Drew University Graduates Class of 2013

"Never allow yourselves to say ‘I’ve done my part,'" Shakespeare scholar tells grads.

Diplomas were awarded to 599 Drew University graduates Saturday on the school's campus in Madison. Michael Bressman, communications associate and special assistant to the president at Drew, shared this account of the ceremony. Drew University’s 145th annual Commencement was held Saturday, marking the graduation of its Class of 2013. The open-air ceremony, which began at 10:30 a.m., was held on the rear lawn of Mead Hall, Drew’s iconic 19th-century campus centerpiece. With University President Vivian A. Bull presiding, graduates heard from keynote speaker Frank Occhigrosso, an acclaimed scholar of Shakespeare who retired this spring after 43 years on the Drew faculty. Speaking to graduates, Occhiogrosso paraphrased Ernest Hemingway, urging…

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Fire in Drew Public Safety Vehicle Extinguished

Fire started near wiring in Dodge Charger's trunk, Madison fire chief says.

Madison firefighters extinguished a smoldering, smoky fire in the trunk of a Drew University Public Safety patrol car Sunday night that apparently was caused by an electrical problem, officials said. The fire started around the wiring to the Dodge Charger's battery, which is in the trunk for that vehicle model, Madison Fire Chief Lou DeRosa said. The car was behind the Department of Public Safety's headquarters on the school campus when firefighters arrived.  Judy Rosenbaum, Public Safety administrative assistant, said a Public Safety officer drove the car there after noticing there was a problem. DeRosa said the fire could have spread to the rest of the car if the fire wasn't caught in time. He said the fire was small and firefighters put…

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Underage Drinking Law OK'd With Drew U. Input

Effective date changed to after university's May 17 graduation because of concerns law will give students pause when considering calling for medical help.

A law that prohibits underage drinking on private property with some exceptions won't take effect until after Drew University's May 17 commencement because of concerns the law could give students pause when considering calling for medical help if needed. The Borough Council approved the law with a new effective date—May 20—at its Monday meeting, and plans to amend it further at the next meeting to alleviate those concerns. A "Good Samaritan clause" meant to protect those seeking medical help from being punished under the alchohol law has been prepared and is expected to be introduced at the next Borough Council meeting, officials said. Drew Student Government President Andrew Bishop raised concerns about the lack of such protection during …

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Condi Rice: Marathon Bombing Shatters Idea of Security

Former Secretary of State and National Security Adviser discussed Boston attack, North Korea and staying optimistic in appearance at Drew University.

The Boston Marathon bombing this week, like 9/11, was an evil act that shatters the idea of national security, former Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said during an appearance at Drew University in Madison Thursday night. In a wide-ranging speech and Q-and-A before a sellout crowd of around 2,000 people, Rice touched on national and international issues as she closed out the Drew Forum lecture series. "We will learn from this experience and this now will be put into the memory banks as to how to try to better protect soft targets," Rice said in response to an audience member who asked for her assessment of what happened. "But just horrible events. My heart goes out to the victims and the families and the …

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Church to Host Easter Egg Hunt on Drew Lawn

Children will do a craft at The United Methodist Church in Madison and then go outside for the hunt Saturday morning.

Children ages 6 and under are invited to an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at The United Methodist Church in Madison, 24 Madison Avenue. Children, with a caregiver, will do a craft, and then go outside for the hunt on the lawn of Drew University near the church, according to a church announcement. The event is free and is open to the public. For more information call the church at 973-377-1231.

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Pulitzer Winner to Discuss Global Gender Equality

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof will address an intimate crowd at Drew University.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof will discuss his book, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide," at Drew University this month, the university announced. The book explores the oppression of women worldwide and how the situation can be improved. Kristof's talk is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Registration is required. “Nicholas Kristof has distinguished himself as a thought leader on contemporary issues that affect women worldwide and we’re very pleased that he’ll be visiting Drew,” University President Vivian A. Bull said in a news release. “His visit reaffirms Drew’s stature in…

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Arianna Huffington Speaks at Drew Forum

President and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group talks media coverage, leadership, the American dream, and the importance of napping.

Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, spoke at Drew University in Madison this week as part of the Drew Forum lecture series. Her lecture Wednesday touched on media coverage, leadership, the American dream and the importance of resting, according to a Drew Acorn report. Huffington told attendees negativity is sapping America's ability to overcome challanges, media outlets too often limit their coverage of issues to two opposing points of view, and encouraged engaged citizens to get off the sidelines, the campus newspaper reported. "It is time to look in the mirror and find the leader within yourself and do something outside of what you’re comfortable with," Huffington said. Drew assembled …

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Drew Students Protest Food Policies

Student's run-in with campus security 'blossomed into a student movement.'

'Trelawny of the Wells' Pays Tribute to Theater, Audience

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey wraps season with warm humor.

The first half-century at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is coming to a close this month with a production that pays homage not only to the players on the stage, but the people in the seats. Calling it a play she’s wanted to do for 30 years, Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte’s rare revival of Arthur Wing Pinero’s “Trelawny of the Wells” gives us actors playing actors and, as this milestone season concludes, a glimpse into why they do what they do. While casual viewers may miss some of the backstage in-jokes and personality quirks one expects to find in the dramatic world, anyone who has ever been a part of an improvised family—be it at work, in a neighborhood or elsewhere—can identify with the conflicts and camaraderie of this …

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Trees Hit Dorm, Transformer, Econ Building at Drew

Nearly 150 students and their families are staying in a shelter at the United Methodist Church in Chatham.

The Forest lost about two dozen trees that were blasted by the powerful gusts of Tropical Storm Sandy. The large trees and numerous branches fell on the Drew University campus, known as The Forest, and some damaged buildings and equipment. Trees struck a freshman dorm, an electrical transformer, and a building that houses the school's economics department as the area was hit by Tropical Storm Sandy, a university spokesman said Wednesday. Nearly 150 students and family members who live with them on campus, and were not able to leave with other students as the storm approached, are now staying at a shelter set up at the United Methodist Church in Chatham as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, said David Muha, a Drew University spokesman. "Drew is nicknamed…

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