Berlin Sun_Current Sun

Pursuing dreams of treating animals in New Jersey

Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine will begin classes in 2025

By ALBERT J. COUNTRYMAN Jr. The Sun

New Jersey youth who aspire to help animals can now realize their dream locally at a new Rowan University veterinary school named for a local businessman.

State officials and educators attended an April groundbreaking at Rowan’s West campus in Harrison Township for the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, named for J&J Snack Foods’ founder Gerald Shreiber.

The Pennsauken businessman and staunch animal welfare advocate donated $30 million to fund the school, which will accept its first class in September 2025.

“It’s an honor to be able to build New Jersey’s very first veterinary school,” said Dr. Matthew Edson, founding dean of the Shreiber school. “Having been born and raised here, I’m looking forward to providing the in-state option I didn’t have access to, to future generations

of veterinarians in the Garden State.”

There are 33 veterinary schools in the nation, but just five on the East Coast, noted

Edson, who added that it has been a major challenge for state students to study veterinary science because they must compete for out-of-state positions

in schools elsewhere.

“We plan to reserve at least 50 percent of the seats in our program for New Jersey residents, so they will benefit from

competing for a pool of seats reserved for them,” he said.

“We’re hoping to expand access to affordable veterinary ed-

please see ROWAN, page 4

Courtesy of Rowan University

This artist’s rendition on the first-ever veterinary school in New Jersey was on display during the recent groundbreaking ceremonies.

Commissioners honored historic McDonald’s All-American MVPs

By Camden County

Commissioner

In an unprecedented season for Camden County basketball, not one, but both boys and girls basketball MVPs for the 46th annual McDonald’s All American Game went to Camden County students. DJ Wagner, who played his high school basketball at Camden High School and Hannah Hidalgo, who played her high school basketball at Paul VI, both secured the MVPs for high school basketball’s biggest game. On Wednesday, May 31, the Camden County Board of Commissioners, Camden City Mayor Victor Carstarphen, elected and school officials gathered to honor these remarkable young athletes.

This historic achievement is something everyone in the county should recognize. To think that two of the best basketball players in the nation, that both earned MVPs in the greatest basketball showcase on earth, went to high school about 10 minutes from one another in our county is something extraordinary. These two players and their teammates embody the best of Camden County and we are proud to have DJ and Hannah representing us on and o the court. We are hoping for the best for them as they take their talents and academic pursuits to college.

Both scholar-athletes had big games in Houston at the annual event to showcase the best basketball players in the nation at the end of March. In the boys game, Wagner lead the East to overcome a large second half de cit and defeat the West while scoring 19 points, all in the second half. In the girls game, Hidalgo broke the all-time scoring record and tied the steals record during her game.

Director Louis Cappelli Jr.

Wagner will be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall and Hidalgo will be heading to Notre Dame. Wagner also became the rst third generation player from the same family to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Started in 1977, the McDonald’s All-American Game has become the biggest showcase in the nation for high school basketball players. It is a place where most of the greatest athletes to ever play in the National Basketball Association and the Women’s National Basketball Association got their start. The inaugural McDonald’s All-American Games was played in front of a crowd of 13,000 fans at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA.45 years later, the McDonald’s All-American Games is the apex of high school basketball. Each year the event welcomes a new group of talented young athletes into a club of legendary icons including Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Lebron James, Candace Parker and A’ja Wilson.

Both students were awarded special Best in Class Medals for their performances on the hard wood in Houston. They were also given Congressional accommodations from Congressman Donald Norcross for their success in the classroom and in the gym.

For more information on Camden County, visit www.camdencounty.com. If you have any other questions about Camden County services, please call me at (856) 225-5451 or email me at lou.cappelli@ CamdenCounty.com. Also, you can like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/camdencountynj and follow us on Twitter @camdencountynj

XPoNential Music Festival

Tickets for the 30th annual WXPN XPoNential Music Festival, which will bring three days of concerts and programs to the Camden waterfront this September, are now on sale. The outdoor music festival produced by WXPN in partnership with the Camden County Board of Commissioners will take place from Friday, Sept. 22 through Sunday, Sept. 24 at Wiggins Waterfront Park.

“We are always excited to partner with WXPN to bring this much-loved festival to the Camden waterfront each year,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “As usual the festival’s lineup has an incredible selection of performers so there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome residents and visitors to the waterfront this September for this wonderful event.”

Wiggins Park offers convenient access to the festival via public transportation, two stages and natural amphitheaters that produce great sound as well as festival seating and riverfront

promenades that offer spectacular views of the Delaware River and Philadelphia skyline. The festival will also have amenities such an artist meet-and-greet area for WXPN members, a children’s activities area, and a variety of food, drink, and vendor selections.

This year’s concert will feature the following artists:

Old Crow Medicine Show

Tegan and Sara

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers

The Hold Steady

Margo Price

Allison Russell

Low Cut Connie

Sammy Rae & The Friends

Bailen

Celisse

Leyla McCalla

Say She She

Sunny War

Don McCloskey

Julia Pratt

Nik Greeley & The Operators

Moustapha Noumbissi

Mobbluz

Velvet Rouge

Send us your Berlin news

Dapper for a cause

Cyclists ride in Audubon to support health research

By EMILY LIU The Sun

Nearly 60 men and women took to the streets of Audubon dressed in dapper attire and riding motorcycles in a local version of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on May 21.

According to its website, the ride – held internationally on the same May date – originated in Sydney Australia in 2012, with 3,000 dressed up riders who sought  to “positively represent the global motorcycling community.” The local ride was sponsored by the South Jersey-Audubon chapter of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.

The organization has grown from supporting prostate and testicular cancer research to including support for suicide

prevention and men’s mental health programs. In 2016, it began a partnership with the Movember charity, best known for its Mustache Movember campaign when men grow their facial hair during the month of November for the same causes.

The South Jersey-Audubon branch of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride got its start in Haddonfield in 2017 and moved to Audubon as crowds grew. This year’s ride – when families and children who come to watch can also dress in classy attire –was organized by Moorestown resident David Burris, Westmont resident Jamison Dellis and Haddonfield resident Greg Dembs.

The event had the support of the Brown Dog Cafe and Red

please see EVENT, page 7

Rowan: Groundbreaking held for state’s first veterinary school

ucation to those in our state.”

The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine is a tribute to the South Jersey entrepreneur, who founded his snack company in 1971 after purchasing an ailing pretzel business with just eight employees, according to the J&J Snack Foods website.

The business is now a national juggernaut of 20 manufacturing facilities that make and distribute everything from its trademark Superpretzel to Luigi’s Italian Ice, churros and funnel cake. J&J averages yearly revenue of $1 billion.

“I’m very sure that there are young people growing up in New Jersey right now that could eventually apply to the veterinary school and pursue their dreams of treating animals with assistance from the gift,” Shreiber noted at the groundbreaking. “That’s very satisfying to me.

“I’m looking forward to that first class walking down the aisle.”

“Mr. Shreiber’s gift will be used to establish an endowment that provides scholarship support for generations of veterinary students,” Edson explained.

“A gift this size will generate substantial yearly returns we can use to fund scholarship’ without affecting the principal value, meaning we can provide perpetual funding for students for years to come.”

Edson’s own practice, Rancocas Veterinary Associates in Mount Laurel, has expanded into a successful, multi-doctor operation.

“As a practicing veterinarian in private practice versus a career academic, I’m driven to make sure our program serves our graduates’ needs to confidently enter practice and understand the needs we as employers have when these students are brought on board,” he said.

“I think that experience really drives our plans for the curriculum here.”

Edson and his staff hope to create a veterinary program at

Rowan that produces graduates with preparation for entry-level practice or internship and residency training.

“Early exposure to clinical skills, thorough communications and wellness training, practice management education and broad hands-on experience within our facilities and outside community partners are core to this,” he pointed out.

“We’re also looking forward to helping fill a need for access to veterinary care in our region through our clinical practices.”

Veterinary medicine is more than just caring for pets, Edson said. It is also about public health, research and discovery, food safety and serving societal needs.

“We want the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine to be an excellent, student-centered educational program that also will work to meet these external needs as well,” he observed.

Future plans include a possible hospital for large animals, Edson revealed.

“We’re equally committed to providing care for large and small animals and providing students clinical experiences with both,” he remarked. “We’re in the process of establishing an

Courtesy of Rowan University

Gerald B. Shreiber

South Jersey business leader

by Rowan University

and other officials to celebrate his

equine/large animal field-service program that will provide care for large animals at area farms, and hope to have this service up and running by this fall.

“We’ve also established partnerships with several outside equine and large animal prac-

tices for student experiences,” Edson added. “While our current plans for physical hospital facilities are primarily to serve small animals, there are discussions underway surrounding the potential construction of an equine/large animal hospital as well.”

and philanthropist

(center) was joined

representatives

$30-million gift to New Jersey’s first veterinary school. They included Gov. Phil Murphy (seated, left) and Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand (seated, right).

Camden youth summer internships

Commissioner Deputy Director Ed McDonnell will join Mayor Victor Carstarphen, city council members and other elected officials on Tuesday to announce youth summer internships opportunities in the city of Camden.

The annual Summer Youth Internship Program pays $13.50 per hour for up to 20 hours per week. The program is designed to give an educational experience and financial incentive to the city’s youth and provide a structured work environment that has proven to motivate youth to finish high school and pursue higher education. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 14 to 17 years old and must permanently reside in the City of Camden.

“This program allows our youth to receive hands-on working experience that can be useful for them as they navigate

their education and their eventual transition to the working world,” McDonnell said. “It is a wonderful opportunity for the kids here in Camden city and we encourage young residents to consider applying.”

For those interested in applying, applications are available on the City of Camden’s website at: ci.camden.nj.us/ summer-youth-internship-program/.

Applications can also be obtained from the Camden Department of Human Services at the North Camden Community Center which is located at 1000 N. 6th Street Camden, NJ 08102, or by calling (856) 757-7285. Applications will be accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by emailing HumanServices@ci.camden.nj.us. The deadline for the submission of applications is Friday, May 26.

Household hazardous items collection events

Camden County will begin hosting their household hazardous items collection events beginning in April. During these collections, county residents can bring hazardous materials not suited to be thrown out into the regular garbage such as antifreeze, oil-based paints, weed killer, household cleansers and more.

“Today is the first day of Spring and we know residents will be cleaning out their basements, garages and sheds. These collections are a great way for our residents to clear out their homes of items that can’t just be tossed into the garbage,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, liaison to the office of Environmental Affairs. “We are cutting down on the number of toxic materials making their way into the environment by collecting and disposing of them in the proper manner. We encourage

all our residents to stop by one of the upcoming collections to get rid of any hazardous materials they have.”

Hazardous waste collections are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:

June 10, Camden County Public Works Complex, 2311 Egg Harbor Road, Lindenwold

September 23 Sanitary Landfill, 9600 N. River Road, Pennsauken

October 14 Camden County Public Works Complex, 2311 Egg Harbor Road, Lindenwold

At each collection, all residents must show proof of residency and remain in their vehicles throughout the event. All materials to be dropped off should be placed in the rear cargo area of the vehicle, not in the passenger seating area.

Junior Police Academy

The Berlin Police Department is now accepting applications for the Junior Police Academy happening this summer. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Berlin PD Facebook and website for necessary information and further questions. A detailed flier

with instructions is available. The borough’s officers always enjoy interacting with the youth of the community. Nothing gives them more pride than educating those who wish or want to possibly one day, fill the shoes of a law enforcement officer.

The path to success Full preschool has benefits that literally grow

The Cherry Hill board of education is in the process of converting its preschool program from half to full day beginning in the fall, a move happening all over South Jersey.

The district will use a preschool curriculum approved by the state Department of Education that will continue to be a play-based program with a number of choices for students on what activities they will do and at what times.

Statewide, full-day preschool is a high priority for the administration of Gov. Phil Murphy, who is helping school systems in New Jersey pay for quality programs. He announced in February that state districts will get an additional $120 million in grants for expansion, on top of funds already allocated to 16 districts last September. Among the latter are schools in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties, including Westampton, Gibbsboro, Lawnside and South Harrison.

Overall, Murphy’s goal of providing free, full-time preschool to every 3- and 4-year-old in the state has resulted in the addition of programs in more than 160 school districts – with room for 12,000 additional students.

“Expanding access to free, fullday preschool programs represents an investment in the future of New Jersey’s children,” the governor said in February. “A quality preschool education provides students with the foundational skills they need to learn and succeed as they advance through life, which is why we must –and will – continue to work toward universal pre-K throughout New

with kids

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Jersey.”

Murphy is right on point: Children who enter kindergarten without preschool will likely be left behind some of their peers. According to the National Institute for Early Childhood Research, nearly half of all 3-year-olds and a third of 4-year-olds in the U.S. were not enrolled in preschool in 2019.

Those who were achieved goals that could benefit them as adults, NPR reported in 2021. One experiment in Michigan during the 1970s showed that kids who participated in preschool were much less likely to get arrested, go on welfare or be unemployed. They also earned more in their lifetimes.

Some parents may not buy into that because of persistent myths about preschool, among them that it is all about just playing games and singing songs. Wrong. Parents may think they can teach the same things children learn in preschool – including socialization – at home. Wrong again.

“By expanding access to high-quality preschool programs, we ensure more students through-

out New Jersey can take advantage of the social and emotional development that comes with early education,” state Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt noted.

As far back as 2014, researchers have pointed to full-day preschool as an essential step toward kindergarten. A study released that year in the Journal of the American Medical Association and published in Time magazine found that children in full-time preschool are better prepared for learning and social interaction than those in part-time programs.

Researchers looked at 1,000 low-income and ethnic-minority 3and 4-year-olds enrolled in Chicago’s Child-Parent Center Education Program and noted improvement in four of six measures of school readiness. Children in full-day programs showed higher scores in social development, language, math and physical health than their part-time peers.

“This is not just an investment into our schools,” Lampitt noted of extended preschool. “It’s a commitment to our children’s futures.”

Christina Mitchell cmitchell@newspapermediagroup.com

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Special to The Sun

Event: Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride supports health causes

continued from page 3

White Brew Beer Company in Audubon, Hardtop Garage in Pennsauken, Maurizio’s Bistro in Moorestown, and Ends of the Earth Cigar Shop in Haddonfield.

“The purpose of the ride, everyone’s all dappered up on these cool classic and modern-classic motorcycles, and the idea is to make a spectacle, so people ask, ‘What’s going on over there?’” Burris explained.

“The ride is typically limited to around 25 miles, and ideally, you’re riding on roads 25 to 40 miles per hour,’’ he added. “It’s not a race, more of a parade type of  thing.”

Burris noted why the event was so important to him.

“I grew up riding four-wheelers and dirt bikes and that kind of fun stuff, and me and my

brother enjoyed doing that together,” he recalled of his late brother, who committed suicide.

“He’s older than me; he rode motorcycles in college and after college, and when I graduated college, we picked out a motorcycle together for him,” Burris added. “I  helped him shop for it and he wound up taking his life later that year.”

More than a decade later –after getting involved in 2018 –Burris still uses the motorcycle the brothers picked together for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.

“It’s pretty emotional, and it’s difficult for the people going through the mental-health issues and suicide,” he acknowledged. “Whether it’s attempts or it’s successful, and also for the survivors who are friends and family left in the wake of that (suicide), it’s difficult for every-

one.”

Burris reflected on how mental health and suicide have been exacerbated by  isolation during COVID, and when he speaks, he urges those who’ve lost a loved one to suicide to get help for themselves.

“If you’re someone who experienced a loss to suicide, it’s something you need to process and do in a healthy way, so it doesn’t potentially weigh you down,” Burris pointed out. “It’s not forgetting, it’s not letting go of someone, but it’s letting go of what you feel is your guilt or your responsibility.”

With 58 riders, the Audubon ride raised $20,135 for Movember; nationwide, $2.5 million was raised by 13,805 riders.

To learn more about the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, visit https://www.gentlemansride.com/.