Newark and Camden campuses welcome Richard L. McCormick
Archived article from Nov 18, 2002
By Bill Glovin
Incoming President Richard L. McCormick's official start date of Dec. 1 hasn¡¯t stopped him from trying to get a jump-start on the challenges that lie ahead. On Nov. 7 and 8, he was welcomed at "Meet the President" events on the Newark and Camden campuses. At both events, he gave an address, responded to questions and spent time informally meeting and greeting students and faculty.
"When I was at Rutgers many years ago, I was in New Brunswick. So I really need to learn about the Camden and Newark campuses," said McCormick, whose last day as the president of the University of Washington was Nov. 15. "I promise that you'll be seeing a lot of me."
Provost Steven J. Diner served as host of the Newark event, held in the expansive atrium of the Center for Law and Justice. Helping to welcome McCormick to Newark were Clement Price, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor and a member of the presidential search committee, and Amit Rijhsinghani, president of the Newark College of Arts and Sciences Student Government Organization.
Provost Roger Dennis hosted Camden's event at the campus center. Christopher Wolk, president of the Student Governing Association, said that he thought McCormick was the right man for the job and, with the Scarlet Raptor mascot at his side, announced that the new Rutgers president was being officially granted the distinction of "Honorary Scarlet Raptor." With a celebratory grin, McCormick also cut a huge cake marking the university's 236th anniversary.
McCormick told audiences on both campuses that he would likely transfer some authority now held in New Brunswick to administrators in Newark and Camden. "It's your turf; you know what needs to be done," he said. Another goal, he said, would be to create a student forum so that student leaders from all three campuses could meet with him once a month. McCormick also said he hoped students would help him convince the state to improve its support for Rutgers. "In my travels to bring the message of this university to the citizens of the state, I'll need you at my side," he told students. "You can make the case for Rutgers better than anyone."
McCormick will participate in a similar event Dec. 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the College Avenue Gym on the New Brunswick campus.
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