On the Boulevard
New Academic Dean
Gift on permanent display in Guarini House
Velda Goldberg, Ph.D. Velda Goldberg, Ph.D., recently appointed the academic dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business Administration, is thrilled to join the Saint Peter’s College community. “The transition has been wonderful,” said Dr. Goldberg, formerly a professor and chair of the physics department at Simmons College in Boston. Velda Goldberg, Ph.D. “Everyone I have met here has been kind, gracious and helpful. It’s very clear that Saint Peter’s students see it as their responsibility to make newcomers feel welcome.” Dr. Goldberg began her new post on July 1. She was attracted to the College’s multicultural student population and location in Jersey City: “The level of diversity here is extraordinary and makes for a tremendously rich environment.” The academic dean also praised the College’s commitment to Jesuit education. “The Jesuit tradition emphasizes justice and that really resonates with me,” she said. “For instance, I recently met with a member of the criminal justice graduate faculty, and you might think his work would focus on perpetrators and victims. Instead, he was eager to discuss the dynamic between law enforcement personnel and members of the community. Part of the Jesuit mission is to see the value in everyone and reach out to others.” Dr. Goldberg is looking forward to playing an important role in the College’s growth. “We’re developing new programs and attracting students from outside of New Jersey,” she remarked. “Being in Jersey City is very exciting at this time—it’s like a living laboratory. The community is developing at a fast pace and I hope Saint Peter’s will be able to make a significant contribution to its growth. It’s exciting that we can help determine the future of this wonderful city.”
Joey Travolta and President Cornacchia
“The Quiet Zone”
Joey Travolta, the older brother of film star John Travolta, led a short film camp for 50 campers at the Saint Peter’s College Englewood Cliffs campus last summer. During the two-week program, young filmmakers, most of whom were autistic, created three short films and a PSA about autism. A native of Englewood, N.J., Travolta ran the inclusion films program at Saint Peter’s with the help of his crew and 20 volunteers. The program is produced by MarbleJam Kids, Inc., a nonprofit charity dedicated to bringing creative arts enrichment to individuals with autism.
“The Quiet Zone,” a painting by the late artist George A. Rada ’56, is now on permanent display at Guarini House. The landscape, which depicts East Meadow in Central Park, is a gift to the College from Rada’s widow, Jacqueline Sferra Rada. Bringing together the landscape and human figure, “The Quiet Zone” is an especially significant piece since it graced the cover of George A. Rada: A Painter’s Journey, a retrospective of Rada’s life and work published in 2009. Sferra Rada said she welcomed the opportunity to have the painting on permanent display at Guarini House.
Media Maven Saint Peter’s College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., appeared on two news programs recently. On August 30, ABC Eyewitness News Education Reporter Art McFarland interviewed Dr. Cornacchia about the College’s successful summer tuition discount program. The president also discussed the future of higher education with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Caucus: New Jersey, hosted by Emmy Award-winning anchor Steve Adubato. The Caucus: New Jersey segment aired on PBS stations last July. Both programs can be accessed at spc.edu/EyewitnessNews2010 and spc.edu/CaucusNewJersey2010.
L to R: Steve Adubato, President Cornacchia and Gov. Chris Christie
President Cornacchia and Art McFarland, ABC Eyewitness News education reporter
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