Spring 2011 a publication to connect you with , Newark, in print and online Photo: Millicent Harvey

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Elizabeth Warren

Hail, Farewell, and Welcome Back: Two Distinguished Alumni Returning To Rutgers University, Newark, To Speak At

Commencement by Carla Capizzi

A message for the Class of 2011: Your future might be staring at you from the dais during this year’s commencement ceremonies. At two of the six campus convocations, distinguished alumni of Rutgers University, Newark, will deliver the addresses to their successors. Marc Berson

The May 27 ceremony for the School of served as chief adviser to the National Law at the New Jersey Performing Arts in America. A renowned authority in Bankruptcy Review Commission. 50 most influential women attorneys “…Warren was listed Center (NJPAC) will see the return of law Prior to Warren’s being honored, yet school alumna Elizabeth Warren, ’76, commercial law and a leading academic another distinguished graduate of the the field of bankruptcy, contract, and by Time magazine as one of the nation’s leading legal scholars. consumer advocate on banking issues, law school will give a commencement Warren will both receive an honorary Warren is the Leo Gottlieb Professor of address, this one on May 16. Marc Berson, one of the 100 most Doctor of Laws degree and deliver the Law at Harvard University. She currently ‘68, will speak at the Rutgers Business convocation address. serves as Assistant to the President of School convocation. Berson is chairman influential people in Warren has led a most distinguished the United States and Special Advisor of the Newark-based real estate company, career in the decades since she to the Secretary of the Treasury on the the Fidelco Group, and is well known in the world.” attended law school at Rutgers. In Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. New Jersey for his many involvements in 2009 and 2010, Warren was listed by public service and philanthropy. Berson Time magazine as one of the 100 most on behalf of American families, chaired is a founding member of the Board of Warren has testified before Congress the Congressional Oversight Panel for the National Law Journal as one of the the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and Continued on page 3 influential people in the world, and by

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www.rnphotos.blogspot.com www.youtube.com/user/RutgersInNewark Office of Communications Rutgers University 249 University Avenue http://twitter.com/rutgers_newark www.newark.rutgers.edu/oc/pubs/connections.php Newark, NJ 07102 p. 2

Kevin Kolben and RBS RESEARCH students on a research visit to India.

and workers about their involvement as the International Labor Organization SCHOLARSHIP WITHOUT BORDERS.. in the business. But in 2004, Miller’s (ILO) and the United States Agency for focus in Sri Lanka took a different turn. International Development (USAID). Many Rutgers-Newark faculty members regularly travel to global “hot That was the year the great tsunami hit Kolben also takes Rutgers students to spots” to conduct important research and scholarship. Meet a few, in the Indonesia and neighboring islands like India as part of his course on business, first of a series ofConnect profiles. Sri Lanka. With a desire to help the Sri development and the global supply Lankan victims, especially the Indian chain. There, they study that country’s Tamils, Miller helped to establish the economic development and experience Tsunami Reconstruction Project, now the country “in a way they couldn’t known as the Sri Lankan Educational otherwise.” On both his research and Fund. The primary goal of the fund is teaching visits to India and Bangladesh, to raise money to improve educational opportunities for children living on all levels: government, businesses, he gathers his findings from locals at the Macaldeniya Estate, a remote tea unions, workers and non-governmental estate in the central hills of Sri Lanka. agencies. He and his students visit slums The fund’s efforts have helped to build a Montessori school, a library, and a India can be a “hard place to travel,” as well as factories and executive offices. vocational training center. notes Kolben, and students “see “Another important goal of the Sri things they won’t see here,” including Lankan Educational Fund is to foster abject poverty. It is, he says, the most cultural exchange between American challenging, and most satisfying, work and Sri Lankan children,” notes Miller, he does. the fund’s project coordinator. The spouse of a Sri Lankan, Miller looks forward to her annual trips to Sri Lanka to share with the children the many KARIMA BENNOUNE: letters, cards and artwork she collects in From Afghanistan to Tunisia the United States.

ALDO CIVICO: Aldo Civico flying into a guerilla-controlled area Karima Bennoune, professor of law and of Colombia. The research and field missions of at the intersection of KEVIN KOLBEN: Arthur L. Dickson Scholar at Rutgers peace and conflict Education that shatters School of Law—Newark, have taken the comfort zone her to tumultuous Afghanistan, Algeria, Aldo Civico’s scholarship examines JODY MILLER: Bangladesh, Egypt, Fiji, Lebanon, the relationship between politics and Research and humanitarian While backpacking through India in Niger, Pakistan, South Korea, southern efforts in Sri Lanka 1995 as a recent college graduate, Kevin Thailand, and Tunisia. What motivates crime on the cultural, social, economic Kolben realized that studying abroad is Bennoune’s forays into these locales violence, and the influence of organized and political life of society, so his Jody Miller, professor at the School of not a luxury, but an essential element during times of upheaval and unrest? It’s Criminal Justice, specializes in feminist of the learning experience. Now a her hope to bring to the attention of the locales like Colombia, Haiti and Mexico. theory and qualitative research meth- Rutgers Business School professor and a global community ordinary citizens and fieldwork takes him to highly volatile The assistant professor of sociology ods. Her research focuses on gender, recognized expert on international labor organized activists who risk their lives and anthropology has met with anti- crime and victimization in the context of rights and regulation, international in the struggle against both government urban communities, the commercial sex trade law, and corporate accountability, oppression and religious extremism. members of the paramilitary. “Working industry, and youth gangs. Kolben does extensive research in Inspired by her late father, Dr. Mahfoud Mafia crusaders, child soldiers, and with people living at the margins, I have places that take Americans outside their Bennoune, who was imprisoned and realized that the point is not to give the “comfort level:”India, Bangladesh and tortured by the French army during marginalized a voice, which they have, civil wars, Miller collected data on other developing countries around the Algeria’s war of independence, For five years, amid its intermittent but rather to lend them an ear. In the Sri Lanka’s commercial sex trade. world. He also regularly advises and Bennoune has devoted her career to process, one discovers the dark side Primarily through interviews of industry consults with various governmental and the advancement of human rights, of one’s own society, and even of one’s participants, Miller questioned clients non-governmental organizations such particularly the rights of women. own persona. It is both academically “Like my father, I want to show that and existentially an extraordinary people can make a difference in the journey.” His interactions have taught lives of others if they remain engaged,” him that “as an anthropologist, I have comments Bennoune. the opportunity to represent the tip What’s next on the Rutgers-Newark point of a different society from the one 2010-11 Chancellor’s Distinguished perpetrators many times are caged in.” Research Scholar’s journey? Completion of her forthcoming book, made him a much-sought-after media A More Courageous Politics: Muslims Civico’s first-hand observations have expert, and he is a regular blogger on Confront Fundamentalism … and The Huffington Post. Demand Democracy, scheduled to be The scholar usually feels fairly safe published in 2012. in his journeys, noting that “it was the members of gangs, guerilla groups or paramilitary I was spending time with who always took good care of my safety and well being.” Civico works to earn Jody Miller’s recent travels to Sri Lanka focus the respect and trust of people in the on recovering from the 2004 tsunami. respectful and transparent.” field by always trying to be “very honest,

Photo: Steve Hockstein

Hail, Farewell, and Welcome Back … from cover page

Trustees of NJPAC, where he will address the 2011 Rutgers graduates. He also

Symphony Orchestra and the Paper serves as trustee for both the New Jersey Mill Playhouse. Berson is founder and chairman of the Board of Trustees of

organization that aids individuals with Opportunity Project, Inc., a not-for-profit brain injuries. Photo: Jerry Bauer

Annette Gordon-Reed Photo: Rutgers Business School

Speakers at the remaining ceremonies are: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Commencement: Behind The Scenes THE WINDING ROAD Annette Gordon-Reed, a former And By The Numbers How do graduates and faculty from at the joint convocation of the Newark by Carla Capizzi Rutgers-Newark professor, will speak NCAS, UC, RBS and SL-N get from the College of Arts and Sciences and their convocations are staged? They campus to the nearby NJPAC, where the University College, in NJPAC, on

Dr. Susan THE BASICS course! The Newark Fire Department march on foot, led by bagpipers, of Hassmiller, Robert Wood Johnson PAPER CHASE the afternoon of May 16; Foundation, will address the College of graduates and faculty from NCAS/ days, two venues (Golden Dome Pipe and Drum Squad leads the Nursing convocation on May 17 in the Eight schools, six ceremonies, four UC and the RBS around Military Park Athletic Center and the New Jersey Total number of invitations Golden Dome Athletic Center; Dr. Joan to NJPAC. Jim Tansey, a law school Performing Arts Center, or NJPAC); printed: 12,025; number of programs Morrell, Rutgers Center for Molecular alumnus, donates his services to six speakers, one honorary degree printed: 3,800. and Behavioral Neuroscience, is the his alma mater and “pipes” the law speaker for the May 17 joint ceremony graduates’ procession to the center, recipient, 3,006 graduates in total. MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC taking a short cut through Military Park. for the Graduate School-Newark Administration, in the Golden Dome; and the School of Public Affairs and WE’VE DONE THIS BEFORE The six ceremonies require the musical talents of two bands, the Rutgers Brass Criminal Justice will feature Quintet, with a total of 14 musicians: The May 18 convocation of the School of Newark College of Arts and Sciences Ensemble and the Majestic Brass Dr. John Laub, director, National This will be the 102nd convocation for DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION (NCAS); the 77th for University College Institute of Justice, in the Golden Dome. Before they march down the aisle, six on trumpet, three on trombone, Pomp and three on French horn and two on tuba, (UC); #78, Rutgers Business School Circumstance as well as the national A total of 3,006 undergraduate and playing Sir Edward Elgar’s Rutgers-Newark undergraduate and during the various ceremonies. (RBS); #100, School of Law (SL-N); anthem. advanced degrees will be awarded graduate students rent or buy between On May 12, all who are receiving #54, College of Nursing (CON); #35, 2,000 and 2,300 caps and gowns, while diplomas are invited to join in a relatively Graduate School (GS-N); #5, School faculty rent or buy about 150. About new campus tradition: A Graduating of Public Affairs and Administration (SCJ). 25-30 Ph.D. students opt to purchase Student Toast, on the Norman Samuels (SPAA); #36, School of Criminal Justice custom Rutgers robes. Alumni Association. Plaza, hosted by the Rutgers University p. 3 Photo: Arthur Paxton p. 4

More Plaudits for MFA in Creative Writing Faculty

The highly ranked Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program is on a roll. The program is welcoming Nobel laureate Toni Morrison as a guest speaker this spring, capping a long list of prize-winning authors and poets brought to campus through the Writers at Newark Reading Series.

Now two MFA program faculty are receiving additional major literary honors:

RBS : Jersey Roots, Global Feat RBS students wirh Warren Buffett in Omaha

Add another major win to Rutgers Business

School –Newark and New Brunswick’s Photo: Diedre Schoo Education (IPE) at the law school is now an (RBS) ever-expanding wall of fame. A team accredited site for earning continuing legal of Rutgers business students outperformed education (CLE) credits required by the all other U.S. schools for a global Supreme Court of New Jersey. above left: Bagpipers lead the procession to competition, the 9th annual New York NJ Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) Global As of January 1, 2010, active attorneys Investment Research Challenge. Rutgers admitted to practice law in New Jersey are left: Students assemble at NJPAC prior to was named runner-up behind the winning required to complete 24 credit hours of ceremonies. team, Politecnico di Milano from Italy. The CLE biennially. Four of those credit hours finals of the competition took place in must be in ethics and/or professionalism. Omaha, Nebraska. IPE’s CLE program, under the direction of Andrew Rossner, associate dean for Rigoberto Gonzalez WHAT’S COOKING The RBS team consisted of RBS-Newark professional education, offers a variety So what do guests dine upon during graduate students Anil Bhatia and Dmitry of formats that fit the bill. Whether there post-convocation receptions? Well, Malinsky, RBS-New Brunswick junior Joshua is a preference for seminars, workshops typically ARAMARK catering prepares Cohen, RBS-Newark senior Andre Mendoza, or in-house programs for law firms,

and School of Arts and Sciences senior Photo: Marion Ettlinger corporate law departments, non-profit & crackers, crudites, chicken tenders, Russell Miller. finger foods–such as the fruit, cheese organizations and government agencies, Swedish meatballs, breaded ravioli According to the NYSSA, the Challenge “is IPE has competitively-priced CLE learning marinara, and sheet cakes that it an educational initiative in which leading environments that cover a wide range industry professionals teach business and of topics including drafting wills, closing the RBS reception. But ARAMARK prepares for the 900 party-goers for finance students how to research and real estate transactions, and representing report on a publicly traded company.” domestic violence victims. SPAA, who enjoy omelets and French also does brunch for the 200 guests of toast, bacon, sausage, roast turkey, Faculty advisor John Longo, clinical associate professor, finance and economics The College of Nursing: at RBS, and professional mentor Allan bagels, Danish and muffins. Together at Last Tayari Jones Campbell, senior vice president at Daiwa

Asset Management, coached the team. For the first time in the 55-year history of The Poetry Society of America –whose UNDER THE GOLDEN DOME the Rutgers College of Nursing (CON), all of “Professor Longo and Mr. Campbell were annual awards are among the most its Newark facilities are now housed in one phenomenal. They brought so much prestigious given to poets – has honored central facility, thanks to the relocation of Getting the Golden Dome–site of three experience and wisdom to our team. We Associate Professor Rigoberto Gonzalez the Rutgers Business School. ceremonies–ready for its close-up felt completely prepared,” said team with its 2011 Shelley Memorial Award, takes four to five workers a total of 30 member Joshua Cohen. RBS had shared Ackerson Hall with the bestowed upon a “living American poet, hours to set up 700 rented chairs for nursing college, but when RBS moved selected with reference to his or her genius Schools in the competition were asked to guests on the gym floor, along with uptown to One , nearly two and need,” according to the society. The present to a panel of Wall Street experts 6-12 chairs—as well as the U.S., New floors of Ackerson were freed up for CON prize recognizes both emerging and their analysis of a publicly traded company Jersey and Rutgers flags, and banners use. The spaces underwent major rewiring established poets at all stages of their and make a recommendation on whether for each of the campus’s eight schools and reconstruction to convert them into a careers. Only two Shelley Awardees workers also decorate the stage with to buy or sell the company’s stock. –which are arranged on the dais. The computer lab, three seminar rooms, faculty were named. ‘”This team really embraced getting first- and administrative offices, an open-layout Assistant Professor Tayari Jones has been 18-20 rectangular planters and one hand research about the company in study and a lounge area where students, clean-up and set-up over the three named a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute large floral arrangement. Interim question,” said Longo. “They performed faculty and staff can read or study while for Advanced Study for 2011-12. Chosen extremely well in front of the judges.” brown-bagging lunch. The office of CON retrieving the dozen or more Mylar from over 800 applications, she joins a ceremonies: 25 hours. Time spent Dean William Holzemer was moved to the select group of 50 fellows chosen for third floor. Move-ins began during summer their “superior scholarship, research or balloons, meant as gifts for graduates, Law School’s Institute for 2010 and renovations were completed artistic endeavors, as well as the potential that escape from guests and float to the Professional Education: An this semester. of their projects to yield long-term impact,” apex of the Dome during ceremonies: Accredited Site for CLE Credits Before the consolidation, faculty and according to the institute website. While None - the balloons are allowed to Alumni of Rutgers School of Law-Newark students had to travel between Ackerson at Radcliffe, she will work on her fourth deflate over time and then fall to earth. have another good reason to return to their and Conklin halls for meetings or to use novel, a reimagining of Richard Wright’s alma mater. The Institute for Professional the learning lab. Native Son. p. 5

Every year Rutgers students have inspiring stories to tell about their journey to graduation and their aspirations for life beyond Rutgers. Here are a few of those stories.

Linda Louise Andino Christopher S. Dunn Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Newark College of Arts & Sciences Degree: J.D., Rutgers School of Law-Newark Current City: Roselle, New Jersey

Current City: Bayonne, New Jersey Major: Psychology

Aspirations: Practice in the field of Criminal Law, Aspirations: I aspire to pursue clinical research as well as establish myself as a clinician. Veterans Law and Redevelopment/Land Use Activities & Interests: I have always enjoyed reading, painting and drawing. Two of my favorite books are Activities: editor-in-chief, Rutgers Computer & Angela’s Ashes and Down and Out in London and Paris. I have a great interest in travel and culture but so far I have Technology Law Journal (www.rctlj.org); Captain, only explored Ireland, our east coast, and California. New Jersey Army National Guard Favorite class at Rutgers: Physiological Psychology. Sometimes I found myself simply baffled by the amount Favorite class at Rutgers: I thoroughly enjoyed both of information that was thrown at us in class. I have always been interested in our inner biological workings and Land Use with Professor Carlos Ball as well as the Skills how they influence our thought processes and mental state of being. Courses with Professor Andrew Rossner. Biggest challenge getting to graduation: Overcoming my own personal doubts. After dropping out of high Biggest challenge getting to graduation: school, I had to work through feelings of inferiority. I sometimes felt my academic identity would be tainted or Maintaining the right balance between academic focus defined by the fact that I dropped out of high school. After overcoming those feelings, I have been able to truly and the “other things” like internships, involvement visualize graduation. in networking opportunities on and off campus, and Reflections on R-N experience: Overall, very positive. Rutgers-Newark offers a diverse learning environment, fulfilling my National Guard obligations. so not only have I learned a great deal from the faculty but by interacting with my peers. I cannot say that any Reflections on R-N experience: Having never been other college can offer the well-diversified learning environment Rutgers-Newark has offered me. to Newark prior to starting school, I had so many preconceived notions about the Brick City. Now I can proudly say that I am a major believer in its future. Rutgers Law was the perfect institution for me. With professors who are not only leaders in their fields but Mark H. Ziolkowski also some of the most approachable professionals I have ever encountered, I could not have asked for a better Degree: Master of Business Administration, Rutgers Business School experience. Current City: Parlin, New Jersey

Interests: I love the outdoors and to challenge myself physically. I have competed in eight triathlons, two multi- sport adventure races, and three bodybuilding competitions

Favorite class at Rutgers: Having the opportunity to study abroad in the South of France.

Biggest challenge getting to graduation: TIME! Between work, business travel, and my time as an officer in Rimas Uzgiris the Army National Guard, devoting the necessary time to getting classes complete was difficult at best.

Degree: MFA in Creative Writing, Reflections on R-N experience:Rutgers Business School is no monkey business!! The Graduate School-Newark

Current City: New York City

Aspirations: Besides wanting to write and translate Natalae Anderson many books of poetry, I would like to get back in front of the classroom again, this time to teach creative Degree: J.D., Rutgers School of Law-Newark writing, especially poetry, and literature. Current City: Newark, New Jersey Activities & Interests: Tango; going to concerts of Aspirations: To become an exceptional prosecutor and to use my skills to influence opera, chamber music, symphony, jazz; going to art international law in the prosecution of human rights violations and crimes against humanity. museums; skiing, hiking. Activities: I have served as president of the International Law Society, a member and research editor of the Favorite class at Rutgers: Poetry Workshop Rutgers Law Review and a member of the Jessup International Moot Court Team. Biggest challenge getting to graduation: Interests: My interests include international human rights and criminal law, international relations, reading, Convincing myself through writing that I was really a traveling, dancing and playing the flute. poet and not just someone wishing he were a poet. Favorite class at Rutgers: Sexual Orientation and the Law taught by Professor Carlos Ball Reflections on R-N experience: I feel blessed to have found myself in a dynamic, supportive and Biggest challenge getting to graduation: Learning how to deal with the rigors and stress of law school. The stimulating creative writing environment, all thanks old saying goes, “The first year, they scare you to death; the second year, they work you to death; and the third to the fabulous students and faculty! The proximity year, they bore you to death.” to New York has allowed me to stay in my beloved Brooklyn neighborhood, and partake of New York City’s Reflections on R-N experience:I was impressed with Rutgers-Newark’s Minority Student Program and the many cultural offerings, while also developing in the school’s commitment to serving members of the community and being a tool for social change. Besides an familial environment of the Rutgers-Newark MFA excellent legal education, I’ve been mentored by encouraging professors and surrounded by classmates who I program. I have grown tremendously as a result of my admire and hope will be lifelong friends. time and effort here.

Photo: Buzsaki lab

LOOKING BACK: Professor Gyorgy Buzsaki Is Co-Winner of Major From the Archives European “Brain Prize”

Rutgers Board of Governors Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience, Dr. Gyorgy Buzsaki, has received the award, “The Brain Prize,” along with two other Hungarian Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Foundation’s scientists, Tamas Freund and Peter Somogyi. The prize winners of what is referred to informally as the

Copenhagen, Denmark. “Neuroscience Nobel” were announced on March 3 in The award was given to the three scientists for

“their wide-ranging, technically and conceptually brilliant research on the functional organization of Photo: Rutgers Special Collections Archives, circa 1970 hippocampus, a region that is crucial for certain forms of neuronal circuits in the cerebral cortex, especially in the memory.” Professor Colin Blakemore, Oxford University, who was chair of the selection committee for the award, said, we need a complete description of the structure of nerve “In order to know how the brain processes information cells and the dynamic characteristics of the connections has provided much of this essential knowledge for the between them. The work of Somogyi, Freund and Buzsaki IT’S A-MACE-ING | cerebral cortex. Without such painstaking research there The foundation’s announcement notes that Somogyi, At commencement, formalities and traditions abound. Here’s will never be full understanding of the brain.” one about which little is commonly known. Like many other colleges and universities academic procession. The Newark College of Arts and Sciences has its own mace, an Freund and Buzsaki, all native Hungarians, symbolize the Rutgers ceremonies feature a mace, borne usually by a professor, at the head of the sustained through periods of challenge and hardship. the “remarkable quality of Hungarian science, which was The three have worked together at Budapest, Oxford and

ornamental staff symbolizing the chancellor’s authority. The mace depicted here, held

Rutgers University (Newark, NJ), and had great influence by Provost Emeritus Norman Samuels, was designed by two carpenters who worked Rutgers seal. on each other reflected in many joint publications.” visit www.newark.rutgers.edu/neuroscience for Rutgers. The symbols around the top of the mace are bronze recreations of the For more information about Buzsaki’s research, please

Summer Session: KEEP CONNECTED Connect is a quarterly newsletter published

Photo: Theo Anderson Photo: Theo by the Office of Communications. A Time To Expand Minds Your comments are welcome. And Advance Careers Helen Paxton, Senior Editor [email protected]

Carla Capizzi, Editor “Typical” Rutgers Summer Session students are [email protected] professionals trying to advance their careers, or change Ferlanda Fox Nixon, Editor career paths. “Typical” summer students are college [email protected] students hoping to take enough classes to complete their degrees early. Some want to learn a new language or take 249 University Ave., Newark, NJ 07102 Phone 973/353-5262 Fax 973/353-1050

students want to get a jump on college classes. For current and back issues, and article interesting field trips, while high-achieving high school search, visit www.newark.rutgers.edu/oc/ In other words – there’s no such thing as a “typical” pubs/connections.php Rutgers Summer Session student; they can select day Design: Bambang Widodo, BW Design or evening courses, at the undergraduate and graduate

economics to social work. level, in nearly 40 fields of study, ranging from business to Summer is also an opportunity to experience unusual ways to learn. For instance, students in Mark Krasovic’s

in a scavenger hunt/walking tour through downtown “American Studies in the Public Square” will participate Newark, identifying the many ways that the arts and humanities impact the city’s civic life. Whatever the interest, there’s something for every learner this summer. More information: http://summer.newark.rutgers.edu/ p. 6