AVM Founder Receives Patriot of the Year Award

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By Cheryl Conway 

Having a personal item stolen does not sit well for any victim, especially for this 9- year-old boy who lost his bike and a police officer who could relate. 

Michael Pagan of Flanders, a fourth grader who attends Tinc Rd. Elementary School, knows what it feels like to have a favorite possession stolen. His bike was taken on Friday, Sept. 16, after he left it at the bus stop like he usually does with the other bicycles that day. 

“Michael left his bike and helmet at the school bus stop inside of our private community in the morning and headed off on the school bus,” his mom Allison Pagan explains.  “It was left unlocked amongst other kids’ bikes.  When the school bus dropped him off in the afternoon his bike and helmet were gone but the others remained.” 

He had gotten the blue mountain bike as a gift this past summer, explains Pagan.  He learned how to ride it in August at the Mt. Olive Recreation Bike Riding Clinic, she says. His helmet was also taken. 

Imagine getting off the bus after a long day at school, looking forward to that bike ride home, to find it not there.    

“Michael was immediately upset that his bike was not at the bus stop where he left it,” says Pagan. “He was crying.  We looked around our community but quickly realized it was gone. We tried to comfort Michael and suggested that whoever took it could have been less fortunate than us.  We told him that we hope that the person really took it out of necessity.  

“Initially we thought it was a mix up and it would be found,” she continues. “We thought that somebody took it thinking it was left out for garbage, even though that never really made any sense to us.  We drove through the apartment complex across the street looking for it - to see if it was taken there - but did not find it.” 

Pagan says she and her husband, Daniel Pagan, were initially not going to report the stolen bike to authorities. But that soon changed. 

“When another neighbor's bike went missing the following school day, Monday, Sept. 19, we deemed it necessary, so I went to the station to notify them,” says Pagan who works as a high school secretary.  “The other parent did not make a report.” 

The Pagans were planning to buy their son a new bike until someone beat them to it.
On September 20, Michael Pagan had a surprise waiting for him at the end of the school day. It was a brand new black, 24-inch Schwinn Mountain bike, along with a helmet and combination lock.   

A local police officer decided to buy the bike and a few officers later pitched in. 

“They surprised him at the afternoon bus stop after school,” says Pagan. 

“When I was about Michael’s age, my bike was also stolen, so this report really hit home for me,” says Cpl. George Jadue of the Mt. Olive Police Department Patrol Division, the investigating officer for the stolen bicycle. “Luckily, a few days later, someone located my lost bike, and it was returned to me.  Although it was returned, I would never forget how it felt to have my most prized possession and form of transportation taken. 

“When I heard about Michael’s story and how much his bike meant to him, it resonated with me,” continues Jadue, an officer with MOPD for the past 14 years. “Since I could not find his bike, I decided to buy Michael a new bike with my own money. I wanted Michael to know that the human element of this job is an important one that is not forgotten. I wanted Michael to know that I was once his age and had the same feelings of loss and disappointment. That’s why when the police department was unable to locate and return his bike to him, I felt compelled to give him what he lost. 

“I wanted Michael to be heard and know that we will always do our best to help, even though we did not “catch the bad guy,” says Jadue. “I decided to surprise Michael and give him his new bike when he got off his school bus. Once my squad heard what I did, they wanted to contribute to the bike using money out of their own pockets.” While the stolen bike “has not been located,” according to Jadue, Michael Pagan is back to being a happy kid.  

“Michael was shocked and excited,” says his mom when he saw the new bike. “He wanted to ride it immediately! The replacement bike coming from MOPD was extremely meaningful to him. The fact that it came from the MOPD was the most impactful part of this experience overall in terms of feeling seen and  heard, sense of community.” 

There are also some lessons to be learned.  

“Michael learned to always protect and lock his belongings!” says his mom. “He also learned a lot about community and wants to "pay it forward" to the other neighborhood kid who also had a bike theft.” 

The Pagans, who have lived in Mt. Olive since 2013, are “extremely touched” and “grateful” of the MOPD’s kind gesture. 

To do this “out of the kindness of their hearts” in order “to turn a bad childhood experience around” speaks volumes. 

“Thank you MOPD!,” says Pagan. “We appreciate and support MOPD and all law enforcement!  

I am positive that Michael will remember this experience for the rest of his life.  They made a huge impact and really turned the situation around.” 

She brought Michael and her other son, 6-year old Danny Pagan, to the MOPD to show their appreciation.   

“Michael drew a picture of him riding the bike and wrote a thank you note on the back,” she explains. “When we dropped the note off at the police station, they further surprised my boys (both of them) with police badge stickers and a kid’s bracelet. 

It is one goal to make a roster spot of a Division I program at the collegiate level, and a whole other feat to win the conference and move onto the NCAA Championship. Molly Conway of Flanders is enjoying every step! 

Conway, a 2020 graduate of Mt. Olive High School, plays for Radford University Women’s Soccer Team in Virginia, and her team just won the Big South Championship against Gardner Webb this past weekend. Number 3 seed Radford beat number 4 seed Gardner Webb 3-0 in the finals held at Matthews Sportsplex in North Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 6.  

Out of 10 teams in the Big South conference this season, the top four teams compete in the Big South Tournament. The champion then advances to the NCAA Tournament to compete in a pool of 64 teams. 

Radford Women's Soccer is scheduled to play against the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m., at Duke University in North Carolina.

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The Radford Highlanders Women’s Soccer Team is one of 31 D1 conference champions throughout the country to qualify for the tournament; 33 other teams get an at large bid. 

This is Radford’s eighth time in program history to win the 2022 Big South Tournament. At the end of season play, the Highlanders finished with 12 wins, 3 losses and 4 ties.   

Conway, a junior, is studying criminal justice. She is the only girl out of six siblings, all known for their soccer skills and success in playing at the college level. 

The Mt. Olive Education Foundation recently announced the sponsors of the new Mt. Olive High School digital scoreboard.  

Notable premium sponsors include Motion Kia, Thunder Lacrosse, LabQ, and Hudson Shore Advisors who each committed to donate $50,000 over the next five years, according to a press release by the Mt. Olive Education Foundation. 

These funds will then be donated back to the district to cover the costs of the financed scoreboard and its installation. The “premium donors'' will have fixed logos attached to the scoreboard. 

Additionally, there will be a projected $60,000 to 100,000 in additional revenue generated by scrolling and rotating digital advertising on the scoreboard, according to the release.  

The education foundation has been hard at work acquiring private donations to cover the cost of the local school district’s new 28 x 50 foot $300K state of the art single screen LED digital scoreboard.  

The scoreboard is now an anchor of the Foundation's efforts.  

The scoreboard project was unanimously approved by the Mt. Olive Board of Education on March 9, 2020. The project was scrapped in the summer of 2020 due to the pandemic. 

A Charitable, Public, and Private Collaboration  

The project was revitalized in the summer of 2021 via a contract between the district and the Mt.  Olive Education Foundation, a local IRS approved charity organization whose mission is to support the school district via student scholarships, teacher professional development, and student academic programs. The terms of the contract provide for advertising revenue sharing between the district and the foundation. The onus for securing donors and advertisers for the scoreboard falls on the Foundation who will in turn use the funds to fulfill its charitable mission. According to Foundation President Howie Weiss, the foundation will repay the district for the costs associated with building the scoreboard and then in turn have shared rights to the advertising funds to drive its scholarship programs.  

“It’s a beautiful partnership between local businesses, the foundation, and the district,” says Weiss. “It’s a hard sell to ask for donations when people don’t see where they are going.”  

More Than A Scoreboard 

According to MOSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Zywicki, currently on suspension, the scoreboard will become a fixture in the high school curriculum starting in the 2023 school year. High school video production classes will record and produce commercials for local business, live sports broadcasts, and interviews with local businesses. Marketing and accounting students will utilize the data and advertising models for their projects. 

Weiss is emphatic that the scoreboard “is a win win” for all parties involved and showcases the innovation within the district and the support of the community for the district’s programs.  

Oktoberfest was held at Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake on Saturday, October 8. The weather made the event even more spectacular with more than 9,000 visitors.  The event was planned by the Mt. Olive Recreation Department.
 

Hackettstown Rotary Club plans to hold a Holiday Food Drive to Benefit Norwescap Food Bank on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Panera Bread parking lot in Mansfield.   

Cash donations are welcome and the following items are needed: Canned fruits and vegetables tuna, tuna, peanut butter, carrots, stuffing mix, pasta, sauces, frozen turkeys and non-perishable food.  

Gift cards and donations are appreciated. 

“This is a project that Hackettstown Rotary Club has been doing for over 20 years,” says Catherine Rust, president-elect for the Hackettstown Rotary Club.  “It is so heartwarming that each year the community comes together for this opportunity and helps Norwescap Food Bank in this manner, and we love to see the joy on the faces of the many people who come to donate each year!” 

For more information about this Food Drive, please contact Rust at rustce@gmail.com 

About Norwescap Food Bank 

Norwescap’s Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, is dedicated to ending hunger and reducing food waste by soliciting, storing and distributing donated food and other products to partner organizations in Hunterdon, Sussex and Warren counties. The Food Bank distributes enough food to provide nearly 1.7 million meals annually to over 100 pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, on-site feeding programs, childcare centers, senior centers, and programs for the disabled; and also supports summer food programs, school pantries and backpack programs for public schools throughout the region. 

Hope Hub Coordinator Officer Chelsea Whiting climbs into the new van, with (right) Hope One Coordinator Corporal Erica Valvano following her. 

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon unveiled a new Hope One vehicle earlier this month at a ceremony on Court Street in Morristown attended by human services and mental health professionals, law enforcement leaders, Superior Court staff and county employees. 

The new vehicle, dubbed the “mini” Hope One truck, will help to expand the popular Hope One program, transporting the team to community events and client visits throughout the county. Launched in 2017, Hope One is a highly successful and often replicated mobile outreach program by which teams travel Morris County, offering critical support for individuals and families struggling with mental health and substance use disorders, and providing Naloxone (Narcan) education, training and kits in the community. 

Since the beginning, the Hope One team has stopped at more than 900 locations, marking more than 30,000 contacts in the community. Hope One has distributed more than 5,800 Narcan kits to family members and friends of those struggling with substance use disorders, free of charge. Narcan is used to immediately treat a known or suspected opioid overdose emergency, and 114 people have reported using the Narcan kits distributed by Hope One to save or attempt to save a life. 

“Hope One works because we go out into the community, we publish where we are going and we have a plains clothes sheriff’s officer, we have a mental health clinician and we have a certified peer recovery specialist who go out into the community and talk to people where they are,” said Gannon. “We truly deal with people where they are at, and we have been very successful.” 

During the initial height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hope One Project witnessed an increase of individuals who required access to critical public services. It became clear there was an elevated need for an additional Hope One vehicle to serve the community. 

However, due to production delays, the Morris County Motor Services Center could not obtain a new van. 

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners stepped in to provide the Hope One Project a 2019 Ford Transit passenger vehicle, which was converted into the “mini” Hope One vehicle dedicated this morning.   

“This is an immensely important program that has had a real impact with partner programs in Morris County on reducing drug overdose deaths, suicides and pulling people out of a cycle of despair and poverty,” said Morris County Commissioner Doug Cabana, the board liaison to Law and Public Safety. “It’s why the program has been replicated throughout the state.”  

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Morris County Department of Human Services, the Mental Health Association and the Center for Addiction Recovery Education and Success (CARES), staffs Hope One units with a plain clothes Sheriff’s Officer, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and a Mental Health Professional. In 2019, the team was awarded the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Michael Shanahan Cooperation in Public and Private Partnership Award. 

The simple yet effective Hope One model has been replicated in eight other counties across the State of New Jersey. 

Sheriff James Gannon addresses the ceremony.  

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One Project expanded in 2021 with the launch of the Hope Hub. 

The Hub is a multidisciplinary panel made up of law enforcement, social services, mental health services, healthcare providers, treatment providers and recovery specialists. Struggling individuals and families are referred to the Hope Hub and connected to life-changing services. 

To date, the program has offered assistance in 295 situations, reducing what is called acutely elevated risk (AER) in 97% of those cases. 

Since Hope Hub’s inception, the Interfaith Food Pantry Network has donated a total of 17,603 pounds of food and Nourish NJ has provided Hope Hub with over 300 meals! 

Gannon announced that the Interfaith Food Pantry Network & Nourish NJ’s logos have been placed on the newest Hope One van. 

From homeless outreach to special events, Hope One provides a stigma free environment and a safe place for individuals and families struggling. Hope is here. Click on Hope One to learn more about the program.  

On Saturday, October 1, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office hosted the first annual Community Festival to Combat Bias, Hate, and Violence. 

This event, which has held from noon to 4 p.m. within the Bishop Nazery Way Parking Lot in Morristown, was open to the public and various community leaders. Free food and beverages were provided to those who visited. 

Rev. Jerry Carter provided a moving invocation to commence the event. During the festival, primary presenters from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, which included Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri and Sgt. Patrick LaGuerre, discussed the impact of violence on the community, combatting and reducing hate crimes, bias crimes, and the laws addressing such crimes. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Morris County NAACP President Vanessa Brown and Rabbi Moshe Rudin also addressed attendees on these topics. 

Carroll said, “This festival, the first of its kind in our county, is an expansion of the MCPO’s school presentation program on these topics, in our efforts to reach and educate those of all ages and backgrounds. It is our hope that through presentations and programs like this event, that collectively we can have a positive impact on our community and society as a whole.” 

In honor of domestic violence awareness month Strengthen Our Sisters and its founder Sandra Ramos would like to reach out to the community to share some of their needs in maintaining their seven safe houses, two licensed daycares, a thrift store and food pantry with a volunteer staff. They are in desperate need in funding repairs and assistance in supporting those who are helping people with no where else to go.  

Go to its GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/f9cef505 

For further information, contact Sandra Ramos at 973-831-0898 or email nunasma@aol.com. 
 

All around the globe, women are victims of domestic violence. Locally, there is a non-profit organization that provides shelter, food and support for women and children who are battered or homeless. But with all that it supports, financial strain has taken a strain on its foundation.  

A campaign has been established to help raise funds to support this non-profit 501c3 shelter and supportive service program, Strengthen Our Sisters. With the purchase of a T-shirt, proceeds go directly to support this organization. The program has been guided by its founder Sandra Ramos since its inception in 1970 when Ramos founded the first shelter for battered women in North America. 

To support this campaign, buy a shirt at https://www.customink.com/fundraising/strengthen-our-sisters. Strengthen 

Submitted by Diane Lang, positive living expert, life coach, speaker.   

With the change of the clock this past weekend, many people will start to experience the winter blue’s including myself. This is when people experience a change of moods during the winter months, particularly a feeling of depression and sadness. I have clients who start to feel the winter blues as early as the beginning to middle of October and go through middle – end of March. Typically, when the weather gets warmer, the days get longer, these feelings will begin to lessen. If you are feeling under the weather during the cold winter months read below to help you manage the winter blues. 

Here are seven ways to handle the winter blues 

1. Spend as much time as you can outdoors while the weather is good. The mix of fresh air and sunlight/vitamin D is enough to improve our moods. 

2. Maintain a morning routine-  I suggest a mindfulness activity such as: walk, journal writing, prayer, meditation and deep breathing. Mindfulness will help you start your day on a positive note while helping you de-stress. 

3. Watch your diet – if you are feeling anxious, watch your sugar and caffeine intake. Both sugar and caffeine can cause us to feel restless and anxious. If you are feeling depressed, watch your alcohol consumption, alcohol is a depressant.  

4. Make sure your basic needs are met – are you getting enough sleep? What does your diet look like? Water? Do you exercise daily? 

5. Media – be careful with media and social media; it can cause us to feel stressed, fearful and anxious. If you can, read your news. When we watch the news, the newscaster can add to the stress by their tone of voice, body language and facial expression. Do not watch the news or go on social media before bed. What we think about before bed affects our sleep. 

6. Have a creative outlet – do something that you love that causes flow. Flow is being completely involved in an activity for its own sake, the ego falls to the side and time flies. Your complete focus is on the activity and the activity is rewarding. 

7. Socialization – is a huge factor of our happiness. You might not want to go outside in the cold or dark but you can pick up the phone and call a friend, hop on a skype or facetime call, take a zoom class, etc.  

8. Light Therapy - we know that increased sunlight helps improve the symptoms of seasonal disorder. There are certain lights you can buy called “Light Therapy Box,” which mimic outside light and help you lift your mood and spirits. 

For more information visit: www.dlcounseling.com or email Diane Lang at DLCounseling2014@gmail.com. 

United Way of Northern New Jersey is seeking the assistance of area residents and businesses to purchase holiday gifts for individuals in need during its 33rd annual United Way Gifts of the Season program. 

With the community’s help, United Way Gifts of the Season distributes more than 6,000 holiday gifts annually to children, teens, senior citizens, unpaid family caregivers and home-based child care providers experiencing financial hardship across northern New Jersey. 

“For families living paycheck to paycheck and households in poverty, the holiday season puts even more stress on already stretched budgets,” said United Way of Northern New Jersey CEO Kiran Handa Gaudioso. “Together, with individuals and groups pitching in, we can alleviate the strain these families face, such as having to choose between paying the heating bill and participating in the joys of the holiday season.”  

United Way’s annual gift drive is focused on helping ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and families in poverty — those who struggle to afford life’s basics. Despite working in jobs that are critical to keeping communities running smoothly, ALICE essential workers are one emergency away from financial ruin. The holidays and winter months bring additional financial stress, which United Way is seeking to ease with community support. 

Individuals, community groups, and businesses can support United Way Gifts of the Season by fulfilling a specific gift wish or purchasing a general gift through December 2. United Way also accepts gift cards and donations through December 7, to fulfill remaining gift requests. 

To fulfill a gift wish, purchase a gift online, or donate, visit https://uwnnj.org/gifts2022. 

To learn how to run a virtual gift drive or for more information about United Way Gifts of the Season, email Cary.Dawson@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call 973-993-1160, ext. 502. 

This program is made possible in part due to the donation of warehouse space by CBRE. 

About United Way of Northern New Jersey
United Way of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization fighting to improve life for families and individuals in our five-county footprint who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty.  United Way of Northern New Jersey serves Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties as well as portions of suburban Essex County. To learn more, visit UnitedWayNNJ.org.  

County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph plans to hold its second Athletic Hall of Fame to recognize and honor key individuals who have contributed to the growth and success of the college’s Titans athletic teams. 

The ceremony takes place Saturday, Nov. 12, with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner, in the Student Community Center on CCM’s campus, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph. 

To be inducted into the Class of 2022 Hall of Fame are John Puskar ’88, hockey, of Summit; Pete Sacco ’70, men’s basketball, of Chatham; Earl Dorber, softball coach, of Lewisville, Texas; Jeff Burek, athletic trainer, of Fair Lawn; Bette Simmons, vice president of Student Development & Enrollment Management, of Morristown; Lori Welles ’91, softball, of Randolph; Roger Stephens, men’s soccer coach, of Newton; Paul Kiernan, baseball coach, of Wake Forrest, N.C.; Ed Nelson, hockey coach, of Sparta; and Bob Lamken ’70, men’s basketball, of Sparta. 

Teams to be recognized are men’s baseball ’68, ’69 and ’70, men’s basketball ‘68, ’69 and ’70, ice hockey ’75 and softball ’90. Scott Sains, statistician, of Morristown, will be presented with a Contribution Award. 

Tickets for the Hall of Fame are $125. Sponsorship opportunities also are available. For tickets and sponsorships, go to http://weblink.donorperfect.com/2022halloffame. 

The college held its first Hall of Fame in 2019. 

Culinary Arts students demonstrating how to make a tasty dessert for guests at the Spring 2022 Open House.    

County College of Morris in Randolph plans to hold a Fall Open House packed full of informative and engaging sessions and activities, including a raffle to win a virtual reality headset. 

The Open House is set for Saturday, October 22, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with three starting sessions at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. 

Several academic programs will be holding showcases to provide students with deeper insight into different courses of study. Participants also will be able to tour the college’s state-of-the-art facilities, labs and studios. To obtain a solid understanding of the lay of the campus – the Land of the Titans – there will be a scavenger hunt and a raffle for those who take part. The winner will receive a Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset. 

Registration is required and is now taking place. To register, go to www.ccm.edu/admissions/visiting-us/. 

As always, the Open House will provide high school students, their families and adult learners with the opportunity to learn about the highly ranked education CCM provides to meet educational and career goals. Those attending the Open House will be able to talk with faculty and explore the more than 100 degree, certificate and professional development programs CCM offers. They also can learn about the admissions and registration process, and the support services and co-curricular programs CCM provides to ensure the success of its students. Special admissions and registration sessions also will be held for students to secure their enrollment at the college.  

Included among its many distinctions, CCM is ranked #1 in New Jersey for best associate degrees and in the top 1.8 percent of the best community colleges nationwide by Intelligent. The college also continues to maintain its #1 position in the state in PayScale’s “Best Community Colleges in New Jersey by Salary Potential,” a distinction it has held for five years in a row. To apply today, go to www.ccm.edu/admissions/. 

Sussex County Community College in Newton is entering a new partnership with Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) for its new 3+1 Bachelor’s degree path. 

Students who attend Sussex can take advantage of a unique agreement that enables students to save significantly on the cost of a bachelor’s degree from RCNJ while conveniently attending classes at Sussex.  Students are able to remain on Sussex’s campus while taking the third year of Ramapo’s bachelor’s degree curriculum. Upon successful completion of the third year, students will take the fourth-year curriculum on Ramapo’s Mahwah campus. Students can save approximately $7000 on the degree as compared to those who transfer after earning their first associate degree. 

The programs slated for approval for the Fall of 2023 include Global Studies and Business, Social Science with a focus on Criminal Justic, and Psychology. Qualified community college professors will teach junior year courses and hold the same credentials as professors who teach at four-year institutions. They have a strong educational background and sometimes an industry background as well.  

“We feel this will offer area residents an incredibly cost-effective way to pursue their four-year degree,” said Dr. Kathleen Okay, senior vice president of Academic & Student Affairs at Sussex. “We are delighted to partner with Ramapo College on this initiative, as both institutions already had an established history of collaborative ventures through various articulation agreements. It is a win for the students and the county!”  

Dr. Christopher Romano, vice president of Strategic Enrollment, Outreach and Engagement, says “This partnership only strengthens the existing relationship between Ramapo and Sussex. It doubles down on the two commitments that both institutions share and pride themselves on: student success and affordability. As a public college, it is imperative that the value of a liberal arts degree permeates the State and these degree paths certainly do that in preparing the next generation of graduates.”  

Students must apply and be accepted into the Advanced Associates of Continuous Studies at Sussex before enrolling in courses for the 3+1 Bachelor’s degree path. Once accepted, students are required to meet with a designated Ramapo College counselor who will assist them toward their successful transition to the four-year college to earn their bachelor’s degree.  

For more information about the new program with Ramapo College, contact Nicole Pedoto, RCNJ Transfer Advisor, npedoto@ramapo.edu, or 201-684-7572.  

Centenary University in Hackettstown will be adding women’s wrestling as an intercollegiate sport. The team will bring the total number of NCAA DIII sports offered by the University to 14, including seven women’s teams. 

“Women’s wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States,” noted Dr. Bruce Murphy, president of Centenary University. “Centenary’s new women’s wrestling team aligns with the objectives of our strategic plan to grow the University, while providing academic and extracurricular opportunities that enrich the experience for a more diverse group of students.”   

Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Robert L. Miller explained that the new team broadens Centenary’s recruitment pool of prospective students. 

“We’re excited to add women’s wrestling to our roster of DIII sports,” Miller said. “We anticipate strong interest from high school athletes in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as other areas of the country.” 

An Olympic sport for nearly two decades, women’s wrestling has charted explosive growth. The National Wrestling Coaches Association estimates that more than 28,000 high school women wrestled in 2021, compared with just 804 in 1994—an increase of more than 3,300 percent. Recognized as an emerging NCAA sport in 2020 for all three collegiate divisions, women’s wrestling is sanctioned for high school competition in 36 states, including N.J. Centenary’s program will be one of two NCAA collegiate programs in the state, although several other colleges and universities offer the sport on the club level or allow women to compete on men’s teams. 

Recruitment is underway for a Centenary women’s team coach and the first roster of players, which will debut for the 2023-2024 academic year. Associate Athletic Director Rose Haller said the University will leverage the success of its nationally-recognized men’s wrestling program to build the new women’s team, which will share training facilities with the men. 

“Centenary has a long and proud reputation for men’s wrestling, producing many national qualifiers and All-Americans,” Haller noted. “We anticipate that the University’s new women’s program will follow in that proud tradition.”  

Centenary University in Hackettstown is now accepting applications for its new RN to BSN program, which creates an academic pathway for registered nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Developed in collaboration with Atlantic Health System, the program will enroll its first cohort for classes beginning in fall 2023. 

“Earning a BSN holds numerous benefits for working nurses, including cultivation of leadership skills that can lead to greater career mobility and job satisfaction, as well as strengthened hospital and patient outcomes,” explained Dr. Rebecca A. Seaman, director of the University’s RN to BSN program. “This program will address issues at the forefront of nursing today, including health equity and health disparities, as well as healthcare-related policies that impact nurses in the workplace.” 

Centenary’s RN to BSN program is designed to be completed in five semesters and is structured in a cohort model to ensure these working professionals build a sustainable network as they pursue their BSN. The program will include a 50-hour capstone practicum experience centered on leadership and management principles. Taking into consideration the needs of the RN to BSN students, the program is structured so nurses can complete the majority of the practicum experience at their place of employment. 

Classes will be held primarily online, with asynchronous opportunities to connect students with faculty and peers. Qualified applicants can take any necessary prerequisites this spring and begin nursing classes in the fall. Students can consult with their nursing advisor to determine their eligibility and a path for entry into the program. 

Applicants must be registered nurses who have a full and unrestricted license. Students completing their nursing coursework from a community college in spring/summer 2023 are also eligible to apply. 

Introduction of the RN to BSN program at Centenary is part of the University’s broader expansion into health and wellness programs. Under the direction of Dr. Craig Fuller, interim dean of the School of Natural, Health, Social, and Behavioral Sciences, Centenary has launched a variety of new health-related degrees and concentrations, including medical laboratory science, health science, public health, and exercise science, in addition to the RN to BSN program. 

For more information about the RN to BSN program at Centenary, or to start an application, click here or contact Seaman at (908) 852-1400, ext. 2254.