education. “My interest in education This plum assignment is stems from my parents’ part of Abuhouran’s internship emphasis on my siblings’ and with the federal government’s my education throughout our Presidential Management Fellows childhood,” he says. “I grew up (PMF) program, a highly in Secaucus, New Jersey, and competitive two-year training also lived abroad in Jordan for and development opportunity. nine years as a teenager. While Candidates go through testing, abroad, despite their financial in-person interviews, and other struggles, my parents were rigorous steps to become eligible adamant that we receive a for a paid, internship-style quality education and sent us to position in a government agency. a private international school. Rotations usually last four to six My mother is also an elementary months, and agencies may hire school teacher—another factor fellows permanently upon the that has influenced my desire to program’s completion. work in public education.” In his new post with the His long-term goals? “To U.S. Department of Education’s influence the American education Office of Elementary and system positively, to ensure that Secondary Education, Abuhouran both in and out of the classroom. all children are guaranteed a will work to improve under- He was president of the Student quality education, and to have performing schools through the Governing Council for two years an impact on the lives of others,” federal School Improvement and was a student assistant he says. Grants program. He will also at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. contribute to President Obama’s After graduation, he con- And who knows, even My Brother’s Keeper program, nected with Teach for America, though Abuhouran maintains he which works to improve which enlists high-achieving has no ambitions to run for high educational and life outcomes recent college graduates and office, he just might someday for young men of color. professionals to teach for at least be headed to the White House in a different—and much more Abuhouran attributes his two years in low-income com- public—way. passion for education, policy, munities; Abuhouran taught and public service to his Rutgers biology and advanced placement Photography by Porshay Brice.Photographyby

17 explorations Spring 2015

Celebrating a Human Health Revolutionary The principle of “one medicine” or, as it is sometimes called, “one health,” deems that the relationship between human and animal medicine—and public health and the environment—is inseparable.

In practice, one medicine inspires transgenic mice,” generating “a reveal his age, “his retirement is inclusive collaborations among revolution in biology, medicine, not in sight.” So, no doubt, more physicians and veterinarians, and agriculture.” Specifically, accolades are in store for this yielding outcomes beneficial his research provided the exper- brilliant trailblazer. to all involved. Ralph Brinster, imental foundation for progress V.M.D., Ph.D. exemplifies this in germ line (the cells that give concept. rise to sperm and eggs) in a range of species. A 1953 graduate of the Rutgers College of Agriculture’s Depart- Brinster’s recent White House ment of Animal Sciences, he medal is just one of the many went on to receive his veterinary national and international honors degree and his doctorate in he has received. He was awarded physiology from the University the prestigious Wolf Prize in of Pennsylvania. Medicine from the president of Israel, the Gairdner Foundation In the 1980s, his reproductive International Award (now called work resulted in the production the Canada Gairdner Interna- of a “super mouse” about twice tional Award), the Distinguished the size of a normal rodent, Service Award from the U.S. which landed on the cover of Department of Agriculture, the Nature magazine and generated Charles-Léopold Mayer Prize headlines all over the world. His from the French Academy of work led more recently to Sciences, and the first March of spermatogonial stem cell Dimes Prize in Developmental research, with further implications Biology, to name a few. for understanding human reproduction and disease He also received the George prevention. H. Cook Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999 and received an A few years ago, Brinster was honorary degree from Rutgers honored at the White House, in 2000. He is currently the under the auspices of the National Richard King Mellon Professor Science Foundation, with the of Reproductive Physiology with 2010 National Medal of the School of Veterinary Medicine Science—the highest honor the and the Graduate School at U.S. government bestows on Penn. scientists. His citation celebrated “his fundamental contributions One article about Brinster to the development and use of noted that while he declined to Photography from top to bottom: Courtesy of the National Science Foundation and Scott H. Spitzer.

discovery.rutgers.edu 18 Donors

Helyar House Dick Merritt (far left) at the groundbreaking for Helyar House. His Legacy Lives On! ick Merritt, who earned Sciences, he remained dedicated guidance of a University Resident his bachelor’s degree in to Helyar’s vision. In the 1960s, Counselor, house members work Dagriculture and environ- he worked closely with Phelps together to achieve common mental science in 1954 and his House alumni (and those of the goals in a supportive living master’s and doctoral degrees in Towers, the piggery, and other environment. In addition to horticulture in 1956 and 1961, places where Professor Helyar reduced housing and meal respectively, began as an under- housed students) to raise money expenses, Helyar House students graduate at Rutgers’ “ag school,” to build a dedicated unit for are also awarded scholarships, residing in a cooperative living cooperative living on campus. which are primarily supported house on campus. It was called The new facility, named Helyar by Rutgers’ cooperative living Phelps House and was located House, served to memorialize alumni. Each year, over $36,000 where the Sears store currently Professor Helyar’s impact on so in scholarship funds are provided. stands. He was provided this many students in need of afford- Merritt was dedicated to opportunity thanks to professor able housing. It was completed Helyar House, serving as secretary Frank G. Helyar, who created in 1968 and could accommodate of its alumni association. When low-cost alternatives to college up to 40 men each year. In 2002, he died in 2011, he left a bequest dormitories during the Great it became coed. to help continue the experience of Depression of the 1930s. Today, Helyar House residents on-campus, cooperative housing When Merritt became dean have a greater responsibility of started by professor Helyar, and of resident instruction of self-government than those carried on today by the alumni what was then the College of living in traditional residence he helped. Agricultural and Environmental halls. Under the supervision and Photography by Kevin Paccione and Cook College staff photographer.

19 explorations Spring 2015

Going International Read All About It! Corporate Stewardship

Barry Adler, DVM (CAES’72), A global leader renowned for his The horseshoe crab, a declining founder and director of the astuteness in food, water, and species, plays a vital role in its Woodbridge Veterinary Group environmental trends, Lester R. bay shore habitat—its eggs and Hospital in Woodbridge, Brown (AG’55) acknowledged in provide food for the migratory New Jersey, has kept close ties to his autobiography that his New Red Knot bird, which is also in the School of Environmental and Jersey roots are what nurtured decline. Surprisingly, these crabs Biological Sciences and Rutgers his big-thinking abilities. Brown, also provide a vital service outside over the years. He and his wife, who grew up on a farm in South of their habitat. Their unique blue Deborah, believe in the value of a Jersey, broadened his perspective blood is used by pharmaceutical Rutgers education and, like many on agriculture and science while companies to test intravenous alumni and spouses, they have a undergraduate at Rutgers. solutions for contamination. This generously supported Rutgers— And, this year, his over-50-year means they’re often plucked from from encouraging talented career as a noted author, speaker, their waters and brought to students to attend, to volunteering and adviser concludes with a facilities to “donate blood” before at alumni activities and advocating chapter that brings him back to they are returned to the sea. for a stronger Rutgers. In addition, campus. Adler has worked with the To preserve this species, the school’s Office of International Brown is closing the Earth Rutgers Aquaculture Innovation Programs to establish the first Policy Institute (EPI), the think Center is raising thousands of scholarship for international study. tank he founded. Rutgers will take horseshoe crabs to release into The Adler scholarship provides over the management of EPI’s the ocean. This horseshoe crab financial aid for international website and maintain it as an enhancement project, funded by summer study for those who archive, and establish a an initial gift from E.I. DuPont’s otherwise would not have this Lester R. Brown Reading Room “Clear Into the Future” program, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. on the George H. Cook Campus focuses on increasing the survival Since 2009, more than 90 to house the entire collection rate of the crab during its early life students have been able to travel of Brown’s books. In addition to stages. A new crowd-sourcing abroad thanks to the Adlers and these holdings, Brown is leaving effort is about to launch, as well, other alumni who are supporting Rutgers $1 million in his will to to infuse much-needed support international education here support the university’s work on into this vital program. at SEBS. environmental issues. Photography by Nick Romanenko and iStockphoto.

discovery.rutgers.edu 20 Gifts Thank you for your support a nd generosity

$1 million and above Mr. John R. Mullen Mr. Michael W. Pado All around the university, Dr. Lester R. Brown The Honorable Maureen B. Ogden Professor James A. Quinn we’re hearing “Thanks a Mr. Al Giddings Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Osterman Dr. Gordon W. Robinson Mr. and Mrs. James Loring Johnson Mr. Jules L. Plangere Jr. Mrs. Jane Steinetz* billion!” That is a reference Dr. Joyce Clarke Torio Dr. Christine Pootjes* Mr. Rufin Van Bossuyt to the $1.037 billion raised Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Patricia Verduin, Ph.D. universitywide during the $500,000–$999,999 Possenriede Mrs. Pam Arena Weidel “Our Rutgers, Our Future” Dr. and Mrs. Dennis M. Fenton Ms. Virginia Sampson* capital campaign that ended Mr. James G. Gibson Dr. Bernard G. Steinetz* $25,000–$49,999 December 31, 2014. We Mr. William S. Haines Jr. Mrs. Anne Moreau Thomas Mrs. Barbara M. Bauer and Dr. William H. Bauer* wish to thank our alumni Ms. Gwendolin E. Stableford* Ms. Leah R. Verri* Dr. Veronica A. Benedetto and H. Boyd Woodruff, Ph.D. and and friends who supported Dr. Rachael Winfree Mr. David R. Benedetto Mrs. Jeanette Whitner Woodruff* the campaign, our students, Mrs. Helen Bragg* $50,000–$99,999 faculty, staff, school $100,000–$499,999 Dr. and Mrs. William H. Ainslie Sr. Professor Lena B. Brattsten Mr. Donald Erwin Agthe* programs, and facilities, and Mr. Brad Benson Professor Norman F. Childers* Mr. James P. Alampi our commitment to Mr. Floyd H. Bragg* Mr. Robert N. Dangremond Howell O. Archard, D.D.S. teaching, research, and Dr. Audrey C. Burkart Professor Roy H. DeBoer* Dr. Kyle R. Barbehenn community service. Names Mr. Thomas A. Calamia Mr. Michael S. Derrig Ms. Sharon L. Beres of selected donors appear Ms. Lu Canner-Off Mrs. Elizabeth Dey and Mr. David S. Blanch Dr. Stephen P. Dey II* Dr. David W. Carr on these pages, and all Dr. Edgar C. Bristow III Dr. and Mrs. Gregory S. Dey Mrs. Jane P. Charlesworth and campaign donors to the Mr. Nelson C. Doland Jr.* Dr. Kenneth B. Charlesworth* Dr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Dey III School of Environmental Ms. Anne Galli Ms. Jennifer J. Duke Professor Chee-Kok Chin and Biological Sciences and Dr. Frederick J. Goff Ms. Eleanor Dunning* Mr. Chris Cipriano the New Jersey Agricultural Mr. and Mrs. Austin T. Fragomen Jr. Mr. Samuel Goldfarb Ms. Jean M. Coleman Experiment Station/Rutgers Dr. Cyril Reed Funk Jr.* Dr. and Mrs. John E. Craighead Mrs. Ina Goldstein Cooperative Extension are Dr. Michael J. Graziano Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Denarski Dr. Robert M. Goodman posted online. Go to Mrs. Phyllis Katz Greenberg Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Druskin Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Goyette discovery.rutgers.edu. Ms. Cheryl Ann Gross Elizabeth Durkin Esq. Dr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Hamilton Dr. Ulrich G. Hammerling Ms. Sally Fodor Dr. Guy J. Hartman and Mrs. Nina Hartman Thank you for making Dr. and Mrs. Steven N. Handel Dr. and Mrs. Peter C. Kahn Dr. Charles E. Hess Ms. Ruth Hansen* Mr. Eugene Landy a difference! Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Indyk Mr. Kent Charles Hiteshew and Mr. Samuel A. Landy Ms. Patricia Jenny Mr. and Mrs. Adam Irgon Professor and Mrs. Michael L. May Dr. and Mrs. George N. Knecht Mr. E. Timothy Marshall Mr. and Mrs. Edward K. Mullen Dr. John E. Kuser* Mrs. Mary Shaw May* Mr. and Mrs. Mark Mullen Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. John McCrane Ms. Jennifer Off Dr. Richard H. Merritt* Dr. James J. O’Brien *Deceased 21 explorations Spring 2015

Dr. Eva Lindauer Pell Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Velez Ms. Valerie Werstler and Mr. Russell W. Steenberg Dr. Patricia A. Ryan Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Wadle Dr. Bradley Hillman Mr. Richard F. Stier Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Schneidhorst Ms. Laurel A. Van Leer and Mr. David R. Hoogmoed Dr. Michael Sukhdeo Charles A. Weibel, Ph.D. Ms. Martha S. Hughes Ms. Kate Sweeney $10,000–$24,999 Mr. Richard A. Weidel Sr.* Ms. Alice A. Jarvis Dr. Joan G. Tell and Dr. and Mrs. Barry M. Adler Dr. and Mrs. Richard M. Wright Ms. Kelly A. Johnson Mr. Eric Andrew Tell Ms. Sharon L. Schomburg Barrett Ms. Carolyn Zurawski Barbara J. Tarbell, O.D. and Dr. and Mrs. Willard Chandler and Dr. Ronald W. Barrett Dr. Larry S. Katz Thompson Dr. Timothy Dudley Bartley $5,000–$9,999 Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Kern Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Thomson Mr. Mario F. Batali Mr. Peter M. Bahr Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm H. Knapp Mrs. Gloria E. Tompson Dr. and Mrs. Robert J. Beach Ms. Joanna Barnish Dr. Jack Kurlansik Mr. and Mrs. Paul Van De Water Dr. Angela R. Betances Mr. James C. Belding Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Kutcher Jr. Dr. John J. Villa Ms. Evelyn K. Bitzer* Dr. Jorge H. Berkowitz Roger R. Locandro, Ph.D. Dr. Margaret Ann Poole and Ingeborg D. Bossert, Ph.D. Joanne M. Bicknese, D.V.M. Professor Richard D. Ludescher Mr. Kenneth G. Vogel Dr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Broccoli Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Lawrence Mr. Paul S. Spychala and Mr. Raymond K. Ward Ms. Carol Byrd-Bredbenner Brinster Dr. Debra Lynch Mr. Valentine Weber Jr.* Dr. and Mrs. George M. Carman Ms. Diana Orban Brown and Dr. Andrew C. Marinucci Mr. Carl J. Weilandics Jr. Mr. Michael Brown Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Chase Jr. Ms. Ruth Ann Marucci Dr. and Mrs. James F. White Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Burns Dr. and Mrs. Robert N. Clark Mr. William K. McElroy Dr. and Mrs. John Worobey Ms. Jean-Luc Cacas Dr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Clarke Ms. Ellen Simonetti and Lily Y. Young, Ph.D. Ms. Lenore A. Carasia Mr. Charles Coiner Mr. Robert B. Mellert Mr. Joe Zawada Professor Henryk Daun Mr. Gerard T. Conway Professor William A. Meyer Dr. Barbara A. Zilinskas Ms. Joan A. DeBoer Ms. Karen Courtney Mr. Carlo A. Momo Mrs. Constance DeSieghardt* and Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Monaghan Mr. John W. Duckett Jr.* Mr. Frederick O. DeSieghardt He Mu, Ph.D. We want to Mr. and Mrs. David E. Earl Mr. Herbert W. Dunmeyer Mr. Glenn and Mrs. Lynn Noland hear from Dr. and Mrs. Julius Fabos Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Dziamba Mr. and Mrs. Stefan J. Ochalski Mr. John C. Feldkamp Raymond Eisdorfer Esq. you. Dr. and Mrs. Tawfik Ramadan Stephen A. Garrison, Ph.D. Professor David E. Fairbrothers* Ms. Barbara Anne Georgescu and Mrs. Marguerite F. Fairbrothers Dr. and Mrs. Arvind S. Ranadive Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hill Ms. Jeanne Finstein Dr. Ann F. Rhoads Send Mr. Thomas S. McArdle Dr. and Mrs. William C. Franke Mr. and Mrs. Peter Richards Mr. Kevin McCormick Ms. Janet P. Gardner Mrs. Cynthia M. Rimpo Mr. Raoul A. Momo Ms. Mimi Gardner Gates Mr. Eric N. Gardner and us Ms. Cheryl Suzanne Rinehart Ms. Antoinette Nigito Mr. William H. Gates Dr. Antonio H. Romano Mr. and Mrs. James R. O’Brien Ms. Jane B. Gilbert Dr. Daniel Rossi Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Reynolds Ms. Colleen A. Goggins your Mr. John T. Ruiz Dr. and Mrs. Salvatore Romano Mr. Lawrence A. Grab Jr. Mr. David Sagarino Dr. Daniel Rosenfield Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Graf Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Sagarino story! Ms. Lois J. Schermerhorn* Dr. Judith and Dr. J. Frederick Grassle Dr. and Mrs. Craig F. Schoenrock Dr. Shirley A. Smoyak School of Environmental and Mr. and Mrs. John J. Schuster Sean J. Spinello Esq. Dr. Thomas F. Vogt and Biological Sciences Dr. Gwen E. Guglielmi Dr. Kathleen Heaney and Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Swain Alumni News Dr. Max M. Häggblom Mr. Kurt Schwinghammer Rutgers, The State University of NJ Dr. Albert Tartini and Mr. Joel N. Swerdel and 57 US Highway 1, Room 157 Mrs. Jolie Cohan Tartini Mr. Erwin Emil Harbat Ms. Audrey B. Snyder New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554 Mr. and Mrs. Glenn H. Hascher Ms. Anna Ruth Taylor* Ms. Rona Mae Solberg or email Diana Orban Brown at Jon H. Heinrichs, Ph.D. Mr. Eugene S. Taylor Ms. Patricia M. Colbert and [email protected]

To Make a Gift: www.tinyurl.com/ne5l4hm discovery.rutgers.edu 22 Alumni Notes and Musings

The Rutgers University Alumni Association welcomes news about your professional accomplishments and personal milestones. Submit your information at ralumni.com/mynews on the web, send it to your class correspondent listed in the Class Notes section of Rutgers Magazine, or drop a note via postal mail (Rutgers Alumni Communications, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 7 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1280). Ag, CAES, Cook, and SEBS news will be posted and indexed at discovery.rutgers.edu.

Rick Snethen AG’43 was profiled intends to keep an eye out for carpal living in Florida and is excited for new recently in the Buffalo News series, tunnel symptoms. In addition to being opportunities, according to Class of “Saluting Our War Heroes.” The the Class of 1946 correspondent, Joe 1956 correspondent Paul Albright newspaper profiled Rick’s role as is a recipient of the Loyal Sons and RC’56. commanding officer in the Army Daughters of Rutgers Award. Counter Intelligence Corps., as his Philip Gordon AG’63 recently shared a Fred Braun AG’52, GSE’57 offered unit successfully provided security story with Class of 1963 correspondent a piece of advice most valuable to for General Douglas MacArthur’s stay Adrian Zapotocky ED’63. A housing current Rutgers graduates to “follow when he visited the Philippines. After shortage caused by a terrible blizzard through on your commitments.” One his discharge, Rick earned a master’s during Philip’s sophomore year “forced” of Fred’s commitments is sharing degree from Colby College and was a him to live on Douglass Campus and news of fellow classmates with class science teacher in New Jersey and eat with the young women in the correspondent Bob Comstock RC’52, New York. Rick lives in Williamsville, dining hall. What a misfortune! Philip who wishes all alumni would be as New York where he moved in 2005 was also a member of the fencing diligent as Fred. following his wife’s death. He spends team during his time at Rutgers. time with his children and travels Fred Quick AG’53 recently attended a With the Class of 1966’s 50th with them. This news comes to us Theta Chi reunion held at the home reunion rapidly approaching, Rob from Class of 1943 correspondent of Don ENG AG’51 and Nancy Olson Chenaux AG’66 hopes to join J. Domer Zerbe Jr. RC’43 of Cherry Hill, DC’53. Delicious food and “adult” classmates from his new home in New Jersey. beverages were enjoyed by all while Naples, Florida. According to class party guests watched Rutgers defeat Lou Winters AG’46 is preparing for correspondent Larry Benjamin RC’66, Navy on the Olsons’ large screen carpal tunnel surgery brought on Rob retired in 2004 after 30 years television, reports class correspondent by the use of a walker, reports class with Loblaw Companies in Toronto, and fellow party guest Jim Van Vliet correspondent Joe Salardini AG’46 the last 15 of which he served as ENG’53. of Fort Lee, New Jersey. During his president of Loblaw Brands. He time at Rutgers, Lou served as pres- Don Hyer AG’56 retired as dean of the then established a food and wine ident of three organizations: Student Ocean School of Ministry in Lakewood, consulting company with national Council, Interfraternity Council, and New Jersey, last June, where he and international clients. Beta Delta. Joe notes that he, too, has directed a leadership development Alberta Hemsley AG’67 shared with recently started using a walker and program for eight years. He is now class correspondent Mike Moran School Abbreviations AG College of Agriculture . CC Cook College . CCAS Camden College of Arts and Sciences . CLAW School of Law–Camden DC Douglass College . ED School of Education . EJB Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy . ENG School of Engineering GSAPP Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology . GSC Graduate School–Camden . GSE Graduate School of Education GSM Graduate School of Management . GSN Graduate School–Newark . GSNB Graduate School–New Brunswick . LC Livingston College . MGSA Mason Gross School of the Arts . NCAS Newark College of Arts and Sciences . NLAW School of Law–Newark NUR College of Nursing . PHARM Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy . QC Queen’s College . RBS Rutgers Business School–Newark and New Brunswick . RC Rutgers College . RWJMS Robert Wood Johnson Medical School . SAS School of Arts and Sciences . SB School of Business . SBC School of Business–Camden . SC&I School of Communication and Information . SCILS School of Communication, Information and Library Studies . SCJ School of Criminal Justice . SEBS School of Environmental and Biological Sciences SMLR School of Management and Labor Relations . SNC School of Nursing–Camden . SPAA School of Public Affairs and Administration SPA School of Public Health . SSW School of Social Work . UCC University College–Camden . UCJC University College at Jersey City UCN University College–Newark . UCNB University College–New Brunswick . UCP University College at Paterson

23 explorations Spring 2015

RC’67 that during her 45 years as a editor-in-chief of the Journal of Human Mark R. Smith CC ’84 graduated with science teacher, she had tenure four and Ecological Risk Assessment at a master of divinity degree at Princeton times in three different states, and SEBS. Class correspondent Marcia Theological Seminary’s 202nd taught abroad for seven years in five Smith Fleres RC’77, RBS’93 had so commencement ceremony. different countries. Alberta regularly much news to share on her classmates travels between Cincinnati, Seattle, that space ran out to print it all! More Chris Watkins GSNB ’85 is director and Tucson to visit family. She Class of 1977 news can be viewed of Cornell Cooperative Extension, discovered her love for exploration on the web at tinyurl.com/p5f6232. overseeing the extension’s 57 offices when she joined the Peace Corps across New York, class correspondent Kathleen Clark CC’82 works for the upon graduation. Linda Tancs RC ’85 reports. He conducts New Jersey Division of Fish and a postharvest science research Henry P. Wilson GSNB’67 is a professor Wildlife to protect the eagle program with a major focus on apple of weed science in the College of population in this region, class fruit. Agriculture and Life Sciences at correspondent Norm Schleiffer RC’82 Virginia Tech. The Board of Visitors tells us. Megan Malaska CC ’05 studied the conferred on him the title of professor ecosystems, unique desert plants, Phillip J. Scarpa CC’83, RWJMS’88 is emeritus, class correspondent Mike and the diversity of life at the Bahia president of the Aerospace Medical Moran RC’67 notes. de los Angeles UNESCO World Association (AsMA), which approved Heritage site and the Sea of Cortez Class correspondent Rick Stier AG’74 affiliation membership of the this past summer at Miami University. recently visited the alumni office and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson She is the manager of the Bronx Zoo was able to catch a winning game at Medical School Aerospace Medicine Education Department, which is part the stadium. Interest Group, whose members share of the Wildlife Conservation Society. and promote educational research, This news comes to us from Amy Mark Gregory Robson CC’77, GSNB’79, according to class correspondent Weiss RC ’05, class correspondent. ’88, ’95, SPH’95 is a professor and Milan Indrisek RC’83. chair of the Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, and Rutgers University Marks 250 Years Rutgers: A 250th Anniversary Portrait This limited edition, coffee-table book presents the story of Rutgers from colonial college to world-class public research university, reliving the two and a half centuries of Rutgers’ past through historical accounts, archival and contemporary photography, and personal stories told by alumni.

• Makes a great gift for recent graduates and alumni • Order by August 1, 2015, at the special pre-order price of $50 (plus shipping and handling), and save $20 off the regular price. The book will be available in fall 2015.

250.rutgers.edu/book

discovery.rutgers.edu 24 Office of Alumni and Community Engagement Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 57 US Highway 1 New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554

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